一曰弹石,如指弹石,在筋肉间,劈劈然硬,寻即散者,肾绝也。二曰雀啄,如雀
啄食,连连搏指,忽然止绝,良久复来,肝绝也。三曰屋漏,如屋残漏下,良久一滴,
胃绝也。四曰解索,如索之解,指下散乱,无复次序,乍疏乍数,脾绝也。五曰虾游,
如虾之游,在于皮肤,始则冉冉不动,少焉而去,久之忽然一跃,大肠绝也。六曰鱼
翔,如鱼之翔,本不动而未强摇,似有似无,心绝也。七曰釜沸,如釜汤沸,在于皮
肤,有出无入,涌涌如羹上波,肺绝也。
有等脉气尚得,而脉见三四至而一止者,或五六而一见者,必是伤精损血,房劳
所致,或老痰气逆,不可攻也。如果不干斫丧者,或因跌扑伤损,瘀血积结于内,不散
而然,或七情忧虑致虚,或恣食膏粱为补,以致食积痰结,壅塞于脏腑经络,而得此脉
也。未可例为怪脉言之,然亦非享遐年之兆可知矣。
寸有尺无,尺有寸无必死,代脉必死。结、促、代,皆动而中止,结促脉能自还
生,代脉不能自还死。至脉。(一呼再至曰平,三至曰离经,四至曰夺精,五至曰死,六至曰命尽。)损
脉。(一呼一吸为一息,四五至为平,三至曰迟,六至曰数,若二至曰损,一至曰败,必死。)
盖夫诊候者,通神达微之事,总不能出乎《内经》之范围。《内经》之诊法,左寸
候心与膻中为上焦,左关候肝与膈中为中焦,左尺候肾与小肠膀胱为下焦,右寸候肺
与胸中为上焦,右关候胃与脾为中焦,右尺候肾与大肠为下焦,前以候前,后以候后,
上竟上者,胸喉中事也。下竟下者,少腹腰股膝胫足中事也。腑不及胆者,寄与肝部
也。不及大肠小肠膀胱也。统于腹中也。左手为春为夏,为南为东为前为外,右手为秋
为冬,为西为北,为后为内,左之寸口,即人迎也,名曰前。前之所候,皆胸之前膺及
膻中之事,右之寸口,即气口也,名曰后。后之所候,皆胸之后背及气管之事,此《内
经》以生身之定位,而上下前后相候之法若此,故滑伯仁以左尺主小肠膀胱前阴之病,
右尺主大肠后阴之病,深得《内经》之旨,何高阳生之伪诀,以大小肠列于寸上三焦配
于左尺,命门列于右尺,膻中置而不言,虽心与小肠为表里,肺与大肠为表里,殊不知
经络表里,自有相通,而诊法上下,各有定位,岂可紊乱耶?此背经者一也。《金匮真
言篇》曰∶肝、心、脾、肺、肾,五脏为阴,胆、胃、大肠、小肠、三焦、膀胱,六
腑太阳,此止十一经耳。则手厥阴之一经,竟何在乎?《灵兰秘典篇》曰∶心者,君主
之官,神明出焉。肺者,相传之官,治节出焉。肝者,将军之官,谋虑出焉。胆者,中
正之官,决断出焉。膻中者,臣使之官,喜乐出焉。脾胃者,仓禀之官,五味出焉。大
肠者,传道之官,变化出焉。小肠者,受盛之官,化物出焉。肾者,作强之官,伎巧出
焉。三焦者,决读之官,水道出焉。膀胱者,州都之官,津液藏焉。气化则能出矣。
此以膻中足十二脏之数,是则配手厥阴者,实膻中也。及《灵枢》叙经脉,又有胞络而
无膻中,然曰∶动则喜笑不休,正与“喜乐出焉”之句相合。夫喜笑者,心火所司,则
知与心应也。独膻中称臣使者,君主之亲臣也。由是则胞络即为膻中,断无可疑,膻中
以配心脏,自有确据,乃伪诀竟不之及,则手厥阴为虚悬之位矣。背经者二也。《灵枢》
曰∶上焦出于胃上口,并咽以上,贯膈而布胸中,中焦亦并胃中,出上焦之后,沁糟
粕,蒸津液,化精微而为血,下焦者,别回肠,注于膀胱,而渗入焉。水谷者居于胃
中,成糟粕,下大肠而成下焦。又曰∶上焦如雾,中焦如沤,下焦如渎,由是则明以上
中下分三焦矣。伪诀列于右尺,不亦妄乎,背经者三也。心肝脾肺肾,俱各一候,惟肾
一脏,而分两尺候者,为肾有两枚,形如豇豆,分列于腰脊之左右耳。伪诀以左为肾,
右为命门,考诸明堂铜人等经,命门一穴,在督脉第十四椎下陷中,两肾之间,盖一阳
居于二阴之中,所以位乎北而成乎坎也。且脉之应于指下者,为有经络循经,朝于寸
口,《内经》并无命门之经络,何以应之诊而可列之右尺乎?背经者四也。但此案,张
为高阳确有辨焉。盖天一生水、自左尺以至左寸,右尺以至右寸,五行相生,循环无
间,故右尺确相火也。《经》曰∶七节之傍,中有小心,小心者,命门相火是也。下者主
下,非右尺而何?试思左尺洪者,阴水必亏,右尺弱者,阳气必损,岂非相火之明验
欤!但当云命门相火,寄位于右尺则可,若谓右肾即为命门,则中有小心者,更为何物
则不可。若以命门在中,而不寄位于右尺,则为右尺之相火,以为生土生金者,更何物
也。况一阳陷于二阴者,指命门之部位而信也。一水介于二火之间者,指君相二火而言
也。《经》曰∶寒暑燥湿风火,天之阴阳也。木火土金水,地之阴阳也。五行惟火有二,
君不主令,相火代之,相火之权大矣。岂不足寄于位,而现于脉乎,是以君火以名,相
火以位之义,况阳中有阴,阴中有阳,而此火原在水中者耶,若以命门在中,而不可列
之右尺,则心肺胃皆中也。何以列在左寸右寸关乎?故以右肾即为命门断不可,若以命
