小儿之脉,七至为平。更察色脉,与虎口纹。
三岁以下小儿,纯阳之体。形质小,呼吸促。脉之周行 而应指疾,大约以七
至为平,非若大人四至为平也。其太过为数、为热,不及为迟、为寒,则与大人无
异矣。虽然脉至七八,难全为准,必察其色,与所见之证,更视虎口之纹,而病情
始无隐匿。盖五脏之列于面,各有定部。如左腮属肝,右腮属肺,额上属心,鼻属
脾,颏属肾是已。诸邪之见于部,亦各有定色。如赤为热,白为寒,黄为积,青黑
为痛是已。虎口者,食指内侧连大指作虎口形,故曰虎口。是处肌皮嫩薄,纹色显
明,即肺手太阴经脉之尽处,诸脉大会此经。察色者,即所以察脉也。故色赤为
热,在脉则数。色白为寒,在脉则迟。色黄为积,在脉则缓。色青黑为痛,在脉则沉
弦。此皆自然之理,非可牵会。虽无五部之分,而有三关之别。指初节曰风关,二
节曰气关,三节曰命关。纹色见风关者轻。再进,则上气关为重。再进,则直透命
关为最重,甚则主死。由风邪而干正气,正气不能胜而迫及于命,渐进渐深之象也。
至如外证。肝病,主诸风颤掉。实则目直叫呼,胁痛项急,呵欠顿闷,二便闭塞。
虚则切牙多欠,目闭羞明。心病,主惊。实则发搐叫喊或笑,发热,欲饮水,频吐
舌。虚则悸,卧不安,畏见人,舌痿不能乳。脾主困。实则困顿,身重肌热,腹胀
硬,唇肿而渴。虚则吐泻不食,慢风,四肢不收,口流涎。肺主喘。实则胸满喘促
闷乱。虚则哽气,呵欠,寒栗。肾主恐怖。畏明,不能立,二便清泄,足冷。但有
虚证,而无实证。以上诸证,不过言其大概耳。至于倾移传变,何可胜纪。惟圆机
之士,参合色脉,识本知标,溯流穷源,错综体认。纵不能臻圣神之域,谅亦不在工巧之下矣。
The pulse in children, with seven beats per respiration, is considered normal. One must also observe the complexion and pulse, as well as the fingerprint on the Tiger's Mouth (Hu Kou).
Children under three years of age possess a constitution of pure Yang. Their physical structure is small, and their respiration is rapid. The pulse circulates through the body and responds to the touch swiftly; approximately seven beats per respiration is considered the standard pulse, unlike adults where four beats per respiration is normal. An excessive pulse rate constitutes a Rapid Pulse (Shu Mai, 数脉), indicating Heat syndromes; an insufficient rate constitutes a Slow Pulse (Chi Mai, 迟脉), indicating Cold syndromes. This principle is no different from that of adults. Nevertheless, relying solely on a pulse rate of seven or eight beats is not entirely definitive; one must examine the complexion, correlate it with observed symptoms, and inspect the fingerprint on the Tiger's Mouth for the condition to be fully revealed. The five Zang organs are distributed on the face in fixed areas. For instance, the left cheek corresponds to the Liver, the right cheek to the Lung, the forehead to the Heart, the nose to the Spleen, and the chin to the Kidney. Various pathogenic factors manifesting in these areas also display specific colors: red indicates Heat, white indicates Cold, yellow indicates accumulation, and blue-black indicates pain. "Tiger's Mouth" refers to the area formed by the inner side of the index finger connecting with the thumb. The skin here is tender and thin, making the vascular patterns distinct. This location marks the termination of the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian, where various pulses converge. Observing the complexion serves to infer the pulse state. Thus, a red complexion indicates Heat, corresponding to a Rapid Pulse; a white complexion indicates Cold, corresponding to a Slow Pulse; a yellow complexion indicates Accumulation, corresponding to a Moderate/Sluggish Pulse (Huan Mai, 缓脉); and a blue-black complexion indicates Pain, corresponding to a Deep and Wiry Pulse (Chen Xian Mai, 沉弦脉). These are natural principles and should not be forced. Although the facial areas do not have the same five-part division, the fingerprint on the Tiger's Mouth is divided into three passes (Guan). The first phalanx is called the Wind Pass (Feng Guan), the second the Qi Pass (Qi Guan), and the third the Life Pass (Ming Guan). If the pattern appears at the Wind Pass, the illness is mild. If it advances further to the Qi Pass, the illness is severe. If it penetrates directly through to the Life Pass, the illness is most critical, potentially leading to death. This progression represents wind pathogens invading healthy Qi, which fails to overcome them, forcing the pathogen toward the Life Pass, indicating a gradual deepening of the disease. Regarding external manifestations: Liver diseases primarily involve wind-induced tremors and convulsions. Excess conditions present with staring eyes, crying and shouting, hypochondriac pain, neck stiffness, yawning, mental depression, and constipation or urinary retention. Deficiency conditions present with teeth grinding, frequent yawning, closed eyes, and photophobia. Heart diseases primarily involve fright. Excess conditions present with convulsions, shouting or laughing, fever, thirst, and frequent protrusion of the tongue. Deficiency conditions present with palpitations, restlessness during sleep, fear of people, flaccid tongue unable to suckle. The Spleen governs fatigue. Excess conditions present with lethargy, heavy body, hot muscles, abdominal distension and hardness, swollen lips, and thirst. Deficiency conditions present with vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, slow convulsive disorders (Man Feng), inability to control the limbs, and drooling. The Lung governs wheezing. Excess conditions present with chest fullness, wheezing, shortness of breath, and mental agitation. Deficiency conditions present with choking sensations, yawning, and chills. The Kidney governs fear and terror. Symptoms include photophobia, inability to stand, clear and profuse urination and defecation, and cold feet. In the case of the Kidney, only deficiency conditions exist, without excess conditions. The aforementioned syndromes merely outline generalities. As for the transmission and transformation of diseases, they are countless. Only those with flexible and insightful minds, who integrate complexion and pulse diagnosis, understand both the root and the branch, trace the source to its origin, and comprehend the complexity through holistic recognition, can succeed. Even if they cannot reach the realm of sagehood, they will certainly not fall below the level of skilled practitioners.