Library

The pulse in children is considered normal at seven beats per respiration; one must also observe the complexion, symptoms, and the patterns on the tiger's mouth (the web between the thumb and index finger). This passage states that for pediatric diseases, a pulse rate of seven beats per respiration is regarded as the standard healthy pulse. Since a child's qi and blood are not yet stable, relying solely on the pulse is insufficient for accurate diagnosis; it is necessary to correlate the pulse findings with the complexion and clinical manifestations. For children under three years old, one can assess their condition by observing the patterns on the three sections (guan) of the tiger's mouth.

What is meant by "tiger's mouth"? In adults, pulse diagnosis is typically performed at the Cun (inch), Guan (bar), and Chi (cubit) positions on both wrists. This meridian belongs to the Lung Meridian of Hand-Taiyin, originating from the Zhongfu (LU-1) acupoint and terminating at the Shaoshang (LU-11) acupoint at the tip of the thumb. The Lung corresponds to Xin Metal in the Five Elements. The Large Intestine Meridian of Hand-Yangming originates at the Shangyang (LI-1) acupoint at the tip of the index finger, and its Hegu (LI-4) acupoint is located within the tiger's mouth. The Large Intestine corresponds to Geng Metal, which is associated with the West and the Metal element. Shang also corresponds to Metal. Therefore, the Lung and Large Intestine are exterior-interior paired meridians; one is named Shaoshang, and the other Shangyang. Consequently, the area between the thumb and index finger is called the tiger's mouth.

The term "three sections" refers to the transverse creases on the radial side of the index finger: the first crease near the fingertip is called the Wind Section (Feng Guan); the middle one is the Qi Section (Qi Guan); and the last one near the palm is the Life Section (Ming Guan). Diagnosis follows the rule of left for males and right for females. If the pattern color is purple, it indicates internal heat; red indicates cold damage (Shanghan); green/blue indicates convulsions or fright wind; white indicates malnutrition syndrome (Gan disease); and black indicates a critical condition. If the color is pale yellow or pale white, it suggests no disease. However, if the pattern extends only to the Wind Section, the illness is mild; if it reaches the Qi Section, the illness is severe; and if it reaches the Life Section, it indicates a critical prognosis. This is the implicit meaning behind the popular concept of the "Tiger's Mouth Three Sections."

The diagnostic methods for the Eight Extraordinary Vessels differ further. A pulse that moves straight up and down and is superficial upon palpation indicates the Du Mai (Governing Vessel); a deep and firm pulse indicates the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel); a tight pulse indicates the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel); a pulsation felt laterally at the Cun position indicates the Yang Qiao Mai (Yang Heel Vessel), allowing for its identification; a lateral pulsation at the Chi position indicates the Yin Qiao Mai (Yin Heel Vessel), allowing for its differentiation; and a lateral pulsation at the Guan position indicates the Dai Mai (Belt Vessel), which should be determined accordingly.

Diseases of the Du Mai manifest as stiffness of the spine and epilepsy; diseases of the Ren Mai manifest as seven types of hernia and hard masses in the abdomen; diseases of the Chong Mai manifest as rebellious qi rising upward and abdominal urgency/tightness; diseases of the Dai Mai manifest as leukorrhea, umbilical pain, and loss of essence; diseases of the Yang Wei Mai manifest as alternating chills and fever, vertigo, and sudden collapse; diseases of the Yin Wei Mai manifest as heart pain and stabbing sensations in the chest and hypochondrium; diseases of the Yang Qiao Mai manifest as flaccidity in the yin aspect and spasticity in the yang aspect; and diseases of the Yin Qiao Mai manifest as spasticity in the yin aspect and flaccidity in the yang aspect, along with epilepsy, convulsions, alternating chills and fever, and mental confusion. Each of the eight vessels has specific pathological manifestations. This section discusses the morphology of the Eight Extraordinary Vessels and their associated diseases.

The diagnostic techniques for the eight vessels vary. If the pulse moves vertically from Cun to Chi and is superficial, it is the Du Mai; if it is deep and firm, it is the Chong Mai; if it is tight, it is the Ren Mai. If the pulse pulses laterally at the Cun position, it is the Yang Qiao Mai; if it pulses laterally at the Chi position, it is the Yin Qiao Mai; if it pulses laterally at the Guan position, it is the Dai Mai. If the pulse slants upward from the outer side of the Chi position to the Cun position, it is the Yin Wei Mai; if it slants upward from the inner side of the Chi position to the Cun position, it is the Yang Wei Mai. These constitute the morphological characteristics of the Eight Extraordinary Vessels. Their principles are profound and beyond the comprehension of those with shallow learning. Those engaged in spiritual cultivation who understand the ascending and descending dynamics of these eight vessels may achieve success in their practice.

Regarding diseases of the eight vessels: The Du Mai runs along the midline of the back and serves as the commander of all yang vessels; disease here causes spinal stiffness and immobility, and is also associated with epilepsy. The Ren Mai runs along the midline of the abdomen and governs all yin vessels; in men, disease manifests as seven types of hernia, while in women, it manifests as jia ju (abdominal masses). The Chong Mai is the Sea of Meridians; its vessel originates in the lower abdomen, flanking the navel, and ascends directly; disease here causes rebellious qi and abdominal urgency. The Dai Mai encircles the navel like a belt; disease in women causes leukorrhea, and in men, loss of essence. The Yang Wei Mai runs along the lateral aspect of the body; disease here causes suffering from chills and fever, vertigo, and sudden collapse. The Yin Wei Mai runs along the medial aspect of the body; disease here causes heart pain and stabbing sensations in the chest and hypochondrium with throbbing. The Yang Qiao Mai runs along the lateral aspect of the ankle; disease affects the yang aspect, causing yang tension and yin relaxation. The Yin Qiao Mai runs along the medial aspect of the ankle; disease affects the yin aspect, causing yin tension and yang relaxation. Diseases of the two Qiao vessels also include epilepsy, convulsions, alternating chills and fever, and mental confusion. Thus, the syndromes of the eight vessels each have distinct attributions.