《诊要经终论》曰∶正月、二月，天气
始方，地气始发，人气在肝。三月、四月，天气正方，地气正发，人气在脾。五月、六
月，天气盛，地气高，人气在头。七月、八月，阴气始杀，人气在肺。九月、十月，阴
气始水，地气始闭，人气在心。十一月、十二月，水复，地气合，人气在肾。（此举天气、
地气、人气而言之，见人气所在，乃诊家之至要也。诊，视验也。诊之为义，所赅者广，有自诊脉言者，有自诊
病言者。善诊者，察色按脉，不止于脉而已。方，正也。杀，肃也。正、二月者，寅卯月也，月建属木，木治东
方，天气始正，地气始发，人气在肝，以肝属东方木也。三、四月者，辰巳月也，月建属土与火，治东南方，天
气正方，地气之发者已定，人气在脾，以脾属土，而土又生火也。五、六月者，午未月也，月建属火，火治南
方，天气已盛，地气已高，人气在头，头属南方火也。七、八月者，申酉月也，月建属金，金治西方，天地之阳气
已下，阴气已上，始皆肃杀，人气在肺，以肺属西方金也。九月、十月者，戌亥月也，月建属水，阴气始冰，地
气闭，人气在心，阳气入藏也。十一、十二月者，子丑月也，月建属水，水治北方，水已复凝，地气已合，人
气在肾，以肾属北方水也。善诊者，常以是为法矣。）十二经脉之终奈何？（终，谓尽也。）太阳之脉，其
终也戴眼反折螈 ，其色白，绝汗乃出，出则死矣。（此先以太阳之终者言之也。足太阳之脉，起
于目内 ，上额交巅，入络脑，还出别下项，循肩膊内侠脊抵腰中；其支别者，下循足至小指外侧。手太阳之
脉，起于手小指之端，循臂上肩入缺盆；其支别者，从缺盆循颈上颊，至目外 ，故太阳之终也。戴眼，谓睛
不转而仰视也。反折螈 ，谓手足身体反张，而或急为螈，或缓为 。其色则白，足太阳之水主黑，手太阳之
火主赤，其二色不见，而色止白也。绝汗乃出，谓汗暴出如珠，而不复渗入者也。盖至于绝汗一出而死矣。）少
阳终者，耳聋，百节皆纵，目环绝系，绝系一日半死，其死也色先青白，乃死矣。（此
举少阳之终者言之也。足少阳之脉，起于目锐 ，上抵头角，下耳后；其支别者，从耳后入耳中，出走耳前，手
少阳之脉，其支别者，从耳后入耳中，出走耳前。故终则耳聋。少阳主筋，故终则百节皆纵，其目环之系则绝，
盖至于系绝，而一日半则死，且其死也，色必青白，以金木相薄也。）阳明终者，口目动作，善惊妄言，
色黄，其上下经盛，不仁则终矣。（此举阳明之终者言之也。足阳明之脉，起于鼻，交额中，下循鼻外
上入齿中，侠口环唇，循颊车上耳前，循发际至额颅；其支者，从人迎前下人迎，循喉咙入缺盆下膈。手阳明之
脉，起于手次指之端，循臂至肩，出于柱骨之会，下循
缺盆络肺；其去别者，从缺盆上颈贯颊，下入齿中，还挟口交人中，上侠鼻孔，故终则口目动作，胃病则恶人
与火，闻木音则惕然而惊，詈骂不避亲疏，故善惊妄言也。黄者，土色也。上，谓手脉，下，言足脉。经盛，谓
面、目、颈、颔、足、跗、腕、胫皆躁盛而动也。不仁，谓不知痛痒也。此皆气极之征，故终也。）少阴终者，
面黑齿长而垢，腹胀闭，上下不通而终矣。（此举少阴之终者言之也。手少阴气绝则血不流，血不流
则皮毛死，故面色如漆而不赤，足少阴气绝则骨不软，骨不软则龈上宣，故齿长而积垢。手少阴之脉，起于心中，
出属心系，下鬲络小肠也，足少阴之脉，从肾上贯肝鬲入肺中，故其终则腹胀闭，而上下不通也。）太阴终者，
腹胀闭不得息，善噫善呕，呕则逆，逆则面赤，不逆则上下不通，不通则面黑皮毛
焦而终矣。（此举太阴之终者言之也，足太阴之脉，从股内前廉入腹，属脾络胃上鬲。手太阴之脉，起于中焦，
下络大肠，还循胃口，上鬲属肺，唯其从脾络胃，故腹胀闭不得息，为噫为呕，且呕则气逆而上行，故面色赤，
不呕则不逆，不逆则上下通，下又复闭，则上下不通，心气外燔，故皮毛焦而终矣。何者？足太阴脉支别者，从
胃别上鬲注心中也。）厥阴终者，中热嗌干，善溺心烦，甚则舌卷卵上缩而终矣。此十二经
之所败也。（此举厥阴之终者言之也。足厥阴之脉，循胫上睾结于茎，其正经入毛中，过阴器上抵少腹，侠胃
循喉咙之后，上入项颡。手厥阴之脉，起于胸中，出属心包，故终则中热嗌干，善溺心烦也。《灵枢》云∶肝者，
筋之合。筋者聚于阴器而脉络于舌本，甚则舌卷卵上缩而终也。若此者十二经皆至于败，其死也宜矣。）
《诊要经终论》说：正月、二月，天气开始端正，地气开始生发，人体之气在肝脏。三月、四月，天气正当旺盛，地气正常生发，人体之气在脾脏。五月、六月，天气盛大，地气高扬，人体之气在头部。七月、八月，阴气开始肃杀，人体之气在肺脏。九月、十月，阴气开始结冰，地气开始闭藏，人体之气在心脏。十一月、十二月，水气复归凝结，地气合拢，人体之气在肾脏。（这里列举了天气、地气、人气而言，说明人气所在之处，是诊察医生的至关重要要点。诊，即视验。诊的含义，涵盖广泛，有从诊脉角度说的，有从诊病角度说的。善于诊察的人，观察面色、按压脉搏，不仅仅局限于脉象而已。方，意为正。杀，意为肃。正、二月，是寅卯月，月建属木，木治理东方，天气开始端正，地气开始生发，人气在肝，因为肝属东方木。三、四月，是辰巳月，月建属土与火，治理东南方，天气正当旺盛，地气的生发已经稳定，人气在脾，因为脾属土，而土又生火。五、六月，是午未月，月建属火，火治理南方，天气已经盛大，地气已经高扬，人气在头，头属南方火。七、八月，是申酉月，月建属金，金治理西方，天地的阳气已经下沉，阴气已经上升，开始皆呈肃杀之象，人气在肺，因为肺属西方金。九月、十月，是戌亥月，月建属水，阴气开始结冰，地气闭藏，人气在心，阳气入于脏腑。十一、十二月，是子丑月，月建属水，水治理北方，水已经复归凝结，地气已经合拢，人气在肾，因为肾属北方水也。善于诊察的人，常以此作为法则。）十二经脉的终结是怎样的？（终，意为尽绝。）太阳经的脉气终结时，出现两目上视不能转动、身体反折抽搐，面色苍白，绝汗流出，一旦流出就会死亡。（这里先以太阳经的终结来论述。足太阳膀胱经，起于目内眦，上行至额部交会于巅顶，入络于脑，复出分别下行项后，沿肩膊内侧夹脊柱抵于腰中；其支脉，下行至足小指外侧。手太阳小肠经，起于手小指末端，沿手臂上行至肩部进入缺盆；其支脉，从缺盆沿颈部上至面颊，至目外眦，所以太阳经终结时……戴眼，指眼球固定不转而向上看。反折瘛疭，指手足身体向后反张，或者拘急为瘛，或者弛缓为疭。其面色则白，足太阳之水主黑色，手太阳之火主红色，这两种颜色都不见，而面色仅表现为白色。绝汗乃出，指汗液突然涌出如珠状，不再渗入肌肤。大概到了绝汗一出便死亡了。）少阳经终结时，耳聋，全身关节松弛无力，目环周围脉络断绝，脉络断绝一天半后死亡，其死前面色先青后白，然后死亡。（这里列举少阳经的终结来论述。足少阳胆经，起于目锐眦，上行抵住头角，下行至耳后；其支脉，从耳后入耳中，出走耳前。手少阳三焦经，其支脉，从耳后入耳中，出走耳前。所以终结时耳聋。少阳主筋，所以终结时全身关节皆松弛，其目环的脉络断绝，大概到了脉络断绝，一天半后死亡，且其死前面色必现青白，这是因为金木相搏所致。）阳明经终结时，口眼歪斜抽动，易受惊吓胡言乱语，面色发黄，其上下经脉躁盛，不知痛痒则终结了。（这里列举阳明经的终结来论述。足阳明胃经，起于鼻翼，交会于额中，下行沿鼻外侧，上行入齿中，夹口环绕嘴唇，沿颊车上行至耳前，沿发际至额颅；其支脉，从人迎穴前下行至人迎，沿喉咙进入缺盆，下膈。