Library

The pulse of a woman about to give birth shows the "Li Jing" pulse (The *Nan Jing* states: Three beats per exhalation are called Li Jing. This is Yang superimposed on Yin, doubling the rate. One beat per exhalation is also called Li Jing; this is Yin superimposed on Yin, quadrupling the rate. The annotation explains: "Jing" refers to the constant norm. "Li Jing" means the pulse has deviated from its normal course. Specifically, two beats per exhalation and two beats per inhalation constitute a harmonious pulse. Thus, with each exhalation, the pulse travels three cun; with each inhalation, it travels three cun. At the pause between breaths, the pulse travels six cun. In one day and night, through 13,500 breaths, the pulse travels 810 zhang, completing one cycle before restarting from the origin. If now there are three beats per exhalation and three per inhalation, the pulse travels nine cun at the pause. In one day and night, it travels 1,215 zhang, exceeding the number of the harmonious pulse, failing to restart from the origin, hence called Li Jing. If there is one beat per exhalation, traveling one and a half cun; and one beat per inhalation, traveling one and a half cun; at the pause, it travels three cun. In one day and night, it travels only 405 zhang to complete a cycle, falling short of the harmonious pulse's measure. Restarting cyclically but not from the origin, this is also called Li Jing). A deep, fine, and slippery pulse shares the same name (In a woman in labor, a deep, fine, and slippery pulse reflects the native pulse shape of the Kidney. Since the Kidney connects to the uterus, seeing this pulse is also named similarly to the Li Jing pulse). Pain felt at midnight indicates delivery will occur; by noon the next day, birth is certain (If a pregnant woman feels abdominal pain at midnight, she will surely deliver at noon the following day. The *Shenghui Fang* states: Abdominal pain at Zi hour (midnight) guarantees delivery at Wu hour (noon). This is because Zi and Wu hours are opposite, marking exactly half a day). Heavy body, fever, and frequent chills; black and green veins under the tongue. A reversed cold tongue indicates fetal death; the mother must enter the underworld (A heavy body in pregnancy indicates the exhaustion of Stomach Qi. Frequent fever and chills indicate declining Yang and flourishing Yin. Black-green veins under the tongue root, along with a tongue that curls back and is cold, signify the death of both mother and child). Red face and cyan tongue require careful examination; the mother lives, the fetus dies, and rescue is difficult (A red face in pregnancy indicates circulating Ying Qi, a sign the mother lives; a cyan tongue indicates severed pregnancy vessels and fetal death). Cyan lips and mouth with frothy discharge; both mother and child die, a definitive judgment (Cyan lips and mouth indicate the exhaustion of Ying and Wei Qi. Frothy sputum indicates the total exhaustion of Spleen and Stomach Qi; this is a sign of death for both mother and child). Cyan face and tongue with frequent froth; mother dies, fetus lives, truly so. If you do not believe, observe the verification; the words of ancient sages are not stated in vain (A cyan face and tongue with frequent froth indicate the exhaustion of the mother's Ying and Wei Qi and upward rushing of fetal Qi. This is a sign of a living fetus and a dying mother; after delivering the child, the mother will die. These are verified texts from ancient sages, not false statements). After new birth, a slow and active pulse is auspicious; solid, large, wiry, and rapid pulses bring death near (After childbirth, a slow and slippery pulse indicates harmonious Qi and Blood, an omen of safety. A solid, large, wiry, and rapid pulse is ominous, indicating inevitable death). A heavy and small pulse is auspicious; suddenly hard and firm, life cannot be sustained (A heavy and small pulse after birth indicates correspondence between weak form and weak pulse, an auspicious sign. Suddenly finding a hard and firm pulse indicates excessive pulse strength against weak form, meaning life cannot be sustained, leading to death). A choppy and rapid, irregular pulse at the Cun Kou indicates death (A choppy, rapid, and irregular pulse at the Cun Kou after birth indicates the exhaustion of Qi and Blood, leading to death). Deep and fine, adhering to bone without ceasing indicates survival (A pulse found only with heavy pressure, deep and fine, adhering to the bone, yet unceasing and forceful, is a sign of life). Carefully examine these signs and record them clearly; always keep them in your heart (Physicians should carefully examine the pulse clearly and memorize it in their hearts).

Wang Ziheng said: In all postpartum diseases, a large pulse is most taboo.