门不可列于右尺,则寸关金土之下,生生者,将何火以充其数耶!夫男女之异,惟茎
户精血,及胞门子户耳。若夫象脉自有定位,如左尺水,生左关木,左关木,生左寸
火,君火付权于相火,故右尺火,生右关土,右关土,生右寸金,五行循序相生,万
古不易之理,伪诀乃曰∶女人反此,背看之,而五行之理紊乱极矣。背经者五也。
《经》曰∶肾绝四日死,肝绝八日死,心绝一日死,肺绝三日死,脾绝十二日死,乃伪
诀云∶四十一止一脏绝,却后四年多命没,夫人岂有一脏既绝,尚活四年者乎?背经者
六也。《内经》曰∶形气有余,脉气不足死,脉气不足,形气不足主,仲景曰∶脉病患不
病,号曰行尸,以无旺气,卒眩仆不知人则死,人病脉不病,名曰内虚,虽困无苦,而
伪诀云,健人脉病号行尸,病患脉健亦如之,是脉病与人病无别矣。背经者七也。
脉理渊微,可以神领,难以言求,而况可以图标乎,如大小长短,或可图也。而迟
数结促,皆以至数为名,岂可得而图乎?勉强牵合,背经者八也。有此八者,相传而不
察,以讹就讹,正道沦亡,可不亟为正之。
The first pulse is called "Tan Shi" (Dan Shi, Stone Striking). It feels like fingers striking a stone; it is hard and crackling within the muscles and sinews, dissipating quickly. This indicates Kidney Qi exhaustion. The second pulse is called "Que Zhuo" (Que Zhuo, Sparrow Pecking). It beats against the finger continuously like a sparrow pecking food, suddenly stops, and returns after a long while. This indicates Liver Qi exhaustion. The third pulse is called "Wu Lou" (Wu Lou, Leaking Roof). It resembles water dripping from a dilapidated roof, with only one drop falling after a long interval. This indicates Stomach Qi exhaustion. The fourth pulse is called "Jie Suo" (Jie Suo, Untying Rope). It feels scattered and disordered under the fingers, losing all sequence, alternating between sparse and rapid. This indicates Spleen Qi exhaustion. The fifth pulse is called "Xia You" (Xia You, Shrimp Swimming). It appears on the skin surface, initially moving slightly or remaining still, then drifting away, and after a long time, suddenly leaping once. This indicates Large Intestine Qi exhaustion. The sixth pulse is called "Yu Xiang" (Yu Xiang, Fish Gliding). It resembles a fish swimming in water; the body remains relatively still but shakes slightly, appearing and disappearing. This indicates Heart Qi exhaustion. The seventh pulse is called "Fu Fei" (Fu Fei, Cauldron Boiling). It feels like boiling soup in a cauldron on the skin surface, with movement only outward and not inward, surging like waves on the surface of broth. This indicates Lung Qi exhaustion.