手阳明大肠经，起于手食指末端，沿手臂至肩部，出于柱骨会合处，下行沿缺盆络于肺；其别行支脉，从缺盆上颈贯颊，下行入齿中，回来夹口交于人中，上行夹鼻孔，所以终结时口眼动作，胃病则恶人与火，听到木音则惊恐，骂人不避亲疏，所以易惊妄言。黄，是土的颜色。上，指手脉，下，指足脉。经盛，指面、目、颈、颔、足、跗、腕、胫都躁动旺盛而跳动。不仁，指不知痛痒。这些都是气极的征象，所以终结。）少阴经终结时，面色黑，牙齿显得长且有污垢，腹胀闭塞，上下不通而终结了。（这里列举少阴经的终结来论述。手少阴心气绝则血不流，血不流则皮毛死，所以面色如漆而不红；足少阴肾气绝则骨不软，骨不软则牙龈萎缩，所以牙齿显得长且积垢。手少阴心经，起于心中，出来属于心系，下膈络小肠；足少阴肾经，从肾上贯肝膈入肺中，所以其终结时腹胀闭塞，上下不通。）太阴经终结时，腹胀闭塞呼吸困难，爱打嗝爱呕吐，呕吐则气逆，气逆则面赤，不气逆则上下不通，不通则面色黑皮毛干枯而终结了。（这里列举太阴经的终结来论述。足太阴脾经，从大腿内侧前缘入腹，属脾络胃，上膈。手太阴肺经，起于中焦，下络大肠，回绕胃口，上膈属肺，正因为从脾络胃，所以腹胀闭塞呼吸困难，产生打嗝呕吐，且呕吐则气逆而上行，所以面色赤，不呕吐则不气逆，不气逆则上下通，下又复闭，则上下不通，心气外焚，所以皮毛干枯而终结。为什么？足太阴脾经的支脉，从胃别出上膈注入心中。）厥阴经终结时，胸中发热咽喉干燥，多尿心烦，严重时舌头卷缩睾丸上缩而终结了。这是十二经脉败坏的表现。（这里列举厥阴经的终结来论述。足厥阴肝经，沿小腿上行至睾丸结于茎部，其正经入毛际，过阴器上抵小腹，夹胃旁沿喉咙之后，上入鼻咽部。手厥阴心包经，起于胸中，出来属于心包，所以终结时胸中发热咽喉干燥，多尿心烦。《灵枢》说：肝是筋的结合处。筋聚于阴器而脉络于舌根，严重时舌头卷缩睾丸上缩而终结。像这样的十二经都至于败坏，其死亡是必然的了。）
According to the "Treatise on the Essentials of Diagnosing and the Termination of Meridians": In the first and second months, the Qi of Heaven begins to be upright, the Qi of Earth begins to emerge, and the Qi of Humanity resides in the Liver. In the third and fourth months, the Qi of Heaven is fully upright, the Qi of Earth is fully emerging, and the Qi of Humanity resides in the Spleen. In the fifth and sixth months, the Qi of Heaven is abundant, the Qi of Earth is high, and the Qi of Humanity resides in the Head. In the seventh and eighth months, Yin Qi begins to wither (Shu), and the Qi of Humanity resides in the Lungs. In the ninth and tenth months, Yin Qi begins to freeze, the Qi of Earth begins to close, and the Qi of Humanity resides in the Heart. In the eleventh and twelfth months, Water Qi returns and condenses, the Qi of Earth closes together, and the Qi of Humanity resides in the Kidneys. (This enumerates the Qi of Heaven, the Qi of Earth, and the Qi of Humanity to illustrate that knowing where the Qi of Humanity resides is of utmost importance for diagnosticians. Zhen (Diagnosis) refers to visual inspection. The meaning of Zhen is broad; it includes diagnosing via pulse-taking and diagnosing diseases. A skilled diagnostician observes complexion and palpates pulses, not limiting themselves solely to the pulse. Fang means upright. Sha means solemn or withering. The first and second months correspond to Yin and Mao months, governed by Wood, which rules the East. The Qi of Heaven begins to be upright, the Qi of Earth begins to emerge, and the Qi of Humanity resides in the Liver, as the Liver belongs to Wood in the East. The third and fourth months correspond to Chen and Si months, governed by Earth and Fire, ruling the Southeast. The Qi of Heaven is fully upright, the emergence of Qi of Earth has stabilized, and the Qi of Humanity resides in the Spleen, as the Spleen belongs to Earth, and Earth generates Fire. The fifth and sixth months correspond to Wu and Wei months, governed by Fire, which rules the South. The Qi of Heaven is abundant, the Qi of Earth is high, and the Qi of Humanity resides in the Head, as the Head corresponds