Library

Cui Zixu said: When the Yin pulse beats at the lower position and is distinct from the Yang pulse, with harmonious Qi and Blood, it is a sign of pregnancy. If the pulse of the Hand-Shaoyin (Heart Meridian) moves vigorously, and the Chi (cun-kou) position remains unceasing upon pressure, this indicates pregnancy. The Hand-Shaoyin belongs to the Heart, which governs the vessels and blood. The Kidney serves as the gate of the Bao Palace (uterus), and the pulse corresponds to the Chi position. Alternatively, the Cun (inch) pulse may be faint, the Guan (bar) pulse slippery, and the Chi pulse rapid, with the pulse flow smooth and fluid, resembling the pecking of a sparrow. Or, when examining the three positions (Cun, Guan, Chi), there may be an intermittent stop between floating and sinking palpations, or the pulse may appear level yet deficient. One should inquire about menstruation; if a woman has amenorrhea but lacks pathological pulses, this is pregnancy rather than disease, hence the cessation of menses.

Shen Zhai commented: The above six items describe the pulses associated with pregnancy in women. *Neijing · Pingren Qixiang Lun* states: "When the Hand-Shaoyin pulse of a woman beats vigorously, she is pregnant." Also, *Yinyang Bie Lun* states: "When the Yin pulse beats distinctly apart from the Yang, it is called having a child." These two statements originally discuss both the Heart and Kidney meridians together. The Hand-Shaoyin governs the Heart, which generates Blood; women use Blood to nourish the fetus, so abundant Blood facilitates conception. At the initial stage of conception, Essence and Blood condense and do not disperse, causing the Heart pulse to beat vigorously. "Yin beating" refers to the Chi position, as noted by Taipu (Wang Bing). A Chi pulse that strikes the fingers indicates vigorous movement. The Foot-Shaoyin belongs to the Kidney, which governs Essence; women rely on the Kidney to anchor the Bao Palace, where the uterus resides. When Essence enters the Bao Gate, the Qi of the uterus envelops the Blood, resulting in a pulsating sensation against the Yang pulse. *Neijing* originally clarified these meanings clearly. Since Quan Yuanqi changed "Hand-Shaoyin" to "Foot-Shaoyin," later scholars debated whether Wang Bing's commentary on Hand-Shaoyin was erroneous. Some advocated following the original text over Wang's version. However, Wang Bing’s note that "Yin" in "Yin beating" refers to the Chi position implies that both Heart and Kidney are examined simultaneously, allowing one to deduce pregnancy. Initially, I found this passage difficult to understand, realizing only after reading the two sentences of the classic together. With the arguments provided by Zhongfu and Shuofu, it became clear, so I append this clarification here.

Wang Shuhe said: To determine the sex of a fetus at four months of pregnancy: if the Left pulse is rapid, it is a male; if the Right pulse is rapid, it is a female; if both are rapid, twins are expected. He also stated: If the inner part of the Left Chi pulse is predominantly large, it is a male; if the inner part of the Right Chi pulse is predominantly large, it is a female; if both sides are large, twins will be born. "Large" here resembles the appearance of an Excess pattern. This aligns with the meaning of "Yin beating distinct from Yang." The Chi pulse is solid and large, differing from the Cun pulse, distinguishing males on the left and females on the right. He further stated: A deep and solid Left pulse indicates a male; a floating and large Right pulse indicates a female.