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What is called a pulse of a healthy person? It is when the pulse beats four times per respiration cycle (Yi Xi). What are the normal pulses (Ping Mai) of the five Zang organs? The Heart pulse should be Hong (Surging), the Lung pulse should be Se (Rough), the Liver pulse should be Xian (Wiry), the Spleen pulse should be Huan (Moderate/Slack), and the Kidney pulse should be Chen (Deep). Furthermore, it must possess a harmonious Qi, which is referred to as Stomach Qi (Wei Qi, representing the digestive function reflected in the pulse). What are the normal seasonal pulses? In Spring, the pulse should be Xian (Wiry); in Summer, Hong (Surging); in Autumn, Se (Rough, also known as "Mao" or Feather-like); in Winter, Chen (Deep, also known as "Shi" or Stone-like); and at the transition of the four seasons, the pulse should be He Huan (Harmonious and Moderate). What are the different pulses for men and women? Men belong to Yang, so the Cun (Inch) position pulse should be larger than the Chi (Cubit) position pulse; women belong to Yin, so the Chi position pulse should be larger than the Cun position pulse. How can one know if a woman is pregnant from her pulse? The Chi position pulse is large and vigorous, or the Heart pulse is large and vigorous (If the pulse at the Shenmen acupoint moves significantly, it indicates pregnancy; another view states: a large Heart pulse indicates a male fetus, and a large Right Chi pulse indicates a female fetus). How can one know if a woman is suffering from blood flooding (Xue Beng)? The Chi position pulse is Xu (Deficient), Da (Large), Xian (Wiry), and Shu (Rapid). How can one know if a woman has had a miscarriage (Ban Chan)? Obtaining a Ge Mai (Leather Pulse) indicates miscarriage. How can one know the delivery date for a woman? When the pulse deviates from its usual regularity. How can one know if a woman is infertile? The Chi pulse is Wei Ruo (Weak and Thready) and Se (Rough), accompanied by a cold lower abdomen and aversion to cold in the body. How are children's pulses distinguished? By taking seven beats per respiration cycle as the standard.

The Dao of pulse diagnosis is the most subtle and difficult to comprehend. Medical texts discuss pulses in greater detail, yet the finger sensations become more chaotic. Why exaggerate words and treat human life as a game? Mr. Zhang Xin-zai, although I have not met him in person, we have been spiritually connected for a long time. His work on the major principles of pulse diagnosis takes eight pulses as the outline, which differs slightly from the old theory of eight pulses, relying on evidence that is clearly visible. This is unlike Li Binhu or Zhang Shiwan, who used twenty-eight characters as groundless and shadowy discussions. The first is Fu (Floating) pulse: Fu means it is felt immediately with light pressure on the skin, indicating Exterior disease. The second is Chen (Deep) pulse: Chen means it is felt only with heavy pressure on the muscle layer, indicating Interior disease. Fu and Chen pulses are distinguished by the weight of the hand, which is obvious (One exhalation brings two beats, one inhalation brings two beats; one exhalation and inhalation constitute one Yi Xi. If the pulse comes four times per Yi Xi, it is the pulse of a healthy person without disease; otherwise, it is diseased.). The third is Chi (Slow) pulse: Chi means the pulse comes two or three times per Yi Xi, or even once per Yi Xi, indicating Cold disease. The fourth is Shu (Rapid) pulse: Shu means the pulse comes five or six times per Yi Xi, or even seven or eight times per Yi Xi, indicating Heat disease. Chi and Shu pulses are distinguished by the number of beats per respiration, which is also obvious. The fifth is Xi (Thready/Fine) pulse: Xi means the pulse shape is small and thin like a thread, governing various Deficiency diseases. The sixth is Da (Large) pulse: Da means the pulse shape is thick and large like a finger, governing various Excess diseases. Xi and Da pulses are distinguished by the width and narrowness of the image, which is again obvious. The seventh is Duan (Short) pulse: Duan means the pulse comes short, not reaching up to the Cun position and not reaching down to the Chi position, indicating congenital decline. The eighth is Chang (Long) pulse: Chang means the pulse comes long and distant, reaching up to the edge of the thenar eminence (Yu Ze) and down to the Chize acupoint, indicating congenital abundance. Chang and Duan pulses are verified by whether the position exceeds or falls short, which is again obvious. There are also distinctions of combined pulses: Fu and Shu indicate Exterior Heat; Fu and Chi indicate Exterior Cold; Chen and Shu indicate Interior Heat; Chen and Chi indicate Interior Cold. Among the four categories of Exterior, Interior, Cold, and Heat, if examined as Xi, it belongs to Deficiency; if examined as Da, it belongs to Excess. One must further examine among the six categories of Exterior, Interior, Cold, Heat, Deficiency, and Excess: if examined as Duan, it is known as congenital decline, and treating the disease requires cultivating the foundation; if examined as Chang, it is known as congenital abundance, and attacking the pathogen must aim to eradicate the root. This is the secret method of treating disease based on pulse.

A guest asked: If following the previous methods, can all the many pulse images passed down by the ancients be completely abandoned and not discussed? I replied: Taking these eight pulses as the outline, the remaining pulses can be recognized by their combined manifestations within these eight pulses, which is very easy. They can be abandoned, or they need not be abandoned.