心主惊，实则叫哭发热饮水而搐，虚则卧而悸动不安。肝主风，实则目直大叫
呵欠项急顿闷，虚则前（《纲目》作咬）牙多欠，气热则外生，气温则内生（《纲目》外生内生下，皆
有风字。）脾主困，实则困睡身热饮水，虚则吐泻生风。肺主喘，实则闷乱喘促，有饮
水者、有不饮水者，虚则哽气长出气。肾主虚，无实也，惟疮疹肾实则变黑陷。
更当别虚实证，假如肺病又见肝证前牙多呵欠者易治，肝虚不能胜肺故也。若目直
大叫哭，项急顿闷者难治，盖肺久病则虚冷，肝强实而反胜肺也。视病之新久虚实，
虚则补母，实则泻子。
肝病哭叫，目直呵欠，顿闷项急。心病多叫哭惊悸，手足动摇，发热饮水。
脾病困睡泄泻，不思饮食。肺病闷乱，哽气长出气，气短喘急。肾病无精光，畏
明，体骨重。〔洁〕热则从心，寒则从肾，嗽而气上从肺，风从肝，泻从脾。假令
泻兼嗽又气上，乃脾肺病也，宜泻白、益黄散合而服之，脾苦湿，肺苦燥气上逆也。
其症见泻，又兼面色黄、肠鸣呦呦者宜服理中汤，泻而呕者宜服茯苓半夏汤，如泻
而渴、热多者宜服黄芩浓朴汤，不渴而热少者宜服白术浓朴汤。其他五脏若有兼症，
皆如此类推之。更详后论，四时推移用药。
肝病秋见（一作，日晡）肝胜肺也，肺怯不能胜肝，当补脾治肝，益脾者母能令子实
也，补脾、益黄散，治肝、泻青丸主之。肺病春见（一作，早辰）肺胜肝也，肝怯故受病，
当补肝肾治肺，补肝肾，地黄丸，治肺，泻白散主之。肝病见秋，木旺，肝胜肺
也，宜补肺泻肝，轻者肝病退，重者唇白而死。肺病见春，金旺，肺胜肝也，当泻
肺，轻者肺病退，重者目淡青、必发惊，更有赤者，当搐（海藏云∶为肝怯，故目淡青色也。）心
病见冬，火旺，心胜肾也，当补肾治心，轻者心病退，重者下窜不语，肾怯虚也。
肾病见夏，水胜火、肾胜心也，当泻肾，轻者肾病退，重者悸动当搐。脾病见四
旁，皆仿此治之，顺者易治，逆者难治，脾怯当面目赤黄。五脏相反，随证治之。
〔娄〕右五脏相胜，病随时令，乃钱氏扩充《内经》脏气法时论之旨，实发前人所未
发者也，假如肝病见于春及早晨，乃肝自病于本位也，今反见于秋及日晡肺之位，
知肺虚极，肝往胜之，故当补脾肺、泻肝也，余仿此。〔洁〕肝胜肺，则肝病身热
发搐，又见肺虚喘而气短，病见于申酉戌时是肝真强也，《内经》云∶受所制而不能
制，谓之真强，法当补脾肺而泻肝，导赤散、泻黄散主之。
刘宗浓云∶此皆五脏相胜，病机不离五行生克制化之理者，盖小儿初生襁褓，
未有七情六欲，只是形体脆弱，血气未定，脏腑精神未完，所以有脏气虚实胜
乘之病，但世俗不审此理，往往遇是率指为外感内伤而用药，致枉死者多矣，
悲夫！钱氏论时有脱略，幸而洁古补之。今特参附，诚无穷之惠也。
心主惊，实则叫哭发热饮水而搐，虚则卧而悸动不安。
心脏主管惊恐，实证表现为呼叫哭闹、发热、想喝水并伴有抽搐；虚证表现为睡眠时心悸跳动、心神不宁。
肝主风，实则目直大叫呵欠项急顿闷，虚则前（《纲目》作咬）牙多欠，气热则外生，气温则内生（《纲目》外生内生下，皆有风字。）
肝脏主管风气，实证表现为两眼直视、大声呼叫、频繁打哈欠、颈部僵硬、突然感到胸中烦闷；虚证表现为磨牙且频繁打哈欠，若体内热气偏盛则病邪从外部产生，若体内寒气偏盛则病邪从内部产生（《本草纲目》在“外生”和“内生”后都加了“风”字）。
脾主困，实则困睡身热饮水，虚则吐泻生风。
脾脏主管倦怠乏力，实证表现为嗜睡、身体发热、想喝水；虚证表现为呕吐、腹泻并引发肝风内动。
肺主喘，实则闷乱喘促，有饮水者、有不饮水者，虚则哽气长出气。
