Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion

If the pulse is small and full, immediately apply moxibustion to the Shaoyin Shaoyin: The "Lesser Yin" meridian, here referring to the Kidney channel on the lower leg of the shin. Needle the "Well" point of the toes original: "指井" (zhǐ jǐng). Jing-well points are located at the tips of the fingers or toes where the meridian energy originates. Retain the needle for three-tenths of an inch. Five cones of moxa may be burned. The "Well" point refers to the Zhiyin point; needle it one-tenth of an inch and use three cones of moxa. When the malaria pulse is full and large, immediately needle the Back Shu points Back Shu: Acupuncture points located along the spine that correspond to the internal organs. Use the five Qu-Shu points, one for each side of the back, to properly regulate the flow of blood.

When the malaria pulse is slow, large, and weak, it indicates a state of deficiency. In such cases, it is appropriate to use medicinal herbs; acupuncture should not be used. In all treatments for malaria, one must act before the onset—about the time it takes to eat a meal—to be effective. If that window passes, the timing for treatment is lost.

For all types of malaria where the pulse cannot be felt, needle the spaces between the ten fingers to draw blood; once the stagnant blood is removed, the illness will certainly cease. First, look for small red spots the size of adzuki beans and clear them all.

Regarding the Twelve Malarias: their presentations differ. One must constantly observe the physical symptoms of the disease to understand which meridian's pulse is afflicted. Needle the patient about the time it takes to eat a meal before the expected onset. After the first needling, the illness weakens; after the second, the patient feels an improvement; after the third, the illness ceases. If it does not cease, needle the two vessels under the tongue to draw blood. If it still does not cease, needle the center of the popliteal fossa the hollow behind the knee to bleed the flourishing meridian. Furthermore, needle the area below the neck on both sides of the spine, and the illness will surely end. The area "on both sides of the spine" refers to the Dazhu, Fengmen, and Refu points. Needle five-tenths of an inch and use five cones of moxa. The two vessels under the tongue are the Lianquan point. Needle three-tenths of an inch and use three cones of moxa.

When treating malaria, one must first ask which symptom appeared first and needle that area first. If headache and heaviness of the head appeared first, needle the top of the head and—

—if there is an excess of cold fluids original: "水反寒多" (shuǐ fǎn hán duō). In the context of Heart Malaria, the "Water" element overcomes the "Fire" of the Heart, leading to intense shivering and not much heat, needle the Hand Shaoyin Hand Shaoyin: The Heart meridian. Specifically the Shenmen point; needle three-tenths of an inch and use three cones of moxa.

Liver Malaria causes the patient’s complexion to turn a dark, greenish-blue. They sigh frequently, and their condition is so severe they look as if they are dying. Needle the Foot Jueyin Foot Jueyin: The Liver meridian until blood appears. Specifically the Zhongfeng point; needle four-tenths of an inch and use three cones of moxa.

Spleen Malaria causes the patient to feel cold and experience pain within the abdomen. When the heat phase begins, there is rumbling in the intestines; once the rumbling stops, a sweat breaks out. Needle the Foot Taiyin Foot Taiyin: The Spleen meridian. Specifically the Shangqiu point; needle three-tenths of an inch and use three cones of moxa.

Kidney Malaria causes the patient to shiver uncontrollably. The lower back and spine are painful, making it difficult to turn over. They suffer from constipation, dizziness, and cold hands and feet. Needle the Foot Taiyang and Shaoyin. Specifically the Jinmen point of the Foot Taiyang and the Taixi point of the Foot Shaoyin.

Stomach Malaria causes the patient to develop jaundice. They are constantly hungry but unable to eat; if they do eat, they feel distended and their abdomen becomes large. Needle the "Horizontal Vessels" of the Foot Yangming and Taiyin to draw blood. Specifically the Lidui point (needle 0.1 inch, 1 moxa cone), Jiexi point (needle 0.5 inch, 3 moxa cones), and Zusanli point (needle 0.1 inch, 3 moxa cones). The Taiyin Horizontal Vessel is in front of the inner ankle, crossing diagonally over the main Taiyin meridian; it is suitable for bleeding.

When the malaria onset begins and the body is just turning hot, needle the pulsating artery on the top of the foot referring to the Yangming/Stomach meridian. Open the hole and draw blood; the fever will subside immediately. When the malaria is about to enter the cold phase, needle the Hand Yangming, Hand Taiyin, Foot Yangming, and Foot Taiyin also opening the points to draw blood. If the malaria pulse is full and large, immediately needle the Back Shu points using a medium-sized needle. Needle the five Qu-Shu points lateral to the spine, one on each side, adjusting based on the patient's body fat to draw blood. The five Qu-Shu points refer to Yixi. If the malaria pulse—