Library

Xian (Wiry) pulse corresponds to Shaoyang (Lesser Yang), Huan (Moderate/Slack) pulse corresponds to Yangming (Bright Yang), Hong (Surging) pulse corresponds to Taiyang (Greater Yang); these three belong to the Three Yang meridians. Wei (Fine/Micro) pulse corresponds to Shaoyin (Lesser Yin), Chi (Slow) pulse corresponds to Jueyin (Terminal Yin), Chen (Deep) pulse corresponds to Taiyin (Greater Yin); these three belong to the Three Yin meridians.

There are pulses characterized by one Yin and one Yang, one Yin and two Yangs, one Yin and three Yangs; as well as one Yang and one Yin, one Yang and two Yins, one Yang and three Yins. Speaking in this manner, does it mean that there are six pulses beating simultaneously at the Cun Kou (Inch Port, radial artery)? However, the *Classic* states: It does not mean that six pulses beat simultaneously, but refers to the six pulse qualities: Fu (Floating), Chen (Deep), Chang (Long), Duan (Short), Hua (Slippery), and Se (Choppy). Generally, pulses that are Fu, Hua, or Chang belong to Yang; those that are Chen, Se, or Duan belong to Yin. Therefore, "one Yin and one Yang" refers to a pulse that is Chen and Hua. "One Yin and two Yangs" refers to a pulse that is Chen, Hua, and Chang. "One Yin and three Yangs" refers to a pulse that is Fu, Hua, and Chang, occasionally presenting a Chen quality. "One Yang and one Yin" refers to a pulse that is Fu and Se. "One Yang and two Yins" refers to a pulse that is Chang, Chen, and Se. "One Yang and three Yins" refers to a pulse that is Chen, Se, and Duan, occasionally presenting a Fu quality. Based on the meridian location of these pulses, one determines the favorable or unfavorable nature of the disease.

Pulses exhibit conditions of Excess Yang and Deficient Yin, or Excess Yin and Deficient Yang. What do these mean? If the pulse appears diminished and small upon superficial palpation (Fu), but solid and large upon deep palpation (Chen), it is said to be: Excess Yin and Deficient Yang. If the pulse appears diminished and small upon deep palpation (Chen), but solid and large upon superficial palpation (Fu), it is said to be: Excess Yang and Deficient Yin. This defines the meaning of Yin-Yang Excess-Deficiency.

Generally, pulses that are Fu, Da (Large), Shu (Rapid), Dong (Agitated), Chang, or Hua belong to Yang; pulses that are Chen, Se, Xian, Ruo (Weak), Duan, or Wei belong to Yin. When a Yang disease presents with Yin pulses, it is a counter-flow (Ni) condition, indicating death. When a Yin disease presents with Yang pulses, it is a smooth flow (Shun) condition, indicating life.

The area anterior to the Guan (Bar) pulse position is Yang; the area posterior to the Guan is Yin. A Yang pulse that is Shu (Rapid) indicates vomiting; a Yin pulse that is Wei (Micro) indicates diarrhea. A Yang pulse that is Xian (Wiry) indicates headache; a Yin pulse that is Xian (Wiry) indicates abdominal pain. This is diagnosing disease based on Yin and Yang.

Furthermore, the Chi (Cubit) pulse belongs to Yin, and Yin pulses are typically Chen (Deep) and Chi (Slow). The Cun (Inch) and Guan (Bar) positions belong to Yang, and Yang pulses are typically Fu (Floating) and Su (Fast). If the Chi pulse does not extend up to the Guan position, it is called Yin Absolute Absence (Yin Jue); if the Cun pulse does not extend down to the Guan position, it is called Yang Absolute Absence (Yang Jue). If Yin is absolutely absent and Yang is weak, it is a fatal condition that cannot be treated.

Exhalation relates to the Exterior and the Fu organs; inhalation relates to the Interior and the Zang organs. If Yang Qi is weak, exhalation is impaired; if Yin Essence is weak, inhalation is impaired. Insufficient respiration leads to shortness of breath in the chest.

A Ruo (Weak) pulse appearing at the Guan position, a Ru (Soggy) pulse appearing at the peak (referring to abnormal location), a Wei (Micro) pulse appearing above, and a Se (Choppy) pulse appearing below: Wei indicates insufficiency of Yang Qi, accompanied by heat and sweating. Se indicates lack of Blood, leading to cold limbs and chill.

All Fu organ pulses belong to Yang and govern Heat syndromes. All Zang organ pulses belong to Yin and govern Cold syndromes. Weak Yang pulses lead to sweating; Floating Yin pulses originate from below. (*Mai Jing* reads: Weak Yin pulses). Rapid Yang pulses lead to mouth sores. Rapid Yin pulses combined with Micro indicate aversion to cold, restlessness, and insomnia. Hollow Yang pulses (Kou) lead to hematemesis (*Mai Jing* reads: Rapid Yang pulses lead to hematemesis). Hollow Yin pulses (Kou) lead to lower bleeding (*Mai Jing* reads: Choppy Yin pulses lead to lower bleeding). Absence of Yang leads to cold extremities; absence of Yin leads to vomiting.

If the Cun Kou pulse is Fu, Da, and Ji (Rapid), it is named Yang within Yang. The patient suffers from irritability, generalized fever, headache, and internal heat. If the Cun Kou pulse is Chen and Xi (Fine), it is named Yin within Yang. The patient suffers from sorrow and unhappiness, aversion to human voices, shortness of Qi, occasional sweating, and obstruction of Yin Qi (or integration), with inability to raise the arm. (*Bing Yuan* reads: inability to raise the arm laterally).

If the Chi pulse is Chen and Xi, it is named Yin within Yin. The patient suffers from soreness and pain in both calves, inability to stand for long periods, decline of Yin Qi, dribbling urine, and dampness and itching in the genital region.

If the Chi pulse is Hua and Fu, Da, it is named Yang within Yin. The patient suffers from fullness and pain in the lower abdomen, inability to urinate, pain in the urethra during urination, and similar issues with defecation.

If the Chi pulse is Lao (Firm) and Chang, without such a pulse at the Guan position, this is Yin invading Yang. The patient suffers from heaviness in both calves and lower abdominal pain radiating to the lower back.

If the Cun Kou pulse is Zhuang Da (Strong and Large), without such a pulse at the Chi position, this is Yang invading Yin. The patient suffers from pain in the waist and back.

Humans have three types of Deficiency and three types of Excess. What does this mean? There is pulse Excess-Deficiency, disease Excess-Deficiency, and diagnostic Excess-Deficiency. Pulse Excess-Deficiency: A pulse that is Ru (Soft) is Deficient; a pulse that is Lao (Firm) is Excess. Disease Excess-Deficiency: Outward discharge indicates Deficiency; inward invasion indicates Excess. Speaking excessively indicates Deficiency; silence indicates Excess. A slow/moderate pulse indicates Deficiency; a rapid/tense pulse indicates Excess. Diagnostic Excess-Deficiency: Itching indicates Deficiency; pain indicates Excess. External pain with internal comfort is External Excess and Internal Deficiency; internal pain with external comfort is Internal Excess and External Deficiency. Thus, it is called Excess-Deficiency.

Question: What are Excess and Deficiency? Answer: When pathogenic factors are vigorous, it is Excess; when vital essence is depleted, it is Deficiency. What are the Five Excesses?

[Note: The text provided ends abruptly after asking about Five Excesses, then lists Five Deficiencies.]

Pulse is Fine, skin is cold, Qi is scanty, diarrhea and dysentery affect both bowels, and food/drink cannot enter; this is called the Five Deficiencies.