荣行脉中，卫行脉外。脉者，所以主宰荣卫，而不可须臾失也。从月从永，谓得此可永岁月也。古脉字，
从血从HT ，所以使气血各根据分派，而行经络也。医家由脉以识经络虚实。由经络虚实以定药之君臣佐使及
针灸穴法，是脉乃医之首务。世俗偏熟《脉诀》，而不知《脉经》，专习单看，而不知总看。其实上古诊法有三∶
其一各于十二经动脉分为三部，候各脏腑。其二以气口人迎，决内外病因。其三独取寸口，以内外分脏腑，以
高下定身形，以生克定荣枯，以清浊论究通，故曰独取寸口，以决五脏六腑之生死吉凶也。兹以《素》、
《难》为主，兼采仲景及《脉图》、《脉经》、《脉诀》、《正传》、《权舆》而补之。以便初学诵读。
掌后高骨号为关，傍骨关脉形宛然；次第推排寸关尺，配合天地人三元。
昔岐伯取气口，象黄钟作脉法，故气口之数九分，阳数九也；尺内一寸，阴数十也。手腕高骨为关，从关
至鱼际得同身之一寸，故名寸部。从关至尺泽得同身之一尺，故名尺部。阳出阴入，以关为界，故名关部。
寸应天为上部，关应人为中部，尺应地为下部。一部之中又各有浮中沉三候，三三如九，故曰三部九候。凡诊
脉初以中指揣按高骨关位，次下前后二指，人长则疏排其指，人短则密排其指。初轻按消息之，次不轻不重中
按消息之，次重按消息之。鱼际者。寸上一分，掌骨后际，如鱼之颈际然。尺泽者，尺外余脉，如深泽然。
Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) circulates within the vessels, while Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) circulates outside the vessels. Pulse diagnosis serves to govern Ying and Wei Qi and must not be neglected for a moment. The character "Mai" (Pulse) consists of "Yue" (Moon/Flesh) and "Yong" (Eternal), implying that mastering this allows one to prolong life for many years. The ancient form of the character "Mai" consisted of "Xue" (Blood) and "Xing" (Walk/Move), indicating the distribution of Qi and Blood along their respective pathways within the meridians. Physicians identify the deficiency or excess of meridians through pulse diagnosis. Based on the deficiency or excess of meridians, they determine the roles of Jun (Monarch), Chen (Minister), Zuo (Assistant), and Shi (Envoy) in herbal prescriptions, as well as acupuncture point selection; thus, pulse diagnosis is the primary task of a physician. The common people are familiar only with the *Mai Jue* (Pulse Rhymes) but ignorant of the *Mai Jing* (Pulse Classic); they specialize in examining individual pulses in isolation rather than viewing them holistically. In fact, there were three diagnostic methods in ancient times: First, dividing the arterial pulses of the twelve meridians into three sections each to observe the various zang-fu organs. Second, comparing the Qi Kou (Radial artery at the wrist) and Ying Yang (Carotid artery at the neck) pulses to determine whether the cause of illness is internal or external. Third, exclusively taking the Cun Kou (Radial pulse at the wrist) to distinguish internal from external, differentiate zang-fu organs by location (high/low), assess vitality based on the generation and restriction cycles (Sheng Ke), and evaluate patency through clarity and turbidity. Hence it is said that exclusively taking the Cun Kou can determine the life and death, auspiciousness and misfortune of the five zang and six fu organs. This text takes the *Su Wen* (Plain Questions) and *Nan Jing* (Classic of Difficult Issues) as its main basis, supplementing them with insights from Zhang Zhongjing, *Mai Tu* (Pulse Diagrams), *Mai Jing*, *Mai Jue*, *Zheng Chuan*, and *Quan Yu*, to facilitate study for beginners.
The high bone behind the palm is called Guan (Cun-Guan-Chi position). The pulse shape at the Guan position beside the bone is distinct. Arranging Cun, Guan, and Chi in sequence corresponds to the Three Yuan of Heaven, Earth, and Man. In antiquity, Qibo selected the Qi Kou to symbolize the Huangzhong pitch pipe in establishing pulse methodology; therefore, the length of the Qi Kou section is nine fen, corresponding to the yang number nine. The Chi section is one cun long, corresponding to the yin number ten. The high bone of the wrist serves as the Guan. From Guan to Yu Ji (Large Intestine 10, LI10) equals one cun of body measurement, hence named Cun (Inch) section. From Guan to Chi Ze (Lung 5, LU5) equals one chi of body measurement, hence named Chi (Cubit) section. Yang emerges outward, Yin enters inward, with Guan serving as the boundary, hence named Guan (Bar) section. Cun corresponds to Heaven, constituting the Upper section; Guan corresponds to Man, constituting the Middle section; Chi corresponds to Earth, constituting the Lower section. Within each section, there are three palpation depths: Floating (Fu), Middle (Zhong), and Deep (Chen). Three sections multiplied by three depths equal nine, hence termed San Bu Jiu Hou (Three Sections and Nine Palpations). When diagnosing the pulse, first use the middle finger to locate the high bone at the Guan position, then place the index and ring fingers anteriorly and posteriorly. For taller individuals, space the fingers wider; for shorter individuals, place them closer together. Initially, apply light pressure to perceive the pulse; next, apply moderate pressure without being too light or heavy; finally, apply deep pressure. Yu Ji is located one fen above the Cun section, at the posterior margin of the metacarpal bone, resembling the neck joint of a fish. Chi Ze is the remaining pulse area lateral to the Chi section, resembling a deep marsh.