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Chen Feixia stated: A floating pulse (Fu Mai, Floating Pulse) governs exterior syndromes, (pathogen located in the exterior.) A deep pulse (Chen Mai, Deep Pulse) governs interior syndromes, (pathogen located in the interior.) A slow pulse (Chi Mai, Slow Pulse) governs Zang organ diseases, (syndrome characterized by cold.) A rapid pulse (Shu Mai, Rapid Pulse) governs Fu organ diseases. (syndrome characterized by heat.)

Four to five beats per breath cycle constitute a slow pulse, indicating cold syndrome and deficiency. (Floating slow indicates exterior cold; deep slow indicates interior cold; forceful indicates excess cold; feeble indicates deficiency cold.) Seven to eight beats per breath cycle constitute a rapid pulse, indicating heat syndrome and excess.
(Floating rapid indicates exterior heat; deep rapid indicates interior heat; forceful indicates excess heat; feeble indicates deficiency heat.) A floating pulse that is forceful indicates wind-cold; one that is feeble indicates Yin deficiency. A deep pulse that is forceful indicates cold-excess; one that is feeble indicates Qi stagnation. A slow pulse that is forceful indicates pain; one that is feeble indicates deficiency-cold. A rapid pulse that is forceful indicates excess-heat; one that is feeble indicates sores and ulcers.

Chen Feixia stated: The safety and danger can be determined by palpating at Taiyuan (LU9, Great Abyss). Six beats per breath cycle indicate harmony; five beats indicate deficiency. Seven or eight beats indicate excess heat; three or four beats indicate excess cold. The characteristics of floating, deep, slow, and rapid pulses require careful deduction. A forceful pulse belongs to Yang, excess, and heat; a feeble pulse belongs to deficiency and cold, leaving no doubt. If one pays attention to the middle-pressure technique, how could one end up regretting like mending the fold after the sheep is lost? A floating pulse that is forceful indicates wind-heat combination. (Wind and heat both belong to Yang, representing an exterior excess syndrome.) A floating pulse that is feeble indicates Yin deficiency with profuse sweating. (Yin and Ying fluids leaking recklessly, representing an exterior deficiency syndrome.) A deep pulse that is forceful indicates harm from phlegm and food retention. (Phlegm condensation and food stagnation, knotting in the interior.) A deeply deep and feeble pulse indicates Qi stagnation in the chest. (Qi stagnating in the middle Jiao failing to transform and transport.) A slow pulse that is forceful mostly indicates pain. (Floating slow indicates exterior pain; deep slow indicates interior pain.) A slow pulse that is feeble indicates extreme deficiency-cold due to exhausted Qi and blood. (Weak Qi and depleted blood, a state of extreme deficiency.) A rapid pulse usually involves heat and ultimately is forceful. (Rapid and forceful, excess heat is beyond doubt.) Sores and ulcers with a feeble pulse are attacked by deficiency-heat. (Injury to Yin and blood, caused by deficiency-heat.)

Chen Feixia stated: When the pulse is floating and the body is hot, sweating brings relief. (Yang pathogen resides in the exterior, heat resolves through sweat.) When the pulse is deep and fine and the body is cool, do not forcibly attack. (Regardless of exterior or interior, the body cannot withstand attacking methods.) Coughing is particularly contraindicated with a floating and rapid pulse. (Floating and moderate is suitable; floating and rapid is strictly forbidden.) Fine and deep pulses accompanied by swelling definitely indicate a ominous prognosis. (Spleen and Stomach deficiency-cold, further failing to transform and transport.) A deep and slow pulse accompanied by diarrhea is auspicious. (Qi and Blood both injured, Hong and Shu pulses are most feared.) A Hong and large pulse is generally suitable for encountering smallpox/rash conditions. (Yin and Yang are sufficient, toxins cannot remain.) Abdominal pain is intolerable with a floating and forceful pulse. (Diseases affecting the lower Yin organs, a floating pulse is abnormal.) A floating and Hong pulse accompanied by vomiting blood or nosebleed yields no efficacy. (Yang fire too excessive, Yin blood further injured.)

Tao Jian'an stated: The key to pulse diagnosis lies in distinguishing between forceful and feeble, regardless of floating, deep, slow, or rapid. Forceful pulses belong to Yang, excess, and heat; feeble pulses belong to Yin, deficiency, and cold. These words are truly profound; later generations must not forget them.

Tu Weisheng stated: The depression slightly outside the outer end of the left eyebrow is the Taiyang acupoint; the depression slightly outside the outer end of the right eyebrow is the Taiyin acupoint; the center between the two eyebrows is the Xinjian, also known as Yintang (Ex-HN3, Hall of Impression); the depression at the root of the nose is Shan Gen (often referred to as Shangfeng in this context); the highest bone in the center of the nasal bridge is Yannian; the tip of the nose is Zhuntou; the depression below the nose is Renzhong (GV26, Human Center); the depression below the lip is Chengjiang (CV24, Bearing Pool); five fen behind the hairline is Shenting (GV24, Spirit Court); five fen behind Shenting is Shangxing (GV23, Upper Star); one cun behind Shangxing is Ximen (GV22, Fontanel Gate); one and a half cun behind Ximen is Qian Ding (GV20, Anterior Vertex); one and a half cun behind Qian Ding is Baihui (GV20, Hundred Convergences). By locating acupoints in this manner, errors will certainly be avoided.