问曰脉有三部。阴阳相乘。营卫血气。在人体躬。呼吸出入。上下于中。因息游布。津
液流
无经
失纪
（寸为上部。关为中部。尺为下部。）
营卫流行。不失衡铨。
（衡铨者。称也。可以称量轻重。内经曰。春应中规。夏应中衡。秋应中矩。冬应中权。
营
肾沉心洪。肺浮肝弦。此自经常。不失铢分。
（肾。北方水。旺于冬。而脉沉。心。南方火。旺于夏。而脉洪。肺。西方金。旺于秋。
而脉
出入升降。漏刻周旋。水下二刻。一周循环。
（人身之脉。计长一十六丈二尺。一呼。脉行三寸。一吸。脉行三寸。一呼一吸为一息。
脉
则
尺。
当复寸口。虚实见焉。
（经脉之始。从中焦注于手太阴寸口。二百七十息。脉行一周身。复还至于寸口。寸口
为脉
变化相乘。阴阳相干。风则浮虚。寒则牢坚。。沉潜水蓄。支饮急弦。动则为痛。数则
热烦
（风伤阳。故脉浮虚。寒伤阴。故脉牢坚。蓄积于内者。谓之水蓄。故脉沉潜。支散于
外者
烦焉。
设有不应。知变所缘。三部不同。病各异端。
（脉与病不相应者。必缘传变之所致。三部以候五脏之气。随部察其虚实焉。）
太过可怪。不及亦然。邪不空见。中必有奸。审察表里。三焦别焉。知其所舍。消息诊
看。
（太过不及之脉。皆有邪气干于正气。审看在表在里。入腑入脏。随其所含而治之。）
师曰。呼吸者。脉之头也。
（难经曰。一呼脉行三寸。一吸脉行三寸。以脉随呼吸而行。故言脉之头也。）
初持脉。来疾去迟。此出疾入迟。名曰内虚外实也。初持脉。来迟去疾。此出迟入疾。
名曰
（外为阳。内为阴。内经曰。来者为阳。去者为阴。是出以候外。入以候内。疾为有余。
有
者。阳不足而阴有余。故曰内实外虚。）
问曰。上工望而知之。中工问而知之。下工脉而知之。愿闻其说。师曰。病家人请。云
病患
脉
（望以观其形证。问以知其所苦。脉以别其表里。病苦发热身疼。邪在表也。当卧不安。
而
假令病患云。腹内卒痛。病患自坐。师到。诊其脉之浮而大者。知其瘥也。何以知之。
若里
（腹痛者。里寒也。痛甚则不能起。而脉沉细。今病患自坐而脉浮大者。里寒散也。是
有
经
师曰。病家人来请。云病患发热烦极。明日师到。病患向壁卧。此热已去也。设令脉不
和。
（发热烦极。则不能静卧。今向壁静卧。知热已去。）
设令向壁卧。闻师到不惊起而盼视。若三言三止。脉之咽唾者。此诈病也。设令脉自和。
处
（诈病者。非善人。以言恐之。使其畏惧则愈。医者。意也。此之谓欤。）
师持脉。病患欠者。无病也。
（针经曰。阳引而上。阴引而下。阴阳相引。故欠。阴阳不相引。则病。阴阳相引。则
和。
脉之呻者。病也。
（呻为呻吟之声。身有所苦则然也。）
言迟者。风也。
（风客于中。则经络急。舌强难运用也。）
摇头言者。里痛也。
（里有病。欲言。则头为之战摇。）
行迟者。表强也。
（表强者。由筋络引急。而行步不利也。）
坐而伏者。短气也。
（短气者。里不和也。故坐而喜伏。）
坐而下一脚者。腰痛也。
（内经曰。腰者。身之大关节也。腰痛为大关节不利。故坐不能正。下一脚以缓腰中之
痛也
里实护腹如怀卵物者。心痛也。
（心痛则不能伸仰。护腹以按其痛。）
师曰。伏气之病。以意候之。今月之内。欲有伏气。假令旧有伏气。当须脉之。若脉微
弱者
（冬时感寒。伏藏于经中。不即发者。谓之伏气。至春分之时。伏寒欲发。故云。今月
之内
脉。
焦不
问曰。人病恐怖者。其脉何状。师曰。脉形如循丝累累然。其面白脱色也。
（内经曰。血气者。人之神。恐怖者。血气不足。而神气弱也。脉形似循丝累累然。面
白脱
问曰。人不饮。其脉何类。师曰。脉自涩。唇口干燥也。
（涩为阴。虽主亡津液。而唇口干燥。以阴为主内。故不饮也。）
问曰。人愧者。其脉何类。师曰。脉浮而面色乍白赤。
（愧者。羞也。愧则神气怯弱。故脉浮而面色变改不常也。）
问曰。经说脉有三菽六菽重者。何谓也。师曰。脉者。人以指按之。如三菽之重者。肺
气也
骨者
（菽。豆也。难经曰。如三菽之重。与皮毛相得者。肺部也。如六菽之重。与血脉相得
者。
之至
假令下利。寸口关上尺中悉不见脉。尺中时一小见。脉再举头者。肾气也。若见损脉来
至。
（脉经曰。冷气在胃中。故令脉不通。下利不见脉。则冷气客于脾胃。今尺中时一小见。
为
复
问曰。脉有相乘。有纵。有横。有逆。有顺。何也。师曰。水行乘火。金行乘木。名曰
纵。
名曰
（金胜木。水胜火。纵者。言纵任其气。乘其所胜。横者。言其气横逆。反乘所不胜也。
纵
）
问曰。脉有残贼。何谓也。师曰。脉有弦紧浮滑沉涩。此六者名曰残贼。能为诸脉作病
也。
（为人病者。名曰八邪。风寒暑湿伤于外也。饥饱劳逸伤于内也。经脉者。营卫也。营
卫者
则脉紧。中暑则
曰残。害良曰贼
问曰。脉有灾怪。何谓也。师曰。假令人病。脉得太阳。与形证相应。因为作汤。比还
送汤
又问曰
（医以脉证与药相对。而反变异。为其灾可怪。故名灾怪。）
问曰。东方肝脉。其形何似。师曰。肝者。木也。名厥阴。其脉微弦濡弱而长。是肝脉
也。
（难经曰。春脉弦者。肝东方木也。万物始生。未有枝叶。故脉来濡弱而长。故曰弦。
是
假令得纯弦脉者死。何以知之。以其脉如弦直。是肝脏伤。故知死也。
（纯弦者。为如弦直而不软。是中无胃气。为真脏之脉。内经曰。死肝脉来急益劲。如
新张
南方心脉。其形何似。师曰。心者。火也。名少阴。其脉洪大而长。是心脉也。心病自
得洪
（心旺于夏。夏则阳外胜。气血淖溢。故其脉来洪大而长也。）假令脉来微去大。故名
反
病在里也。脉来头小本大者。故名覆。病在表也。上微头小者。则汗出。下微本大者。则为
关格不通。不得尿。头无汗者可治。有汗者死。
（心脉来盛去衰为平。来微去大。是反本脉。内经曰。大则邪至。小则平。微为正气。
大为邪气。来以候表。来微则知表和。去以候里。去大则知里病。内经曰。心脉来不盛去反
盛。此为不及。病在中。头小本大者。即前小后大也。小为正气。大为邪气。则邪气先在里。
今复还于表。故名曰覆。不云去而止云来者。是知在表。脉经曰。在上为表。在下为里。汗
者心之液。上微为浮之而微。头小为前小。则表中气虚。故主汗出。下微沉之而微。本大为
后大。沉则在里。大则病进。内经曰。心为牡脏。小肠为之使。今邪甚下行。格闭小肠使正
气不通。故不得尿。名曰关格。脉经曰。阳气上出。汗见于头。今关格正气不通。加之头有
