针解篇/Zhen Jie
(Explaination on Needles)
黄帝问日:愿闻九针之解，虚实之道。岐伯对日:刺虚则实之者，针下热也，气实乃热也[《太素》无“气实”五字];满而泄之者，针下寒也，气虛乃寒也[《太素》无“气虚”五字];菀陈则除之者，出恶血也。邪胜则虚之者，出针勿按;徐而疾则实者，徐出针而疾按之;疾而徐则虚者，疾出针而徐按之;言实与虚者，寒温气多少也。若无若有者，疾不可知也。察后与先者，知病先后也。为虚与实者，工[《太素》“工”下有“守”字]勿失其法。若得若失者，离其法也。虚实之要，九针最妙者，为其各有所宜也。补写之时[林校据《甲乙经》“补写之时”下脱“以针为之”四字]者，与气开阖相合也。九针之名，各不同形者，针穷其所当补写也。
Yellow Emperor said:" I hope you can explain to me about the nine needles and the different methods in treating asthenia and sthenia." Qibo said:"When treating asthenia with acupuncture, it should apply the invigorating method, when there is hotness under the needle, it shows the healthy energy has been aroused to cause normality; when treating sthenia with acupuncture, it should apply the purging method, when there is coolness under the needle, it shows the evil-energy has been purged to cause normality. The blood in which the long stagnated evil-energy resides should be let out. When pricking the patient whose evil-energy is overabundant, do not close the needle hole by pressing so as to let out the evil energy. The so-called 'slow first and then swift to cause sthenia' indicates after pulling the needle slowly, press and close the needle hole swiftly so that the healthy energy may not be excreted. The so-called ‘ swift first and then slow to cause asthenia’ indicates after pulling the needle swiftly, leave the needle hole openned without pressing it so that the evil-energy can be dispersed. The so-called asthenia and sthenia here indicates that in asthenia, the energy is few and cold, and in sthenia, the energy is plenty and warmy if the hot or cold fecling is not obvious, then the asthenia or sthenia of the disease will be hard to be distinguished. When one inspects the condition of the early and later stage of the disease, it is for to make sure of the branch and root of the disease. A physician can only avoid error when he knows the asthenia or sthenia of the disease and adhere to the rules of acupuncture. If the physician does not know for certain the way of treating (such as applying purgation when it should be invigorated, or applying invigoration when it should be purged), his treating will divorce from the rule.
"When treating asthenia or sthenia, one must apply the nine kinds of needle flexibly. The nine kinds of needle can suit the various kinds of disease.
"When applying the invigorating method or the purging method, the needle used should be in concert with the openning and closing for the energy.
"The so called nine needles means there are nine kinds of needle in various form and have different names, and each kind of them has a specific role for invigorating and purging.
刺[《太素》“刺”下有“其”字，下“刺虚”同]实须其虚者，留针阴气隆至[明抄本“隆至”下有“针下寒”三字]，乃去针也;刺虚须其实者，阳气隆至，针下热乃去针也。经气已至，慎守勿失者，勿变更也。深浅在志者，知病之内外也;近远如一者，深浅其候等也。如临深渊者，不敢堕也;手如握虎者，欲其壮也;神无营于众物者，静志观病人，无左右视也;义无邪下者，欲端以正也;必正其神者，欲瞻病人目制其神，令气易行也。所谓三里者，下膝三寸也;所谓跗之者[林校云:“‘附之’上作‘跗上’”]，举膝[“膝”是“脉”之误字]分易见也;巨虚者，跞足骺独陷者;下廉者，陷下者也。
"When treating the sthenia-syndrome by pricking, purge therepy should be used, the needle should be retained in the body and wait for the coming of the abundant Yin energy, pull the needle after there is a cold feeling under the needle. When treating the asthenia-syndrome by pricking, the invigorating method should be used, after pricking, wait for the coming of the abundant Yang enery, and pull the needle after there is a hot feeling under the needle.
"The so-called one must wait carefully until getting the acupuncture feeling means: do not change the pricking method rashly.
"The so-called one must be certain about the depth of the pricking means: one must know clearly the exterior and the interior of the disease.
"The so-called both the distance-pricking and the nearby-pricking should be in the same way means: the methods of waiting the acupuncture feeling in both the severe or slight diseases are the same.
"The so-called one should feel like standing upon edge of abyss in pricking means: one must not be indolent and careless in pricking.
"The so-called holding the needle like holding a tiger means: the pricking must be firm and forceful.
"The so-called concentrating the mind without paying attention to things outside means: inspect the patient calmly without looking around.
"The so-called the pricking must not be slanting means: the needle inserted must be upright.
"The so-called set right the spirit of the patient means: watch attentively the eyes of the patient to control his spiritual activities, so as the channel energy can flow easily.
"The Zusanli point (Foot Three LiST. 36) is the name of the acupoint three inches under the knee at the lateral side. The Chongyang point (Rushing Yang ST. 42) is on the dorsum, it can be easily seen when pricking the artery. The Shangjuxu point (Upper Huge Passage ST. 37) is in the bogging position on the lateral side of the tibia, it can be pricked when the leg is lifting up. The Xiajuxu point (Lower Huge Passage ST. 35) is below the bogging position stated above."
上一篇：中医翻译例文——长刺节论篇/Supplemental Commentary On Pricking
下一篇：中医翻译例文——刺志论篇/On Treating Asthenia and Sthenia with Acupuncture
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