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The Slippery Pulse (Hua Mai, 滑脉) governs Phlegm-Fluid (Tan Yin, 痰饮) or food retention. Below it leads to Blood Stasis (Xue Yu, 瘀血); above it causes vomiting and rebellious Qi (Ou Ni, 呕逆). This discusses the diseases governed by the Slippery Pulse. The Slippery Pulse resembles the image of water. Phlegm-Fluid is formed by the accumulation and condensation of fluid; when thin, it is sticky; old, undigested food presents a similar image. These are pulses indicating the presence of pathological substances. If the Slippery Pulse appears at the Chi position (尺部), it governs Blood Stasis disease. If it appears at the Cun position (寸部), the Slippery Pulse is smooth and its momentum is unstable, naturally manifesting as vomiting and rebellious Qi. However, if what is vomited is neither phlegm nor food, and yet vomiting and rebellious Qi occur, the pulse should instead appear Choppy (Se Mai, 涩脉).

The Choppy Pulse (Se Mai, 涩脉) governs blood deficiency or invasion by Cold-Dampness, which can lead to Rebellious Vomiting (Fan Wei, 反胃), intestinal obstruction/constipation, spontaneous sweating, and cold extremities (Jue Ni, 厥逆). This discusses the diseases governed by the Choppy Pulse. When blood is deficient, the vessels become withered and choppy, which is logically inevitable. When Cold-Dampness invades the muscle-couplings (Ji Cou, 肌腠), causing Bi obstruction (Bi Zhuo, 痹着) and blocking the Qi mechanism, the pulse also becomes stagnant and choppy. Rebellious vomiting manifests as eating in the morning and vomiting in the evening, or eating in the evening and vomiting in the morning; due to the depletion of stomach fluids and constipation, how can the pulse not be choppy? Spontaneous sweating refers to sweat flowing out continuously. Excessive sweating consumes blood, and the dispersal of Defensive Qi (Wei Qi, 卫气) leads to cold extremities, which is termed Yang Collapse (Wang Yang, 亡阳). With the collapse of Yang and consumption of blood, the pulse must appear stagnant and choppy.

The Wiry Pulse (Xian Mai, 弦脉) governs Fluid Retention (Yin Bing, 饮病) and is associated with the Gallbladder and Liver. A Wiry-Thready Rapid Pulse (Xian Shu, 弦数) indicates Heat; a Wiry-Thready Slow Pulse (Xian Chi, 弦迟) indicates Cold. A Floating-Wiry Pulse (Fu Xian, 浮弦) governs Branch Fluid (Zhi Yin, 支饮); a Sinking-Wiry Pulse (Chen Xian, 沉弦) governs Hanging Pain (Xuan Tong, 悬痛). This discusses the diseases governed by the Wiry Pulse. The Wiry Pulse governs Fluid Retention. When fluids enter the Stomach, they must be circulated and distributed by the transformative power of Yang Qi. If Yang Qi is weak and cannot circulate and distribute them, a Wiry-Yin constricting pulse appears, leading to the retention of fluids within. The Gallbladder belongs to Jia Wood, and the Liver belongs to Yi Wood. When fluid retention presents with a Wiry Pulse, the pathology lies in the Gallbladder and Liver. Rapidness indicates Heat; a Wiry pulse combined with Rapidness indicates that the disease is mostly Heat. Slowness indicates Cold; a Wiry pulse combined with Slowness indicates that the disease is mostly Cold. The Wiry Pulse governs fluid retention. If the Wiry pulse is Floating, the retained fluid is in the upper part, named Branch Fluid, located not in the Stomach but flowing between the Heart and Chest. If the Wiry pulse is Sinking, the retained fluid is in the lower part, manifesting as Hanging Pain, located not in the Stomach but hanging in the abdomen and hypochondrium. The Wiry Pulse governs both fluid retention and pain because the Wiry nature implies Cold constriction, causing Qi mechanism to be unsmooth. "Yang Wiry" refers to a Wiry pulse at the Cun position; pathogenic factors in the Three Yang meridians travel to the head, thus causing headache. "Yin Wiry" refers to a Wiry pulse at the Chi position; pathogenic factors in the Three Yin meridians travel to the interior of the abdomen, thus causing abdominal pain.

The Tight Pulse (Jin Mai, 紧脉) governs Cold and various pains. A Floating-Tight Pulse (Fu Jin, 浮紧) governs Exterior Cold; a Sinking-Tight Pulse (Chen Jin, 沉紧) governs Interior Pain. This discusses the diseases governed by the Tight Pulse. The Tight Pulse governs Cold. The Tight Pulse is similar to the Wiry Pulse, described as resembling a rotating rope. Yang Qi is constrained by Cold, hence the Tight pulse; it also governs various pains. The Floating pulse diagnoses the Exterior; a Floating pulse combined with Tightness indicates Cold in the Exterior. The Sinking pulse diagnoses the Interior; a Sinking pulse combined with Tightness indicates Cold in the Interior. The Interior belongs to the Yin aspect. When Cold invades the Yin aspect, Yang is trapped and Yin coagulates, thus causing pain.