肺脏主管气喘，实证表现为胸闷烦躁、呼吸急促，有的患者想喝水，有的不想喝水；虚证表现为咽喉间有阻塞感、经常发出长叹气声。
肾主虚，无实也，惟疮疹肾实则变黑陷。
肾脏主要表现为主虚证，没有实证，只有在痘疹病症中，如果肾脏出现实证，痘疹会变为黑色并凹陷下去。
更当别虚实证，假如肺病又见肝证前牙多呵欠者易治，肝虚不能胜肺故也。若目直大叫哭，项急顿闷者难治，盖肺久病则虚冷，肝强实而反胜肺也。视病之新久虚实，虚则补母，实则泻子。
还应当辨别虚证和实证。例如，如果是肺病却又出现了肝病的症状，如门牙处频繁打哈欠的，容易治疗，这是因为肝气虚弱不能克制肺气的缘故。如果是两眼直视、大声呼叫哭闹、颈部僵硬、突然胸中烦闷的，则难以治疗，这是因为肺病日久导致肺气虚冷，肝气强盛实证反而克制了肺气。要根据疾病的新久、虚实情况来治疗，虚证要补其母脏，实证要泻其子脏。
肝病哭叫，目直呵欠，顿闷项急。
肝病表现为哭泣叫喊、两眼直视、频繁打哈欠、突然胸中烦闷、颈部僵硬。
心病多叫哭惊悸，手足动摇，发热饮水。
心病多表现为呼叫哭闹、惊恐心悸、手足动摇不定、发热、想喝水。
脾病困睡泄泻，不思饮食。
脾病表现为倦怠嗜睡、腹泻、不想吃东西。
肺病闷乱，哽气长出气，气短喘急。
肺病表现为胸闷烦躁、咽喉阻塞感、经常长叹气、呼吸短促且喘息急促。
肾病无精光，畏明，体骨重。
肾病表现为眼神呆滞无光彩、怕光、身体骨骼沉重。
〔洁〕热则从心，寒则从肾，嗽而气上从肺，风从肝，泻从脾。假令泻兼嗽又气上，乃脾肺病也，宜泻白、益黄散合而服之，脾苦湿，肺苦燥气上逆也。其症见泻，又兼面色黄、肠鸣呦呦者宜服理中汤，泻而呕者宜服茯苓半夏汤，如泻而渴、热多者宜服黄芩浓朴汤，不渴而热少者宜服白术浓朴汤。其他五脏若有兼症，皆如此类推之。更详后论，四时推移用药。
〔李东垣〕热证多源于心，寒证多源于肾，咳嗽且气机上逆源于肺，风证源于肝，泄泻源于脾。假设泄泻同时伴有咳嗽和气机上逆，这是脾肺两脏的疾病，适宜将泻白散和益黄散混合服用，因为脾脏厌恶湿气，肺脏厌恶燥气上逆。如果症状表现为泄泻，同时兼见面色发黄、肠鸣音明显的，适宜服用理中汤；泄泻且伴有呕吐的，适宜服用茯苓半夏汤；如果泄泻且口渴、热象明显的，适宜服用黄芩厚朴汤；如果不口渴且热象轻微的，适宜服用白术厚朴汤。其他五脏如果有兼夹症状，都可以按照这种方法类推。详细论述见后文，根据四季变化调整用药。
肝病秋见（一作，日晡）肝胜肺也，肺怯不能胜肝，当补脾治肝，益脾者母能令子实也，补脾、益黄散，治肝、泻青丸主之。肺病春见（一作，早辰）肺胜肝也，肝怯故受病，当补肝肾治肺，补肝肾，地黄丸，治肺，泻白散主之。肝病见秋，木旺，肝胜肺也，宜补肺泻肝，轻者肝病退，重者唇白而死。肺病见春，金旺，肺胜肝也，当泻肺，轻者肺病退，重者目淡青、必发惊，更有赤者，当搐（海藏云∶为肝怯，故目淡青色也。）心病见冬，火旺，心胜肾也，当补肾治心，轻者心病退，重者下窜不语，肾怯虚也。肾病见夏，水胜火、肾胜心也，当泻肾，轻者肾病退，重者悸动当搐。脾病见四旁，皆仿此治之，顺者易治，逆者难治，脾怯当面目赤黄。五脏相反，随证治之。