汗者。则阳气不得下通而上脱也。其无汗者。虽作关格。然阳气未衰。而犹可治。）
西方肺脉。其形何似。师曰。肺者。金也。名太阴。其脉毛浮。是肺脉也。肺病自得此
脉。若得缓迟者。皆愈。若得数者则剧。何以知之。数者南方火。火克西方金。法当痈肿。
为难治也。
（轻虚浮曰毛。肺之平脉也。缓迟者。脾之脉。脾为肺之母。以子母相生。故云皆愈。
数者。心之脉。火克金。为鬼贼相刑。故剧。肺主皮毛。数则为热。热客皮肤。留而不去。
则为痈疡。经曰。数脉不时。则生恶疮。）
问曰。二月得毛浮脉。何以处言。至秋当死。师曰。二月之时。脉当濡弱。反得毛浮者。
故知至秋死。二月肝用事。肝脉属木。应濡弱。反得毛浮者。是肺脉也。肺属金。金来克木。
故知至秋死。他皆仿此。
（当春时。反见秋脉。为金气乘木。肺来克肝。夺旺脉而见。至秋肺旺。肝脉则绝。故
知至秋死也。）
师曰。脉肥人责浮。瘦人责沉。肥人当沉。今反浮。瘦人当浮。今反沉。故责之。
（肥人肌肤浓。故脉当沉。瘦人肌肤薄。故脉当浮。今肥人脉反浮。瘦人脉反沉。必有
邪气相干。使脉反常。故当责之。）
师曰。寸脉下不至关。为阳绝。尺脉上不至关。为阴绝。此皆不治。决死也。若计其余
命死生之期。期以月节克之也。
（脉经曰。阳生于寸。动于尺。阴生于尺。动于寸。寸脉下不至关者。为阳绝不能下应
于尺也。尺脉上不至关者。为阴绝不能上应于寸也。内经曰。阴阳离缺。精气乃绝。此阴阳
偏故皆决死。期以月节克之者。谓如阳绝死于春夏。阴绝死于秋冬。）
师曰。脉病患不病。名曰行尸。以无王气。猝眩仆不识人者。短命则死。人病脉不病。
名曰内虚。以无谷神。虽困无苦。
（脉者。人之根本也。脉病患不病。为根本内绝。形虽且强。猝然气脱。则眩运偃仆而
死。不曰行尸而何。人病脉不病。则根本内固。形虽且羸。止内虚尔。谷神者。谷气也。谷
气既足。自然安矣。内经曰。形气有余。脉气不足死。脉气有余。形气不足生。）
问曰。翕、奄、沉。名曰滑。何谓也。沉为纯阴。翕为正阳。阴阳和合。故令脉滑。关
尺自平。阳明脉微沉。食饮自可。少阴脉微滑。滑者。紧之浮名也。此为阴实。其人必股内
汗出。阴下湿也。
（脉来大而盛。聚而沉。谓之翕奄沉。正如转珠之状也。沉为脏气。故曰纯阴。翕为腑
气。故曰正阳。滑者。阴阳气不为偏胜也。关尺自平。阳明脉微沉者。当阳部见阴脉。则阴
偏胜而阳不足也。阳明胃脉。胃中阴多。故食饮自可。少阴脉微滑者。当阴部见阳脉。则阳
偏胜而阴不足也。以阳凑阴分。故曰阴实。股与阴。少阴之部也。今阳热凑阴。必熏发津液。
泄达于外。股内汗出。而阴下湿也。）
问曰。曾为人所难。紧脉从何而来。师曰。假令亡汗。若吐。以肺里寒。故令脉紧也。
假令咳者。坐饮冷水。故令脉紧也。假令下利。以胃中虚冷。故令脉紧也。
（金匮要略曰。寒令脉急。经曰。诸紧为寒。）
寸口卫气盛。名曰高。
（高者。暴狂而肥。内经曰。阴不胜其阳。则脉流薄疾。并乃狂。卫为阳气。卫盛而暴
狂者。阴不胜阳也。针经曰。卫气者。所以温分肉。充皮毛。肥腠理。司开阖者也。卫气盛
为肥者。气盛于外也。）
营气盛。名曰章。
（章者。暴泽而光。营者。血也。荣华于身者也。营盛。故身暴光泽也。）
高章相搏。名曰纲。
（纲者。身筋急脉直。营卫俱盛。则筋络满急。）
卫气弱。名曰 。
（ 者。心中气动迫怯。卫出上焦。弱则上虚。而心中气动迫怯也。）
营气弱。名曰卑。
（卑者。心中常自羞愧。针经曰。血者。神气也。血弱。则神弱。故常自羞愧。）
卑相搏。名曰损。
（损者。五脏六腑之虚 也。卫以护阳。营以养阴。营卫俱虚。则五脏六腑失于滋养。
致俱
卫气和。名曰缓。
（缓者。四肢不能自收。卫气独和。不与营气相谐。则营病。内经曰。肝受血而能视。
足受
营气和。名曰迟。
（迟者。身体重。但欲眠也。营气独和。不与卫气相谐。则卫病。身体重而眠。欲眠者。
卫
迟缓相搏。名曰沉。
（沉者腰中直。腹内急痛。但欲卧。不欲行。营气独和于内。卫气独和于外。营卫不相
和谐
者。
寸口脉缓而迟。缓则阳气长。其色鲜。其颜光。其声商。毛发长。迟则阴气盛。骨髓生。
血
（缓为胃脉。胃合卫气。卫温分肉。充皮毛。肥腠理。司开阖。卫和气舒。则颜色光润。
声
正
趺阳脉滑而紧。滑者。胃气实。紧者。脾气强。持实击强。痛还自伤。以手把刃。坐作
疮也。
（趺阳之脉。以候脾胃。滑则谷气实。是为胃实。紧则阴气胜。是为脾强。以脾胃一实
一强
痛也
寸口脉浮而大。浮为虚。大为实。在尺为关。在寸为格。关则不得小便。格则吐逆。
（经曰。浮为虚。内经曰。大则病进。浮则为正气虚。大则为邪气实。在尺。则邪气关
闭下
趺阳脉伏而涩。伏则吐逆。水谷不化。涩则食不得入。名曰关格。
（伏则胃气伏而不宣。中焦关格。正气壅塞。故吐逆而水谷不化。涩则脾气涩而不布。
邪气拒于上焦。故食不得入。）
脉浮而大。浮为风虚。大为气强。风气相搏。必成瘾疹。身体为痒。痒者。名泄风。久
久为
（痂癞者。眉少发稀。身有干疮而腥臭。内经曰。脉风成为疠。）
寸口脉弱而迟。弱者。卫气微。迟者。营中寒。营为血。血寒则发热。卫为气。气微则
心内
（卫为阳。营为阴。弱者卫气微。阳气不足也。迟者营中寒。经中客邪也。营客寒邪搏
而发
趺阳脉大而紧者。当即下利。为难治。
（大为虚。紧为寒。胃中虚寒。当即下利。下利脉当微小。反紧者。邪胜也。故云难治。
经
