妇人有子,其脉阴搏阳别。寸为阳,尺为阴,尺阴之脉搏指而动,寸阳之脉则不搏指,迥然分别,此为有
子之诊。或手少阴心脉独动而甚者主有子。盖心主血,血主胎,故胎结而动甚。滑而且数,按之而散,三月之
胎也。按之不散,五月之胎也。五六月后,孕妇之乳房有核,吮之有乳者,则主有子。左为阳,左疾为男胎;
右为阴,右疾为女胎。男胎腹形状如釜,女胎腹形状如箕。如欲产,必见离经之脉。离经者,离乎经常之则
也。盖胎动于中,脉乱于外,势所必然。如产后气血两虚,
见小缓之虚脉为吉,若实大弦牢定主凶矣。
心绝之脉,前曲后居,如掺带钩。前曲者,谓轻取则坚强而不柔,后居者谓重取则牢实而不动,如持革带
之钩,全失中和之气。钩即洪脉也,但钩无胃,故曰心死。又如转豆,即经所谓如循薏苡子,累累然,状其
短实坚强,真脏脉也,主一日死。
肝绝之脉,急如循刃。又劲如新张弓弦,主八日死。
脾绝之脉,如雀啄。又如屋漏。旧诀曰∶雀啄连来四五啄,屋漏少刻一点落。又若杯覆,又若水流,主四日
死。
肺绝之脉,如风吹毛,又如以毛羽中人肤,皆言其但浮而无胃气也,主三日死。
肾绝之脉,来如夺索,辟辟如弹石,石即沉脉也。旧诀云∶弹石硬来寻即散,搭指散乱如解索。主四日死。
命绝之脉,如鱼翔虾游。旧诀云∶鱼翔似有又似无,虾游静中忽一跃。又如涌泉,莫可挽留,皆死脉也。
When a woman is pregnant, her pulse presents as "Yin Bo Yang Bie" (distinct difference between Yin and Yin pulses). The Cun position belongs to Yang, and the Chi position belongs to Yin. The Yin pulse at the Chi position beats forcefully and is distinct under the fingers, whereas the Yang pulse at the Cun position does not beat forcefully against the fingers; they are clearly distinct from each other, which serves as a diagnosis for pregnancy. Alternatively, it is said that if the pulse of the Hand-Shaoyin Heart meridian alone moves distinctly and strongly, it indicates pregnancy. This is because the Heart governs Blood, and Blood nourishes the fetus; thus, when the fetus forms, the pulse movement becomes pronounced. A pulse that is slippery and rapid, feeling scattered when pressed deeply, indicates a three-month pregnancy. If the pulse does not feel scattered when pressed deeply, it indicates a five-month pregnancy. After five or six months of pregnancy, if the pregnant woman's breasts have nodules and produce milk when squeezed, this also indicates pregnancy. The left side represents Yang; a rapid pulse on the left suggests a male fetus. The right side represents Yin; a rapid pulse on the right suggests a female fetus. In a male pregnancy, the abdominal shape is like a cauldron (round and protruding); in a female pregnancy, the abdominal shape is like a winnowing basket (flat). When delivery is imminent, the pulse will inevitably present as "Li Jing Mai" (Pulse Departing from the Regular Course). "Departing from the regular course" means deviating from normal pulse patterns. Since fetal movement occurs internally, the pulse becomes chaotic externally, which is an inevitable trend. After childbirth, when both Qi and Blood are deficient, a small, slow, and deficient pulse is auspicious. However, if a full, large, wiry, or firm pulse appears, it definitely indicates a ominous prognosis.
The pulse of Heart Qi exhaustion presents as "Qian Qu Hou Ju" (curved front and stationary back), resembling holding a hook on a leather belt. "Qian Qu" refers to the pulse being hard and unyielding upon light pressure, while "Hou Ju" refers to it being solid and immobile upon heavy pressure, similar to holding the hook of a leather belt, completely losing the Qi of harmony. "Gou" (Hook) is synonymous with the Hong (Surging) pulse, but without Stomach Qi, hence it is called "Heart Death." Another type resembles rolling beans, described in classics as feeling like touching Coicis Semen (Job's tears), appearing short, solid, and hard; this is a True Zang Pulse, indicating death within one day.
The pulse of Liver Qi exhaustion is urgent and sharp, like running a finger along a blade. Or it is taut like a newly strung bowstring, indicating death within eight days.
The pulse of Spleen Qi exhaustion resembles the pecking of a sparrow. It also resembles water leaking from a roof. An old rhyme states: "Sparrow pecking comes rapidly four or five times; roof leak falls only once after a long interval." It may also resemble an overturned cup or flowing water, indicating death within four days.
The pulse of Lung Qi exhaustion resembles feathers blown by the wind, or feathers lightly touching human skin. These descriptions indicate a floating pulse devoid of Stomach Qi, indicating death within three days.
The pulse of Kidney Qi exhaustion arrives like a rope being pulled apart, hard and rapid like stones being struck. "Shi" (Stone) refers to the Chen (Deep) pulse. An old rhyme states: "Striking stone is hard then quickly scatters; touching the finger feels chaotic like a loosened rope." It indicates death within four days.
The pulse of Life Qi exhaustion resembles a fish swimming or a shrimp jumping. An old rhyme states: "Fish swimming seems to be there yet not; shrimp jumping suddenly leaps amidst stillness." It also resembles a gushing spring that cannot be retained; these are all pulses of death.