to Fire in the South. The seventh and eighth months correspond to Shen and You months, governed by Metal, which rules the West. The Yang Qi of Heaven and Earth descends, while Yin Qi ascends, beginning a state of solemnity and withering; the Qi of Humanity resides in the Lungs, as the Lungs belong to Metal in the West. The ninth and tenth months correspond to Xu and Hai months, governed by Water. Yin Qi begins to freeze, the Qi of Earth closes, and the Qi of Humanity resides in the Heart, as Yang Qi enters the Zang organs. The eleventh and twelfth months correspond to Zi and Chou months, governed by Water, which rules the North. Water has returned and condensed, the Qi of Earth has closed together, and the Qi of Humanity resides in the Kidneys, as the Kidneys belong to Water in the North. Skilled diagnosticians often use these principles as their method.) What is the termination of the Twelve Primary Meridians? (Termination, Zhong, means exhaustion or end.) When the Taiyang (Greater Yang) meridian terminates, the eyes are fixed upward (Daiyan) and the body arches backward with spasms (Chizhong); the complexion is white; Jiexuan (desperate sweat) appears, and once it appears, death ensues. (This discusses the termination of the Taiyang meridian first. The Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian originates at the inner canthus, ascends to the forehead and intersects at the vertex, enters to connect with the brain, emerges again to descend separately along the nape, runs along the medial side of the shoulder blades, flanking the spine to reach the middle of the waist; its branch descends along the foot to the lateral side of the little toe. The Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian originates at the tip of the little finger, runs up the arm to the shoulder, enters the clavicular fossa (Quepen); its branch enters the ear from behind the ear, exits before the ear, runs along the neck to the cheek, and reaches the outer canthus. Thus, upon termination of the Taiyang meridian... Daiyan refers to the eyeballs being fixed and looking upward. Fanze Chizhong refers to the body arching backward, with limbs either tense (Chi) or flaccid (Zhong). The complexion is white; the Water of Foot-Taiyang governs black, and the Fire of Hand-Taiyang governs red; since neither of these colors is seen, only white remains. Jiexuan refers to sweat suddenly gushing out like beads without penetrating back into the skin. Death occurs when this desperate sweat appears.) When the Shaoyang (Lesser Yang) meridian terminates, there is deafness, all joints become flaccid, and the meridians around the eyes sever. After the meridians sever, death occurs in one and a half days. Upon death, the complexion first turns cyan and white, then death ensues. (This discusses the termination of the Shaoyang meridian. The Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian originates at the outer canthus, ascends to touch the head corner, and descends behind the