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Zhang Xiju stated: When the Fu Da (Floating and Large) pulse is located at the Chi (Cun, Guan, Chi - specifically Chi position), it is called "Guan Yin" (Closing Yin). This indicates that Yin Qi cannot perform its transformation functions, resulting in an inability to urinate. When the Fu Da (Floating and Large) pulse is located at the Cun (Cun, Guan, Chi - specifically Cun position), it is called "Ge Yang" (Gridlock Yang). This indicates that Yang Qi cannot circulate freely, resulting in vomiting and regurgitation.

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A pulse that is Floating and Slippery: Floating represents Yang, and Slippery represents Excess. When Yang and Excess contend with each other, the pulse becomes Rapid and Urgent, and the Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) loses its normal regulation. If a Floating and Slippery pulse manifests as Rapid and Urgent, accompanied by fever and sweating, this condition is considered untreatable.

[Annotation]
Floating represents Yang, and Slippery represents Excess. When Yang and Excess contend, the pulse qi moves outside the vessels, becoming both Rapid and Urgent. Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) moves swiftly, while Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) moves slowly. Since Ying Qi and Wei Qi do not support each other in their movement, it is termed "loss of regulation." Floating, Slippery, Rapid, and Urgent are all pulses indicating Excess. If these pulses are accompanied by symptoms of Excess such as fever without sweating, the pulse and symptoms correspond, making the condition treatable. However, if fever and sweating (symptoms of Deficiency) are present, the pulse and symptoms do not correspond, clearly indicating an untreatable condition.

[Collected Annotations]
Cheng Wuji stated: With Floating, Slippery, Rapid, and Urgent pulses, if fever and sweating lead to resolution, it means the pathogenic factor has receded. If the disease does not resolve, it means the healthy Qi has collapsed, and it is certainly untreatable. The Classic states: "When the pulses at both Yin and Yang positions are fully full, and sweating does not resolve the disease, death will occur."

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A pulse that is Floating and Rapid: Floating represents Wind, and Rapid represents Deficiency. Wind represents Heat, and Deficiency represents Cold. When Wind and Deficiency contend with each other, it results in aversion to cold with shivering (Sa Xi E Han).

[Commentary]
The character "Deficiency" (Xu) in "Rapid represents Deficiency" should be "Heat". The two sentences "Wind represents Heat, Deficiency represents Cold" are likely interpolations. The "Deficiency" (Xu) in "Wind and Deficiency contend" should also be "Heat".

[Annotation]
When Wind-Cold is on the exterior, the pulse is Floating and Tight; when Wind-Heat is on the exterior, the pulse is Floating and Rapid. Since the exterior is affected by Wind pathogen, Sa Xi E Han (aversion to cold with shivering) occurs.

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For various pulses that are Floating and Rapid, one should expect fever and Sa Xi E Han (aversion to cold with shivering). If there is a painful area but dietary intake remains normal, this indicates the accumulation of pus internally.

[Annotation]
"Various pulses Floating and Rapid" refers to the Cun, Guan, and Chi pulses all being Floating and Rapid. Floating indicates Wind, and Rapid indicates Heat. When Wind-Heat is constrained at the exterior, fever and Sa Xi E Han should occur. If there is hidden pain but dietary intake remains normal, this is not a diagnosis of exterior pathogen, but rather a diagnosis of internal abscess with accumulated pus. From this, we know that Floating and Rapid pulses cannot be generally assumed to be Wind-Heat.

[Collected Annotations]
Wang Kentang stated: If there were external redness, swelling, and pain, the patient would undoubtedly feel it themselves. What is described here must be an internal abscess, hence it says: "accumulation of pus." Conditions like stomach abscess, lung abscess, and intestinal abscess have distinct differentiations. For stomach abscess, the Renying pulse is often prominent, and it is frequently mistaken for Taiyang disease, so careful examination is required.
Cheng Yingmao stated: The pulse and symptoms resemble Taiyang disease. If one fails to consider the signs of "possible pain site" and "normal diet," and mistakenly uses acrid-warm dispersing methods, it will aid the Yang heat. Alternatively, mistakenly using cold-cool methods to clear heat will trap the pathogen, causing deep harm.
Zhang Lu stated: If there is redness and swelling, it is due to heat stagnating in the meridians; if there is no swelling, the pathogen must remain in the zang-fu organs, manifesting as abscesses and pus depending on whether it is internal or external.