肝病如果在秋季出现（另一种说法是傍晚时分），说明肝气克制肺气，肺气虚弱不能克制肝气，应当补脾以治疗肝病，因为补脾可以滋养肝脏（母能令子实），补脾用益黄散，治疗肝病用泻青丸作为主方。肺病如果在春季出现（另一种说法是早晨），说明肺气克制肝气，肝气虚弱因此受病，应当补肝肾以治疗肺病，补肝肾用地黄丸，治疗肺病用泻白散作为主方。肝病见于秋季，此时木气旺盛，肝气克制肺气，适宜补肺泻肝，病情轻的肝病会消退，病情重的会导致嘴唇发白而死。肺病见于春季，此时金气旺盛，肺气克制肝气，应当泻肺，病情轻的肺病会消退，病情重的会出现眼睛淡青色、必定发生惊风，如果有红色的，应当发生抽搐（张元素说：这是因为肝气虚弱，所以眼睛呈淡青色）。心病见于冬季，此时火气旺盛，心气克制肾气，应当补肾治疗心病，病情轻的心病会消退，病情重的会出现向下窜动、不能说话，这是因为肾气虚弱。肾病见于夏季，此时水气克制火气、肾气克制心气，应当泻肾，病情轻的肾病会消退，病情重的会出现心悸跳动并发生抽搐。脾病见于其他季节或方位，都仿照上述方法治疗，顺应时令的容易治疗，违背时令的难以治疗，脾气虚弱应当表现为面目红黄。五脏之间相互克制，要根据具体证候进行治疗。
〔娄〕右五脏相胜，病随时令，乃钱氏扩充《内经》脏气法时论之旨，实发前人所未发者也，假如肝病见于春及早晨，乃肝自病于本位也，今反见于秋及日晡肺之位，知肺虚极，肝往胜之，故当补脾肺、泻肝也，余仿此。〔洁〕肝胜肺，则肝病身热发搐，又见肺虚喘而气短，病见于申酉戌时是肝真强也，《内经》云∶受所制而不能制，谓之真强，法当补脾肺而泻肝，导赤散、泻黄散主之。
〔李杲〕以上关于五脏相互克制的论述，疾病随着时令变化，这是钱乙对《黄帝内经·脏气法时论》主旨的扩展，确实是发挥了前人未曾阐发的理论。假如肝病出现在春季和早晨，这是肝脏在本位自生病变，现在反而出现在秋季和傍晚（肺所主的时辰），可知肺气极度虚弱，肝气前往克制它，所以应当补脾肺、泻肝，其余类推。〔张元素〕肝气克制肺气，则肝病表现为身体发热、发生抽搐，同时又见到肺气虚导致的喘息和气短，疾病出现在申、酉、戌这三个时辰，说明肝气是真强盛。《黄帝内经》说：受到制约却不能制约对方，称为真强，治疗方法应当补脾肺而泻肝，用导赤散、泻黄散作为主方。
刘宗浓云∶此皆五脏相胜，病机不离五行生克制化之理者，盖小儿初生襁褓，未有七情六欲，只是形体脆弱，血气未定，脏腑精神未完，所以有脏气虚实胜乘之病，但世俗不审此理，往往遇是率指为外感内伤而用药，致枉死者多矣，悲夫！钱氏论时有脱略，幸而洁古补之。今特参附，诚无穷之惠也。
刘宗浓说：这些都是关于五脏相互克制的论述，病机离不开五行相生相克制化的原理。大概是因为小儿刚出生还在襁褓之中，还没有七情六欲，只是形体脆弱，气血尚未定型，脏腑精神尚未完善，所以会有脏气虚实相互克制乘侮的疾病。但是世俗之人不明晓这个道理，往往遇到这些症状就随意诊断为外感或内伤而用药，导致无辜死亡的人很多，可悲啊！钱乙的论述有时有所遗漏，幸亏李东垣和张元素加以补充。现在特别参考并附上他们的观点，这真是无尽的恩惠。
Heart governs fright. In excess, there is crying and shouting, fever, desire for water, and convulsions; in deficiency, there is palpitations and restlessness during sleep.
The Heart governs fright (Jing). In an Excess pattern, symptoms include crying and shouting, fever, thirst, and convulsions; in a Deficiency pattern, symptoms include palpitations and restlessness while sleeping.
