Desertion

Any critical loss. The Magic Pivot (灵枢 líng shū, jué qì) states, When essence deserts, there is deafness; when qì desertions, the eyes are not clear; when liquid deserts, the interstices open and there is a great discharge of sweat; when humor deserts, the bending and stretching of the joints is inhibited, the complexion is perished, the brain and marrow wastes away, the lower legs ache, and the ears continually ring; when the blood deserts, the complexion is white, perished, and lusterless, and the pulse is empty and vacuous. These are descriptions of chronic conditions. In modern texts, however, desertion mostly refers to critical acute conditions. See desertion pattern.

Etymology

Chin 脱 tuō, shed, cast off, escape.