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A pulse that is Floating and Large: Floating represents Wind-Deficiency, and Large represents Strong Qi. When Wind and Qi contend with each other, it inevitably leads to wind-rashes (Urticaria), and the body becomes itchy. Itching is named "Xie Feng" (Leaking Wind); if prolonged, it develops into scaly crusts and leprosy-like conditions.

[Annotation]
When all six pulses are Floating and Large, Floating represents Wind-Deficiency, and Large represents Strong Qi. Strong implies Heat. When Wind and Heat contend, wind-rashes inevitably form. Body itching occurs because the muscles are deficient and heat forces outward from the exterior; this is named "Xie Feng." If it persists for a long time without healing, it becomes Jia Lai (scaly crusts). Jia Lai includes conditions like scabies, tinea, leprosy, and similar dermatological disorders.

[Collected Annotations]
Cheng Wuji stated: Jia Lai refers to Leprosy (Li Feng), characterized by sparse eyebrows and hair, dry sores on the body with a foul odor. The Classic says: "Pulse Wind becomes Li," which is exactly this.
Zhu Zhenheng stated: The Classic says: "All itching is due to Deficiency." Dry blood fails to nourish the muscle and interstices, hence the itching.
Fang Youzhi stated: The Classic says: "At the exterior interstices, it becomes Xie Feng."

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At the Cunkou (Radial Artery), various Micropulses indicate Loss of Yang; various Ru (Soft/Flaccid) pulses indicate Loss of Blood; various Ruo (Weak) pulses indicate Fever; various Jin (Tight) pulses indicate Cold. Various cases where Cold invades result in Jue (Cold Reversal), Yu Mao (Dizziness/Confusion), and Bu Ren (Numbness/Lack of sensation). This is because the Stomach lacks Grain Qi, the Spleen is stagnant and unsmooth, leading to oral tightness and inability to speak, trembling, and chattering.

[Commentary]
Ru pulse is Floating and forceless, indicating Yang Deficiency; how can it indicate Loss of Blood? Ruo pulse is Deep and forceless, indicating Yin Deficiency; how can it only indicate Fever? "Various Ru pulses indicate Loss of Blood" should be "Various Ru pulses indicate Wei Qi Deficiency"; "Various Ruo pulses indicate Fever" should be "Various Ruo pulses indicate Ying Qi Deficiency."

[Annotation]
"Cunkou" refers to the three positions: Cun, Guan, and Chi. "Various Micropulses" means that whenever a Micro pulse appears in any disease, it indicates Loss of Yang. "Various Ru pulses" means that whenever a Ru pulse appears, it indicates Wei Qi Deficiency. "Various Ruo pulses" means that whenever a Ruo pulse appears, it indicates Ying Qi Deficiency. "Various Jin pulses" means that whenever a Jin (Tight) pulse appears, it indicates Cold. "Various cases where Cold invades" refers to individuals with Micro, Ru, and Ruo pulses, who have lost Yang and lack Ying and Wei Qi; upon falling ill, they immediately show residual pathogenic pulses. The Jin pulse indicates Cold invading and causing Jue (Reversal). Jue in the center causes dizziness, confusion, coma, and insensitivity to pain and touch; Jue in the meridians causes trembling, chattering, and locked jaw preventing speech. This is because daily Stomach deficiency impairs grain processing, Spleen deficiency impairs transportation, and central deficiency cannot withstand external pathogens.

[Collected Annotations]
Cheng Zhi stated: In cases where Cold invades, it is because Yang is extremely deficient, allowing Yin-Cold to directly invade, thus causing Jue Ni (Cold Reversal). The reason for dizziness, confusion, loss of consciousness, stiffness, and lack of sensation is that the Stomach lacks Grain Qi and the Spleen does not circulate, causing locked jaw and inability to speak, external trembling, internal chattering, and Jue.

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Question: I have been challenged before; where does the Jin (Tight) pulse come from? Master said: Suppose there is profuse sweating or vomiting; due to Cold in the Lung interior, the pulse becomes Tight. Suppose there is coughing; due to drinking cold water, the pulse becomes Tight. Suppose there is diarrhea; due to Empty-Cold in the Stomach, the pulse becomes Tight.

