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1. The Long pulse belongs to Yang. Jiegu stated: The principle of the Long pulse lies in its morphology. This is the Yangming pulse, therefore both the Cun (inch) and Chi (cubit) positions present a Long image. Symptoms include fever, eye pain, nasal dryness, and inability to lie down. Treatment should employ diaphoresis (sweating method).

The Long pulse is long and extends across the three positions (Cun, Guan, Chi). Under the fingers, the pulse seems to come and then return. If Yang toxin resides in the Zang organs with heat in the Sanjiao (Triple Burner), slow diaphoresis is required for peace.

Yunqi said: If Yang toxin is in the Zang organs, why speak of diaphoresis? This is because the pathogen is not at the root of the five Zang organs, but the Qi of Yang toxin is at the "Biao" (superficial/exterior aspect) of the five Zang organs. What is the root of the five Zang organs? The Liver is the root; the disease location is deep within the Biao. If the condition is urgent, the pathogen cannot exit; use Shengma Tang (Cimicifugae Decoction) to induce sweating. This method targets the Biao of the Yangming channel. Another method adds Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix) and Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba). The intermediate treatment uses Digupi San (Lycium Bark Powder) to treat generalized high fever.

Digupi (Lycii Cortex), Fuling (Poria), Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Shengdihuang (Rehmanniae Radix), Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma) (each 0.5 liang); Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum) (2 liang). If sweating has already occurred excessively, increase the dosage of Zhimu. Crush the herbs, add fresh ginger, and decoct. Slow diaphoresis implies a gentle sweating method.

2. The Short pulse belongs to Yin. It primarily governs aversion to cold in the four limbs, generation of cold Qi in the abdomen, and indigestion of retained food. The Short pulse follows the Kun trigram. Retained food in the abdomen requires purgation.

The Short pulse indicates hidden Yang within Yin, with Qi stagnation in the Sanjiao preventing smooth flow. Retained food in the Zang generates cold Qi; vigorous purgation to unblock the intestines is necessary for recovery.

Retained food generates cold Qi; why promote smooth flow? Because there is hidden Yang within Yin. This allows the Qi of the Sanjiao to circulate up and down, hence using Badou (Crotonis Fructus), a potent purgative.

3. The Deficient pulse belongs to Yin. It primarily governs weakness of strength, frequent fright, mental restlessness, pediatric convulsions, and deficiency frailty. The Deficient pulse corresponds to the Li fire. This is a sign of middle Jiao deficiency.

Mental restlessness with palpitations and fright; after stabilizing respiration at the three positions, the pulse is difficult to form. Blood deficiency causes irritability and heat in the Zang and Fu organs; tonifying the Sanjiao brings tranquility.

Restlessness is the manifestation of active Yang. The difficulty in forming the pulse is a sign of weak transmission. Irritability and heat are due to blood deficiency. To make Qi and blood substantial, one must tonify the Sanjiao and Mingmen (Gate of Vitality).

Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix, remove seedlings), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) (each 1 liang); Digupi (Lycii Cortex), Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma), Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma, processed), Fuling (Poria) (each 1 liang); Zhi Gancao (Prepared Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) (3 liang). Treat with a decoction.

4. The Rapid pulse belongs to Yang. The Rapid pulse resembles the Kan trigram. It primarily governs the image of fullness and excess in the center. Withdrawing upon encountering Kan indicates the pulse beats eight or nine times and appears at the Cun position; gradual withdrawal suggests survival.

The Rapid pulse comes forward beyond the Guan, often residing at the Cun position where blood forms spots. Sudden gradual withdrawal allows life to continue. Recovery depends on Heaven (destiny).

If rising exceeds descending, curving forward and staying behind like holding a belt hook, it indicates death. Gradual withdrawal means Yang resolves by obtaining Yin. Like scattered threads, this is solitary Yang departing from Yin.

