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Because after taking medicine, the pulse gradually becomes slippery, large, and forceful, this indicates a transformation from Yin to Yang, with an intention to resolve through sweating, which is an auspicious sign. (From *Jingyue Quanshu*)

For chronic illness, if there is no pulse qi and breath is about to cease, death occurs; for acute illness, if there is no pulse but qi stagnation exists, it can be treated. For cold damage gout, phlegm accumulation causing amenorrhea, worry/fright causing injury, Guan-Ge vomiting and diarrhea, Qi movement not corresponding [pulse and respiration uncoordinated], these conditions need not be worried about. (Zhang Luyu)

People only know that a洪 (Surging) and 数 (Rapid) pulse indicates Excess Heat, but do not realize that if all six pulses are Surging, Rapid, and Forceful, then it is indeed an Excess Heat syndrome. If Surging and Rapid appear only in the Cun (Inch) position, then there is Heat in the Upper Jiao, Deficiency in the Middle Jiao, and Cold in the Lower Jiao.

A pulse that is Large and Rapid indicates Yang floating outward; a pulse that is Fine and Rapid indicates Yin exhaustion inward. Both belong to Deficiency syndromes. (From *Fengshi Jinnang*)

Foot Pulse
The hand pulses are difficult to clarify; one must examine the foot pulses. The Classics say: "In treating disease, one must seek the root." The meaning of "root" is source or origin. The congenital root lies in the Kidney. The Taixi acupoint is located five fen behind the medial malleolus, in the depression of the arterial pulse above the calcaneus. This is where the Foot Shaoyin channel pours in, serving as the Shu (Stream) point location. The acquired root lies in the Spleen. The Chongyang acupoint is located five cun above the dorsum of the foot, in the arterial pulse between the high bone, two cun away from the Xangu acupoint. This is where the Foot Yangming channel passes, serving as the Yuan (Source) point location. Examining Taixi observes the flourishing or declining state of Kidney Qi; examining Chongyang assesses the presence or absence of Stomach Qi. Since these two pulses exist, other pulses need not be asked about. For women, special emphasis is placed on the Taichong acupoint. Taichong corresponds to the Liver, located two cun posterior to the proximal interphalangeal joint of the big toe, in the depression. The Liver belongs to Wood of the East, the beginning of biological generation. Women govern Blood, and the Liver is the Sea of Blood. As long as this pulse does not decline, the mechanism of continuous life generation can still be hoped for. (From *Maijue Huibian*)

True Zang Pulses
When the True Liver pulse arrives, it is tense inside and out, like tracing the edge of a blade, sounding 'ze ze' like pressing a lute string; the complexion is blue-white without luster, and when lanugo falls off, death ensues. ○ When the True Heart pulse arrives, it is firm and beating, like tracing coix seeds linked together; the complexion is red-black without luster, and when lanugo falls off, death ensues. ○ When the True Lung pulse arrives, it is large and empty, like a feather touching human skin; the complexion is white-red without luster, and when lanugo falls off, death ensues. ○ When the True Kidney pulse arrives, it beats and cuts off, sounding 'pi pi' like fingers striking stone; the complexion is black-yellow without luster, and when lanugo falls off, death ensues. ○ When the True Spleen pulse arrives, it is weak and alternates between rapid and slow; the complexion is yellow-green without luster, and when lanugo falls off, death ensues. ○ The Yellow Emperor said: "Seeing the True Zang pulse means death. Why?" Qibo replied: "The Five Zang organs all receive Qi from the Stomach. The Stomach is the root of the Five Zang. Zang Qi itself cannot reach the Hand Taiyin [Lung channel] independently; it must rely on Stomach Qi to reach the Hand Taiyin." Therefore, when pathogenic factors prevail, essential Qi declines. Thus, in severe illness, Stomach Qi cannot arrive at the Hand Taiyin together with Zang Qi, so the True Zang Qi appears alone. Appearing alone means the disease overcomes the Zang, hence it is called death. ○ Regarding those holding True Zang pulses: If the Liver pulse hangs in isolation and is urgent, death occurs in eighteen days; if the Heart pulse hangs in isolation, death occurs in nine days; if the Lung pulse hangs in isolation, death occurs in twelve days; if the Kidney pulse hangs in isolation, death occurs in seven days; if the Spleen pulse hangs in isolation, death occurs in four days. ○ A pulse like 'Fu He' (Floating Union), resembling a Rapid pulse. More than ten beats per respiration indicates insufficiency of Jing Qi; slight appearance leads to death in ninety days. ○ A pulse like newly ignited fire indicates deprivation of Heart Essence; death occurs when grass dries. ○ A pulse like scattered leaves indicates deficiency of Liver Qi; death occurs when tree leaves fall. ○ A pulse like 'Sheng Ke' (Visiting Guest): 'Sheng Ke' means the pulse is blocked yet pulsating, hanging away. This indicates insufficiency of Kidney Qi; death occurs when jujube flowers bloom. ○ A pulse like a mud pellet indicates insufficiency of Stomach Essence; death occurs when elm pods fall. ○ A pulse like a horizontal grid indicates insufficiency of Gallbladder Qi; death occurs when grain ripens. ○ A pulse like a silk thread indicates insufficiency of Bao (Uterus/Bladder) Essence; the patient speaks frequently, death occurs when frost falls; if silent, it is treatable. ○ A pulse like 'Jiao Qi' (Crossing Lacquer): 'Jiao Qi' comes from left and right sides; slight appearance leads to death in thirty days. ○ A pulse like a gushing spring, floating and beating within the muscle, indicates insufficiency of Taiyang Qi. With little scent, death occurs when leek flowers bloom. ○ A pulse like collapsing earth, unobtainable upon pressure, indicates insufficiency of Muscle Qi. If black and white colors appear first in the complexion, death occurs during 'Lei Fa'. ○ A pulse like 'Xuan Yong' (Tonsil): 'Xuan Yong' feels powerless when floated, but becomes larger when pressed. This indicates insufficiency of the Twelve Shu points; death occurs when water freezes. ○ A pulse like a recumbent knife: 'Recumbent Knife' feels small and urgent when floated, firm, large, and urgent when pressed. The Five Zang become hot, with Cold and Heat combining exclusively in the Kidney. Such a person cannot sit; death occurs at Lichun (Start of Spring). ○ A pulse like a smooth pellet, not straight to the hand: "Not straight to the hand" means unobtainable upon pressure. This indicates insufficiency of Large Intestine Qi; death occurs when jujube leaves grow. ○ A pulse like flowers causes fearfulness, aversion to sitting or lying, and listening while walking or standing. This indicates insufficiency of Small Intestine Qi; death occurs in late autumn. (From *Suwen*)

