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Fuh (Floating pulse), placing the fingers initially on the surface of the skin, and touching it with light pressure is called Fuh. This indicates that cold pathogen has just invaded the Foot-Taiyang Meridian (Foot-Taiyang Channel), and the disease is at the superficial level of the exterior; it can be expelled through sweating. Although so, there are two treatment approaches: if cold damages Ying (Nutritive Qi), there is no sweat and aversion to cold, use Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction); if wind damages Wei (Defensive Qi), there is sweat and aversion to wind, use Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction). One method promotes unblocking, the other promotes securing, they cannot be used interchangeably.

Fuh Jin (Floating-tight) and forceful, with no sweat, aversion to cold, headache, stiffness in the neck and back, and fever, this is Shanghan (Cold Damage) at the exterior stage, suitable for dispersing and releasing the exterior. In winter, use Mahuang Tang; in the other three seasons, use Qianghuo Chonghe Tang (Notopterygium Harmonizing Decoction). If there is thirst, add Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum) and Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma); if no thirst, do not add.

Fuh Huan (Floating-slow) and weak, with sweat, aversion to wind, headache, neck stiffness, and fever, this is Shangfeng (Wind Strike) at the exterior stage. In winter, use Guizhi Tang; in the other three seasons, use Ji Jian Chonghe Tang (Modified Harmonizing Decoction). If accompanied by abdominal pain, use Xiaojianzhong Tang (Minor Construct the Middle Decoction); if pain is severe, use Guizhi Jia Dahuang Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction plus Rheum).

Zhong (Middle pulse), pressing the fingers below the skin into the muscles, requiring slightly heavier pressure to detect, is referred to as Ban Biao Ban Li Zheng (Half-Exterior Half-Interior Syndrome). However, there are also two types, because Shaoyang (Lesser Yang) and Yangming (Greater Yang) meridians follow the "Zhong" (Middle) aspect rather than the "Biao" (Exterior) or "Ben" (Root).

Mai Xiang Er You Li (Pulse long and forceful) indicates Yangming Zheng (Yangming Syndrome), with symptoms of headache, orbital pain, dry nose, insomnia, fever, and no sweat; Gegen Tang (Kudzu Decoction) or Jiexi Tang (Muscle-Releasing Decoction) may be used. If there is thirst, sweat, but heat persists, or if after sweating therapy the heat persists and thirst appears, use Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction), or add Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma); if there is no sweat and no thirst, it is absolutely contraindicated, which would be a major taboo.

Mai Xuan Er Shuo (Pulse wiry and rapid) indicates Shaoyjing Jing (Shaoyang Meridian) syndrome, with symptoms of chest and hypochondriac pain, deafness, or alternating chills and fever with vomiting; all should use Xiaochaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction). (There are specific modification methods.) If both meridians are affected simultaneously (He Bing), the pulse is wiry and long; add Gegen and Shaoyao to this formula.

Chen (Deep pulse), pressing heavily until below the muscles into the region between sinews and bones to detect it, is called Chen Mai (Deep Pulse). There are also two types, distinguishing Yin/Yin and Heat/Cold within the Deep pulse. If Chen Er You Li (Deep and forceful), it is Yang, indicating Heat; if Chen Er Wu Li (Deep and weak), it is Yin, indicating Cold.

Chen Shuo Er You Li (Deep, rapid, and forceful) indicates the root of Yangming Bing (Yangming Disease), where the exterior syndrome has resolved and heat has entered the interior. Aversion to cold and headache have completely disappeared, replaced by aversion to heat, desire to remove clothes and blankets, waving hands and throwing feet, delirium, mania, dry mouth and throat, and constipation for five to six days. For mild cases, use Dachaihu Tang (Major Bupleurum Decoction); for severe cases, select from the Three Chengqi Tangs (Three Bowel-Purging Decoctions).

Chen Chi Er Wu Li (Deep, slow, and weak) indicates Cold. External signs include no fever, no thirst, aversion to wind and cold, or extreme facial aversion to cold as if scraped by a knife, abdominal fullness and pain, diarrhea, clear and white urine, or pain in the large or small abdomen. All belong to Yin Zheng (Yin Syndrome). For mild cases, use Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction); for severe cases, use Sini Jiangfu Tang (Reverse the Collapse Ginger and Aconite Decoction).

Shanghan (Cold Damage) reaches the point of distinguishing Yin and Yang only when the Chen Mai (Deep Pulse) appears; one must carefully perceive it. The use of purgative herbs must not be rash. If there is an error, the responsibility falls upon oneself. Whenever diagnosing the pulse, one must distinguish the Three Regions and Nine Positions. For each region, one must first perform the Floating assessment (San Hou - Three Phases): lightly placing the hand on the skin to observe three pulse beats. Then the Middle assessment (San Hou), and finally the Deep assessment (San Hou). Three times three constitute the Nine Positions. Only then can one know the depth and location (exterior/interior) of the disease, establishing the target for treatment. How can one ignore pulse diagnosis and attempt to locate the disease? To understand pulses, recognize syndromes, differentiate names, and determine meridians, applying heart knowledge to hand technique—such treatment ensures that I do not believe anyone would die wrongly. If pulses and syndromes are unclear, prescriptions lack method, and one practices medicine recklessly, treating human life like grass, I do not believe one will escape heavenly punishment later.