脉总六部不越表里阴阳,左手脉之大小,以分血之盛衰,右手脉之大小,以分气之盛
衰,七岁以上五至为平,过则为数,邪气实也,不及为迟。正气虚也,人迎紧,外感也。气
口数,内伤也。浮而数,表热也。浮而迟,阳气衰也。沉而紧,里热也。沉而细,元气脱也。然
痘疹为阳病,故脉浮沉俱宜略带洪实。若弱而无力,则为阳病而见阴脉,必凶之兆至若浮而无根,
数而雀啄,细而欲散,萦萦如蛛之丝,迟而欲绝,滴滴如屋之漏,沉而时见,如鱼之跃者,是皆死脉
也。《脉诀》又曰∶阿阿缓若春杨柳,此是脾家居四季。盖言六部阴阳皆宜要有胃气,胃乃元
阳之首,一脏六腑之本耳,故脉静身凉神清者生,脉躁身热心烦者死。然痘疮七日前后之脉,
犹有别焉,小儿之脉多带紧数,至于痘疮,自发热以至起胀,毒从内出,阳之候也。其脉尤宜
浮大而数,不宜沉细而迟,既靥之后毒从外解,阴之候也,脉宜和缓,而不宜洪数,但要和
平有神,切忌虚大无力,则六日以前宜动,六日以后宜静也。然六部之外,又有冲阳脉者,胃脉也。
太溪脉者,肾脉也。胃为主,肾为根,此二脉关系最重,倘至六部无脉,生死难辨,宜
急于此诊视。若悠悠条理,不断不急,元气尚在,犹有生意可救而活也。若此二脉先
绝,纵六脉犹存,亦为凶候,复以二脉较之,则太溪尤重于冲阳耳,虽痘以视形察色
为主,然非脉何以决脏腑虚实寒热之真情,而施治疗之无误也。(冲阳脉在足大指次指之间陷上
三寸,动脉是也,太溪脉在足内踝下动脉是也。)
The pulse generally covers the six positions, encompassing exterior and interior, yin and yang. The magnitude of the pulse on the left hand distinguishes the abundance or deficiency of blood; the magnitude of the pulse on the right hand distinguishes the abundance or deficiency of qi. For children above seven years old, five beats per respiration is the normal pulse (Ping Mai). Exceeding this indicates a rapid pulse (Shu Mai), signifying excess pathogenic factors; falling short indicates a slow pulse (Chi Mai), signifying deficiency of healthy qi. A tight pulse at the Renying point (ST9) indicates external contraction; a rapid pulse at the Qikou point (LU9) indicates internal injury. A floating and rapid pulse indicates exterior heat; a floating and slow pulse indicates decline of yang qi; a deep and tight pulse indicates interior heat; a deep and thin pulse indicates depletion of primordial qi. However, smallpox is a yang disease, so the pulse should be slightly full and forceful in both superficial and deep positions. If it is weak and powerless, it represents a yang disease presenting with yin pulses, which is definitely an ominous sign. As for pulses that are floating without root, rapid like a sparrow pecking, thin and about to scatter, lingering like a spider's thread, slow and about to cease, dripping like water leaking from a roof, or deep appearing occasionally like a fish jumping, these are all death pulses. The *Mai Jue* (Pulse Classic) also states: "Gentle and slow like spring willows, this is the spleen dwelling in the four seasons." This implies that the yin and yang pulses in all six positions must possess Stomach Qi (Wei Qi). The Stomach is the head of primordial yang and the root of the zang and fu organs. Therefore, those with quiet pulses, cool bodies, and clear spirits survive; those with restless pulses, hot bodies, and irritability die. However, the pulse before and after the seventh day of smallpox differs. Children's pulses often carry tightness and rapidity. Regarding smallpox, from fever until the eruption stage, when toxins emerge from within, it is a yang manifestation. The pulse should particularly be floating, large, and rapid, not deep, thin, and slow. After crusting, when toxins resolve from the exterior, it is a yin manifestation; the pulse should be harmonious and slow, not full and rapid, but merely peaceful and spirited, avoiding emptiness and largeness without strength. Thus, before the sixth day, the pulse should be active; after the sixth day, it should be quiet. Besides the six positions, there is also the Chongyang pulse (ST42), which is the stomach pulse; and the Taixi pulse (KI3), which is the kidney pulse. The Stomach is the master, and the Kidney is the root; these two pulses are most critical. If the pulses in the six positions cannot be felt, making life and death difficult to distinguish, one should urgently examine here. If they are gentle and orderly, unbroken and unhurried, healthy qi remains, and there is still hope for recovery. If these two pulses vanish first, even if the six pulses remain, it is an ominous sign. Comparing the two, the Taixi pulse is more important than the Chongyang pulse. Although smallpox diagnosis primarily relies on observing form and color, without pulse diagnosis, how can one determine the true condition of organ deficiency/excess and cold/heat to ensure accurate treatment? (The Chongyang pulse is located three cun above the depression between the first and second toes, where the arterial pulsation is felt; the Taixi pulse is located below the medial malleolus, where the arterial pulsation is felt.)