| | (All translations by P. U. Unschuld) | | | (a) “If one wishes to know [the location of] the transporters on the back, one first measures the distance between the two breast nipples [with a stalk of grass]. One breaks [this stalk] in the middle. Again one takes another [stalk of] grass, measuring [the same distance], and removes one half of it. […] Then one lifts [the resulting triangle] to measure this [person' s] back. One lets one angle be situated upwards, on the same level as the Great Hammer [hole] on the spine. […] Exactly at the location of the lower angles are the transporters of the lung. One measurement further down, are the transporters of the heart. One measurement further down, at the left angle is the transporter of the liver; at the right angle is the transporter of the spleen. One measurement further down are the transporters of the kidneys. These [locations] are called “the transporters of the five depots”. Huang Di Neijing, Suwen, chapter 24. Comment: Great hammer in this context refers to the acupoint Dazhui, situated in a depression directly below the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra. | | | (b) “The great transport [location for qi] in the chest is at the tip of the shuttle bone. The transport [location for qi] of the lung is located to the side of the third vertebra. The transport [location for qi] of the heart is located to the side of the fifth vertebra. The transport [location for qi] of the diaphragm is located to the side of the seventh vertebra. The transport [location for qi] of the liver is located to the side of the ninth vertebra. The transport [location for qi] of the spleen is located to the side of the eleventh vertebra. The transport [location for qi] of the kidneys is located to the side of the fourteenth vertebra. All are located on both sides of the spine. Their distance from each other is 3 cun”. Huang Di Neijing, Lingshu, chapter 51 | | | (c) “Capital Gate is the gathering [hole] of the kidney […]. It is located below the hip bone in the lumbar region lateral to the spine, one cun and eight fen below the region of the free ribs”. Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing, book 3, chapter 23 | | | (d) “If one wishes to successfully employ them, one must press these locations. There will be a response inside, and the pain [felt by the patient] is ended”. Huang Di Neijing, Lingshu, chapter 51 | | | (e) “Now, the five flavours enter the mouth, and they are stored in the stomach. The spleen moves the essence qi on behalf of the [stomach]”. Huang Di Neijing Suwen, chapter 47 | |
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