Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion

...not be able to sigh. The headache is unbearable. The patient sweats and yet feels cold. The condition is most severe on Bing and Ding days These are "Fire" days. In the five-element cycle, Fire melts Metal (the Lung), making these days dangerous for Lung ailments. Profuse sweating occurs on Geng and Xin days Metal days, corresponding to the Lung's own element, allowing for a release. If the Qi Vital energy or life force reverses its proper flow, then death occurs on Bing or Ding days.

When it is Kidney heat disease: first there is pain in the lower back and aching in the shins, bitter thirst, frequent drinking of water, and a general heat throughout the body. When the heat "contends" intensifies or reaches a crisis point, there is pain and stiffness in the neck. The shins feel cold yet ache, the soles of the feet are hot, and the patient does not wish to speak. If the energy reverses, the neck is painful and the head feels dizzy and unsteady; this is most severe on Wu and Ji days Earth days; Earth overcomes Water (the Kidney). Profuse sweating occurs on Ren and Gui days Water days. If the energy reverses, death occurs on Wu and Ji days.

Pierce the Foot Shaoyin Kidney channel and Taiyang Bladder channel meridians. For all those who sweat: the sweat will break out on the day that "conquers" the affected organ sweat comes out For example, a Wood-related disease may resolve through sweating on a Metal day.

In Liver heat disease: the left cheek first turns red.
In Heart heat disease: the forehead first turns red.
In Spleen heat disease: the nose first turns red.
In Lung heat disease: the right cheek first turns red.
In Kidney heat disease: the chin first turns red.

Even if the disease has not yet fully manifested, if these red colors are observed, one should apply the needles. This is called "treating the disease before it arises" original: 治未病 "zhì wèi bìng"; a cornerstone of Chinese preventative medicine. When a heat disease begins in a specific facial region, it will resolve when the designated period is reached.

The "period" is determined by the days. For example, Jia is like the Liver, Yi... if the piercing is done in a "reversed" manner targeting the wrong organ or energy flow, it takes three full cycles to resolve. "Reversed" means taking the Qi incorrectly. For example, for a Liver disease, piercing the Lung; for Spleen, the Kidney; for Kidney, the Heart; for Heart, the Lung; for Lung, the Liver. "Three cycles" refers to three rotations through the channels of the three Yin and three Yang. This is like treating a Taiyang disease by draining the Yangming channel. If the reversal is repeated, the patient will die. For all who are due to sweat, wait until...

...the day that "conquers" the organ. Then the sweat will break out profusely. In all treatments for heat disease, first have the patient drink cold water, and only then apply the needles. They must wear cold clothing and stay in a cold place. The treatment stops once the body itself becomes cold.

If the heat disease begins with pain in the chest and flanks and restlessness in the hands and feet: pierce the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder channel and supplement the Foot Taiyin Spleen channel. If the disease is severe, perform the "fifty-nine piercings" A specific set of 59 acupuncture points used traditionally to clear intense heat from the body.

If the heat disease starts with pain in the hands and arms: pierce the Hand Yangming Large Intestine and Taiyin Lung until the sweating stops.

If the heat disease starts in the head: pierce the Neck Taiyang Bladder until the sweating stops.

If the heat disease starts in the feet and shins: pierce the Foot Yangming Stomach until the sweating stops.

If the heat disease starts with a heavy feeling in the body and bone pain, deafness, and a tendency to fall into a heavy sleep: pierce the Foot Shaoyin Kidney. If the disease is severe, use the fifty-nine piercings.

If the heat disease starts with dizziness and heat, with fullness in the chest and flanks: pierce the Foot Shaoyin and Shaoyang. These are the Jing-well and Ying-spring points Specific types of acupuncture points located near the tips of the fingers and toes used for clearing heat.

When the color of the Taiyang vessel appears on the cheekbones, it indicates a bone heat disease. Purple spots?. If the color and the vessel's energy have not yet "crossed," it is said that the patient will soon sweat; wait for the proper time and it will resolve. "Waiting for the time" refers to a Liver disease waiting for Jia or Yi days, and similar associations.

If the signs appear in conflict with the Jueyin Liver/Pericardium pulse, the time of death will not exceed three days. Outwardly, the red color of Taiyang is seen; inwardly, the wiry pulse of Jueyin is felt. This means the life force is already defeated, and the Wood element is acting out of turn. Therefore, death in three days.

When the heat disease connects internally with the Kidney, it manifests as the color of the Shaoyang Triple Burner/Gallbladder vessel. Creating painful Qi. Of the Shaoyang...