Question: The pulse is divided into three positions. Yin and Yang interact with each other. Ying (Nutritive) and Wei (Defensive) Qi, along with Blood and Qi, exist within the human body. With the inhalation and exhalation, they move up and down within the body. Relying on the breath to circulate and distribute, Body Fluids flow without violating the laws of the meridians. (The Cun position is the upper part, the Guan position is the middle part, and the Chi position is the lower part.) Ying and Wei Qi flow smoothly, maintaining balance and standard measurement. (Heng Quan refers to a scale, used to weigh lightness and heaviness. The *Nei Jing* states: Spring pulses should conform to the compass, Summer pulses to the scale, Autumn pulses to the square, and Winter pulses to the plumb line. Kidney pulses are deep, Heart pulses are surging, Lung pulses are floating, and Liver pulses are wiry. These are the normal constant pulses, lacking no fraction.) (The Kidney belongs to Water in the North, flourishing in Winter, hence its pulse is deep; the Heart belongs to Fire in the South, flourishing in Summer, hence its pulse is surging; the Lung belongs to Metal in the West, flourishing in Autumn, hence its pulse is floating.) The emergence and descent of Qi and Blood rotate according to time measurements. When the water clock drops two marks, the pulse completes one cycle around the body. (The meridians in the human body total sixteen zhang and two chi long. During one exhalation, the pulse moves three cun; during one inhalation, it moves three cun. One exhalation and one inhalation constitute one respiratory cycle. The pulse follows the breath, thus it is said to be the "head" or guide of the pulse.)
When initially palpating the pulse, if the arrival is rapid and the departure is slow, this is called rapid emergence and slow retreat, named Internal Deficiency and External Excess. If initially palpating the pulse, the arrival is slow and the departure is rapid, this is called slow emergence and rapid retreat, named Internal Excess and External Deficiency. (The exterior is Yang, the interior is Yin. The *Nei Jing* states: That which comes is Yang, that which goes is Yin. Therefore, we observe the exterior through "emergence" and the interior through "retreat." Rapid indicates Excess, Slow indicates Deficiency. If it is slow emergence and rapid retreat, it means Yang is deficient and Yin is excessive, hence Internal Excess and External Deficiency.)
If pulse changes multiply and Yin and Yang interfere with each other, Wind pathogens cause floating and empty pulses, Cold pathogens cause firm and solid pulses, Water retention causes sunken and hidden pulses, Branching Fluid retention causes urgent and wiry pulses, Moving pulses indicate pain, and Rapid pulses indicate heat and restlessness. (Wind injures Yang, hence the pulse is floating and empty; Cold injures Yin, hence the pulse is firm and solid. Accumulations inside