叶余庆,字无善,平江人。自云∶尝病瘵疾,其居对桥,而行不能度。有僧为之灸膏肓
穴,
得百壮。后二日,即能行数里,登降皆不倦,自是康强。其取穴法,但并足垂手,正身直立
,勿令俯仰,取第四椎下两旁同身寸各三寸。灸时以软物枕头覆面卧,垂手附身,或临时置
身,取安便而已。其转为人灸,亦用此法,云皆有功。然与昔人取穴之法甚略,又与《千金
方》立点则立灸之说不合,欧阳典世行之,陈了翁莹中婿也,了翁得无为张济针术,其求穴
尤妙,尝为行之灸膏肓俞,故痕可见,以叶所言,校之叶穴微下,盖脊有曲直之殊,不能无
少异也。又常熟县医工潘琪云∶渠传之于师,取穴之法∶正坐曲脊,并足而仰两手,令大指
与脐屈肘当髀股上亦自是。其说虽与《千金方》伸臂令正直之法不同,然比立点则近古矣。
又衢州开化县,普鉴院僧仲闻,得取穴二法∶其一正坐坚立,两膝当乳,以两臂还抱,屈手
向膝,以左手头指以指捏左膝眼,右手指亦然,于背上数椎骨量穴,根据此坐灸。又法∶正坐
立膝,同上以臂贴膝外,直伸向足,竖两手相背,以二头指向身,手捏两足大趾头歧间,余
亦如上。其比同身寸只用伸指法,似亦可用。今俱存之,不特以备见闻之博。且使后人较其
短长知所适从,不为异端所惑心。
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\r叶元善卧灸法图\p06-d16a18.bmp\r
\r潘琪仰手曲肘取穴法\p06-d16a19.bmp\r
\r僧仲闻取穴前法图\p06-d16a20.bmp\r
\r僧仲闻取穴后法图\p06-d16a21.bmp\r
叶余庆,字无善,是平江人。他自称曾经患过痨病(消耗性疾病),当时他的住处对着桥,但他走路无法通过那座桥。有一位僧人为他艾灸膏肓穴,累计施灸一百壮。两天后,他就能行走几里路,上下楼梯都不感到疲倦,从此身体恢复健康强壮。
关于取穴的方法,只需双脚并拢、双手自然下垂,身体正直直立,不要前俯后仰,在第四胸椎棘突下两旁各旁开三同身寸处取穴。艾灸时,用软物做枕头,面部朝下俯卧,双手垂在身侧或临时放置,以舒适方便为原则。如果是让别人为自己施灸,也使用这种方法,据说都有疗效。
然而,这种方法与古人的取穴法相比非常简略,而且与《千金方》中“站立定位则站立施灸”的说法不符。欧阳典世推行这种方法,他是陈了翁的女婿。陈了翁从无为的张济那里学到了针刺技术,他寻找穴位的方法尤其精妙,曾经为叶元善艾灸膏肓俞穴,所以留下了灸痕。将叶氏所说的位置与陈了翁所灸的位置校对,发现叶氏的穴位略微偏低,这大概是因为脊柱有弯曲和挺直的不同,所以不能没有细微的差异。
另外,常熟县的医生潘琪说:他师传下来的取穴方法是:端正坐立,弯曲脊背,双脚并拢并将双手向后上方仰起,使大拇指与肚脐齐平,屈肘时手位于大腿上,这也算是合理的。这种说法虽然与《千金方》中“伸展手臂使其正直”的方法不同,但比起站立定位的方法更接近古法。
还有衢州开化县的普鉴院僧人仲闻,得到了两种取穴方法:第一种是端正坐立,双膝并拢如同乳房的高度,双臂回抱,屈手向膝盖方向,用左手食指捏住左膝眼,右手食指亦然,然后在背部数脊椎骨来度量取穴,依据这种坐姿进行艾灸。第二种方法:端正坐立,双膝伸直,同上所述将手臂贴在膝盖外侧,直接伸向脚的方向,双手竖立且手背相对,用两个拇指指向身体,手指捏住两足大脚趾分叉之间,其余部分同上。这种方法比用同身寸测量仅使用伸展手指的方法,似乎也可行。现在都将这些方法保存下来,不仅是为了展示见闻的广博,而且为了让后人比较它们的长短优劣,知道该遵从哪一种,不被异端邪说所迷惑。
Ye Yuqing, courtesy name Wushan, was a native of Pingjiang. He claimed to have once suffered from *xiezhi* (consumptive disease, often referring to tuberculosis). His residence was opposite a bridge, but he was unable to walk across it. A monk moxaed his *Gaohuang* (BL43) acupoint, administering a total of one hundred moxa cones (*zhuang*). Two days later, he was able to walk several *li*, climbing and descending without fatigue, and from then on, he recovered his health and strength.
Regarding the method for locating the acupoint, one should stand with feet together and hands hanging naturally by the sides, keeping the body upright and straight, without bending forward or backward. The point is located three *cun* (body-inch measurements) lateral to the lower border of the fourth thoracic vertebra spinous process. During moxibustion, use a soft object as a pillow, lie prone with the face covered, let hands hang by the side or place them temporarily as needed for comfort. When having another person perform the moxibustion, this same method is used, which is said to be effective.
However, this method is quite simplified compared to ancient methods of locating points, and it contradicts the statement in the *Qianjin Fang* (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold) that "if locating while standing, moxa should be applied while standing." Ouyang Dian shi promoted this method; he was the son-in-law of Chen Liaoweng. Chen Liaoweng acquired acupuncture techniques from Zhang Ji of Wuwei. His method for seeking acupoints was particularly exquisite. He once performed moxibustion on Ye Yuanshan's *Gaohuangshu* (BL43), leaving visible marks. Comparing the location described by Ye with the actual mark left by Chen, Ye's location was slightly lower. This is likely due to differences in spinal curvature between individuals, leading to slight variations.
Additionally, Pan Qi, a medical practitioner from Changshu County, stated: "I received this from my master. The method for locating the point is: sit upright with the spine curved, feet together, and hands raised backwards and upwards so that the thumbs align with the navel. When the elbows are flexed, the hands rest on the upper thighs." Although this description differs from the method in the *Qianjin Fang* of extending the arms to make them straight, it is closer to ancient practices than the standing-pointing method.
Furthermore, Zhongwen, a monk at Pujian Temple in Kaihua County, Quzhou, possessed two methods for locating the point: The first involves sitting upright with knees together at the level of the breasts, wrapping the arms around, flexing the hands towards the knees, and using the index finger of the left hand to pinch the left knee eye (Xuehai/Double Xiyan area contextually implied as landmark), and similarly with the right hand. Then, count the vertebral bones on the back to measure and locate the point, performing moxibustion in this seated posture. The second method: Sit upright with knees extended. As above, press the arms against the outer side of the knees, extending directly towards the feet. Hold both hands vertically with backs facing each other, pointing thumbs towards the body, and pinch the webbing between the big toes of both feet. The remainder follows the previous description. This method, relying on finger extension rather than standard *cun* measurement, also seems applicable. These methods are preserved here not only to demonstrate broad knowledge but also to allow future generations to compare their merits and demerits, know which to follow, and not be confused by heterodox theories.