Ten Strange Pulses: One is Fu Fei (Cauldron Boiling), Two is Yu Xiang (Fish Swimming), Three is Dan Shi (Finger Striking Stone), Four is Jie Suo (Untying Knots), Five is Wu Lou (House Leaking), Six is Xia You (Shrimp Swimming), Seven is Que Zhuo (Sparrow Pecking), Eight is Yan Dao (Recumbent Knife), Nine is Zhuan Dou (Turning Bean), Ten is Ma Cu (Hemp Promiscuous). (From *Dexiao Fang*)

Taisu Pulse
Some people use the Taisu Pulse to discuss a person's nobility, baseness, poverty, or success; this is extremely absurd. I have once examined its meaning. "Tai" means beginning or initial, like Taiji or Taiyi. "Su" means substance or origin, like the white background in painting. This refers to the pulse of initial essence. What exactly is this pulse? It must refer to Yuan Qi (Primal Qi). Dongyuan said: Yuan Qi is another name for Wei Qi (Stomach Qi). The pulse of Wei Qi, as Cai Xishan described, is neither long nor short, neither sparse nor rapid, neither large nor small; it responds moderately, feeling joyful and vibrant, difficult to describe in words. Healthy people all obtain this pulse. Using this pulse to observe whether a person is sick or healthy is acceptable; using it to observe wealth or poverty is not. Why? Because the pulse of Wei Qi is hard to describe and define, what basis can there be for diagnosing nobility or poverty? Privately observing his book, although named *Taisu*, none of the discussions mention the meaning of Taisu; the songs composed are mostly colloquial. Tracing its original intent, it was merely a medium for seeking profit. Later generations did not investigate, so it was passed down and practiced, with no one able to distinguish its falsehood. Others argue: "Taisu" refers to nobility/poverty determined at birth, but the pulse can be observed, it is not named Taisu. I say: Indeed, but what Taisu diagnoses must not exceed the Twenty-Four Pulses. The Twenty-Four Pulses all relate to disease. One pulse appearing indicates one disease; how can wealth or poverty be observed? For example, the Floating Pulse diagnoses Wind. If a Taisu practitioner diagnoses it, will they say it is Wind, or will they say it is nobility/poverty? The two cannot be combined. If they say it is Wind, their knowledge is limited to disease; if they ignore the disease and speak of nobility/poverty, then since they cannot know what is close and on the body, they certainly cannot know what is distant and contrary to the body. Nobility and poverty are external matters, unrelated to internal blood and Qi; how can they be known by pulse? Moreover, pulse changes are irregular, and heaven's cold and heat vary; thus, pulses differ by season and cannot remain unchanged for long. Today diagnosed as this pulse, tomorrow it may not be; diagnosed in spring, by summer it may differ. That Taisu practitioner, relying on a moment's palpation, judges a lifetime's fortune; this is undoubtedly unreasonable. Even if guesses happen to be correct often, it is grasping at wind and shadows, vague descriptions; how can there be a definite view? Alas! To diagnose disease by pulse, yet not knowing the exact disease, let alone waiting for Observation, Auscultation/Olfaction, and Inquiry, how can one know anything else? Pulse studies originated with Qibo and Huangdi, evolved with Bian Que, and were detailed by Ge Hong. Scanning *Suwen*, *Nanjing*, and *Maijing*, not a single word mentions this. It is not hidden; there must be undeniable facts. Chao Yuanfang said: "Taisu practitioners are good physiognomists, specifically borrowing 'Taisu' to mystify their art." Truly spoken! This is enough to dispel the confusion of the world and future generations. Although humans are born receiving Qi from Heaven and Earth, inevitably differing in clarity and turbidity, purity and impurity. Those receiving clear Qi have clear blood and Qi, and their pulses are clear; clear pulses come round and pure, with distinct rates. Diagnosing this, I only know it indicates nobility and wealth. Can I say which year they pass exams? Which year they get promoted? Which year they gain wealth? When they have children? I cannot know. Those receiving turbid Qi have turbid blood and Qi, and their pulses are turbid; turbid pulses lack form clarity, with chaotic rates. Diagnosing this, I only know it indicates baseness and poverty. Can I say when they incur regret? When they lose money? When they harm wives? When they harm children? I also cannot know. There are cases where form is turbid but pulse is clear, called Clearness within Turbidity; constitution is clear but pulse is turbid, called Turbidity within Clearness. There are also cases where form is not very clear, pulse not very turbid, but floating and sinking each find their proper position, size and magnitude maintaining equality; this also indicates stability, without great gain or loss. Thus, my so-called knowing people is based entirely on principle. How dare I make up theories to deceive people? (Wang Shishan)