Liver governs wind. In excess, there is staring eyes, loud crying, frequent yawning, neck stiffness, and sudden chest oppression; in deficiency, there is teeth grinding and frequent yawning. If Qi is hot, the pathogen arises externally; if Qi is cold, it arises internally (Bencao Gangmu adds "wind" after both "arises externally" and "arises internally").
The Liver governs Wind (Feng). In an Excess pattern, symptoms include fixed gaze, loud crying, frequent yawning, neck stiffness, and sudden chest distress; in a Deficiency pattern, symptoms include bruxism (teeth grinding) and frequent yawning. If internal heat prevails, the condition manifests externally; if internal cold prevails, it manifests internally.
Spleen governs lethargy. In excess, there is drowsiness, body heat, and thirst; in deficiency, there is vomiting, diarrhea, and generation of wind.
The Spleen governs fatigue/lethargy. In an Excess pattern, symptoms include drowsiness, feverish sensation, and thirst; in a Deficiency pattern, symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and the generation of Internal Wind.
Lung governs panting. In excess, there is chest oppression, confusion, and rapid breathing, with some patients desiring water and others not; in deficiency, there is throat obstruction and long sighs.
The Lung governs asthma/panting. In an Excess pattern, symptoms include chest oppression, mental agitation, and dyspnea, with varying degrees of thirst; in a Deficiency pattern, symptoms include a sensation of obstruction in the throat and frequent long sighing.
Kidney governs deficiency and has no excess; only in cases of smallpox/varicella, if Kidney excess occurs, the lesions turn black and sink.
The Kidney primarily manifests as Deficiency and does not typically present with Excess patterns; however, in cases of eruptive diseases like smallpox or chickenpox, if Kidney Excess occurs, the lesions may turn black and become depressed.
One must further distinguish between Excess and Deficiency patterns. For example, if Lung disease presents with Liver signs such as frequent yawning involving the incisors, it is easy to treat because Liver Qi is deficient and cannot overcome Lung Qi. If there is staring eyes, loud crying, neck stiffness, and sudden chest oppression, it is difficult to treat because prolonged Lung disease leads to Lung Qi deficiency and cold, allowing strong Liver Excess to counter-act and overcome the Lung. Treatment should be based on the newness or chronicity and the Excess or Deficiency of the disease: tonify the Mother organ in Deficiency, and drain the Child organ in Excess.
It is essential to further differentiate between Excess and Deficiency patterns. For instance, if Lung pathology presents with Liver signs, such as frequent yawning associated with the incisors, the prognosis is favorable because Liver Qi is deficient and fails to control Lung Qi. Conversely, if symptoms include fixed gaze, loud crying, neck stiffness, and sudden chest distress, the prognosis is poor because chronic Lung disease results in Lung Qi deficiency and cold, allowing robust Liver Excess to overact upon the Lung. Treatment depends on whether the disease is acute or chronic and whether it is Excess or Deficiency: tonify the Mother organ in Deficiency patterns, and drain the Child organ in Excess patterns.
Liver disease presents with crying, shouting, fixed gaze, yawning, chest oppression, and neck stiffness.
Liver disease presents with crying and shouting, fixed gaze, yawning, chest oppression, and neck stiffness.
Heart disease presents with frequent crying, shouting, fright, palpitations, trembling of hands and feet, fever, and thirst.
Heart disease presents with frequent crying and shouting, fright, palpitations, tremors of the limbs, fever, and thirst.
Spleen disease presents with lethargy, drowsiness, diarrhea, and anorexia.
Spleen disease presents with lethargy, drowsiness, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.
Lung disease presents with chest oppression, mental agitation, throat obstruction, long sighs, shortness of breath, and rapid panting.
Lung disease presents with chest oppression, mental agitation, a sensation of throat obstruction, frequent long sighing, shortness of breath, and rapid breathing.
Kidney disease presents with dull eyes lacking luster, photophobia, and heaviness of the body and bones.
Kidney disease presents with eyes that are dull and lack luster, photophobia, and a sensation of heaviness in the body and bones.
[Li Dongyuan] Heat originates from the Heart, cold from the Kidney, cough with rebellious Qi from the Lung, wind from the Liver, and diarrhea from the Spleen. If diarrhea is accompanied by cough and rebellious Qi, it is a Spleen-Lung disease, and Xiebai San combined with Yihuang San should be taken, because the Spleen dislikes dampness and the Lung dislikes dryness with rebellious Qi. If diarrhea is accompanied by sallow complexion and audible borborygmi, Lizhong Tang is indicated. If diarrhea is accompanied by vomiting, Fuling Banxia Tang is indicated. If diarrhea is accompanied by thirst and significant heat, Huangqin Houpo Tang is indicated. If there is no thirst and mild heat, Baizhu Houpo Tang is indicated. Other Zang organs with mixed symptoms can be deduced similarly. Refer to the subsequent discussion for detailed medication adjustments according to the four seasons.
