Inspection of Form and Bearing

Liver and kidney yin deficiency due to subjugation of earth by excess wood

Functional disorder of the autonomic nerves

White facial complexion, slightly red

Superficial red thread-like streaks of blood along cheeks

Blood stagnation

Blood heat from qi deficiency

Blood in the stool due to toxins of the viscera

Long term blood stasis of the large intestine transforming into toxins

Rectal cancer

Presentation

White host complexion with slight concealed redness

Complexion is bright and lustrous, not lifeless

070 Robust body post disease recovery 070

	Several blue moles around the orbits Scars along the left cheek	Presentation
Primary disease diagnosis	Blood stasis due to liver constraint
Case example	Dizziness and vertigo Qi stagnation due to liver constraint causing blood stagnation in the collaterals Post hemangioma resection procedure	Primary disease diagnosis
Inspection of form refers to examination of the body form and constitution, while bearing refers to the body posture, including body position and movements. Form and bearing can serve as outward clues helpful in diagnosing a patient’s internal condition. For instance, a strong and robust body is more susceptible to excess syndromes, while a weak body is more susceptible to def iciency syndromes. Furthermore, obese persons often have qi def iciency and are more likely to suffer from phlegm and dampness, and thus wind stroke. Thin persons, on the other hand, are more likely to have yin def iciency, making them susceptible to diseases such as tuberculosis (cough due to consumption), and def iciency f ire conditions. Observation of bearing can similarly produce clues to one’s internal condition. For instance, a person who likes to be active and tends to lay in a supine position is more susceptible to yang heat excess syndromes. Whereas, a person who tends to lay in a prone position and prefers to be quiet and still is more susceptible to yin-cold def iciency syndromes.		Case example