are called Water Retention, hence the pulse is sunken and hidden; Dispersion outside causes bodily restlessness.) If there are discrepancies, understand the origin of the changes. The three positions differ, and diseases vary at their sources. (When the pulse does not correspond to the disease, it must be due to transmission and transformation. The three positions observe the Qi of the Five Zang organs; observe their deficiency or excess according to the position.) Pulses that are excessive or insufficient are both surprising. Pathogens do not appear without cause; there must be treacherous factors inside. Examine whether the pathogen is in the exterior or interior, distinguish the San Jiao (Triple Burner), know where it resides, and carefully assess the condition for diagnosis. (Excessive and insufficient pulses all involve pathogens interfering with healthy Qi. Examine if it is in the exterior or interior, entering the Fu or Zang organs, and treat according to its location.) The Master says: Respiration is the head (guide) of the pulse. (The *Nan Jing* states: During one exhalation, the pulse moves three cun; during one inhalation, it moves three cun. Because the pulse follows respiration, it is said to be the head of the pulse.)
Question: The superior physician knows by observation, the average physician by inquiry, and the inferior physician by pulse-taking. I wish to hear the explanation. The Master says: The patient's family requests a visit, saying the patient has fever and body ache. The pathogen is in the exterior, so the patient should lie restless. However, if the patient lies quietly, this is a false sign. (Observation examines physical signs, inquiry learns of suffering, and pulse-taking distinguishes exterior from interior. Fever and body ache indicate the pathogen is in the exterior, warranting restlessness in lying. If the patient lies quietly now, it is feigned illness.) Suppose the patient says there is sudden abdominal pain. The patient sits upright. When the Master arrives and palpates a floating and large pulse, he knows the illness is improving. Why? Abdominal pain indicates Interior Cold. Severe pain prevents rising, and the pulse should be deep and fine. Now that the patient can sit and the pulse is floating and large, the Interior Cold has dispersed, indicating the presence of Stomach Qi. (Abdominal pain is Interior Cold. Severe pain prevents rising, and the pulse is deep and fine. Now the patient sits and the pulse is floating and large, indicating the Interior Cold has scattered. This shows Stomach Qi.)
