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Intestinal abscess (an abscess formed within the intestines) presents as a excess-heat syndrome, and a slippery and rapid pulse is indicative. If the pulse is rapid but there is no fever, and the Guan position pulse exhibits characteristics of hollow (Kou), deficiency, minute, choppy, and tight, it indicates that pus has not yet formed; in this case, purgation should be employed. If the pulse is both tight and rapid, it indicates that pus has formed, and purgation must absolutely be avoided. This discusses the pulse manifestations of intestinal abscess, which require differentiation. Intestinal abscess refers to an abscess forming inside the intestines. It can occur in both the Large Intestine and the Small Intestine. Generally, it arises from irregular diet and improper exposure to cold or heat, leading to long-term stagnation transforming into heat. Prolonged heat causes tissue corruption and pus formation, resulting in an abscess. Symptoms include swelling and fullness in the lower abdomen, tense skin with pain upon palpation, frequent urination resembling strangury, or fever and aversion to cold; these are all signs of intestinal abscess. Intestinal abscess belongs to the category of excess-heat syndromes, and its slippery and rapid pulse is evident. If the pulse is rapid but the body is not hot, the Guan position pulse will necessarily appear hollow, deficient, and weak. If the pulse is minute, choppy, and tight, the abscess has not yet matured into pus, and purgative methods may be used. If the pulse is tight and rapid, pus has formed, and purgation is strictly contraindicated.

The female pulse is rooted in Blood. Abundant Blood facilitates conception, while vigorous Fetal Qi makes pregnancy difficult. Vigorous movement of the Shao Yin pulse (the Kidney meridian pulse) is called "having a child." A slippery and smooth Chi position pulse is a favorable sign of pregnancy. A slippery and rapid pulse that does not scatter indicates the fetus is likely three months old. If the pulse is rapid but does not scatter, gender can be distinguished at five months. A rapid pulse on the left indicates a male fetus; a rapid pulse on the right indicates a female fetus. An abdomen shaped like a wide basket suggests a female fetus; one shaped like a pot suggests a male fetus. The pulse before labor differs from the usual pattern. Once the pulse deviates from the regular pattern ("Li Jing") and amniotic fluid breaks, delivery occurs. Do not panic before the fluid breaks. For postpartum women, a slow and slippery pulse is auspicious; a solid, large, wiry, or firm pulse with pathological signs is adverse. This section discusses the pulse manifestations of female pregnancy and childbirth, requiring careful differentiation. Males belong to Yang, females to Yin; Yang governs Qi, and Yin governs Blood. This is a fixed principle. Therefore, women are rooted in Blood; those with harmonized meridians and abundant Blood conceive easily. However, if the pulse is excessively vigorous (indicating hyperactive Yang), pregnancy is difficult. Thus, obese women often fail to conceive because excessive fat impedes conception. "Shao Yin" refers to the Kidney pulse; vigorous movement, described as "Yin bounding and distinguishing from Yang," indicates pregnancy. A slippery and smooth Chi position pulse signifies pregnancy and is auspicious. This slippery and smooth pulse, felt as rapid and non-scattering, reflects the gathering of Blood essence, indicating a three-month pregnancy. If the pulse is merely rapid without scattering, it transitions from deficiency to excess, reflecting fetal development, characteristic of a five-month pregnancy. If the left pulse is more rapid than the right, it indicates a male fetus, as Fetal Qi gathers in Yang, making the left side predominant. If the right pulse is more rapid than the left, it indicates a female fetus, as Fetal Qi gathers in Yin, making the right side predominant. One should also observe the abdomen: basket-shaped for female, pot-shaped for male. The saying "females look outward, males carry Yin and embrace Yang" follows the same logic. When labor approaches, the pulse suddenly differs from the norm. As delivery begins, Qi and Blood become turbulent, and the gestational sac ruptures, causing the pulse to change from its usual appearance. However, amniotic fluid (commonly called "bao shuang") must break first; otherwise, immediate delivery will not occur. Do not mistake this for dystocia and panic. After delivery, Qi and Blood are both deficient, so a slow and slippery pulse is auspicious. A solid, large, wiry, or firm pulse is inappropriate for the postpartum state of Qi and Blood deficiency and represents an adverse pulse. If external pathological signs are present, how can the condition remain compliant?