ear; its branch enters the ear from behind, exits before the ear. The Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian's branch enters the ear from behind, exits before the ear. Thus, upon termination, there is deafness. Shaoyang governs tendons, so upon termination, all joints become flaccid. The meridians around the eyes sever; after severance, death occurs in one and a half days. The complexion must turn cyan and white upon death, due to the conflict between Metal and Wood.) When the Yangming (Yang Brightness) meridian terminates, there is twitching of the mouth and eyes, frequent fright, delirious speech, yellow complexion, and excessive pulsation in the upper and lower meridians. Loss of sensation (Buren) marks the termination. (This discusses the termination of the Yangming meridian. The Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian originates at the nose, intersects at the forehead, descends along the lateral nose, enters the teeth, flanks the mouth and encircles the lips, runs along the cheekbone to the front of the ear, and follows the hairline to the forehead; its branch descends from the Renying point before the Renying, runs along the throat, enters the clavicular fossa, and passes through the diaphragm. The Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian originates at the tip of the index finger, runs up the arm to the shoulder, emerges at the junction of the vertebral bones, descends along the clavicular fossa to connect with the Lungs; its separate branch ascends from the clavicular fossa along the neck through the cheek, enters the teeth, returns to flank the mouth and intersect at the philtrum, and ascends to flank the nostrils. Thus, upon termination, there is movement of the mouth and eyes. Stomach disease causes aversion to people and fire; hearing the sound of wood causes sudden fright; cursing without regard for kinship or distance leads to fright and delirium. Yellow is the color of Earth. 'Upper' refers to the Hand meridians, 'lower' to the Foot meridians. Jing Sheng (Meridian Excess) refers to restlessness and fullness in the face, eyes, neck, chin, feet, dorsum pedis, wrists, and calves. Buren means insensitivity to pain and itch. These are signs of extreme Qi exhaustion, hence termination.) When the Shaoyin (Lesser Yin) meridian terminates, the face turns black, the teeth appear long and dirty, abdominal distension and closure occur, and there is blockage between the upper and lower parts leading to termination. (This discusses the termination of the Shaoyin meridian. When the Qi of Hand-Shaoyin Heart fails, blood does not flow; when blood does not flow, the skin and hair die, so the complexion is like lacquer but not red. When the Qi of Foot-Shaoyin Kidney fails, the bones do not soften; when bones do not soften, the gums recede, so the teeth appear long and accumulate dirt. The Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian originates in the heart, emerges to belong to the Heart