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Shaoyin wind-stroke. When the pulse at the cun (distal) position is slight and that at the chi (proximal) position is floating, it indicates that the condition is about to heal.

The distinction between yin and yang in pulses has been detailed in *Bian Mai Fa* (Treatise on Distinguishing Pulses). However, there are three methods for dividing yin and yang. The first states: Da (large), Fu (floating), Shu (rapid), Dong (surging), and Hua (slippery) are yang pulses; Chen (deep), Se (choppy), Ruo (weak), Xian (wiry), and Wei (minute) are yin pulses. Therefore, it is said that if a yin disease presents with yang pulses, the patient will survive; if a yang disease presents with yin pulses, the patient will die. The second method states: The pulse at the Cun Kou (radial artery) exhibits both yin and yang as tight. Here, referring to yin and yang pulses solely based on the Cun Kou implies that Fu Hou (superficial pressure/inspection) represents yang, while Chen Hou (deep pressure/inspection) represents yin. The third method states: A minute pulse at the Cun Kou is named Yang Bu Zu (insufficiency of Yang Qi); a weak pulse at the Chi position is named Yin Bu Zu (insufficiency of Yin Qi). This divides yin and yang by the Cun and Chi positions, following the principle that the area anterior to the Guan (middle) position is yang, and the area posterior to the Guan position is yin. Previous commentators have ignored this, glossing over it vaguely, likely because they themselves did not fully understand, merely copying others without comprehension. This is certainly not what enlightened predecessors would advocate. In the earlier discussion of Taiyang wind-stroke, "Yang floats and Yin is weak" divided yin and yang by superficial and deep inspections. What is meant here by "Yang is slight and Yin is floating" divides yin and yang by the Cun and Chi positions. If yin and yang were divided by superficial and deep inspections, how could the deep inspection present a floating pulse? This is self-evident without debate. Shaoyin wind-stroke refers to wind pathogen invading the Shaoyin meridians. Pulse theory states that a floating pulse indicates wind. Wind is a yang pathogen; upon invasion, it injures the Wei Qi (Defensive Qi). When Wei Qi is affected by wind pathogen, the yang pulse at the Cun Kou should be floating. Now that the yang pulse is slight, we know the wind pathogen is about to resolve. When the pathogen enters Shaoyin, one fears the Chi portion of the pulse will be deep; if deep, the pathogen has entered the interior. Now that the yin pulse (Chi pulse) is instead floating, it indicates the pathogen has not entered the interior, hence the condition is about to heal.

In Shaoyin disease, if the pulse is fine, deep, and rapid, the disease is located in the interior, and sweating therapy is contraindicated.

Shaoyin disease here follows the context of wind-stroke mentioned above. The minute and fine pulse is the fundamental pulse described in the first line of Shaoyin disease. However, wind is a yang pathogen; a deep pulse indicates the pathogen has penetrated deeply; a rapid pulse indicates heat stagnating in the yin aspect. Therefore, the disease is in the interior, and sweating is contraindicated. This differs significantly from the earlier scenario of cold pathogen in the exterior causing fever, where Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Tang (Ephedra, Aconite, and Asarum Decoction) could be used, or where, after two to three days without interior signs, Mahuang Fuzi Tang (Ephedra and Aconite Decoction) could be used for mild sweating. The Shanghan (Cold Damage) with a minute and fine pulse is vastly different from the Fengshou (Wind Strike) with a deep and rapid pulse. The distinction between exterior and interior is particularly crucial to identify, thus establishing these contraindications.