[Li Dongyuan] Heat syndromes originate from the Heart, cold syndromes from the Kidney, cough with rebellious Qi from the Lung, wind syndromes from the Liver, and diarrhea from the Spleen. If diarrhea is concurrent with cough and rebellious Qi, it indicates a Spleen-Lung disorder; Xiebai San (White Powder Decoction to Drain) combined with Yihuang San (Yellow-Empowering Powder) should be administered, as the Spleen dislikes dampness and the Lung dislikes dryness with rebellious Qi. If diarrhea presents with a sallow complexion and prominent borborygmi, Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) is appropriate. If diarrhea is accompanied by vomiting, Fuling Banxia Tang (Poria and Pinellia Decoction) is appropriate. If diarrhea is accompanied by thirst and marked heat, Huangqin Houpo Tang (Scutellaria and Magnolia Bark Decoction) is appropriate. If there is no thirst and mild heat, Baizhu Houpo Tang (Atractylodes Macrocephala and Magnolia Bark Decoction) is appropriate. Mixed symptoms in other Zang organs can be inferred by analogy. For detailed medication strategies adjusted according to the four seasons, refer to the subsequent discussions.
If Liver disease appears in Autumn (or at dusk), it indicates Liver overcoming Lung. Since Lung Qi is weak and cannot overcome Liver, one should tonify the Spleen to treat the Liver. Tonifying the Spleen makes the Child solid via the Mother relationship. Use Yihuang San to tonify the Spleen and Xieqing Wan to treat the Liver. If Lung disease appears in Spring (or in the morning), it indicates Lung overcoming Liver. Since Liver Qi is weak, it becomes diseased. One should tonify the Liver and Kidney to treat the Lung. Use Dihuang Wan to tonify the Liver and Kidney and Xiebai San to treat the Lung. If Liver disease appears in Autumn, Wood is prosperous, and Liver overcomes Lung. One should tonify the Lung and drain the Liver. Mild cases resolve; severe cases result in white lips and death. If Lung disease appears in Spring, Metal is prosperous, and Lung overcomes Liver. One should drain the Lung. Mild cases resolve; severe cases result in pale blue eyes, inevitable fright, and possibly redness leading to convulsions (Zhang Yuansu says: this is due to Liver weakness, hence the pale blue eyes). If Heart disease appears in Winter, Fire is prosperous, and Heart overcomes Kidney. One should tonify the Kidney and treat the Heart. Mild cases resolve; severe cases result in downward wandering and muteness due to Kidney weakness. If Kidney disease appears in Summer, Water overcomes Fire, and Kidney overcomes Heart. One should drain the Kidney. Mild cases resolve; severe cases result in palpitations and convulsions. Spleen disease appearing in other seasons/directions follows this logic. Smooth interactions are easy to treat; adverse ones are difficult. Spleen weakness presents with red-yellow face and eyes. Treat contrary Five Zang interactions according to symptoms.
If Liver pathology manifests in Autumn (or during the evening hours), it signifies Liver Qi overcoming Lung Qi. Because Lung Qi is deficient and unable to control Liver, treatment should focus on tonifying the Spleen to address the Liver issue. Tonifying the Spleen strengthens the Child organ through the Mother relationship. Yihuang San (Yellow-Empowering Powder) should be used to tonify the Spleen, and Xieqing Wan (Green-Draining Pill) to treat the Liver. If Lung pathology manifests in Spring (or in the morning), it signifies Lung Qi overcoming Liver Qi. The Liver becomes diseased due to its weakness. Treatment should involve tonifying the Liver and Kidney to address the Lung. Dihuang Wan (Rehmannia Pill) should be used to tonify the Liver and Kidney, and Xiebai San (White Powder Decoction to Drain) to treat the Lung. If Liver pathology appears in Autumn, when Wood energy is vigorous, Liver overacts on Lung. One should tonify the Lung and drain the Liver. In mild cases, the Liver condition resolves; in severe cases, the lips turn white, leading to death. If Lung pathology appears in Spring, when Metal energy is vigorous, Lung overacts on Liver. One should drain the Lung. In mild cases, the Lung condition resolves; in severe cases, the eyes appear pale blue, fright ensues, and if redness is present, convulsions occur (Zhang Yuansu states: this is due to Liver weakness, resulting in pale blue eyes). If Heart pathology appears in Winter, when Fire energy is vigorous, Heart overacts on Kidney. One should tonify the Kidney and treat the Heart. In mild cases, the Heart condition resolves; in severe cases, the child wanders downward and becomes mute due to Kidney deficiency. If Kidney pathology appears in Summer, when Water overcomes Fire and Kidney overacts on Heart, one should drain the Kidney. In mild cases, the Kidney condition resolves; in severe cases, palpitations and convulsions occur. Spleen pathology appearing in other seasons or directions follows this principle. Patterns following the generative cycle are easier to treat; those opposing it are more difficult. Spleen deficiency presents with a reddish-yellow complexion and eyes. Treat contrary Five Zang interactions according to the specific manifestations.
