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Wind pathogen invading the Wei (Defensive) level presents with a floating and moderate pulse accompanied by sweating; Cold pathogen invading the Ying (Nutritive) level presents with a floating and tight pulse without sweating. This describes the difference in pulses—floating/moderate versus floating/tight—caused by Wind and Cold pathogens. When Wind pathogen attacks the human body, it affects the Wei Qi (Defensive Qi), thus the pulse is floating and moderate. When Wei Qi is injured, the Cou Li (pores and interstitial spaces) become loose and leaky, resulting in sweating. When Cold pathogen attacks the human body, it affects the Ying Blood, thus the pulse is floating and tight. When Ying Blood is injured, the Cou Li become firm and dense, resulting in no sweating.

Summerheat pathogen injuring Qi presents with a deficient pulse and bodily heat; Dampness pathogen injuring the blood vessels presents with a slow, fine, and choppy pulse. This describes the difference in pulses—deficient/choppy—caused by Summerheat and Dampness pathogens. Summerheat is a Yang pathogen with hot and dispersing nature; it injures Yuan Qi (Primordial Qi), hence the pulse is deficient and the body is hot. Dampness is close to water-dampness; it injures the Blood level, hence the pulse is slow, fine, and choppy.

In Cold Damage (Shanghan) febrile diseases, a floating and surging pulse is favorable. If the pulse is deep, minute, choppy, or small, indicating a contradiction between symptoms and pulse, the prognosis is definitely ominous. After sweating, if the pulse becomes calm and the body cools, the patient will be safe. After sweating, if the pulse remains restless and heat intensifies, recovery will be difficult. Yang diseases presenting Yin pulses indicate critical danger; Yin diseases presenting Yang pulses, though severe, are not harmful. If the Cun (inch) pulse does not reach down to the Guan (bar) position, Yang Qi is exhausted. If the Chi (cubit) pulse does not reach up to the Guan position, Yin Qi is exhausted. Dai pulse (intermittent pulse) with pauses indicates the exhaustion of Zang organ true Qi, leading to imminent collapse. San pulse (Scattered pulse) without root, combined with physical deterioration, is difficult to treat. This discusses the pulses of Shanghan syndromes. As stated in the Classics: "When humans are injured by Cold, they develop febrile disease." Febrile disease arises from excess Fire pathogen. Although it is caused by Yin-Cold pathogen attacking the body, causing the vital energy to stagnate and steam into heat, the pulse favors being floating and surging. Since this pulse corresponds to the symptoms, it is considered favorable. However, if the pulse appears deep, minute, choppy, or small, it represents a Yang disease presenting Yin pulses, so the contradictory symptoms indicate an ominous prognosis. In Shanghan, after sweating, the pathogen is resolved, Zheng Qi (Upright Qi) recovers, heat subsides, and the body cools, ensuring safety. If after sweating the pulse remains restless and heat increases, it indicates that Zheng Qi has already declined, making survival unlikely. Yang disease presenting Yin pulses refers to febrile disease presenting deep, minute, choppy, or small Yin pulses; since the syndrome and pulse contradict each other, it is also critical. Yin disease presenting Yang pulses refers to a transition from cold rigidity to warmth; although the condition is severe, it is naturally harmless. The Chi position belongs to Yin; if the Chi pulse does not extend up to the Guan position, Yin Qi is exhausted below. The Cun position belongs to Yang; if the Cun pulse does not extend down to the Guan position, Yang Qi is exhausted above. This represents the separation of Yin and Yang. The Dai pulse with pauses indicates that the True Qi of the Zang organs cannot continue, and its critical state is immediately apparent. The San pulse without root means the pulse scatters outward without gathering, lacking internal stability like a root. If physical form shows damage, it is undoubtedly difficult to treat.