Library

The Quezhuo (Sparrow Pecking) pulse comes continuously, stopping and then resuming (indicating the exhaustion of Liver Qi). The Wulou (House Leak) pulse flows like dripping water, falling only once every half hour (indicating the exhaustion of Stomach Qi). The Tanshi (Striking Stone) pulse is deep and wiry, feeling forceful and pulsating under pressure (indicating the exhaustion of Kidney Qi). The pulse suddenly becomes dense and then sparse, chaotic as if untangling a rope (indicating the exhaustion of Spleen Qi). The root of the pulse remains still while the tip trembles, resembling a fish swimming (indicating the exhaustion of Heart Qi). The Xiayou (Shrimp Swimming) pulse appears slowly and then suddenly jumps (indicating the exhaustion of Large Intestine Qi). The Fufei (Cauldron Boiling) pulse is empty and floating, completely lacking a root (indicating the exhaustion of Lung Qi). If any of these seven abnormal pulses appear, the physician should not administer medicine (This refers to the exhaustion pulses of the Five Zang organs; among the Six Fu organs, only the Large Intestine and Stomach are mentioned because they belong to the Yangming channel, which is the most vital in the body).

In women, the Chi (Cun-Chi) pulse at the radial artery's distal position is larger than the Cun (Inch) pulse. If the Chi pulse is choppy and faint, menstrual irregularity is certain. If the three positions (Cun, Guan, Chi) are normal, there is no need to worry about amenorrhea. If the Chi pulse has spirit/vitality, pregnancy can be expected (A large left Chi pulse indicates a male fetus, a large right Chi pulse indicates a female fetus). For pregnant women, the left Cun pulse can also be taken for diagnosis (Excess in the Hand-Shaoyin Heart meridian indicates pregnancy), but it is less definitive than the Shenmen point (Shenmen [HT7] is where the Heart meridian passes; a large left pulse indicates a male, a large right pulse indicates a female), ensuring no omission in diagnosis.

Amenorrhea is often due to disease, yet if the six pulses show no pathology and the body shows no signs of weakness, pregnancy may be present and worthy of celebration. In women with amenorrhea, if the pulse is slippery and rapid, and feels scattered upon deep pressure, pregnancy can be confirmed at three months; if it does not feel scattered upon deep pressure, it is definite at five months; a harmonious, slippery pulse with intermittent pauses (Dai pulse) is typical at two months.

During pregnancy, the Chi pulse is rapid and wiry. In cases of internal hemorrhage, the Ge (Leather) pulse presents similarly. The pulse before delivery is called the Lijing (Departing from Standard) pulse (deviating from the usual pulse), indicating internal fetal movement and external pulse shape changes. After new birth, Yin is damaged and bleeding continues; if the Chi pulse does not reach the Guan (Bar) position, nine out of ten cases result in death. A pulse that is entirely weak and choppy, accompanied by coldness and aversion to cold in the Small Intestine, indicates difficulty in conception for young women, and sterility with blood dryness for older women.

For children under five years old, pulse diagnosis is difficult; instead, observe the three sections of the index finger (the first segment, Yin position, is the Fengguan/Wind Gate; the second segment, Mao position, is the Qiguan/Air Gate; the third segment, Chen position, is the Mingguan/Life Gate, following the rule of left for males and right for females). Visible vascular patterns indicate: purple lines suggest heat, red images suggest Cold Damage (Shanghan), green suggests fright/convulsions, and white suggests malnutrition syndrome (Gan); these indications are as accurate as shadow follows form. Faint yellow suggests health. Black indicates danger and mental distress. If the pattern is at the Fengguan, the illness is mild and not alarming. If at the Qiguan, the illness is severe and requires attention. If at the Mingguan, it is critical and must be noted. If the pattern enters the palm and hooks inward, it begins with an inward curve indicating Wind-Cold, and an outward curve indicates Food Retention. For children over five, pulse positions can be diagnosed (using one finger to press the Cun, Guan, and Chi positions). Generally, seven beats per breath cycle is normal; more indicates Fire syndromes, fewer indicates Cold syndromes. Refer to the *Mai Jing* (Pulse Classic) for others, seeking understanding through intent. There is also "Bianzheng" (developmental fever), characterized by chaotic pulse, sweating, fever, anorexia, excessive sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea, which occurs periodically and must be distinguished from disease. At the onset of chickenpox/smallpox, the four extremities are cold, the face is red, breathing is coarse, and tears and mucus flow incessantly. For infants around six months old, external signs are crucial; palpate the forehead (using the ring, middle, and index fingers on the forehead between the eyebrows and hairline, with the index finger near the hairline as upper, ring finger near eyebrows as lower, and middle finger as center). The condition can be clarified: external Wind attack makes all three fingers hot; internal and external Cold makes all three fingers cold; Upper Heat and Lower Cold makes the middle and index fingers hot. If complicated by Fright, the middle and index fingers are hot; if due to Food Stagnation, only the index finger is hot.