Skin is distributed over the surface of the body, connected with the lung with weiqi circulating inside. Skin is the defending barrier of the body and nourished by qi, blood and body fluid through meridians. So the disorders of the skin itself and the disorders of viscera can be reflected by the skin. Inspection of the skin is not only helpful for diagnosing skin disorders, but also helpful for under- standing the nature of the disease, the conditions of the viscera and the states of qi and blood.

The normal skin color of the yellow race is similar to complexion and appears reddish and yellowish, moist and lustrous, elastic and smooth, which are signs of sufficiency of body fluid and essence. Inspection of skin mainly concentrates on the color, shape and pathological changes of the skin, such as macules, eruption, miliaria alba, abscess, carbuncle, boil and furuncle.

Inspection of color:
The diagnostic significance of inspection of skin is similar to that of inspection of complexion.

Inspection of shape:
Dropsy of skin is due to spreading of dampness; dry skin is due to consumption of body fluid or depletion of essence and blood; dry and rough skin like scales is called squamous skin due to mixture of blood asthenia with blood stagnation and malnutrition of the muscles and skin.

Inspection of skin disorders:
Many skin diseases and general diseases may bring about the changes of the color and shape of the skin. The following are some of the commonly encountered ones.