The Master says: The patient's family requests a visit, saying the patient has fever and extreme irritability. The next day, when the Master arrives, the patient lies facing the wall quietly. This indicates the heat has gone. (Extreme fever and irritability prevent quiet lying. Now lying quietly facing the wall indicates the heat has departed.) If the patient lies facing the wall, hears the Master's arrival but does not startle up, only glances sideways, speaks hesitantly ("three words, three pauses"), and swallows saliva during pulse-taking, this is feigned illness. If the pulse is harmonious, appropriate treatment can be administered. (Feigned illness is not done by good people. By frightening them with words, making them fearful, they may recover. The physician must use intuition; this is what is meant.)
When the Master palpates the pulse, if the patient yawns, there is no disease. (The *Zhen Jing* states: Yang draws upward, Yin draws downward. When Yin and Yang draw each other, yawning occurs. If they do not draw each other, disease results; if they do, harmony is achieved.) If the patient groans during pulse-taking, there is disease. (Groaning is the sound of suffering; the body feels pain.) Speaking slowly indicates Wind. (Wind lodges in the interior, causing meridian tension and tongue stiffness, making speech difficult.) Shaking the head while speaking indicates Interior Pain. (Disease in the interior causes the head to tremble when speaking.) Walking slowly indicates Exterior Stiffness. (Exterior stiffness is due to tendon and vessel tension, making walking difficult.) Sitting and bending forward indicates Shortness of Breath. (Shortness of breath is due to Interior disharmony, so sitting and bending forward is preferred.) Sitting with one leg extended indicates Waist Pain. (The *Nei Jing* states: The waist is the major joint of the body. Waist pain involves joint dysfunction, preventing proper sitting; extending one leg relieves the pain.) Protecting the abdomen as if holding an egg indicates Heart Pain. (Heart pain prevents stretching or lying supine; protecting the abdomen presses against the pain.)
The Master says: For Fu Qi (Latent Qi) disease, observe it with intention. Within this month, latent Qi may arise. If there is old latent Qi, pulse-taking is necessary. If the pulse is faint and weak... (In Winter, Cold is contracted and hides in the meridians without immediate manifestation; this is called Latent Qi. By the time of the Spring Equinox, the latent Cold desires to emerge, hence "within this month".)
Question: What is the pulse shape when a person suffers from terror? The Master says: The pulse feels like following beads on a string, and the face is pale and colorless. (The *Nei Jing* states: Blood and Qi are the spirit of man. Terror arises from insufficient Blood and Qi and weak Shen Qi. The pulse feels like beads on a string, and the face loses color.)
Question: What is the pulse like when a person does not drink water? The Master says: The pulse is choppy, and the lips and mouth are dry. (Choppy is Yin. Although it mainly indicates loss of Body Fluids, dry lips and mouth are dominated by Yin internally, hence the lack of drinking.)
Question: What is the pulse like when a person feels shame? The Master says: The pulse is floating, and the complexion alternates between white and red. (Shame makes the Shen Qi timid, hence the floating pulse and changing complexion.)
Question: The classics mention pulses weighted like three beans and six beans. What does this mean? The Master says: When pressing the pulse with fingers, a weight like three beans indicates Lung Qi; six beans, Heart Qi; nine beans, Spleen Qi; twelve beans, Liver Qi; pressing to the bone indicates Kidney Qi. (Beans refer to soybeans. The *Nan Jing* states: Weight like three beans, touching the skin and hair, is the Lung; weight like six beans, touching the blood vessels, is the Heart...)
If there is diarrhea, and the Cun, Guan, and Chi positions all fail to show a pulse, but the Chi position occasionally shows a small pulse, and the pulse rises again, this indicates Kidney Qi remains. (The *Mai Jing* states: Cold Qi in the Stomach blocks the pulse. Diarrhea without a pulse indicates Cold Qi lodging in the Spleen and Stomach. The occasional appearance in the Chi position indicates the Kidney Qi is not yet exhausted.)
Question: What are multiplying, Zong (Indulgent), Heng (Horizontal), Ni (Rebellious), and Shun (Smooth) in pulses? The Master says: Water multiplying Fire, and Metal multiplying Wood, are called Zong. (Metal overcomes Wood, Water overcomes Fire. Zong means indulging the Qi to multiply what it overcomes. Heng means the Qi rebels horizontally, multiplying what it does not overcome. Ni is counter-overcoming. Shun is generating. These are determined by the Five Elements' generating and overcoming relationships.)
