先哲有言，脉有神机，微而莫显，胸中了了，指下难明，况胸中昧昧而思，指下全
生，其可得乎？若不比类以晰其似，对举以别其殊，辩兼至以定名，察平脉以昭治，分
六气以测证，按运政以观应，审真脏以知仁，则临视凭何？而治安之法奚赖，故逐条
具后，使学人一览无遗矣。
热则脉数，寒则脉迟，沉主在里，浮主在表，虚者脉虚，实者脉实，涩为血枯气
滞，滑为痰盛阴强，此八者，乃脉之大纲领也。长则气治，短则气病，数则烦心，大则
病进，上盛则气高，下盛则气胀，代则气衰，细则气少，涩则心痛，此八者，乃病之
见于脉也。
比类者，所以明相类之脉，洪与虚皆浮也。浮而有力为洪，浮而无力为虚。沉与伏
皆沉也，沉脉行于筋间，重按即见，伏脉行于骨间，重按不见，必推筋至骨，乃可见
也。数与紧皆急也。数脉以六至得名，紧则不必六至，惟弦急而左右弹，状如切紧绳
也。迟与缓皆慢也。迟则三至，极其迟慢，缓则四至，徐徐不迫。实与牢皆兼弦大实长
之四脉也。实则浮中沉三取皆然，牢则但以沉候取也。洪与实皆有力也。洪则重按少
衰，实则按之亦弦也。革与牢皆大而强也。革则浮取而得，牢则沉取而见也。濡与弱皆
细小也。濡在浮分，重按即不见也。弱主沉分，轻取不可见也。细与微皆无力也。细则
指下分明，微则似有若无，模糊难见矣。短与动皆无头尾，短为阴脉，其来迟滞，动为
阳脉，其来数滑，促结涩代，皆有止者也。数时一止为促，缓时一止为结，往来迟滞，
似止非止为涩，动而中止，不能自还，止有定数为代。
对举者、所以明相反之脉。浮沉者，脉之升降也。迟数者，脉之急慢也。滑涩者，
脉之通滞也。虚实者，脉之刚柔也。长短者，脉之盈缩也。洪微者，脉之盛衰也。紧
缓者，脉之张弛也。牢革者，脉之内外也。动伏者，脉之出处也。促结者，脉之阴阳
也，濡弱者，脉之穷于进退者也。芤弦者，脉之见于盛衰者也。《经》曰∶前大后小，
前小后大，来疾去徐，来徐去疾，去不盛，来反盛，去盛来不盛，乍大乍小，乍长乍
短，乍数乍疏，是又二脉之偶见者也。
兼至者，合众脉以成一脉也。浮而细，且软为濡。沉而细，且软为弱，浮而极细
极软，似有若无为微，浮而且大且弦且长之合为革，沉而且大且长且弦之合为牢，且大
且长，浮中沉皆有力为实。
平脉者，各部之本脉也。轻以取腑，重以取脏，诸阳脉为腑，诸阴脉为脏。然阴中
有阳，阳中有阴，浮亦有脏，沉亦有腑，故取脉有权，不可执也。足厥阴肝，沉而弦
长，足少阴肾，沉石而滑；足太阴脾，中和而缓。足少阳胆，弦大而浮。足阳明胃，浮
长而涩。足太阳膀胱，洪滑而长。手少阴心，洪大而散。手太阴肺，浮涩而短。手厥
阴心胞络，浮大而散。手少阳三焦，洪大而急。手阳明大肠，浮短而滑。手太阳小肠，
洪大而紧。凡肝弦、心洪、脾缓、肺毛、肾石、俱要中和，太过固病，不足亦病。太过
者，脉来强实是也。病在外不及者，脉来虚微是也。病在中。
Ancient sages said that the Shenji (subtle signs of vital activities) contained within the pulse is minute and difficult to manifest; although one may understand it in the mind, it is hard to discern clearly under the fingers. How much more so if one thinks with a confused mind, making the pulse completely imperceptible under the fingers? If one does not use analogy to clarify similar pulses, contrast to distinguish different ones, analyze combined pulses to determine their names, observe Ping Mai (Normal Pulse) to reveal treatment principles, differentiate the Six Qi (Wind, Cold, Summer-heat, Dampness, Dryness, Fire) to predict syndromes, follow the policies of the Five Movements and Six Qi to observe responses, and examine Zhen Zang Mai (True Visceral Pulses indicating exhaustion of organ essence) to know prognosis, then what basis would there be for clinical examination? And upon what would the methods for maintaining health and treating disease rely? Therefore, these points are listed item by item below, so that students may have a comprehensive understanding at a glance.