[Annotation]
This elaborates on the previous section regarding why individuals with Loss of Yang and insufficient Ying-Wei Qi might present with a Jin (Tight) pulse. The challenge asks: Jin pulse is a sign of Cold-Excess, yet Empty-Cold also presents with Jin pulse; where does this come from? The Master said: Suppose there is surface deficiency from loss of sweat, chest deficiency from vomiting, or interior deficiency from diarrhea. Pathogenic Cold takes advantage of the deficiency to cause disease, whether through external contraction of Cold, internal consumption of cold water, or internal transformation of Cold-Yin, all can cause a Tight pulse. If seen with a Floating pulse and no sweating, it is Taiyang Cold-Disease Excess pathogen; if with sweating, it is Yang-Loss Deficient pathogen. If seen with a Deep pulse, abdominal pain, and constipation, it is Zhong-Han (Middle Jiao Cold) Excess pathogen; if with abdominal pain and diarrhea, it is Zhong-Han Deficient pathogen. By deduction, any Excess pulse transforming from Deficiency cannot simply be called Excess.

[Collected Annotations]
Cheng Yingmao stated: Jin indicates Cold, called "Cheng Mai" (Invading Pulse). Why is it listed among the Residual/Traumatic pulses? Answer: Deficiency allows others to invade; Excess invades others. This applies to all pulses, not just Jin.

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Cunkou pulse is Micro, Chi pulse is Tight. The person suffers from deficiency and wasting with excessive sweating. One knows that Yin is constantly present, and Yang is absolutely absent.

[Annotation]
The previous section discussed Micro and Tight pulses appearing via Floating and Deep qualities; this section discusses them appearing via Cun and Chi positions. Both are diagnoses of Yin Excess and Yang Loss, hence it says: "One knows Yin is constantly present, and Yang is absolutely absent." Saying "deficiency and wasting with excessive sweating" is a brief statement.

[Collected Annotations]
Cheng Zhi stated: This describes Cun Micro and Chi Tight as signs of deficiency, wasting, and excessive sweating. Cun Micro and Weak indicates Loss of Yang; Chi Tight and Rapid indicates Yin Excess. Yin Excess inside, Yang Absence outside, thus resulting in deficiency, wasting, and excessive sweating.

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Master said: When a patient's pulse is Micro and Se (Choppy), this is iatrogenic illness caused by the physician. Profuse sweating was induced, followed repeatedly by severe purgation. The patient has lost Blood. The illness should involve aversion to cold, followed later by fever, with no cessation. In the hot summer months, the patient desires to wear thick clothes; in the cold winter months, the patient desires to strip naked. The reason is: Yang Micro causes aversion to cold; Yin Weak causes fever. This is because the physician induced sweating, making Yang Qi Micro, and then purged severely, making Yin Qi Weak. In the fifth month, Yang Qi is at the exterior, and the Stomach is empty-cold. Because internal Yang is Micro and cannot overcome cold, the patient desires thick clothes. In the eleventh month, Yang Qi is in the interior, and the Stomach is vexed-heat. Because internal Yin is Weak and cannot overcome heat, the patient desires to strip naked. Furthermore, the Yin pulse is Slow and Se (Choppy), hence we know Blood has been lost.

[Commentary]
The last two sentences, "Furthermore, the Yin pulse is Slow and Se (Choppy), hence we know Blood has been lost," do not connect logically with the preceding text. They are either missing text or interpolations.

[Annotation]
The patient's pulse is Micro and Se (Choppy). Inquiry reveals this was caused by the physician inducing profuse sweating and repeatedly performing severe purgation. "Loss of Blood" is a shorthand for loss of Blood and Qi. Loss of Qi leads to Yang Micro; Yang Micro causes aversion to cold. Loss of Blood leads to Yin Weak; Yin Weak causes fever. With Yang Micro and Yin Weak, the illness involves aversion to cold followed by fever. In mild cases, the pathogen does not linger and resolves when encountering the controlling element; in severe cases, there is no cessation, worsening even when encountering the controlling element. Although aversion to cold occurs in hot summer, the desire for thick clothes arises because in the fifth month, Yang Qi is at the exterior, and the Stomach is empty-cold. Profuse sweating made Yang Qi Micro, so it cannot withstand cold. Although fever occurs in cold winter, the desire to strip naked arises because in the eleventh month, Yang Qi is in the interior, and the Stomach is vexed-heat. Repeated purgation made Yin Qi Weak, so it cannot withstand heat. This corresponds to the discussion in the Treatise: "Heat in the marrow, cold in the skin; cold in the marrow, heat in the skin," referring to chronic, entrenched alternating cold and heat diseases.

