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The normal pulse of the Heart is floating, large, and scattered. The normal pulse of the Liver is wiry and long. Pressing to the bone, when the finger is lifted and the pulse comes rapidly and is solid, this is the normal pulse of the Kidney. The normal pulse of the Lung is floating and choppy; the normal pulses of the Spleen and Stomach are moderate and full under the fingers. In all cases of pulse diagnosis, pressing on the local section allows one to seek out and detail the condition if it is not normal (Ping). (From *Yi Zong Bi Du*)

The *Nan Jing* states: There are pulses that are hidden or latent, referring to Yin and Yang mutually attacking and mutually hiding. When a pulse is located in the Yin position (Chi/Cun) but reveals Yang characteristics (such as floating, large, rapid), it is Yang invading Yin. Although the pulse may sometimes appear deep, choppy, and short, this indicates Yin hidden within Yang. When a pulse is located in the Yang position (Cun/Guan) but reveals Yin characteristics (such as deep, fine, slow), it is Yin invading Yang. Although the pulse may sometimes appear floating, slippery, and long, this indicates Yang hidden within Yin.

The *Nan Jing* states: The pulse of Dian-Kuang disorders involves excessive strength in both Yin and Yang across the three positions (Cun, Guan, Chi). It further states: Excess Yang leads to Kuang (mania); excess Yin leads to Dian (depression/lethargy). Loss of Yang results in seeing ghosts; loss of Yin results in blindness. (Note: "Excess Yin/Yang" refers to the Cun pulse being excessively strong while the Chi pulse is also excessively strong; "Loss of Yin/Yang" refers to both the Cun and Chi pulses being extremely weak.)

If the pulses in both hands show Yang upon superficial palpation and Yin upon deep palpation, with both Yin and Yang being robust and strong, this is the pulse of the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) and Du Mai (Governing Vessel). The Chong and Du Mai serve as the pathways for the twelve regular meridians. When the Chong and Du Mai are dominant, the twelve meridians no longer converge at the Cun Kou (Radial Artery). Such individuals often exhibit trance-like states, suspicion, lack of awareness, and indecision, experiencing internal conflict. If the Yang pulses (superficial) in both hands are floating, fine, continuous, and difficult to perceive, and the Yin pulses (deep) are also fine and continuous, this is the pulse of the Yin Qiao Mai (Yin Heel Vessel) and Yang Qiao Mai (Yang Heel Vessel). This person may have previously suffered from severe illnesses attributed to demonic wind pathogens, or exhibit symptoms resembling possession or spiritual disturbance.

If pulses at both the Cun and Chi positions are floating, moving straight up and down, this is the pulse of the Du Mai (Governing Vessel), manifesting as stiffness and rigidity of the waist and back, inability to bend or extend, adult Dian disease, or pediatric Feng Xian (wind epilepsy). If pulses at both the Cun and Chi positions are firm (Lao), moving straight up and down, this is the pulse of the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel), manifesting as cold-type Hernia diseases in the chest. Chapter 29 asks: How do diseases of the Eight Extraordinary Vessels present? The Yang Wei Mai (Yang Linking Vessel) links Yang; the Yin Wei Mai (Yin Linking Vessel) links Yin. If Yin and Yang cannot link each other, there is a sense of loss and depression, with the body becoming flaccid and unable to control itself. Disease of the Yin Qiao Mai presents with relaxation of the Yang side and tension of the Yin side; disease of the Yang Qiao Mai presents with tension of the Yang side and relaxation of the Yin side. Disease of the Chong Mai presents with rebellious Qi and abdominal urgency. Disease of the Du Mai presents with spinal rigidity and Jue (cold extremities/fainting). Disease of the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) presents with internal distress and knotting; in men, it manifests as Seven Hernias; in women, as Zha Ju (abdominal masses). Disease of the Dai Mai (Girdle Vessel) presents with abdominal fullness and a flaccid sensation in the waist, as if sitting in water. Disease of the Yang Wei Mai presents with aversion to cold and fever; disease of the Yin Wei Mai presents with heart pain. These are the diseases of the Eight Extraordinary Vessels.