Library

The pulse can be divided into Yin and Yang pulses. What does this mean? Any pulse that is洪大 (Hongda, large and forceful), 浮 (Fu, floating), 数 (Shu, rapid), 动 (Dong, moving), or 滑 (Hua, slippery) belongs to the Yang pulse. Any pulse that is 沉 (Chen, deep), 涩 (Se, choppy), 弱 (Ruo, weak), 弦 (Xian, string-taut), 微 (Wei, minute), or 紧 (Jin, tight) belongs to the Yin pulse.

When a Yin disease presents with a Yang pulse, it indicates that the healthy Qi is substantial. If the pulse is minute, it indicates the decline of Yang Qi.

If a patient is about to recover spontaneously, provided the pulse becomes harmonious yet slightly rapid, spontaneous sweating will occur, leading to recovery. Furthermore, even if a patient has fever but lacks internal body fluids and blood, as long as the Yin and Yang Qi harmonize themselves, recovery will inevitably occur. Why is this so? The presence of such pulse signs indicates that the disease is about to resolve.

In cases where recovery occurs through massive sweating, it is due to the profuse loss of sweat. To determine if a disease will heal and how, one must assess the condition comprehensively. If chills and fever persist unresolved, it suggests a dominance of Yin pulses.

If the body feels painful, heavy diaphoresis (sweating) may be required. A floating pulse indicates the disease is in the Exterior; a deep pulse indicates it is in the Interior; a rapid pulse indicates involvement of the Fu organs; a slow pulse indicates involvement of the Zang organs (specifically the Spleen in this context). According to the method, diarrhea should ensue. How do we know this? It is because the Stomach Qi is severely deficient, evidenced by the Xian (string-taut) pulse of the Shaoyin channel.

A floating pulse at the Cunkou (radial artery) indicates Wind; a tight pulse indicates Cold. A slow and moderate pulse at the Fuyang (dorsalis pedis artery) indicates that the Stomach Qi is normal.

If sweating is induced incorrectly and purgatives are used repeatedly, the patient may lose blood. If the patient desires to undress, it is because Yang Qi is weak, causing Yin Qi to become deficient. In the fifth month, Yang Qi is on the exterior; later, when Yang Qi moves to the interior,烦热 (restless heat) arises in the Stomach due to Yin deficiency.

A pulse that is floating and large, accompanied by sticky sweat and unceasing panting, indicates severe illness. If sweat moistens the hair and panting continues, or if the limbs twitch, this signifies Liver Qi exhaustion. If the area around the mouth turns dark, this signifies Kidney Qi exhaustion.

It is difficult to determine which Zang organ's Yin and Yang have exhausted. If Yang Qi exhausts last, death will be accompanied by redness of the skin. A large pulse without blood flow indicates Cold. When Cold Qi fights internally, the patient exhibits specific symptoms. A floating Fuyang pulse...

Floating pulse with dry nose and mouth indicates epistaxis (nosebleed). Various floating... slow pulses with facial heat resembling redness, tremors, and fear, lasting six or seven days, indicate itching. If both Cunkou pulses and the Yin/Yang positions show tight pulses, according to the law...

Pathogens entering from below are termed Hun. If Yin channels are attacked by pathogens, heat arises. Stiffness of the neck, lower back pain, and soreness of the shins are caused by Yang channels being affected by cold. Involuntary urination and defecation occur. The Exterior Qi is slightly deficient, and the Interior Qi is slightly... corroded. Failure of the Middle Jiao leads to upward rushing of Stomach Qi. Disharmony results in frequent but difficult bowel movements with yellow-red urine when combined with heat. Nasal discharge and a slippery tongue coating suggest one should not act rashly. After eight days of cold exposure with high fever, this indicates... All three pulse positions being large, with vexation and locked jaws, indicates Heat. Deficiency indicates Cold. The struggle between Wind and Cold causes disease, representing a loss of Wei Qi regulation. A floating and slippery pulse... indicates death.