[Collected Annotations]
Wang Kentang stated: It is not necessarily that cold occurs only in summer and heat only in winter; this merely establishes the principle and discusses the theory.

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Cunkou pulse is Micro and Huan (Slow/Relaxed). Micro indicates Wei Qi [Deficiency], and if deficient, the skin is empty. Huan indicates Stomach Qi is Solid/Full. When Full, grains are digested and water is transformed. Grains entering the Stomach allow the Mai Dao (Vessel pathways) to flow; water entering the Jing (Vessels) allows Blood to form. When Ying (Nutritive) Qi is abundant, the skin must be [Solid]; San Jiao (Triple Burner) cuts off the Jing (Vessels/Norms), named Xue Beng (Blood Flooding/Metrorrhagia).

[Annotation]
Cunkou pulse is Micro and Huan. Micro indicates Wei Qi [Deficiency]; [Deficiency] makes the exterior empty. Huan indicates Stomach Qi is Full; Full means digesting grains and water. Grains entering the Stomach allow Qi in the vessel pathways to flow; water entering the Jing allows Blood in the collaterals to form. Now, Ying Qi becomes abundant while Wei Qi becomes [Deficient]; more Blood but less Qi. Qi and Blood lose their normal course, hence "San Jiao cuts off the Norms." Qi cannot control Blood, and Blood cannot return to the vessels, hence Blood flows recklessly and floods.

[Collected Annotations]
Cheng Wuji stated: Wei Qi warms the flesh and plumps the interstices. If Wei Qi is [Deficient], the skin cannot be warmed and plumped, thus becoming empty. The Classic says: "Huan means Stomach Qi is surplus." Surplus means Full, hence "Huan means Stomach Qi is Full." The *Neijing* says: "Food enters the Stomach, its essence overflows into the vessels," meaning grains entering the Stomach allow vessel pathways to flow. The *Zhenjing* says: "Drinks seep into the collaterals and mix with Blood," meaning water entering the Jing allows Blood to form. "Jing" means Norm/Constant. The San Jiao is the pathway of Qi. If Wei Qi is [Deficient], Qi does not follow the norm, hence San Jiao cuts off its norm.
Fang Youzhi stated: [Deficient] means unable to protect firmly; Full still means strong. Grains entering the Stomach until Blood forms follows the previous sentence about grains digesting and water transforming. "Beng" (Flooding) describes massive Yin Blood loss, indicating it cannot stop, like a mountain collapsing.

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Cunkou pulse is Micro and Se (Choppy). Micro indicates Wei Qi does not move; Se (Choppy) indicates Ying Qi does not reach. Ying and Wei cannot support each other, and the San Jiao has nothing to rely upon. The body experiences Bi (Obstruction) and Bu Ren (Numbness). Ying Qi insufficiency causes vexing pain and difficulty speaking; Wei Qi deficiency causes aversion to cold and frequent yawning. The San Jiao does not return to its sector. If the Upper Jiao does not return, there is belching and acid regurgitation; if the Middle Jiao does not return, it cannot digest grains and draw in food; if the Lower Jiao does not return, there is urinary incontinence.

[Annotation]
Regarding meridians and interstices, there is Ying and Wei; regarding Zang-Fu and interstices, there is San Jiao. Hence the Classic says: "Ying moves within the vessels, Wei moves outside." The Upper Jiao is governed by Heart and Lung; the Middle Jiao by Spleen and Stomach; the Lower Jiao by Liver and Kidney. Separately, there is Ying, Wei, and San Jiao; collectively, they all stem from the circulation of one Qi, named according to their location. A Micro and Se (Choppy) pulse indicates Ying and Wei insufficiency. Insufficiency means Ying and Wei cannot support each other in movement, and the San Jiao has no reliance, causing general Bi obstruction and numbness. Ying Qi insufficiency causes vexing body pain and difficulty speaking; Wei Qi insufficiency causes aversion to cold and frequent yawning. The Upper Jiao governs descending (descending the turbid part of the clear); the Lower Jiao governs ascending (ascending the clear part of the turbid); the Middle Jiao governs both ascending and descending (making the clear ascend and the turbid descend). Now, Ying and Wei do not support each other, and the San Jiao has no reliance, so it cannot return to its respective sectors and loses its function. If the Upper Jiao does not return, turbid Qi does not descend, causing belching and acid regurgitation. If the Middle Jiao does not return, ascending and descending contradict each other, so it cannot digest grains and ingest food. If the Lower Jiao does not return, clear Qi does not ascend, so it cannot constrain and results in urinary incontinence.

