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The guidelines of the six main pulse types are: Floating (Fu), Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi), Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua), and Choppy (Se). Floating and Deep pulses are distinguished by their location, while the Deficient (Xu), Excess (Shi), Soggy (Ru), Weak (Ruo), Leathery (Ge), and Firm (Lao) pulses follow this category. Slow and Rapid pulses are distinguished by their frequency, while the Tight (Jin), Relaxed (Huan), Hasty (Cu), Intermittent (Jie), and Arrested (Dai) pulses follow this category. Slippery and Choppy pulses are distinguished by their shape, while the Long (Chang), Short (Duan), Surging (Hong), Minute (Wei), Scallion-stalk (Kou), String-taut (Xian), Moving (Dong), Hidden (Fu), Scattered (San), and Thready (Xi) pulses follow this category; these constitute the general overview of pulses. There are also names such as Unraveling-Rope (Jiesuo), Sparrow-Pecking (Quezhao), House-Leak (Wulou), Fish-Swimming (Yuxiang), Stone-Bouncing (Tanshi), and Shrimp-Playing (Xiyou); all of these are Death Pulses (indicative of impending death).

Humans have Four Seas: the Brain is the Sea of Marrow, the Dantian is the Sea of Essence, the Umbilicus is the Sea of Qi, and the Spleen is the Sea of Blood. Humans have Five Remnants: Hair belongs to the Heart and is the remnant of Blood; Eyebrows belong to the Liver and are the remnant of Sinews; Beard belongs to the Kidney and is the remnant of Essence; Axillary hair belongs to the Spleen and is the remnant of Flesh; Pubic hair belongs to the Lung and is the remnant of Qi. Furthermore, fingernails are the remnant of Sinews, Sinews are the remnant of Bones, Bones are the remnant of Essence, Skin is the remnant of Blood, Vessels are the remnant of Qi, and Bone Joints are the remnant of the Zang Organs.

The orifices of the Five Zang Organs: The Tongue is the sprout of the Heart, and the Heart also opens into the Ears; the Eyes are the orifice of the Liver; the Mouth is the orifice of the Spleen; the Nose is the orifice of the Lung; the Ears are the orifice of the Kidney, and the Kidneys also open into the two Yin passages (anterior and posterior orifices).

Signs of the collapse of the Five Zang Organs: If the nostrils turn upward and black, it indicates the collapse of the Lung. If the lips roll outward and turn black, it indicates the collapse of the Spleen. If the eyes are fixed like those of a fish and the Renzhong point (philtrum) is sunken, it indicates the collapse of the Liver. If the tip of the tongue is black with prickles and coated, it indicates the collapse of the Heart. If both ears turn black and the scrotum retracts, it indicates the collapse of the Kidney. The above five signs of collapse are incurable. The Head is the convergence of all Yang meridians. The frontal region belongs to the Heart; since the Heart governs Blood, it is most fearful of Wind pathogen. If one contracts Tetanus (Po Shang Feng) and the forehead swells, death ensues.

During the Yin hour (03:00–05:00), Qi and Blood flow into the Lung Meridian. During the Mao hour (05:00–07:00), they flow into the Large Intestine Meridian; during the Chen hour (07:00–09:00), into the Stomach Meridian. During the Si hour (09:00–11:00), into the Spleen Meridian; during the Wu hour (11:00–13:00), into the Heart Meridian; during the Wei hour (13:00–15:00), into the Small Intestine Meridian. During the Shen hour (15:00–17:00), into the Bladder Meridian; during the You hour (17:00–19:00), into the Kidney Meridian. During the Xu hour (19:00–21:00), into the Pericardium; during the Hai hour (21:00–23:00), into the Sanjiao (Triple Burner). During the Zi hour (23:00–01:00), into the Gallbladder; during the Chou hour (01:00–03:00), into the Liver; each has its fixed position.

For injuries involving bone fractures or broken skin, herbs should be decocted in water. For injuries where the skin is not broken, herbs should be decocted in wine. Child’s urine (Tongbian) must be added to invigorate blood and resolve stasis.