EXPLANATIONS AND COMMENTARIES
I - Ma Shi explains:
“This paragraph concerns the pulsations of the energy of the Foot Yangming (St).
Han Qi, elaborated at the Shangjiao (UJ), is totally Yang. It makes up part of the energy of the stomach. 183.
When the energy of the stomach arrives at the lung, Han Qi rises up toward the head via the path of the throat. First, it affects the “7 orifices”, and via the ocular path, it comes back out via the point Jingming (Bl 1), then successively passes the points:
_ Zanshu (Bl 2) _ Quchai (Bl 4) _ Wuchu (Bl 5) _ Chengguang (Bl 6) _ Tongtian (Bl 7) _ and Luoque (Bl 8)
to penetrate into the brain.
From the brain, it emerges at the forehead, reaching the point Shangguan (GB 3), and descends to the point Jiache (St 6), where it unites with the Foot Yangming (St) which accompanies it to the point Renying (St 9).
bottom, Yin and Yang beat in unison.
In individuals affected by Yang diseases, the pulse must be wide and large because the small pulse is contrary (to the disease).
As a result, in the case where the Yang disease is calm and the Yin disease is agitated like drawing a string on the/one’s side√, this represents disease.
Such is the cause of the permanent beating of the pulse of the stomach from which one can determine the nature of the disease.”
II - N.V.N.:
This paragraph involves the processes of the unceasing movements of the point Renying (St 9: carotid pulse) of the Foot Yangming. (Figure 1)
Zhang Jing Yue specifies:
“The energy of the stomach is the Yangming; its pulse is reflected at Renying (St 9: carotid pulse). That of the lung is the Taiyin; its pulse is reflected at Cun Kou (radial pulse).
As a result, the energy of the stomach and that of the lung are mutually controlled; their pulsations are in harmony as if they were one”.
In clinical practice, Cun Kou of the right wrist bears the name Qi Kou (“mouth of the energy”) and that of the left, the name Renying (“human reception”). Ma Shi’s explanation in Chapter 19 (“Energies of the 4 Seasons”), Paragraph 16, of this classic is the following:
“Examination of the pulse is aimed at appreciating the state of worsening or improvement of the disease. Examination of Qi Kou is performed at the right wrist, and examination of Renying, at the left pulse. If Qi Kou is neither firm, nor full, nor slippery, but soft, it denoted the regression of the disease of endogenous etiology; if Renying reveals the same qualities, it indicates the disease of exogenous etiology in the process of disappearing.
184.
In the presence of these pulses, if the channels are still in a state of fullness, the disease evolves in 3 days toward cure.
Qi Kou (right radial pulse) is intended to respond to diseases localizing at the 6 Yin channels (feet and hands) because it belongs to the energy coming from the organs (Yin). Similarly, Renying (left radial pulse), belonging to the energy coming from the bowels (Yang), is intended to respond to diseases localizing at the 6 Yang channels (feet and hands).”
Figure 1:
Circulation of Han Qi (free energy exempt from constraint) of the stomach and the Renying (carotid) pulse.
H u a n g d i :
“Where do the arterial pulsations of Foot Shaoyin (Ki) come from?”
Qi Bo:
“Chongmai, “sea” of the 12 Jingmai, is a great vessel coming from the kidney.
A branch passes to Qijie (other name for Qichong- St 30), descends the inner thigh,
reaches the posterior part of the internal malleolus, arrives at the top of the foot
via the path of the Luo of the Foot Shaoyin (Ki) (where Dachong- Ki 4 is located) to
heat up the bones and muscles of the leg. It is therefore via the energy of
Chongmai that the pulsations of the Foot Shaoyin (Ki) are unceasing.”
EXPLANATIONS AND COMMENTARIES
I - Ma Shi specifies:
“This paragraph concerns the arterial point of the Foot Shaoyin (Ki), Taixi (Ki 3), located on the posterior tibial artery, behind the internal malleolus.
The Chongmai, one of the “8 Curious Vessels” large vessel coming from the kidney, has a branch which passes to Qijie (Qichong- St 30), descends the inner surface of the thigh, follows the Foot Shaoyin (Ki) in order to descend the inner thigh of the leg and cross the points:
_ Fuliu (Ki 7) _ Shaohai (Ki 6) _ Shuiquan (Ki 5) _ Dachong (Ki 4)...
in order to arrive at Yongquan (Ki 1) located at the sole of the foot.
Once having arrived atDachong (Ki 4), Luo point of the Foot Shaoyin (Ki), the Chongmai emits numerous little vessels toward the top of the foot where the point Chongyang (St 42), located
on the pedal artery, is found in order to heat up the lower limb. (Figure 2)
It is therefore via the Chongmai that the pulsations of the Foot Shaoyin (Ki) are unceasing.” II - N.V.N.:
Chapter 38 of this classic (“Contrary and Favorable. Fat and Thin”) also describes the descending branch of the Chongmai (3). We recall it here:
Huangdi: “Only the Foot Shaoyin (Ki) is endowed with a vessel directed toward the bottom.
Is this that?” 186.
Qi Bo: “This is not that. There is the Chongmai named “Sea” of the 5 Organs and 6 Bowels. The 5 organs and 6 bowels are maintained in blood and energy by the Chongmai. This blood and energy is directed toward the top and emerges via the throat where it flows down into the Yang channels. At the bottom of the abdomen, it has a vessel which projects into Qijie (other name for Qichong- St 30) and from there it runs alongside the inner thigh and penetrates into the popliteal crease and edges its way toward the inner surface of the leg to permeate the 3 Yin channels to behind the internal malleolus where the great Luo of the kidney is found, bearing the name
3. See Lingshu, Volume II, page 253, N.V.N. Edition, page 235, J.T.S. Edition.
Dachong (Ki 4). At this level, numerous branches penetrate toward the top of the foot and into the space of the great toe where they permeate and heat up the muscles and tendons.