杨仁斋曰∶叔和以左手太阳浮大为男,右
手太阴沉细为女。元宾以右手浮大为女,左手沉实为男。较是二说,不无 牾。然即《脉经》本旨而详之,又
有若异而实同者。经曰∶左手沉实为男,右手浮大为女。又曰∶左右手俱浮大者,生二女;俱沉实者,生二男。
元宾之所主者此也。经曰∶左手尺中浮大者男,右手尺中沉细者女。又曰∶尺脉俱浮产二男,尺脉俱沉产二女。
叔和之所主者此也。何者沉细之说与沉实之义不同,右尺浮大之说与右手浮大亦异?欲知男女之法,大抵沉
实者为男,沉细者为女。右尺浮大者,固知其女;左尺浮大者,大抵皆男。沉细为女,沉实为男,即所谓诸阳
为男,诸阴为女是也。左尺浮大为男,右尺浮大为女,即所谓左疾为男,右疾为女是也。元宾言其详,盖合
左右两手而别阴阳。叔和言其略,特不过《脉经》论尺脉之义,尚何有异同之辨哉。
慎斋按∶以上五条,序辨男女之脉也。男女之脉,自叔和而下,纷纷聚讼,益为支离。即明如丹溪,而以
左右子宫分男女,更有以左大顺男,右大顺女。此左右以医者为言,犹属不解。前条唯景岳、硕甫二说,为得
其正也。
《金匮要略》曰∶妇人得平脉,阴脉小弱,其人渴,不能食,无寒热,名妊娠。于法六十日当有此证。设
有医者治逆,却一月,加吐下者,则绝之。
娄全善曰∶恶阻者,谓呕吐恶心,头眩恶食,择食是也。绝之者,谓绝止医治,候其自安也。予尝治一二
妊妇恶阻,病呕吐,愈治愈逆。因思仲景绝之之旨,遂停药月余,自安。真大哉,圣人之言也。
徐忠可曰∶期有未满六十日,则胎未成,又加吐利。因医误治,则脾胃实有受伤处,但当断绝病根为主,不
得泥安胎之说,而狐疑致误也,故曰绝之。
Yang Renzhai stated: Wang Shuhe believed that a floating and large pulse on the left hand indicates a male fetus, while a deep and fine pulse on the right hand indicates a female fetus. Yuanbin held that a floating and large pulse on the right hand indicates a female fetus, and a deep and solid pulse on the left hand indicates a male fetus. Comparing these two theories, there are indeed contradictions. However, upon detailed examination according to the original intent of the *Mai Jing* (Classic of Pulse Diagnosis), there appear to be differences but are essentially the same. The classic states: "A deep and solid pulse on the left hand indicates a male; a floating and large pulse on the right hand indicates a female." It also states: "If both left and right hands show floating and large pulses, twins girls will be born; if both show deep and solid pulses, twin boys will be born." This is the view advocated by Yuanbin. The classic further states: "A floating and large pulse at the Chi position (cun-kou) on the left hand indicates a male; a deep and fine pulse at the Chi position on the right hand indicates a female." It also states: "If Chi pulses on both sides are floating, twin boys will be born; if Chi pulses on both sides are deep and fine, twin girls will be born." This is the view advocated by Wang Shuhe. Why does the theory of "deep and fine" differ in meaning from "deep and solid," and why does "floating and large at the right Chi" differ from "floating and large at the right hand"? Generally speaking, to determine the sex of the fetus, a deep and solid pulse indicates a male, and a deep and fine pulse indicates a female. A floating and large pulse at the right Chi position confirms a female fetus; a floating and large pulse at the left Chi position generally indicates a male fetus. "Deep and fine for female, deep and solid for male" corresponds to the principle that "all Yang pulses indicate males, all Yin pulses indicate females." "Left Chi floating and large for male, right Chi floating and large for female" corresponds to the principle that "rapid pulse on the left indicates male, rapid pulse on the right indicates female." Yuanbin provided details, likely integrating both hands to distinguish Yin and Yang. Wang Shuhe provided a brief summary, merely referring to the discussion of Chi pulses in the *Mai Jing*. Thus, where is there any real difference or contradiction?
Shenzhen's Commentary: The above five points sequentially discuss the pulse methods for determining fetal sex. Regarding the pulse differentiation for male and female fetuses, since Wang Shuhe, debates have been numerous and fragmented. Even Zhu Danxi, known for his clarity, distinguished between male and female using the concept of left and right uterus, suggesting that a larger pulse on the left favors a boy and a larger pulse on the right favors a girl. Such interpretations based on the physician's perspective remain unclear. Among previous discussions, only the views of Zhang Jingyue and Shuofu are considered correct.
The *Jin Gui Yao Lue* (Essential Prescriptions from the Golden Cabinet) states: "When a woman presents with a normal pulse, but the Yin pulse (referring to the Chi position) is small and weak, and she experiences thirst, inability to eat, without aversion to cold or fever, this is named pregnancy. According to medical principles, these symptoms should appear around the sixtieth day of gestation. If a physician treats incorrectly, causing symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea to worsen after a month, one must apply the method of 'Jue Zhi' (cutting off/terminating treatment)."
Lou Quanshan explained: "E Zu" (pregnancy nausea/vomiting) refers to symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, dizziness, food aversion, and selective eating. "Jue Zhi" means to stop medical intervention and wait for the condition to resolve spontaneously. I once treated several pregnant women with E Zu presenting with vomiting; the more they were treated, the worse their condition became. Reflecting on Zhongjing's intention behind 'Jue Zhi,' I stopped medication for over a month, and the patients recovered naturally. Truly, the words of the Sage are great!
Xu Zhongke explained: "If the gestational period has not yet reached sixty days, the fetus is not fully formed, and vomiting and diarrhea are present. Due to erroneous medical treatment, the Spleen and Stomach have indeed been injured. In this case, the primary goal should be to cut off the root of the disease. One must not rigidly adhere to the theory of 'fetus stabilization' (An Tai), nor hesitate, which would lead to errors. Hence, it is said to 'Jue Zhi' (terminate the pathological process/treatment)."