Huangdi asked: I have heard of the terms "Kuidu" and "Qiheng," but they refer to different things. How are they used? Qibo replied: "Kuidu" refers to assessing the depth of an illness; "Qiheng" refers to discussing unusual diseases. Let me explain the ultimate principles of the Dao. Wuse The changes in pulse, the methods of "Kuidu" and "Qiheng," all converge in the Dao, which is one. The spirit moves without turning back; if it turns back, it does not move, and the opportunity is lost. The essence of the ultimate principles lies in their proximity to subtlety, recorded on Yuban, and is called the "Jade Mechanism."

The complexion appears above, below, left, and right, each in its proper place. If the color appears shallow, it is treated with decoctions, and recovery will occur in ten days. If it appears deep, it must be treated with precise formulas, and recovery will occur in twenty-one days. If it appears very deep, it is treated with medicinal wine, and recovery will occur in a hundred days. If the complexion is dull and the face is emaciated, it is incurable, and death will occur within a hundred days. Short pulse and breathlessness lead to death; severe illness with extreme deficiency leads to death. The colors appearing above, below, left, and right each have their significance. Above is unfavorable, below is favorable. For women, the right is unfavorable, the left is favorable. For men, the left is unfavorable, the right is favorable.

Excessive yang leads to death, excessive yin leads to death. When yin and yang are reversed, treatment lies in balancing and adjusting, which is the work of "Qiheng" and "Kuidu."

Blocked vessels and impediments, the intersection of cold and heat. A solitary pulse indicates the dissipation of qi, deficiency and diarrhea indicate the loss of blood. Solitary is unfavorable, deficiency is favorable. To practice the methods of "Qiheng," one must begin with taiyin. If the elements are unrestricted, it is unfavorable and leads to death; if the elements are restricted, it is favorable and leads to survival. The "Bafeng" (EX-LE10) point governs the victories of the four seasons, cycling endlessly. If the cycle is reversed once, it cannot be counted again. Thus, the essential discussion is concluded.