system, descends through the diaphragm to connect with the Small Intestine. The Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian ascends from the Kidney, pierces the Liver and Diaphragm, and enters the Lungs. Thus, upon termination, there is abdominal distension and closure, with blockage between upper and lower.) When the Taiyin (Greater Yin) meridian terminates, there is abdominal distension and closure with inability to breathe, frequent belching and vomiting. If vomiting occurs, Qi rebels; if Qi rebels, the face turns red. If Qi does not rebel, there is blockage between upper and lower; if blocked, the face turns black, skin and hair wither, and termination ensues. (This discusses the termination of the Taiyin meridian. The Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian enters the abdomen from the anterior aspect of the medial thigh, belongs to the Spleen and connects with the Stomach, and ascends through the diaphragm. The Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian originates in the Middle Jiao, descends to connect with the Large Intestine, returns to follow the stomach opening, ascends through the diaphragm to belong to the Lungs. Precisely because it connects the Spleen and Stomach, there is abdominal distension and closure with breathing difficulty, leading to belching and vomiting. Vomiting causes Qi to rebel and ascend, turning the face red. If there is no vomiting, there is no rebellion; if no rebellion, the upper and lower are connected, but if the lower closes again, there is blockage between upper and lower. Heart Qi burns externally, causing skin and hair to wither and termination to ensue. Why? The branch of the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian separates from the Stomach, ascends through the diaphragm, and pours into the Heart.) When the Jueyin (Terminal Yin) meridian terminates, there is heat in the chest, dry throat, frequent urination, and irritability. In severe cases, the tongue curls and the testicles retract, leading to termination. This represents the failure of the Twelve Meridians. (This discusses the termination of the Jueyin meridian. The Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian runs along the shank, ascends to the scrotum and knots at the penis; its main channel enters the pubic region, passes over the genitalia, ascends to the lower abdomen, flanks the Stomach, runs along the posterior aspect of the throat, and enters the nasal cavity/pharynx. The Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian originates in the chest, emerges to belong to the Pericardium. Thus, upon termination, there is chest heat, dry throat, frequent urition, and irritability. The *Ling Shu* states: The Liver is the union of tendons. Tendons gather at the genitalia and connect to the root of the tongue. In severe cases, the tongue curls and the testicles retract, leading to termination. When such conditions affect all Twelve Meridians to the point of failure, death is inevitable.)