[Luo] The above discusses Five Zang mutual overcoming, where disease follows seasonal timing. This expands the intent of the *Neijing*’s chapter on Zang Qi and Seasonal Timing, truly developing insights previously unexpressed. For example, if Liver disease appears in Spring and morning, it is the Liver sick in its own position. Now appearing in Autumn and dusk (Lung’s position), it indicates extreme Lung deficiency with Liver overacting. Thus, one should tonify Spleen and Lung and drain Liver. Others follow this logic. [Zhang] When Liver overcomes Lung, Liver disease presents with fever and convulsions, plus Lung deficiency signs like wheezing and shortness of breath. Disease appearing in Shen-You-Xu hours indicates true Liver strength. *Neijing* states: "Being controlled but unable to control is called true strength." Method: tonify Spleen and Lung, drain Liver. Daoshi San and Xiehuang San are primary formulas.
[Luo Guizhong] The preceding text discusses the mutual overcoming of the Five Zang organs, where disease manifestation correlates with seasonal timing. This elaborates on the principles outlined in the *Huangdi Neijing*’s chapter on "Methods of Zang Qi According to Time," genuinely advancing theories not previously expounded. For instance, if Liver pathology manifests in Spring and morning, it represents the Liver being diseased in its proper domain. However, if it manifests in Autumn and dusk (times associated with the Lung), it indicates extreme Lung deficiency allowing Liver Qi to overact. Therefore, treatment should tonify the Spleen and Lung and drain the Liver. Similar logic applies to other scenarios. [Zhang Yuansu] When Liver overacts on Lung, Liver disease presents with fever and convulsions, accompanied by Lung deficiency signs such as wheezing and shortness of breath. Disease manifesting during the Shen, You, and Xu hours indicates genuine Liver excess. As stated in the *Neijing*: "To be constrained yet unable to constrain is termed 'True Strength'." The therapeutic method involves tonifying the Spleen and Lung while draining the Liver. Daoshi San (Guide Out the Red Powder) and Xiehuang San (Drain Yellow Powder) are the primary formulas.
Liu Zongnong said: These all concern Five Zang mutual overcoming, where disease mechanisms do not depart from the principles of Five Elements generation, restriction, and transformation. Infants in swaddling clothes have no seven emotions or six desires; they are merely physically fragile, with unsettled blood and Qi, and incomplete Zang-Fu spirit and essence. Thus, diseases of Zang Qi excess, deficiency, overcoming, and乘 (riding/oppressing) occur. Yet, common people do not understand this, often misdiagnosing these as external contraction or internal injury and prescribing accordingly, causing many wrongful deaths. Alas! Qian’s discussions had omissions, fortunately supplemented by Jiegu. Now specifically referencing and adding these, it is indeed a boundless benefit.
Liu Zongnong remarked: All these cases pertain to the mutual overcoming of the Five Zang organs, where the disease mechanism adheres strictly to the principles of Five Elements generation, restriction, and transformation. Infants within swaddling clothes lack the seven emotions and six desires; they are merely physically fragile, with unsettled Blood and Qi, and immature Zang-Fu spirits and essences. Consequently, disorders arising from the excess, deficiency, overacting, or oppressive relationships of Zang Qi occur. However, laypersons often fail to comprehend this principle, frequently misdiagnosing such conditions as external contractions or internal injuries and administering inappropriate medications, leading to numerous preventable deaths. How sorrowful! Although Qian Yi’s discussions contained some omissions, they were fortunately supplemented by Li Dongyuan (Jiegu) and Zhang Yuansu. By specifically incorporating and annotating their views here, this work offers an invaluable and enduring benefit.