Library

Since the *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon), through the Zhou, Qin, and Han dynasties, few have grasped its essence. It was not until the Jin Dynasty that Wang Shuhe gained fame for pulse diagnosis and compiled the *Mai Jing* (Pulse Classic), which can be considered detailed and precise. Alas, he erroneously used the two Cun positions (radial artery at the wrist crease) to inspect the Large Intestine and Small Intestine, leading later generations to perpetuate this error by compiling the *Mai Jue* (Pulse Rhymes). Consequently, the truth of the *Mai Jing* was nearly obscured. It was not until the Song Dynasty that Pang Anchang understood the meaning of the classics and distinguished between the Renying (carotid artery) and Qikou (radial artery) pulses. Since then, no one has surpassed his discussions on pulse diagnosis. Pulse diagnosis is the key to medicine; if a physician does not examine the pulse, they cannot differentiate syndromes (Zheng); if syndromes are not differentiated, treatment cannot be prescribed. Only a physician who clearly understands pulse theory can be a true good doctor; if pulse diagnosis is unclear, one is a mediocre or reckless practitioner. How can pulse diagnosis fail to be scrutinized!

Moreover, the creation of medical arts began with Shennong and was elucidated by Xuanyuan (Yellow Emperor) and Qibo. Ancient sages discussed pulse diagnosis based on the *Huangdi Neijing*. The *Huangdi Neijing* is a book of dialogues between Xuanyuan and Qibo, integrating Heaven and Humanity, encompassing profound principles, known as the "Sanfen" (Three Treatises). Why did Gaoyangsheng of the Six Dynasties steal the name of Wang Shuhe from the Jin Dynasty to write the *Mai Jue*? He composed verses stating that the Left Cun inspects Heart, Small Intestine, Liver, Gallbladder, Kidney, and the Right Cun inspects Lung, Large Intestine, Spleen, Stomach, and Mingmen (Gate of Life), claiming it was shallow and easy to learn. This caused later students to happily accept and pass on these errors, remaining ignorant and unaware. Cai Xishan and Dai Tongfu vigorously refuted this, but their refutation was incomplete. There is no rationale for the Right Chi position to inspect Mingmen and Sanjiao (Triple Burner) because there are no meridians or zang-fu organs associated with them. Among those who realized this error through reasoning, only one or two in a thousand did so. That the Large and Small Intestines are inspected at the two Cun positions is indeed absurd even in Wang’s *Mai Jing*, let alone the blatant falsehoods of the *Mai Jue* misleading people!

Dividing pulses into Seven Superficial (Biao), Eight Interior (Li), and Nine Dao categories—what is the purpose of this? Speaking of Biao, the Shi (Full) pulse is not Biao; speaking of Li, the Chi (Slow) pulse is not Li; and Dao is unknown. This is the first absurdity. Furthermore, drawing diagrams of pulse shapes: while the Xian (Wiry) pulse can be depicted, how can the Shuo (Rapid), Chi (Slow), Cu (Surging), and Jie (Knotted) pulses, which are defined by frequency, be drawn? This is the second absurdity. Transmitting knowledge through words is merely for beginners. Higher understanding requires spiritual apprehension and mental realization to grasp the subtleties. They claim the Left Cun inspects both Heart and Small Intestine, but they do not know which sage they follow or which classic they base this on. If not following predecessors, they must rely on logic and principle. Logically, the Large and Small Intestines reside in the lower part of the body. How can they now be inspected at the upper Cun position, surpassing the middle section? Can this be logically sound or principled? Also, claiming that a floating pulse at the Left Cun inspects the Small Intestine implies that if only the floating aspect is taken, the Heart pulse is absent. The Classics state: "If the Heart pulse is exhausted, death is incurable." Can the Heart pulse be absent for a day? I deduce the error of assigning the Small Intestine to the Left Cun. They likely erred because the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian and Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian are exterior-interior pairs, mistakenly combining them at the Cunkou (radial artery) for diagnosis. Similarly, assigning the Large Intestine to the Right Cun is an error because the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian and Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian are exterior-interior pairs, mistakenly combined at Cunkou. However, although meridians are exterior-interior, their diagnostic inspection differs. The *Huangdi Neijing* assigns Heart to Danzhong, Lung to Chest, Liver to Diaphragm, Spleen to Stomach, Outer Chi to Kidney, and Inner Chi to Abdomen. The Large Intestine, Small Intestine, and Bladder all belong to the lower abdominal region. Therefore, the Cuan, Guan, and Chi positions correspond to organ locations, never rigidly adhering to meridian pathways for inspection. Moreover, Mingmen has no independent meridian or organ, and Sanjiao is not a single fu-organ; how can they be inspected at the Right Chi? Originally, the Large and Small Intestines are in the lower abdomen; inspecting them inversely at the upper Cun is inappropriate. Exterior-interior relationships and positional inspections have specific assignments; how can they be forcibly merged to disrupt meridian positions? This is the third absurdity. My view is: Floating pulses inspect the Exterior (Biao), governing the external; the exterior aspect of the Heart zone belongs to Eyes, Sweat, and Couli (pores/skin). Sunken pulses inspect the Interior (Li), governing the internal; the interior aspect of the Heart zone belongs to Spirit, Qi, and Blood. Some claim women’s pulses are opposite to men’s, leading some to use Left Chi for Heart and Right Chi for Lung. They do not realize that the difference between genders lies only in slight variations of Qi and Blood strength and pulse depth/position; can the fixed positions of Zang-Fu organs differ? This is the fourth absurdity. How can I tolerate this without refuting it? Here I present the pulse inspections of the *Huangdi Neijing*, categorizing diagnostic methods, questioning and correcting errors to rectify falsehoods. Gentlemen who read this will naturally understand.