In some cases where pulse Qi is still present, but the pulse stops every three or four beats, or every five or six beats, it must be due to damage to Jing Essence and Blood, caused by excessive sexual activity. Alternatively, it may be due to old Phlegm obstructing and reversing Qi flow, which should not be treated with purgative methods. If it is not caused by sexual depletion, it might result from traumatic injury causing blood stasis to accumulate internally without dispersing. It could also stem from deficiency induced by emotional disturbances (Seven Emotions: Joy, Anger, Worry, Pensiveness, Sadness, Fear, Fright), or from indulging in rich and greasy foods as tonics, leading to food stagnation and Phlegm accumulation that blocks the Zang-Fu organs and meridians, resulting in this type of pulse. One cannot categorically label this as an abnormal pulse (Strange Pulse/Death Pulse), but it is clearly not a sign of longevity.
If the Cun position has a pulse but the Chi position does not, or vice versa, death is inevitable. The Dai Mai (Intermittent Pulse) also indicates death. Jie Mai (Knotted Pulse), Cu Mai (Rapid-Irregular Pulse), and Dai Mai (Intermittent Pulse) all involve pauses in the heartbeat. However, Jie and Cu pulses can resume spontaneously, indicating potential survival, whereas Dai Mai cannot resume spontaneously, indicating death. Regarding Zhi Mai (Pulse Rate): Two beats per respiration cycle are normal; three beats indicate deviation from the standard (Li Jing); four beats indicate depletion of Jing Essence; five beats indicate death; six beats indicate the end of life. Regarding Sun Mai (Damaged Pulse): Four or five beats per respiration cycle are normal; three beats are considered slow (Chi); six beats are considered rapid (Shu); two beats are Damaged (Sun); one beat is Ruined (Bai), indicating certain death.
Diagnosing and observing pulse Qi is a matter of attaining spiritual clarity and penetrating subtleties; it cannot exceed the scope of the *Nei Jing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon). According to the diagnostic methods in the *Nei Jing*: The left Cun position corresponds to the Heart and Dan Zhong (Pericardium/Chest Center), belonging to the Upper Jiao (Upper Burner); the left Guan position corresponds to the Liver and Diaphragm area, belonging to the Middle Jiao (Middle Burner); the left Chi position corresponds to the Kidneys, Small Intestine, and Bladder, belonging to the Lower Jiao (Lower Burner). The right Cun position corresponds to the Lungs and Chest area, belonging to the Upper Jiao; the right Guan position corresponds to the Stomach and Spleen, belonging to the Middle Jiao; the right Chi position corresponds to the Kidneys and Large Intestine, belonging to the Lower Jiao. The anterior part of the pulse field diagnoses anterior conditions, and the posterior part diagnoses posterior conditions. "Shang Jing Shang" (reaching the upper limit upwards) corresponds to disorders of the chest and throat. "Xia Jing Xia" (reaching the lower limit downwards) corresponds to disorders of the hypogastrium, waist, thighs, knees, shins, and feet. The Gallbladder is not separately diagnosed because it is affiliated with the Liver sector. The Large Intestine, Small Intestine, and Bladder are collectively associated with the abdomen. The left hand corresponds to Spring and Summer, South and East, Front and Exterior. The right hand corresponds to Autumn and Winter, West and North, Back and Interior. The Cun position of the left hand is equivalent to the Ren Ying point, named "Front." The conditions diagnosed at the Front correspond to the anterior chest and Dan Zhong. The Cun position of the right hand is equivalent to the Qi Kou point, named "Back." The conditions diagnosed at the Back correspond to the posterior chest and respiratory tract. This is how the *Nei Jing* establishes positional diagnosis based on anatomical orientation. Thus, Hua Borun correctly stated that the left Chi governs diseases of the Small Intestine, Bladder, and anterior orifices, while the right Chi governs diseases of the Large Intestine and posterior orifices, deeply understanding the principles of the *Nei Jing*. Why did Gao Yangsheng's apocryphal text place the Large and Small Intestines at the Cun level, assign the Triple Burner to the left Chi, place the Ming Men (Gate of Life) at the right Chi, and omit mention of Dan Zhong? Although the Heart and Small Intestine are exterior-interior pairs, and the Lungs and Large Intestine are exterior-interior pairs, one must understand that meridian exterior-interior relationships have their own connections, and diagnostic positions have fixed locations. How can they be confused? This is the first violation of the Classics.