5. The Knotted pulse belongs to Yin. It primarily governs Qi oppression in the four limbs and radiating pain. The Knotted pulse appears intermittently, resembling the Dui metal. Movement with cessation is called Knotted. It corresponds to the right side of the abdomen.

Accumulated Qi arises beside the Spleen organ; paroxysmal pain in the Large Intestine is unbearable. Gradually, it is appropriate to slightly drain Fire from the Sanjiao; do not arbitrarily establish multiple protocols.

Vital Qi is the Qi of the Sanjiao, flourishing beside the Spleen organ. The Spleen receives dampness and turns hot, transmitting to the Large Intestine, causing pain. This is Metal of the Large Intestine affected by Fire of the Sanjiao.

6. The Alternating pulse belongs to Yin. It primarily governs emaciation and inability to speak. Emaciation not caused by illness, but with pulse interruptions, is called Alternating. The Alternating pulse is truly a death pulse. If sudden Qi damage...

Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Baifuling (White Poria), Shudihuang (Prepared Rehmanniae Radix), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, roasted), Digupi (Lycii Cortex) (each 0.5 liang); Huangqi (Astragali Radix), Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), Tianmendong (Asparagi Radix), Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma). Take before meals.

The Alternating pulse moves occasionally as if floating, rising again only to seem absent. The Three Yuan righteous Qi departs with the wind; where do the soul and spirit reside in darkness?

Excessive floating indicates excessive Yang; excessive sinking indicates excessive Yin. Floating excessively with eight to nine beats indicates death externally; sinking excessively with one to two beats indicates death internally. The Spleen pulse represents the image of central Earth.

7. The Firm pulse belongs to Yin. The Firm pulse resembles the Zhen trigram. A pulse that neither comes nor goes is called Firm. Its nature is tight and rapid, representing the mutual multiplication of Water and Fire before and after. Water can overcome Fire.

It is difficult to distinguish respiration when the pulse enters the skin; frequent shortness of breath occurs in the chest. One speaks only of Water and Fire punishing each other; seeking recovery requires asking Heaven.

Firm belongs to Wood. There is an image of Water and Fire multiplying before and after. Considering Firm as Yin, assisting Water to overcome Fire, thus saying destiny lies in Heaven. It is also said that Water and Fire congregate in the chest.

8. The Moving pulse belongs to Yin. It primarily governs weakness of the four limbs, metrorrhagia, and bloody dysentery. The Moving pulse resembles the Gen mountain. Not coming nor going is called Moving. It resembles the stillness of a mountain. Moving without shifting.

The root of the Moving pulse is Qi governing Yin; obstructed and heavy under the fingers at the three positions. After the blood mountain falls for months and years, only wise men and famous doctors can seek [the cause].

Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) is the leaf, Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) is the root. When blood is lost, the root perishes and the leaves wither. This pulse exists at Cun but not at Chi, completely lacking roots and leaves. This Chi pulse third position diagnoses disease similarly.

Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix, prepared), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) (each 1 liang); Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma, roasted), Fuling (Poria), Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) (each 0.5 liang). Crush the upper herbs.

9. The Fine pulse belongs to Yin. It primarily governs soreness of the waist and cold marrow, fatigue and essence depletion. The Kidney lacks nourishment; Yang does not prosper below, Yin does not prosper above, and Yin and Yang cannot interact.

Fatigue, lack of essence, soreness in the shins; emaciated appearance and dry hair. If encountering winter months after frost, without treating the disease, it will heal itself.

The Fine pulse resembles the Xun wind, belonging to Wood. Wind governs emission; Yang Qi internally fails to moisten the skin and hair, causing dryness. By autumn, this is lost. In autumn, Qi is balanced, thus no need to resolve the muscle layer.

Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) (each 1 liang); Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba, remove joints, 0.5 liang), Chishao (Paeoniae Radix Rubra) (4 qian). Crush the upper herbs, take 1 liang, add seven slices of fresh ginger, and decoct in two zhan of water.