Understanding Abdominal and Qi Disorders: Ancient Insights for Modern Healing

The Yellow Emperor asked: “There is a condition where the abdomen feels full, and after eating in the morning, the person cannot eat again until evening. What is this disease?”
Qi Bo replied: “This is known as ‘Gǔ Zhàng,’ or abdominal distension.”
The Yellow Emperor inquired further: “How should it be treated?”
Qi Bo answered: “The treatment involves using chicken droppings wine. One dose can show immediate results, and two doses will completely cure the condition.”
The Yellow Emperor responded: “But sometimes, this disease relapses. Why does that happen?”
Qi Bo explained: “The relapse often occurs because the patient is careless with their diet. This tends to happen when the condition is nearly healed, but improper eating habits allow the evil Qi to accumulate once again in the abdomen, causing the distension to return.”

The Yellow Emperor then asked: “There is another condition where the chest and flanks feel bloated, interfering with eating. The patient first notices a foul smell, followed by clear nasal discharge and spitting up blood. They also feel cold in their limbs, experience dizziness, and sometimes have bloody stools. What is the name of this condition, and what causes it?”
Qi Bo answered: “This condition is called ‘Xuè Kū’ (Blood Dryness), which usually results from significant blood loss in youth, causing internal organ damage. It can also be caused by excessive sexual activity after drunkenness, depleting the kidney Qi and damaging the liver blood, leading to a cessation of menstruation.”
The Yellow Emperor asked: “How can we treat this condition?”
Qi Bo recommended: “Use a formula consisting of four parts cuttlefish bone and one part Atractylodes rhizome. Combine these and form small pills the size of a bean. Take five pills before meals with abalone juice. This will promote bowel movements and replenish the damaged liver.”

The Yellow Emperor continued: “There is a condition where the lower abdomen is hard and distended, with roots spreading throughout the upper, lower, left, and right. What is this condition, and can it be treated?”
Qi Bo responded: “This is called ‘Fú Liáng’ (Hidden Beam). It occurs when large amounts of pus and blood accumulate in the lower abdomen and are trapped outside the intestines. It is nearly impossible to cure. Pressing too hard during diagnosis can even cause death.”
The Yellow Emperor asked: “Why does pressing cause such harm?”
Qi Bo explained: “The lower abdomen houses the lower yin and genital areas, and pressing on it can cause pus and blood to expel. The upper part of the abdomen is where the stomach is located, and pressure there could force the stomach upwards, leading to internal abscesses. This is a deep-rooted, chronic illness and requires careful handling. For conditions above the navel, it is considered a reverse disease; those below the navel are treated as straightforward, but pressing too hard will only make things worse. In ‘Needling Techniques,’ more details are provided.”

The Yellow Emperor inquired again: “There are cases where people experience swelling in the hip, thigh, and bone areas, with pain around the navel. What is this condition?”
Qi Bo explained: “This is also ‘Fú Liáng,’ caused by prolonged exposure to wind and cold. The wind-cold Qi fills the large intestine and settles in the lower abdomen, with the root near the navel. This leads to pain around the navel. It’s important not to treat this condition by purging, as that would lead to urinary retention and difficulty passing water.”

The Yellow Emperor then asked: “You’ve mentioned that people suffering from hot, consuming diseases should avoid rich, fatty foods, as well as aromatic herbs and mineral medicines. But for those who are used to eating rich food and need treatment, how should we handle this situation?”
Qi Bo replied: “Aromatic herbs are very pungent, and mineral medicines are harsh and powerful. These two types of medicines are too forceful for those who are not naturally calm in constitution. People who regularly consume rich foods and generate internal heat may exacerbate their conditions by taking these medicines, as their nature is too ‘fire-like’ and could worsen the situation, especially when used during periods when liver Qi is at its peak.”

The Yellow Emperor asked: “What about those who experience swelling and pain in the chest and neck area, along with abdominal distension? What is this disease and its cause?”
Qi Bo replied: “This is called ‘Jué Nì’ (Reversal Qi). It is caused by the Qi flowing against its natural direction. Treating it requires caution, as moxibustion will cause voice loss, and needling may cause insanity. Treatment should only be done once the Yin and Yang energies harmonize and the Qi has restored its proper flow.”

The Yellow Emperor asked: “How can we diagnose if a woman is pregnant and about to give birth?”
Qi Bo replied: “The body will show certain signs of illness, but no specific pulse patterns will be present. In this case, the condition can be diagnosed as pregnancy.”

Finally, the Yellow Emperor inquired: “What causes a person to have both fever and pain?”
Qi Bo answered: “The Yang meridians are responsible for heat symptoms. If a person experiences fever due to an external evil Qi affecting the three Yang meridians, they will have a stronger pulse in the presence of the evil Qi. If the pulse is double the size at the ‘Ren’ point, the disease is located in the Shaoyang meridian; if it is three times the size, it is in the Taiyang. Once the evil Qi moves to the Three Yin meridians, abdominal distension and a headache may occur. The symptoms of both abdominal bloating and headache are common in these cases.”

The Yellow Emperor nodded: “Excellent!”