Question: What are Can Zei (Damaging and Robbing) pulses? The Master says: Wiry, Tight, Floating, Slippery, Sunken, and Choppy pulses are called Can Zei. They can cause disease in various pulses. (These are called Eight Evils. Wind, Cold, Summer-heat, and Dampness injure the exterior; hunger, fullness, fatigue, and labor injure the interior. The meridians are Ying and Wei; Ying and Wei are Blood and Qi. If injured by pathogens, the pulse becomes Tight; summer-heat makes it Scattered. Harmful to goodness is Zei.)
Question: What is Zai Guai (Disaster and Wonder) in pulses? The Master says: Suppose a patient has a Taiyang pulse, corresponding to symptoms, and decoction is prescribed. Before the decoction is delivered, the patient vomits. This is Zai Guai. (When the pulse and symptoms match the medicine, but anomalies occur suddenly, it is called a disaster and wonder.)
Question: What does the Liver pulse of the East look like? The Master says: The Liver belongs to Wood, named Jueyin. Its pulse is slightly wiry, soft, weak, and long. This is the Liver pulse. (The *Nan Jing* states: Spring pulses are wiry because the Liver belongs to Wood in the East. All things begin to grow, without branches or leaves, so the pulse comes soft, weak, and long, hence wiry. If a pure wiry pulse appears, death ensues. Why? Because the pulse is straight like a bowstring, indicating Liver injury.)
What does the Heart pulse of the South look like? The Master says: The Heart belongs to Fire, named Shaoyin. Its pulse is surging, large, and long. This is the Heart pulse. If the Heart disease naturally presents a surging pulse, it is favorable; if it presents a faint pulse, it is unfavorable. Disease is in the interior. A pulse that is small at the head and large at the root is called Fu (Covering), indicating disease in the exterior. If the superficial part is small and faint, sweating occurs. If the deep part is small and faint but the root is large, it is Guan Ge (Closing and Rejecting) obstruction, preventing urination. If the head has no sweat, it is treatable; if the head sweats, it is fatal. (The Heart flourishes in Summer. Yang wins externally, Blood and Qi overflow, so the pulse is surging, large, and long. If the pulse comes faint and departs large, it is called Fan (Reverse), disease in the interior. Head small, root large is Fu, disease in the exterior. Superficial faint/small indicates sweating; deep faint/small with large root indicates Guan Ge obstruction. Heart pulse coming strong and departing weak is normal. Coming faint and departing large is reverse. *Nei Jing*: Large indicates pathogen, Small indicates peace. Faint is healthy Qi, Large is pathogenic Qi. Arrival observes the exterior; faint arrival indicates exterior peace. Departure observes the interior; large departure indicates interior disease. *Nei Jing*: Heart pulse not strong coming but strong departing indicates insufficiency, disease in the center. Head small, root large means front small, back large. Small is healthy Qi, Large is pathogenic Qi. Pathogen was first in the interior, now returns to the exterior, hence Fu. Not mentioning departure but only arrival indicates disease in the exterior. *Mai Jing*: Upper is exterior, Lower is interior. Sweat is the fluid of the Heart. Superficial faint means floating and faint; head small means front small, indicating exterior Qi deficiency, hence sweating. Deep faint means sinking and faint; root large means back large, sinking indicates interior, large indicates disease progression. *Nei Jing*: Heart is a Yang organ, Small Intestine is its envoy. Now pathogen descends severely, blocking the Small Intestine, preventing healthy Qi flow, hence no urination, named Guan Ge. *Mai Jing*: Yang Qi exits upward, sweat appears on the head. Now Guan Ge blocks healthy Qi, plus head sweat, meaning Yang Qi cannot descend and escapes upward. No sweat means although Guan Ge exists, Yang Qi is not yet depleted, so it is treatable.)
What does the Lung pulse of the West look like? The Master says: The Lung belongs to Metal, named Taiyin. Its pulse is hairy and floating. This is the Lung pulse. If Lung disease naturally presents this pulse, and a slow and delayed pulse appears, recovery occurs. If a rapid pulse appears, the disease worsens. Why? Rapid is Southern Fire, Fire overcomes Western Metal, likely leading to carbuncles, making it difficult to treat. (Light, void, and floating is "Hairy," the normal Lung pulse. Slow and delayed is the Spleen pulse. Spleen is the Mother of Lung; via mother-son generation, recovery occurs. Rapid is the Heart pulse. Fire overcomes Metal, a ghostly thief punishment, hence worsening. Lung governs skin and hair; rapid indicates heat. Heat lodging in the skin, staying and not leaving, becomes carbuncles. Classics: Rapid pulse persisting generates malignant sores.)
