What do the terms "Biao" and "Li" help practitioners assess in TCVM?

The terms "Biao" and "Li" are fundamental concepts in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) that refer to the assessment of external and internal conditions of an animal's health. "Biao" typically signifies the superficial or external aspects of a condition, often associated with symptoms that manifest on the surface of the body, such as skin issues or reactions to environmental changes. On the other hand, "Li" pertains to the internal aspects, involving deeper pathological changes and underlying issues that may not be immediately visible or manifest through more subtle signs.

By understanding and distinguishing between "Biao" and "Li," practitioners can better evaluate the overall health of the animal and determine the appropriate treatment strategy. This duality allows veterinarians to identify whether a condition is primarily a surface-level issue needing immediate intervention or one that requires a deeper, more comprehensive approach to address internal imbalances. This understanding is crucial for developing effective treatment plans tailored to the specific needs of the animal.

In this context, the assessment of emotional states, Qi blockages, and temperature imbalances can be important in TCVM, but they do not encapsulate the broad framework that "Biao" and "Li" provide for evaluating both external and internal health conditions. The focus