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(The contemporary physicians, upon opening their mouths to discuss pulse conditions, reveal their habit of employing deceptive tricks and their necessarily inferior academic standards. The more detailed the discussions on pulseology in medical books, the harder it is for readers to grasp the essence, largely because the authors are unwilling to speak the truth. Having read this treatise, where every sentence is truthful, I joyfully recorded it and drafted it into verse for easier memorization.)

Life and death are matters of great significance to humans. Yet, being able to determine life and death from the minute movements within the square-inch area of both wrists seems, how close to absurdity! However, why did the ancients often succeed without a single failure? The general principle lies in taking Stomach Qi (Stomach Qi) as the root. Human life depends fundamentally on diet. As stated in *Ling Shu* (Spiritual Pivot): "When grain enters the stomach, it is transmitted to the Lung, and all five zang organs and six fu organs receive qi." Cun Kou (Cun Kou, the radial artery pulse point) belongs to Metal of the Lung and is the convergence point of all vessels. Therefore, its arrival features vitality moving within, appearing harmonious, smooth, and regulated, embodying the essence of the Central Earth (Spleen/Stomach). This is having Stomach Qi; those who possess it live, those who lose it die—this is the general rule.

Secondly, one must deduce the favorable or unfavorable trends of heavenly movements. Human qi corresponds with heavenly qi. For instance, Spring qi belongs to Wood, so the pulse should be Wiry (Wiry Pulse); Summer qi belongs to Fire, so the pulse should be Surging (Surging Pulse), and so forth. If contrary, it does not accord with heavenly qi.

Thirdly, one must examine the generation and restriction relationships among Zang organ qi. For example, Spleen disease fears the Wiry pulse, as Wood restricts Earth; Lung disease fears the Surging pulse, as Fire restricts Metal. If the opposite occurs, there is no harm to the Zang organ qi.

Fourthly, one must distinguish between compliance and deviation in disease-pulse relationships. Diseases and pulses have appropriate and inappropriate correspondences. For instance, after massive blood loss, the pulse should be quiet and fine; if it is instead surging and large, it indicates that Qi is also escaping outward. In cases of cold or heat syndromes, the pulse should be surging and rapid; if it is instead fine and weak, it indicates that True Yuan (True Primordial Qi) is about to collapse. As for the appearance of True Zang Pulses (True Zang Pulse), it occurs because Stomach Qi has been exhausted and can no longer nourish the five zang organs. Thus, whichever zang organ is diseased, the pulse of that specific zang organ will appear alone. All these points are clearly and thoroughly explained in books such as *Nei Jing* (Inner Canon) and *Nan Jing* (Classic of Difficult Issues). If students study them with concentration and contemplation, they will understand them clearly and easily; these aspects can be used for diagnosis.

However, claiming that pulse diagnosis alone can identify the specific disease, or that one can predict life and death with absolute certainty beforehand, is incorrect. Pulse changes are unpredictable. There may be sudden pathogenic factors that have not yet penetrated the meridians, causing the pulse to remain temporarily unchanged. Or the disease may be mild and thus not manifest in the pulse. Or there may be chronic stubborn diseases that have merged with Qi and Blood over time, making it difficult to assess severity at first glance. Or the disease may follow meridian transmission patterns, flowing unpredictably, making it impossible to judge right and wrong based solely on a momentary pulse. Moreover, while there are tens of thousands of disease names, there are only dozens of pulse types. Furthermore, a single disease can present with dozens of different pulses. How can one know the specific disease merely by diagnosing the pulse? These claims are merely coincidental guesses used to deceive people.

If True Zang Pulses do not appear even at the moment of death, how then can one make a judgment? One must combine Observation (Inspection), Auscultation and Olfaction, Inquiry, and Palpation for comprehensive analysis, thereby achieving high accuracy. Therefore, while the pulse can serve as a reference, it is sometimes unreliable. While some say the pulse is unreliable, it is indeed reliable in certain contexts. It ultimately depends on the physician’s thorough study of classics and deep, independent reflection, ensuring universal validity. Superficial and baseless theories of the secular world are not worth listening to.