Question: Obtaining a hairy and floating pulse in the second month, why say death in Autumn? The Master says: In the second month, the pulse should be soft and weak. Obtaining a hairy and floating pulse instead indicates death in Autumn. In the second month, the Liver functions. Liver pulse belongs to Wood, corresponding to soft and weak. Obtaining hairy and floating instead is the Lung pulse. Lung belongs to Metal. Metal overcomes Wood, hence death in Autumn. Others follow this analogy. (In Spring, seeing Autumn pulse means Metal Qi multiplies Wood. Lung overcomes Liver, seizing the flourishing pulse. By Autumn, Lung flourishes, Liver pulse perishes, hence death.)
The Master says: For obese persons, blame floating; for thin persons, blame sunken. Obese persons should have sunken pulses; if floating, blame it. Thin persons should have floating pulses; if sunken, blame it. (Obese persons have thick flesh, so pulses should be sunken. Thin persons have thin flesh, so pulses should be floating. If obese pulses float and thin pulses sink, pathogens interfere, reversing the pulse, hence blame.)
The Master says: If the Cun pulse does not reach the Guan below, it is Yang Extinction. If the Chi pulse does not reach the Guan above, it is Yin Extinction. Both are untreatable and fatal. To calculate the remaining life span, predict based on monthly and seasonal overcoming. (The *Mai Jing* states: Yang originates at Cun, moves at Chi; Yin originates at Chi, moves at Cun. Cun pulse not reaching Guan below means Yang cannot respond to Chi. Chi pulse not reaching Guan above means Yin cannot respond to Cun. *Nei Jing*: Yin and Yang separation leads to essence exhaustion. Both result in death. Prediction based on overcoming: Yang extinction dies in Spring/Summer, Yin extinction dies in Autumn/Winter.)
The Master says: Pulse matches disease, but the body is not diseased, named Walking Corpse, lacking King Qi. Sudden dizziness, falling, and unconsciousness lead to short life and death. The body is diseased, but the pulse is not, named Internal Deficiency, lacking Grain Spirit. Though distressed, there is no suffering. (Pulse is the root of man. Pulse matches disease but body does not means internal root exhaustion. Form is strong, but Qi suddenly collapses, causing dizziness, falling, and death. Why not call it Walking Corpse? Body diseased, pulse not, means internal root is solid. Form is emaciated, only internal deficiency. Grain Spirit is Grain Qi. Once sufficient, one is naturally peaceful. *Nei Jing*: Form/Qi excess, Pulse Qi deficiency leads to death; Pulse Qi excess, Form/Qi deficiency leads to life.)
Question: Xi, Yan, Chen are named Hua (Slippery). What does this mean? The Master says: Chen is pure Yin, Xi is positive Yang. Yin and Yang harmonize, creating a Slippery pulse. Guan and Chi are balanced. Yangming pulse slightly sunken, eating and drinking are fine. Shaoyin pulse slightly slippery. Slippery is the floating name of Tight. This is Yin Excess. The person will surely have sweat in the inner thighs and dampness in the genitals. (Pulse comes large and vigorous, gathering and sinking, called Xi Yan Chen. Like rolling pearls. Chen is Zang Qi, hence pure Yin. Xi is Fu Qi, hence positive Yang. Slippery means Yin and Yang Qi do not prevail excessively. Guan and Chi are balanced. Yangming pulse slightly sunken: seeing Yin pulse in Yang position means Yin prevails and Yang is deficient. Yangming Stomach pulse, Yin is abundant in Stomach, hence eating/drinking fine. Shaoyin pulse slightly slippery: seeing Yang pulse in Yin position means Yang prevails and Yin is deficient. Yang gathers in Yin division, hence Yin Excess. Thighs and genitals are Shaoyin regions. Now Yang heat gathers in Yin, steaming Body Fluids, leaking outward, causing thigh sweat and genital dampness.)
Question: Having been questioned/difficultied by others, where does the Tight pulse come from? The Master says: Suppose profuse sweating or vomiting, due to Cold in the Lung interior, causing Tight pulse. Suppose coughing, caused by drinking cold water, causing Tight pulse. Suppose diarrhea, due to Empty-Cold in the Stomach, causing Tight pulse. (*Jin Gui Yao Lue*: Cold makes pulse urgent. Classics: All Tights are Cold.)
Cunkou Wei Qi Excess is named Gao (High). (Gao means sudden madness and obesity. *Nei Jing*: If Yin cannot overcome Yang, pulse flows rapidly and merges into madness. Wei is Yang Qi. Wei excess and sudden madness mean Yin cannot overcome Yang. *Zhen Jing*: Wei Qi warms muscles, fills skin/hair, thickens pores, controls opening/closing. Wei excess leads to obesity, Qi abundant externally.)
