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When the constitution is robust but the pulse is pathological, the patient will not live long; when the constitution is diseased but the pulse is robust, the condition will also become critical.

For example, if a healthy person presents with a floating, tight, and choppy pulse (Fujin Er Se Mai), resembling the pulse of Taiyang disease (Disease of the Taiyang Channel) in Cold Damage (Shanghan), although this person has not yet experienced headache, fever, or aversion to cold, it indicates that illness will occur shortly, and once it occurs, death will follow. This condition is called "Xing Shi" (Walking Corpse). Furthermore, if there is one pause every fifteen beats (indicating Dai Mai/Interruption Pulse), it predicts death within one year. Even if the person is currently asymptomatic, upon the expiration of the predicted year, death will ensue. Conversely, if a patient's pulse appears overly robust—for instance, presenting with emaciation, withered spirit, night sweats, anorexia, and unceasing slippery diarrhea—this constitutes a consumption syndrome (Lao Sun), yet if the pulse is instead flooding and robust (Hong Jian), it is also a fatal sign.

When the complexion and pulse are mutually generating, the disease will resolve itself; when they are mutually overcoming, medical intervention is unnecessary.

The classics state: If a certain complexion is observed but the corresponding pulse is absent, and instead an overcoming (controlling) pulse is obtained, death will occur. If a generating (nourishing) pulse is obtained, the disease will resolve spontaneously. Generally, regarding the complexions of the four seasons, color transmitted from the preceding season represents excess pathogenic factors (Shi Xie), while color transmitted from the subsequent season represents deficient pathogenic factors (Xu Xie). For illustration: If the complexion is red indicating Heart disease, accompanied by symptoms such as hot phlegm, fire toxicity, mania, macules, and rashes, the pulse should be floating, large, and scattered (Fu Da Er San); if the complexion is green indicating Liver disease, accompanied by hypochondriac pain, dry retching, and bloody stool, the pulse should be wiry and rapid (Xian Er Ji); if the complexion is yellow indicating Spleen disease, accompanied by damp-heat, swelling, food stagnation, vomiting, diarrhea, Guan Ge (obstruction syndrome), the pulse should be moderate, slow, and large (Zhong Huan Er Da); if the complexion is white indicating Lung disease, accompanied by asthma, fluid retention, flaccidity, emaciation, and cough, the pulse should be floating, choppy, and short (Fu Se Er Duan); if the complexion is black indicating Kidney disease, accompanied by lower back and leg pain, hernia masses, strangury, turbid urine, and spermatorrhea, the pulse should be deep, soft, and slippery (Chen Ru Er Hua).

Among these, frequent pulsations indicate deficiency or fire, while still/slow pulsations indicate cold or excess; all these must be discussed in conjunction with the pulse characteristics. Additionally, the five colors correspond to the five Zang organs; occasionally, green may appear, which signifies the intersection of Yin and Yang at the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) and Du Mai (Governor Vessel).

In obese individuals, the pulse tends to be deep and knotted; in thin individuals, floating and long. In short-statured individuals, the pulse tends to be short and hurried; in tall-statured individuals, sparse and long. These principles must not be violated.

Obese persons have thick flesh, so their pulse should be deep and knotted; thin persons have thin flesh, so their pulse should be floating and long. Persons of short stature should have a short and hurried pulse; persons of tall stature should have a sparse and long pulse. If the pulse contradicts the physique, opposes it, and lacks harmony, it indicates death. It is not only the physical form that corresponds with the pulse; even the texture of the skin (smoothness or roughness) and its tension (looseness or tightness) should correspond with the pulse. The classics state: If the pulse is rapid, the skin at the Chi position (wrist) is also rapid; if the pulse is tense, the skin at the Chi position is also tense; if the pulse is relaxed, the skin at the Chi position is also relaxed; if the pulse is choppy, the skin at the Chi position is also rough; if the pulse is slippery, the skin at the Chi position is also smooth. This is what is meant.