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Chapter 14 asks: What is meant by the distinction between "Sun" (Loss) and "Zhi" (Excess/Increase) pulses? The response states: Regarding the "Zhi" pulse, two beats per exhalation are considered a normal pulse (Ping Mai). Three beats indicate deviation from the normal course (Li Jing), four beats indicate depletion of essence (Duo Jing), five beats indicate a death pulse, and six beats indicate the end of life. These constitute the "Zhi" pulses. What constitutes the "Sun" pulse? One beat per exhalation indicates deviation from the normal course; one beat per two exhalations indicates depletion of essence; one beat per three exhalations indicates a death pulse; and one beat per four exhalations indicates the end of life. These constitute the "Sun" pulses. The pathology of the "Zhi" pulse progresses from below upwards, whereas the pathology of the "Sun" pulse progresses from above downwards.

What are the diseases caused by the "Sun" pulse? The response states: First-degree loss affects the skin and hair, manifesting as contracted skin and falling hair. Second-degree loss affects the blood vessels, resulting in deficient and scanty blood that fails to nourish the Zang and Fu organs. Third-degree loss affects the muscles, leading to emaciation where food intake cannot be transformed into muscle tissue. Fourth-degree loss affects the sinews, causing flaccidity and an inability to maintain self-control. Fifth-degree loss affects the bones, resulting in bone atrophy and the inability to rise from bed. If the progression reverses, it leads to the stage of collecting pathological factors. In cases progressing from above downwards, bone atrophy preventing rising from bed signifies death. In cases progressing from below upwards, contracted skin and falling hair signify death.

What is the method for treating loss syndromes? The response states: For lung loss, tonify its Qi; for heart loss, regulate Ying Wei (Nutritive and Defensive Qi); for spleen loss, regulate diet and adapt to cold and warmth; for liver loss, soothe its interior (emotions/Qi stagnation); and for kidney loss, tonify its Essence. This is the method for treating loss syndromes.

Pulses may present with two beats per exhalation and two per inhalation; three beats per exhalation and three per inhalation; four beats per exhalation and four per inhalation; five beats per exhalation and five per inhalation; six beats per exhalation and six per inhalation; one beat per exhalation and one per inhalation; one beat per two exhalations and one per two inhalations; or two beats per full respiration cycle. Given these variations, how can one distinguish the corresponding diseases?

The response states: Two beats per exhalation and two per inhalation, with neither large nor small force, is a normal pulse. Three beats per exhalation and three per inhalation indicates recent onset of disease; if the proximal pulse is large and the distal pulse is small, headache and dizziness occur; if the proximal pulse is small and the distal pulse is large, chest fullness and shortness of breath occur. Four beats per exhalation and four per inhalation indicates worsening disease; if the pulse is洪大 (Hong Da, Vast/Surging), the patient suffers from irritability and fullness; if the pulse is沉细 (Chen Xi, Deep and Fine), abdominal pain occurs; if the pulse is滑 (Hua, Slippery), it indicates injury by heat pathogens; if the pulse is涩 (Se, Choppy), it indicates injury by fog and dew dampness. Five beats per exhalation and five per inhalation indicates the patient should feel fatigued; if the pulse is deep and fine, symptoms worsen at night; if the pulse is floating and large, symptoms worsen during the day; if the pulse is neither large nor small, recovery is possible despite fatigue; if the pulse varies in size, treatment is difficult. Six beats per exhalation and six per inhalation is a death pulse; if deep and fine, death occurs at night; if floating and large, death occurs during the day. One beat per exhalation and one per inhalation is named "Sun" (Loss); although the person can walk, they must lie in bed because both Blood and Qi are insufficient. One beat per two exhalations and one per two inhalations, or two beats per full respiration cycle, is named "Wu Hun" (Soulless); those without soul will die. Although such persons can walk, they are called "walking corpses."

If there is a pulse in the upper position but none in the lower position, the patient should vomit; if they do not vomit, they will die. If there is no pulse in the upper position but there is one in the lower position, although the patient is weak, it poses no fatal threat. This is analogous to a tree having roots; even if branches and leaves wither, the root system remains vital. Since the pulse has a root and humans have Yuan Qi (Original Qi), death is avoided.