Heat conditions present with Shu Mai (Rapid Pulse), cold conditions present with Chi Mai (Slow Pulse); Chen Mai (Deep Pulse) indicates interior pathology, Fu Mai (Floating Pulse) indicates exterior pathology; deficiency presents with Xu Mai (Deficient Pulse), excess presents with Shi Mai (Excess Pulse); Se Mai (Choppy Pulse) indicates blood depletion and qi stagnation, Hua Mai (Slippery Pulse) indicates abundant phlegm and strong yin. These eight constitute the general outline of pulse diagnosis. A Chang Mai (Long Pulse) indicates regulated qi, a Duan Mai (Short Pulse) indicates diseased qi, Shu Mai (Rapid Pulse) indicates vexation of the heart, Da Mai (Large Pulse) indicates disease progression, upper excess indicates rising qi, lower excess indicates abdominal distension, Dai Mai (Intermittent Pulse with regular intervals) indicates qi decline, Xi Mai (Fine Pulse) indicates little qi, Se Mai (Choppy Pulse) indicates heart pain. These eight represent diseases manifested in the pulse.
"Bi Lei" (Analogy) is used to clarify similar pulses. Hong Mai (Surging Pulse) and Xu Mai (Deficient Pulse) both belong to Floating pulses. Floating with strength is Hong Mai (Surging Pulse), floating without strength is Xu Mai (Deficient Pulse). Chen Mai (Deep Pulse) and Fu Mai (Hidden Pulse) both belong to Deep pulses. Chen Mai (Deep Pulse) runs between tendons and is visible upon heavy pressure; Fu Mai (Hidden Pulse) runs between bones, is not visible upon heavy pressure, and requires pushing the tendons to the bone to be seen. Shu Mai (Rapid Pulse) and Jin Mai (Taut Pulse) both appear urgent. Shu Mai (Rapid Pulse) is named for six beats per respiration; Jin Mai (Taut Pulse) need not reach six beats, but is wiry and urgent, rebounding left and right, resembling a tightly bound rope. Chi Mai (Slow Pulse) and Huan Mai (Moderate/Relaxed Pulse) both appear slow. Chi Mai (Slow Pulse) is three beats per respiration, extremely slow; Huan Mai (Moderate/Relaxed Pulse) is four beats per respiration, leisurely and unforced. Shi Mai (Excess Pulse) and Lao Mai (Wiry-Firm Pulse) both combine the characteristics of Wiry, Large, Excess, and Long pulses. Shi Mai (Excess Pulse) manifests in all three positions (Superficial, Middle, Deep); Lao Mai (Wiry-Firm Pulse) is only found in the Deep position. Hong Mai (Surging Pulse) and Shi Mai (Excess Pulse) both have strength. Hong Mai (Surging Pulse) loses some strength upon heavy pressure, whereas Shi Mai (Excess Pulse) feels wiry upon pressure. Ge Mai (Hollow Pulse) and Lao Mai (Wiry-Firm Pulse) are both large and strong. Ge Mai (Hollow Pulse) is obtained upon superficial pressure, Lao Mai (Wiry-Firm Pulse) upon deep pressure. Ru Mai (Soggy Pulse) and Ruo Mai (Weak Pulse) are both fine and small. Ru Mai (Soggy Pulse) is in the Superficial layer and disappears upon heavy pressure; Ruo Mai (Weak Pulse) belongs to the Deep layer and is not visible upon light pressure. Xi Mai (Fine Pulse) and Wei Mai (Minute Pulse) both lack strength. Xi Mai (Fine Pulse) is distinct under the fingers, while Wei Mai (Minute Pulse) seems present yet absent, blurred and difficult to see. Duan Mai (Short Pulse) and Dong Mai (Pulsating Pulse) both lack head and tail. Duan Mai (Short Pulse) is a Yin pulse, arriving sluggishly; Dong Mai (Pulsating Pulse) is a Yang pulse, arriving rapidly and smoothly. Cu Mai (Crisp/Interrupted Pulse), Jie Mai (Knotted Pulse), Se Mai (Choppy Pulse), and Dai Mai (Intermittent Pulse) all feature pauses. A pause occurring occasionally during a rapid pulse is Cu Mai (Crisp/Interrupted Pulse); a pause occurring occasionally during a slow pulse is Jie Mai (Knotted Pulse); sluggish arrival and departure, seeming to pause but not truly stopping, is Se Mai (Choppy Pulse); movement stops midway and cannot return immediately, with pauses occurring at fixed intervals, is Dai Mai (Intermittent Pulse).
