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Theory of Systematic Correspondence

 

            The Chinese medical system rests on the principles of systematic correspondence, a philosophical but not anatomical theory.  The basic principles are (1) the importance of numbers, specifically, 5, 7, and 8, and (2) the belief that everything in the universe is connected, including the body and all its parts.  Below are listed some of the groups included in the theory of systematic correspondence.

 

Five elements                                                          Five viscera
Earth                                                                         Heart
Water                                                                       Spleen
Fire                                                                           Lungs
Metal                                                                        Liver
Wood                                                                       Kidneys

Five fluids                                                               Five bowels
Sweat                                                                       Gallbladder
Mucous                                                                    Stomach
Tears                                                                        Lower intestine
Saliva                                                                       Small intestine
Spittle                                                                      Bladder
                                                                                ("Triple Burner")

All elements are interrelated, for example,

Five fluids affect five viscera              Five climates affect five viscera
Sweat affects heart                                 Heat hurts heart
Mucous affects lungs                              Cold hurts lungs
Tears affect liver                                    Wind hurts liver
Saliva affects spleen                               Humidity hurts spleen
Spittle affects kidneys                            Dryness hurts kidneys

Five viscera affect other organs        Five viscera control spiritual resources
Heart governs pulse                              Liver controls soul
Lungs govern skin                                 Heart controls spirit
Liver governs muscles                           Spleen controls ideas
Spleen governs flesh                              Lungs control animal spirit
Kidneys govern bones                          Kidneys govern will

Five excess flavors affect body
Salty hardens pulse
Bitter withers skin
Pungent knots muscles
Sour toughens flesh
Sweet makes bones ache