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2. In Yin deficiency consumptive disease, if the pulse is fine and rapid (Xi Shu) accompanied by extreme emaciation, death ensues; in Yang deficiency consumptive disease, if the pulse is faint and革 (Ge, floating, large, and hollow like pressing a scallion stalk) accompanied by Qi exhaustion, life ends. With withered white cheekbones but red malar eminences, lying on one side, hoarse cough, sore throat, and expectoration of blood-streaked sputum. When the pulses of the Five Zang organs lose the mild and harmonious quality, it is called "True Zang Pulse" (Zhen Zang Mai, pulse devoid of Stomach Qi); although flesh and muscle remain, life will not last long. A pulse rate of two beats per respiration cycle is named "Sun" disease; one beat per respiration cycle is named "Xing Shi" (Walking Corpse). The great bones are withered and dry, the large muscles are sunken, movement declines further, and essence and marrow are empty. If the True Zang Pulse has not yet appeared, death is expected within one year; if the True Zang Pulse appears, death occurs during the time of the overcoming element. Panting and fullness in the chest with body tremors indicate death within six months; pain radiating to the shoulder and chest within one month, fever, skin cracking, and complete loss of muscle mass indicate death within ten days. Appearance of the True Zang Pulse with sunken eye orbits and inability to see people indicates instantaneous death; if the patient can still see people, the Shen (Spirit) remains, and death will occur during the time of the overcoming element.

[Note] Consumptive disease due to Yin deficiency presents with a fine and rapid pulse; death occurs only after the body becomes emaciated to the point of adhering to the bones, because Yin governs form. Consumptive disease due to Yang deficiency presents with a faint and Ge pulse; sudden Qi exhaustion occurs without waiting for total atrophy, because Yang governs Qi. When the pulses of the Five Zang organs lack a mild and harmonious quality, they constitute the True Zang Pulse devoid of Stomach Qi; even if flesh and muscle remain, death is imminent. Two beats per respiration cycle is the pulse of Sun disease. One beat per respiration cycle is the pulse of Xing Shi. "Great bones" refer to the prominent bones such as the zygomatic bone, shoulders, thighs, and lumbar spine. "Large muscles" refer to the substantial muscles of the head, neck, and limbs. "Withered and dry" refers to bone atrophy where the body cannot support itself; "sunken" refers to muscle wasting forming pits. Movement and spirit gradually decline; if the True Zang Pulse is absent, death is expected in one year; if present,凶 (ominous) outcomes are expected during the overcoming times. If the True Zang Pulse is absent but these symptoms exist: panting, chest fullness, and body tremors lead to death in six months; internal damage to the Five Zang organs with pain radiating to the shoulder and chest leads to death in one month; drying and cracking of all muscle areas, termed "Po", combined with persistent fever, leads to death within ten days. Appearance of the True Zang Pulse with sunken eye orbits and blindness indicates instantaneous death. If the patient can see, the Shen has not departed, and death will occur during the overcoming time.