Ying Qi Excess is named Zhang (Manifest). (Zhang means sudden luster and brightness. Ying is Blood, glorifying the body. Ying excess causes sudden bodily luster.)
Gao and Zhang interacting is named Gang (Cord). (Gang means stiff tendons and straight vessels. Ying and Wei both excess, tendons and vessels full and tense.)
Wei Qi Weakness is named Qie (Fearful). (Qie means internal agitation and fear. Wei originates from Upper Jiao. Weakness means Upper deficiency, causing internal agitation and fear.)
Ying Qi Weakness is named Bei (Lowly). (Bei means constant self-shame. *Zhen Jing*: Blood is Shen Qi. Blood weakness means Shen weakness, hence constant shame.)
Bei and Qie interacting is named Sun (Damage). (Sun is deficiency of Five Zang and Six Fu. Wei protects Yang, Ying nourishes Yin. Both deficient, Zang and Fu lose nourishment, becoming deficient.)
Wei Qi Harmony is named Huan (Slow/Gentle). (Huan means limbs cannot control themselves. Wei Qi alone harmonized, not harmonizing with Ying, causes Ying disease. *Nei Jing*: Liver receives Blood to see, Foot receives Blood to walk.)
Ying Qi Harmony is named Chi (Late/Slow). (Chi means heavy body and desire to sleep. Ying Qi alone harmonized, not harmonizing with Wei, causes Wei disease. Heavy body and sleepiness mean Wei Qi does not move to Yang.)
Huan and Chi interacting is named Chen (Sunken). (Chen means straight waist, acute abdominal pain, desire to lie down, unwillingness to walk. Ying harmonizes internally, Wei harmonizes externally, but they do not harmonize with each other, hence Sunken.)
Cunkou pulse Huan and Chi: Huan means Yang Qi grows, color is fresh, face is bright, voice is metallic, hair grows long. Chi means Yin Qi flourishes, marrow generates, Blood is turbid, Qi is clear. (Huan is Stomach pulse, Stomach combines with Wei Qi. Wei warms muscles, fills skin/hair, thickens pores, controls opening/closing. Harmonized Wei Qi relaxes, causing bright color, metallic voice, long hair. Chi means Yin Qi flourishes, marrow generates, Blood turbid, Qi clear.)
Fuyang pulse Slippery and Tight: Slippery means Stomach Qi is Excess; Tight means Spleen Qi is Strong. Holding Excess to strike Strong, pain harms oneself, like holding a blade, causing sores. (Fuyang pulse observes Spleen and Stomach. Slippery means Grain Qi is Excess, Stomach Excess. Tight means Yin Qi prevails, Spleen Strong. Stomach Excess and Spleen Strong, striking each other, harm oneself, like holding a blade, causing sores.)
Cunkou pulse Floating and Large: Floating is Deficiency, Large is Excess. At Chi is Guan (Closing); at Cun is Ge (Rejecting). Guan prevents urination; Ge causes vomiting and reversal. (Classics: Floating is Deficiency. *Nei Jing*: Large indicates disease progression. Floating is Healthy Qi deficiency, Large is Pathogenic Qi Excess. At Chi, pathogen closes lower orifices, preventing urination. At Cun, pathogen rejects Upper Jiao, causing vomiting.)
Fuyang pulse Sunken and Choppy: Sunken causes vomiting and reversal, undigested food/water; Choppy prevents food intake, named Guan Ge. (Sunken means Stomach Qi sinks and does not disseminate, Middle Jiao Guan Ge, Healthy Qi stagnates, causing vomiting and undigested food. Choppy means Spleen Qi is stagnant and does not distribute, Pathogen rejects Upper Jiao, preventing food intake.)
Pulse Floating and Large: Floating is Wind Deficiency, Large is Qi Strength. Wind and Qi clash, inevitably causing urticaria, body itching. Itching is named Xie Feng (Leaking Wind), long-term becomes Leprosy. (Scaly leprosy: sparse eyebrows/hair, dry scabs on body with foul odor. *Nei Jing*: Pulse Wind becomes Leprosy.)
Cunkou pulse Weak and Late: Weak means Wei Qi is faint; Late means Cold in Ying. Ying is Blood; Blood Cold causes fever. Wei is Qi; Qi faint causes internal emptiness. (Wei is Yang, Ying is Yin. Weak means Wei Qi faint, Yang insufficient. Late means Cold in Ying, guest pathogen in meridians. Ying guest Cold clashes and manifests, causing fever. Wei Qi faint, causing internal emptiness.)
Fuyang pulse Large and Tight: Should immediately have diarrhea, difficult to treat. (Large is Deficiency, Tight is Cold. Stomach Empty-Cold leads to diarrhea. Diarrhea pulse should be minute and small; if Tight, Pathogen wins, hence difficult to treat. Classics: Tight pulse indicates Cold.)