The *Jin Gui Zhen Yan* chapter states: The Liver, Heart, Spleen, Lungs, and Kidneys are the Five Zang organs (Yin); the Gallbladder, Stomach, Large Intestine, Small Intestine, Triple Burner, and Bladder are the Six Fu organs (Yang). This accounts for only eleven meridians. Where is the Hand-Jueyin Meridian? The *Ling Lan Mi Dian* chapter states: The Heart is the Sovereign Official, from whom Shen Spirit emerges. The Lungs are the Official of Conveyance, from whom regulation emerges. The Liver is the General Official, from whom strategy emerges. The Gallbladder is the Official of Integrity, from whom decision-making emerges. Dan Zhong is the Envoy Official, from whom joy and pleasure emerge. The Spleen and Stomach are the Granary Officials, from whom the flavors of the five foods emerge. The Large Intestine is the Official of Transmission, from whom transformation emerges. The Small Intestine is the Official of Reception, from whom refinement emerges. The Kidneys are the Officials of Strength, from whom dexterity emerges. The Triple Burner is the Official of Ditches, from whom water pathways emerge. The Bladder is the Official of the Capital, storing fluids; through Qi transformation, they are excreted. Here, Dan Zhong completes the count of twelve Zang organs. Therefore, what corresponds to the Hand-Jueyin is indeed Dan Zhong. In the *Ling Shu*, when describing meridians, Bao Luo (Uterine Vessels/Pericardium Collaterals) is mentioned instead of Dan Zhong, yet it says "movement causes incessant laughter," which aligns with "joy and pleasure emerge." Laughter is governed by Heart Fire, indicating its correspondence to the Heart. Only Dan Zhong is called the Envoy, a close minister to the Sovereign. Thus, Bao Luo is identical to Dan Zhong, leaving no doubt. There is solid evidence for pairing Dan Zhong with the Heart, yet the apocryphal text omits it, leaving the Hand-Jueyin as a vacant position. This is the second violation of the Classics.
The *Ling Shu* states: The Upper Jiao originates from the upper opening of the Stomach, ascends along the pharynx, pierces the diaphragm, and spreads in the chest. The Middle Jiao also resides in the Stomach, emerging after the Upper Jiao, separating dregs, steaming fluids, transforming essence into blood. The Lower Jiao separates from the ileum, pours into the Bladder, and渗 (seeps) into it. Food and water reside in the Stomach, become dregs, pass down the Large Intestine to form the Lower Jiao. It further states: The Upper Jiao is like mist, the Middle Jiao like fermentation, and the Lower Jiao like a drain. Thus, the Triple Burner is clearly divided into Upper, Middle, and Lower. To place the Triple Burner at the right Chi, as the apocryphal text does, is absurd. This is the third violation of the Classics.