"Dui Ju" (Contrast) is used to clarify opposite pulses. Floating and Deep represent the ascending and descending of the pulse. Slow and Rapid represent the urgency and slowness of the pulse. Slippery and Choppy represent the patency and obstruction of the pulse. Deficient and Excess represent the rigidity and softness of the pulse. Long and Short represent the fullness and emptiness of the pulse. Surging and Minute represent the prosperity and decline of the pulse. Taut and Relaxed represent the tension and relaxation of the pulse. Wiry-Firm and Hollow represent the interior and exterior aspects. Pulsating and Hidden represent the emergence and concealment of the pulse. Crisp and Knotted represent the Yin and Yang nature. Soggy and Weak represent the exhaustion of advance and retreat. Hollow and Wiry represent the manifestation during prosperity and decline. The Classic states: Large before and Small after, Small before and Large after, coming fast and departing slow, coming slow and departing fast, departing weak but coming strong, departing strong but coming weak, suddenly large and suddenly small, suddenly long and suddenly short, suddenly rapid and suddenly sparse—these are cases where two pulses appear together.
"Jian Zhi" (Combined Arrival) refers to combining multiple pulse qualities to form a single pulse type. Floating, fine, and soft constitutes Ru Mai (Soggy Pulse); Deep, fine, and soft constitutes Ruo Mai (Weak Pulse); Floating, extremely fine and soft, seeming present yet absent constitutes Wei Mai (Minute Pulse); Floating, large, wiry, and long combined constitutes Ge Mai (Hollow Pulse); Deep, large, long, and wiry combined constitutes Lao Mai (Wiry-Firm Pulse); Large and long, with strength in all three positions (Superficial, Middle, Deep) constitutes Shi Mai (Excess Pulse).
"Ping Mai" (Normal Pulse) refers to the fundamental pulse of each region. Light pressure examines the Fu Organs (Hollow Organs), heavy pressure examines the Zang Organs (Solid Organs); all Yang pulses correspond to Fu Organs, all Yin pulses correspond to Zang Organs. However, Yin contains Yang, and Yang contains Yin; Floating pulses can also reflect Zang Organs, and Deep pulses can also reflect Fu Organs. Therefore, pulse taking requires flexibility and should not be rigid. The Foot Jueyin Liver channel presents as Deep, Wiry, and Long; the Foot Shaoyin Kidney channel presents as Deep, Stone-like, and Slippery; the Foot Taiyin Spleen channel presents as Moderate and Relaxed. The Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder channel presents as Wiry, Large, and Floating; the Foot Yangming Stomach channel presents as Floating, Long, and Choppery; the Foot Taiyang Bladder channel presents as Surging, Slippery, and Long. the Hand Shaoyin Heart channel presents as Surging, Large, and Scattered; the Hand Taiyin Lung channel presents as Floating, Choppery, and Short; the Hand Jueyin Pericardium channel presents as Floating, Large, and Scattered; the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao (Triple Burner) channel presents as Surging, Large, and Urgent; the Hand Yangming Large Intestine channel presents as Floating, Short, and Slippery; the Hand Taiyang Small Intestine channel presents as Surging, Large, and Taut. In all cases, Liver Wiry, Heart Surging, Spleen Relaxed, Lung Feather-like (Floating), and Kidney Stone-like (Deep) must possess a moderate quality. Excess is pathological, and insufficiency is also pathological. Excess is characterized by a strong and solid pulse arrival; insufficiency due to external disease is characterized by a deficient and minute pulse arrival; disease in the interior...