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The *Suwen: Liujie Zangxiang Lun* (Six Sections on the Viscera and Marrow) states: When the Renying pulse (pulse at the carotid artery, reflecting Yang meridians) is one times larger than the Cunkou pulse (radial pulse, reflecting Yin meridians), the disease is in the Shaoyang meridian; two times larger, it is in the Taiyang meridian; three times larger, it is in the Yangming meridian; four times or more larger, it is called Ge Yang syndrome (Obstructive Yang syndrome). When the Cunkou pulse is one time larger than the Renying pulse, the disease is in the Jueyin meridian; two times larger, it is in the Shaoyin meridian; three times larger, it is in the Taiyin meridian; four times or more larger, it is called Guan Yin syndrome (Trapped Yin syndrome). When both the Renying and Cunkou pulses are four times or more larger than normal, it is called Guan Ge syndrome (Trapped and Obstructive syndrome). The pulse of Guan Ge syndrome is emaciated; if the body cannot sustain the essence and Qi of Heaven and Earth, death will ensue. The pulse patterns and symptoms regarding Guan Ge are detailed in the "Guan Ge" section, which should be examined carefully.

The *Suwen: Pingren Qixiang Lun* (Treatise on the Normal Person's Pulse and Phenomena) states: If the pulse of the Hand-Shaoyin (Heart) meridian in a woman beats strongly, it indicates pregnancy.

The *Suwen: Yinyang Bie Lun* (Treatise on the Distinction between Yin and Yang) states: When the Yin pulse beats distinctly different from the Yang pulse, it is termed as having conceived a child.

In the *Suwen: Fuzhong Lun* (Treatise on Abdominal Diseases), the Yellow Emperor asked: How can one know that a pregnant woman is about to give birth? Qibo answered: The body may have symptoms of illness, but the pulse will show no signs of pathogenic factors (i.e., the pulse remains harmonious). The various principles discussed here are detailed in the "Pregnancy" subsection of the "Women's Diseases" chapter.

The *Suwen: Tongping Xushi Lun* (Treatise on Uniformly Evaluating Deficiency and Excess) records the Yellow Emperor asking: If an infant suffering from heat disease has a pulse that is suspended and small, what is the prognosis? Qibo answered: Survival is indicated if the hands and feet are warm; death is indicated if they are cold. The Yellow Emperor then asked: If an infant contracts wind-heat, presenting with wheezing, rattling sounds in the throat, and shoulder breathing, what would the pulse be like? It was answered: In cases of wheezing, rattling, and shoulder breathing, the pulse is typically Excess and Large. A slow/relaxed pulse indicates survival, while a rapid/tense pulse indicates death. The detailed meaning of this passage is fully recorded in the "Pediatrics" chapter.

The pulse is the spiritual manifestation of Blood and Qi, and a mirror for distinguishing between Pathogenic factors (Xie) and Healthy Qi (Zheng). Whatever exists internally must manifest externally; therefore, when Blood and Qi are abundant, the pulse must be vigorous; when they are deficient, the pulse must be weak; when there is no disease, the pulse must be regular; when there is disease, the pulse must be irregular. Moreover, human diseases do not exceed the categories of Exterior/Interior, Cold/Heat, and Deficiency/Excess. These six terms encompass all conditions. However, among these six, the concepts of Deficiency (Xu) and Excess (Shi) are the most critical. For any Exterior, Interior, Cold, or Heat syndrome, Deficiency or Excess is invariably present. If one understands the Exterior/Interior and Cold/Heat distinctions, and further resolves them using the concepts of Deficiency and Excess, then thousands of diseases can be understood through a unified principle. Furthermore, the methods of treatment do not exceed Attack (Gong) and Tonification (Bu). The use of Attack or Tonification depends entirely on determining Deficiency or Excess. To examine Deficiency and Excess, nothing surpasses the examination of the pulse. Although there are twenty-four named pulse types, each governing different diseases, a single pulse type can accompany multiple diseases, and a single disease can present with multiple pulse types. The subtleties within are profound and mysterious, precisely because variations of Deficiency and Excess exist within all pulse types. Discussing the pulse to this point captures its spirit. If one ignores the essentials and seeks superficial traces, errors will arise from slight deviations becoming major mistakes. Therefore, I specifically highlight this principle. Just as in raging waves, one must firmly hold the rudder; so too in critical illness, one must focus exclusively on distinguishing Deficiency from Excess. If Deficiency and Excess are identified correctly, the relationships between Root/Branch and Yin/Yang will be managed without error. If the pulse presents ambiguous signs, one must combine other symptoms and theoretical reasoning to determine which is the pathogenic factor and which is the root condition, which is chronic and which is acute. To know the root and branch, the priority and sequence, is to reach the utmost level of spiritual insight.