The Heart, Liver, Spleen, Lungs, and Kidneys each have one diagnostic position. Only the Kidney, being a single organ type, is diagnosed at both Chi positions because there are two kidneys, shaped like kidney beans, located on either side of the lumbar spine. The apocryphal text claims the left is the Kidney and the right is the Ming Men. Consulting texts like the Ming Tang Bronze Figure, the Ming Men acupoint is located in the depression below the 14th thoracic vertebra of the Du Meridian, between the two kidneys. This represents one Yang residing between two Yins, thus positioned in the North forming the Kan trigram. Moreover, pulse responses under the fingers rely on meridians circulating to the Cun Kou. The *Nei Jing* mentions no meridians of the Ming Men; how can it be diagnosed and placed at the right Chi? This is the fourth violation of the Classics. However, Zhang Jingyue did refute Gao Yangsheng. Since Heaven generates Water from the left, moving from left Chi to left Cun, and right Chi to right Cun, the Five Elements generate each other in a continuous cycle, the right Chi is indeed the location of Ministerial Fire. The Classic states: "Beside the seven vertebrae, there is the Little Heart." The "Little Heart" refers to the Ming Men Ministerial Fire. "Lower governs lower"; is this not the right Chi? Consider: if the left Chi is surging, Yin Water is deficient; if the right Chi is weak, Yang Qi is damaged. Is this not clear evidence of Ministerial Fire? It is acceptable to say that Ming Men Ministerial Fire is housed in the right Chi, but to claim the right Kidney itself is the Ming Men is problematic. What, then, is the "Little Heart"? If Ming Men is in the center and not housed in the right Chi, what fire generates Earth and Metal for the right Chi? Furthermore, "one Yang trapped between two Yins" refers to the position of the Ming Men. "One Water situated between two Fires" refers to Sovereign and Ministerial Fire. The Classic states: Cold, heat, dryness, dampness, wind, and fire are the Yin-Yang of Heaven; Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water are the Yin-Yang of Earth. Among the Five Elements, only Fire has two forms. Sovereign Fire does not issue commands; Ministerial Fire acts in its place. Ministerial Fire holds great power. Is it insufficient to have a position and manifest in the pulse? This explains why Sovereign Fire is defined by name, while Ministerial Fire is defined by position. Moreover, Yang contains Yin, and Yin contains Yang, and this Fire originally resides in Water. If Ming Men is in the center and cannot be listed at the right Chi, then the Heart, Lungs, and Stomach are also in the center; why do the left and right Cun positions matter? Therefore, claiming the right Kidney is the Ming Men is absolutely incorrect. If Ming Men cannot be listed at the right Chi, what fire fills the number of generating elements below the Metal and Earth of the Cun and Guan positions? The differences between men and women lie only in the penis/vagina, essence/blood, and the womb (Zi Gong). Pulse images have fixed positions: Left Chi Water generates Left Guan Wood; Left Guan Wood generates Left Cun Fire. Sovereign Fire delegates authority to Ministerial Fire; thus, Right Chi Fire generates Right Guan Earth; Right Guan Earth generates Right Cun Metal. The Five Elements generate each other in order, an unchanging principle for eternity. The apocryphal text claims women reverse this and view it backwards, completely disrupting the logic of the Five Elements. This is the fifth violation of the Classics.
The Classic states: Kidney exhaustion leads to death in four days; Liver exhaustion in eight days; Heart exhaustion in one day; Lung exhaustion in three days; Spleen exhaustion in twelve days. Yet the apocryphal text says: "Forty-one stops indicate one Zang exhausted, yet life continues for more than four years." Can a person live for four years after one Zang is exhausted? This is the sixth violation of the Classics. The *Nei Jing* states: If形体 (Form/Qi) is sufficient but Mai Qi (Pulse Qi) is insufficient, death occurs. If Mai Qi is insufficient and Form/Qi is also insufficient, it is primary. Zhang Zhongjing said: "Pulse disease, patient healthy" is called a Walking Corpse; lacking vigorous Qi, sudden dizziness and collapse lead to death. "Patient diseased, pulse healthy" is called Internal Deficiency; though distressed, there is no suffering. However, the apocryphal text states: "Healthy person with diseased pulse is a Walking Corpse; diseased person with healthy pulse is the same." This implies no distinction between pulse disease and patient disease. This is the seventh violation of the Classics.
The principles of pulse diagnosis are profound and subtle; they can be grasped by the spirit but are difficult to express in words, let alone depicted in diagrams. While size, length, etc., might be diagrammed, Chi (Slow), Shu (Rapid), Jie (Knotted), and Cu (Rapid-Irregular) are named by beat frequency; how can they be diagrammed? Forcing a fit violates the Classics. This is the eighth violation. These eight errors have been passed down without scrutiny, spreading falsehood upon falsehood, causing the true path to perish. Must we not urgently correct them?