人之一身，不离阴阳；而见之于脉，亦不离阴阳。浮、
沉、迟、数，阴阳相配之大者也，举其余而对待训之。事以相形而易明；理以对勘而互见。
微为阳弱欲绝，细乃阴虚至极，二脉实医家剖别阴阳关键，最宜分晓，故继浮、沉、迟、数后，举以为对，
以冠诸脉。
微脉有如无，难容一吸呼。
阳微将欲绝，峻补莫踟蹰。
（轻诊犹见、重按全无、黄 白术，益气归元；附片干姜，回阳反本。）
细脉一丝牵，余音不绝然。
真阴将失守，加数断难痊。
（举之极微，按之不绝。天麦二冬，清金生水；生熟两地，滋阴养阳。）
虚脉大而松，迟柔力少充。
多因伤暑毒，亦或血虚空。
（迟大而软，按之无力。按《脉经》言“隐指豁空。”非是。诸脉中，惟芤、革二脉言空，以虚脉而言空，
能别乎革，难别乎芤。濒湖曰∶脉虚身热，为伤暑，亦主血虚。”）
实脉大而圆，依稀隐带弦。
三焦由热郁，夜静语犹颠。
（浮沉皆得，长大带弦。按《脉经》言∶“应指幅幅然。”
非是。幅幅，坚实貌，乃牢紧脉，非实脉也。伤寒胃实谵语，或伤食气痛。）
寸、关、尺为脉本位，长则过乎本位，短则不及本位。欲辨长短，先明本位。
长脉怕绳牵，柔和乃十全。
迢迢过本位，气理病将痊。
（按∶长而牵绳，阳明热郁；长而柔和，病将解矣。朱氏曰∶“不大不小，迢迢自君。”言平脉也。经曰∶
“心脉长，神强气壮；肾脉长，蒂固根深。”）
The entire human body is inseparable from Yin and Yang; its manifestation in the pulse is also inseparable from Yin and Yang. Floating (Fu), Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi), and Rapid (Shu) are the major pairings of Yin and Yang; the remaining pulses are explained through mutual comparison. Phenomena become clear through contrast; principles are revealed through cross-reference.
Wei (Micro) pulse indicates Yang Qi deficiency nearing exhaustion; Xi (Fine) pulse indicates extreme depletion of Yin Essence. These two pulses are actually the key for physicians to distinguish between Yin and Yang, and must be clearly differentiated. Therefore, following Fu, Chen, Chi, and Shu, they are presented as a contrasting pair and placed at the head of all pulses.
The Wei pulse seems present yet absent, difficult to sustain even one breath cycle.
When Yang Qi is micro and near extinction, vigorous tonification should not be delayed.
(Light palpation reveals it slightly, heavy pressure finds it completely gone; Huangbai and Baizhu can benefit Qi and return to the origin; Fupian and Ganjiang can restore Yang and reverse collapse.)
The Xi pulse is like a single thread pulling, with lingering resonance unceasing.
When True Yin is about to lose its hold, if accompanied by a Shu (Rapid) pulse, recovery is extremely difficult.
(Ultimately faint upon light pressure, unceasing upon deep pressure. Tiandong and Maidong can clear Metal to generate Water; Shengdihuang and Shudihuang can nourish Yin to support Yang.)
Both pulses are obtainable upon both light and deep pressure, yet their qualities differ in rigidity and softness. Shi (Excess) pulse represents Excess pathogenic factors; Xu (Deficient) pulse represents Deficiency of the root Qi.
The Xu pulse is large and loose, slow and soft with insufficient force.
It often results from injury by summer-heat toxins, or from Blood deficiency.
(Slow, large, and soft, powerless upon pressure. According to *Mai Jing*, "faintly empty under the finger," this description is incorrect. Among all pulses, only Kou and Ge pulses mention "emptiness." To describe the Xu pulse as "empty" makes it difficult to distinguish from Ge, and hard to differentiate from Kou. Li Shizhen said: "Pulse deficient with body heat indicates summer-heat injury, and also governs Blood deficiency.")
The Shi pulse is large and round, vaguely carrying a Xian (Wiry) quality.
The Sanjiao is constrained by Heat stagnation; even when quiet at night, speech remains delirious.
(Obtainable upon both floating and deep pressure, long and large with a wiry edge. According to *Mai Jing*, "feels firm and full under the finger," this description is incorrect. "Fufu" describes a firm and solid appearance, which characterizes the Lao or Jin pulse, not the Shi pulse. In Shanghan disease, stomach excess causes delirium, or food retention causes Qi pain.)
Cun, Guan, and Chi are the fundamental positions of the pulse. Chang (Long) exceeds these fundamental positions; Duan (Short) falls short of them. To distinguish Long and Short, one must first understand the fundamental positions.
A Chang pulse feared like being pulled by a rope; only when soft and harmonious is it perfect.
Stretching far beyond the fundamental position, if soft and harmonious, the illness will resolve.
(Note: A Chang pulse like a rope pull indicates Yangming Heat stagnation; a Chang pulse that is soft and harmonious indicates the illness is resolving. Zhu stated: "Neither large nor small, stretching naturally from the Sovereign," referring to a normal pulse. The Classics state: "Heart pulse long, spirit strong and Qi robust; Kidney pulse long, roots deep and stable.")