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The death pulse of cold damage is indeed difficult to cure. When a Yang disease presents with Yin signs, the prognosis is pitiful. Qi rebelling upward with a scattered pulse indicates damage to the form; deafness with a floating and choppy pulse makes life hard to preserve. Delirium accompanied by fever should present with a洪大 (Hongda, large and surging) pulse; if it is instead deep, fine, and minute, longevity will not extend. Abdominal distension with diarrhea should present with a micro-fine pulse; if the pulse is tight, large, and slippery, death is certain. Hematemesis or epistaxis with a deep and fine pulse is auspicious; a floating, large, and firm pulse sighs like a passing river (indicating death). If both Yin and Yang are deficient yet heat persists, and the pulse alternates between slow and rapid, life returns to heaven. The pulse resembles water dripping from a leaking roof, a sparrow pecking rice, stones being flicked away, ropes being untied, shrimp swimming, or fish gliding—where the pulse contradicts the symptoms. It resembles turning beans or an inverted knife—forms and prognoses are ominous. If the pulse qi does not reach below the Guan position, Yang Qi is exhausted; if it does not reach above the Renying position, Yin Qi is depleted. When the Dai pulse (intermittent pulse) arrives, no doctor is needed; the condition is definitely critical and dangerous, beyond rescue by medicine.

The Lung Qi of the Middle Jiao is the ancestor of pulses. Pulse Qi emerges from the tip of the thumb on the hand. The Large Intestine meridian starts at the second finger of the hand, ascends around the mouth, and crosses into the nose. The Stomach meridian source descends again from the nose, crossing at the tip of the big toe of the foot. the Spleen meridian rises from the tip of the toes, injects into the heart, and flows toward the Shaoyin meridian. The Heart meridian enters the palm and circulates, emerging from the medial end of the hand along the little finger. the Small Intestine meridian starts from the little finger of the hand, ascends obliquely to connect with the inner canthus of the eye. the Bladder meridian originates from the inner canthus, stopping at the medial side of the little toe of the foot. the Kidney meridian moves under the little toe, starting to inject into the chest, passing through the abdomen and hips. the Pericardium meridian originates in the chest, circulating to the ends of the little and second fingers of the hand. the Sanjiao (Triple Burner) meridian goes to the lateral side of the second finger of the hand, circling before the ear and reaching the outer canthus. the Gallbladder meridian originates beside the outer canthus, walking to the space among the three hairs on the big toe of the foot. the Liver meridian of the foot starts at the junction of the three hairs, injects into the Lung, and circulates endlessly.

the Du meridian originates from the lower extremity (Huiyin), runs parallel within the spinal column, passes through Fengfu. It goes over the brain, forehead, and nose, entering the Yinjiao acupoint. It is the general outline of the Sea of Yang meridians. the Ren meridian originates from the bottom of Zhongji, follows the abdomen, passes through the throat to Chengjiang. It is the Sea of Yin meridians, so-called for "Ren" (gestation). the Chong meridian exits the uterus, follows the middle of the spine, meets the throat from the abdomen, and connects to the lips. In women, it forms the menstrual cycle, known as the Blood Chamber. The pulse runs parallel with the Shaoyin Kidney meridian. It originates from the intersection of Yin with the Ren and Du meridians. These three meridians rise together but travel separately. the Yang Qiao meridian starts inside the heel of the foot, follows the lateral malleolus upward into Fengchi. the Yin Qiao meridian follows the medial malleolus, passing through the throat. They are branch vessels of the Foot Yin and Yang meridians. All Yin intersections start from the Yin Wei meridian, originating at the Xi-cleft point Zhubin of the Foot Shaoyang meridian. All Yang intersections start from the Yang Wei meridian, located at Jinmen of the Taiyang meridian. the Dai meridian circles between the costal region and hypochondrium, meeting at Weidao (Foot Shaoyang). This is what is called the Eight Extraordinary Vessels, maintaining the various meridians to ensure normal flow.