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Cunkou pulse is Micro and Se (Choppy). Micro indicates Wei Qi decline; Se (Choppy) indicates Ying Qi insufficiency. Wei Qi decline leads to a yellow complexion; Ying Qi insufficiency leads to a bluish-green complexion. Ying is the Root, Wei is the Leaf. If both Ying and Wei are Micro, the roots and leaves wither, leading to cold chills, coughing, and reversal, spitting fishy saliva, and expelling frothy sputum.

[Annotation]
This elaborates on the symptoms of Ying and Wei affecting the Upper Jiao. Yellow and green complexions are colors of Ying and Wei insufficiency. Aversion to cold with chills, coughing, spitting fishy saliva, and expelling frothy sputum are signs of Lung damage. The Lung governs skin and hair; skin and hair are the dwelling places of Ying and Wei. Thus, Lung damage causes skin contraction and hair loss, leading to Ying and Wei withering.

[Collected Annotations]
Cheng Wuji stated: Ying moving within vessels is the Root; Wei moving outside vessels is the Leaf. If roots and leaves are both Micro, the Qi of Yin and Yang declines.

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Cunkou pulse is Weak and Chi (Slow). Weak indicates Wei Qi is Micro; Chi (Slow) indicates Cold in Ying. Ying is Blood; Blood Cold causes fever. Wei is Qi; Qi Micro causes hunger in the heart/mind, emptiness and fullness despite hunger, and inability to eat.

[Commentary]
The end of the section, "hunger in the heart/mind, emptiness and fullness despite hunger, inability to eat," discusses the Spleen and Stomach, not Ying and Wei. Therefore, "Weak indicates Wei Qi is Micro" should be "Yang Qi is Micro"; "Chi indicates Cold in Ying" should be "Cold in the Spleen," so the context connects. Ying is Blood; how can Blood Cold cause fever? Wei is Qi; "Qi Micro" should be "Yang Qi Micro." Cold in the Spleen causes hunger in the heart/mind; reading the next section about Stomach Qi having surplus clarifies this.

[Annotation]
This elaborates on the symptoms of Ying and Wei affecting the Middle Jiao. Huan (Slow/Relaxed) diagnoses the Stomach; Chi (Slow) diagnoses the Spleen. The Stomach governs receiving grains; the Spleen governs transforming grains. Thus, the ability to eat belongs to the Stomach, and the ability to transform belongs to the Spleen. Now, with Yang Micro and Middle Cold, both Spleen and Stomach are diseased. Therefore, although there is hunger in the mind, emptiness and fullness prevent eating despite hunger.

[Collected Annotations]
Fang Youzhi stated: Emptiness and fullness despite hunger: Yang governs transforming grains. If Wei Yang declines and fails to transform grains, it results in emptiness, fullness, and inability to eat.

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Cunkou pulse is Weak and Huan (Slow/Relaxed). Weak indicates Yang Qi insufficiency; Huan indicates Stomach Qi has surplus. There is belching and acid regurgitation, sudden inability to swallow food, and Qi filling the upper Diaphragm.

[Annotation]
This further elaborates on Middle Jiao symptoms. Cunkou pulse is Weak and Huan. Weak indicates Yang Qi insufficiency; Huan indicates Stomach Qi has surplus. Insufficiency means the Spleen loses healthy transportation; surplus means the Stomach is strong and capable of eating. This is Stomach Strength and Spleen Weakness. Thus, although able to eat, digestion fails, causing acid regurgitation and belching, sudden failure of food to digest, and Qi filling and bloating the Diaphragm.

[Collected Annotations]
Fang Youzhi stated: "Yang Qi" refers to the Yang Qi in the Stomach; insufficiency means it cannot transform grains. "Stomach Qi" refers to the Grain Qi in the Stomach; surplus means retained food. Retained food stagnates and generates heat, causing belching, fullness, and acid regurgitation. This discusses internal injury from diet.

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Duyang pulse is Chi (Slow) and Huan (Relaxed); this is Stomach Qi following the normal channel. Duyang pulse is Floating and Shu (Rapid). Floating injures the Stomach; Rapid agitates the Spleen. This is not the original disease but is caused by the physician's inappropriate purgation. Ying and Wei sink inward. The Rapid pulse first becomes Micro, but the pulse reversely becomes only Floating. The person will definitely have hard stools, belching, and relief. Why say this? Originally, the Rapid pulse agitated the Spleen; since the Rapid pulse first became Micro, we know the Spleen Qi is disordered, hard stools occur, and belching brings relief. Now the pulse reversely becomes Floating, and the Rapid pulse changes to Micro. The pathogenic factor remains alone. The mind feels hungry, but pathogenic Heat cannot digest grains. There is tidal fever and thirst. The Rapid pulse should become Slow and Relaxed. If the pulse degrees before and after follow the method, the patient will feel hungry and want to eat, and the disease will heal. If the Rapid pulse does not cease at the proper time, malignant sores will arise.

[Annotation]
From here below, we differentiate Duyang and Shaoyin pulses. Duyang, also known as Chongyang, is located on the dorsum of the foot, three cun anterior to the malleolus at the pulsation point, representing the arterial pulse of the Yangming Stomach Meridian. Shaoyin, also known as Taixi, is located behind the medial malleolus at the pulsation point, representing the arterial pulse of the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. Duyang and Shaoyin are ancient diagnostic methods. Yue (Bian Que) stated that although all twelve meridians have arterial pulses, he exclusively took the Cunkou to determine life and death because Cunkou is the great convergence of pulses. However, this method has not been practiced for a long time. In critical illnesses where the Cunkou pulse is not visible, diagnosing these can determine life and death. In ordinary times, it is better to use the Guan pulse as Duyang and the Chi pulse as Shaoyin. If the Duyang Stomach pulse is Chi (Slow) and Huan (Relaxed), the Stomach Qi is not diseased, like the normal channel. Now, the Duyang pulse is Floating and Rapid. Pressing it reveals forcelessness. Floating diagnoses the Fu organs; Floating and forceless indicates Stomach injury. Deep diagnoses the Zang organs; Rapid and forceless indicates Spleen injury. Inquiry reveals the patient was subjected to purgation by the physician, causing Ying and Wei Qi to sink inward. The previous Rapid pulse changing to Micro indicates Spleen Weakness; the Floating pulse remaining Floating and intensified indicates Stomach Strength. Stomach Strength means pathogenic factors remain alone, causing hard stools, tidal fever, and thirst. Spleen Weakness means Spleen Qi does not transport, so pathogenic Heat cannot digest grains; although hungry, the patient does not eat, and belching brings relief. If the physician treats appropriately before and after, the Floating and Rapid pulses should naturally become Slow and Relaxed like the normal channel, the patient will feel hungry and want to eat, and the disease will heal. If treatment is improper and the Rapid pulse never ceases, malignant sores will arise.

[Collected Annotations]
Fang Youzhi stated: Malignant sores and pus in stool are different, but both are due to Blood Heat.
Cheng Zhi stated: This discusses how improper purgation of a Chi (Slow) and Huan (Relaxed) Duyang pulse leads to Floating and Rapid changes.

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Duyang pulse is Floating and Se (Choppy); Shaoyin pulse follows the normal channel. The disease is in the Spleen. According to the method, there should be diarrhea. How do we know this? If the pulse is Floating and Large, it indicates Qi Excess and Blood Deficiency. Now, the Duyang pulse is Floating and Se (Choppy), hence we know Spleen Qi is insufficient and Stomach Qi is deficient. Because the Shaoyin pulse shows Xian (Wiry) and Floating only slightly, this is a harmonious pulse, hence called "following the normal channel." If it reversely becomes Slippery and Rapid, we know there will be pus in the stool.

[Commentary]
The two sentences, "If the pulse is Floating and Large, it indicates Qi Excess and Blood Deficiency," do not connect logically with the preceding text and are likely interpolations. Can a Shaoyin pulse of Xian (Wiry) and Floating be called "following the normal channel"? It should be corrected to "Deep and Slippery."

[Annotation]
Both Spleen and Kidney diseases can cause diarrhea. Now, the Duyang Stomach pulse is Floating and Se (Choppy), while the Shaoyin Kidney pulse is normal. This indicates the disease is in the Spleen, not the Kidney. How do we know? Floating is Yang, diagnosing the Stomach; Se (Choppy) is Yin, diagnosing the Spleen. The combination of Floating and Se (Choppy) indicates Spleen Qi insufficiency and Stomach Qi deficiency. Because the Shaoyin pulse appears Deep and Slippery, it is called "following the normal channel." If it is Deep, Slippery, and Rapid, it indicates Yang pathogen injuring Yin, hence we know there will be pus and blood in the stool.

[Collected Annotations]