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The *Jin Gui Yao Lue* (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet) states: When a patient's complexion manifests on the face, and one wishes to hear the explanation. The Master said: If the tip of the nose is slightly black, there is fluid retention (Shui Qi); if yellow, there is cold in the chest; if white, it indicates loss of blood (Wang Xue). If it is slightly red and appears out of season (non-summer), it indicates a death prognosis.

If the tip of the nose is yellow, urination will certainly be difficult. As mentioned above, cold in the chest impairs the transportation of water and grain, thus causing difficult urination. If other areas are normal but the nasal tip is greenish-yellow, the person definitely suffers from Lin syndrome (Strangury).

If the nasal tip is green, accompanied by abdominal pain and a cold tongue, it indicates a death prognosis.

If the nostrils suddenly turn upward, it indicates a death prognosis.

If the nose is withered, shriveled, and lacks luster, it indicates a death prognosis.

If the nose is cold as ice and extends to both cheeks (Yi), death is likely.

A patient whose nasal tip is bright, the Shan Gen (root of the nose) is luminous, and yellowish light emanates from around the eyes.

If the tip of the nose is slightly white, it indicates loss of blood.

The *Ling Shu: Lun Ji Zhen Chi Pian* (Chapter on Diagnosing Diseases by Inspecting the Forearms) states: When diagnosing the blood vessels, many red colors indicate heat; many blue/green colors indicate pain; many black colors indicate chronic Bi syndrome (Obstruction). If red, black, and blue/green colors appear together, it indicates mixed cold and heat affecting the blood vessels and collaterals.

The *Su Wen: Ping Ren Qi Xiang Lun* (Chapter on Normal People's Pulse Manifestations) states: Prominent blue/green veins on the arms indicate Blood Loss (Tuo Xue), because the blood in the collaterals has been depleted, hence not red but predominantly blue/green.

Withered hair growing into穗状 (spike-like splits) indicates insufficient Blood and flourishing Fire.

Hair that is not firm and falls out easily indicates deficient Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) or the presence of Wind pathogen.

Loss of eyebrows indicates Wind pathogen.

If a patient's scalp hair stands upright, the prognosis is ominous. This is due to Blood deficiency failing to nourish, resembling dry grass that is stiff and straight. This is common in pediatric Gan disease (Malnutrition) and also indicates intestinal parasites.

The human body's form is filled by Qi. If Form exceeds Qi, life is shortened; fat and white individuals with unfulfilled Qi die young. If Qi exceeds Form, longevity is achieved; tall, dark-skinned individuals with spiritual vitality live long.

When Qi is substantial, the Form is robust; when Qi is deficient, the Form is weak.

If the Form is robust but the pulse is thin, and there is shortness of breath insufficient for respiration, it indicates death. If the Form is emaciated but the pulse is large, and there is excess Qi in the chest, it indicates death.

When Form and Qi are harmonious, life is sustained; when they are discordant, death ensues.

Fat people are prone to Stroke (Zhong Feng) because their dense form and deficient Qi fail to circulate freely, leading to stagnation, phlegm accumulation, Qi obstruction, fire generation, and sudden syncope.

Thin people have Yin deficiency and declining Blood, making Ministerial Fire prone to hyperactivity, thus often suffering from consumptive coughs.

If a patient's Form is exhausted but Qi is exuberant, it indicates death. Deficient Zheng Qi leads to Form exhaustion; Excess Evil leads to Qi exuberance. A robust Form with loose skin indicates longevity; a robust Form with tight skin indicates early death.

Discord between Form and Qi is termed difficult to treat.

Robust Form with deficient Qi, or Exuberant Qi with weak Form; rough Form with slippery pulse; large Form with small pulse; small Form with large pulse; long Form with short pulse; short Form with long pulse; smooth Form with rough pulse; fat people with fine, light, thread-like pulses; emaciated people with restless pulses—all are ominous signs.

Excess Blood and deficient Qi lead to obesity; Excess Qi and deficient Blood lead to emaciation. The obese can tolerate cold but not heat; the emaciated can tolerate heat but not cold. Beautiful, long beard reaching the chest indicates abundant Qi and Blood of the Yangming channel; sparse beard indicates weak Qi and Blood; beautiful beard indicates abundant Blood of the Taiyang channel.

Sitting with one leg extended indicates lower back pain. Walking slowly indicates Bi syndrome, possibly due to exterior stiffness, lower back/leg pain, numbness, or Wind disease. Curling up and protecting the abdomen like holding an egg indicates Heart pain.

Yawning during pulse diagnosis indicates no disease. The classic states: Yang pulls upward, Yin pulls downward; the pulling of Yin and Yang causes yawning. Thus, it is said there is no disease, and illness will resolve.

Shoulder movement during breathing indicates fullness in the heart; breathing that draws Qi upward in the chest indicates cough; open-mouthed breathing with shortness of breath indicates Lung萎 (Flaccidity) with spitting of foam.

If flesh and muscle are already exhausted, even if the Nine Pulses are harmonious, it indicates death. Cold palms indicate interior cold; hot palms indicate Yin deficiency with flourishing deficient Fire.

During diagnosis, if a patient holds their hand over the heart, closes their eyes, and does not speak, it indicates Heart deficiency with Palpitations (Zheng Chong).

If the Granary (Spleen/Stomach) cannot store, the gates (sphincters) are uncontrolled. If the Water Spring (urine) flows incessantly, the Bladder cannot store. The head is the residence of clarity; if the head droops and vision sinks, Spirit is being depleted. The back is the residence of the chest; if the back curves and shoulders sag, the residence is failing. The waist is the residence of the Kidney; if turning and shaking are impossible, the Kidney is exhausted. The knees are the residence of sinews; if flexion and extension are impossible, and walking requires bending and attaching to the ground, the sinews are exhausted. The bones are the residence of marrow; if standing for long periods is impossible, and walking causes trembling, the bones are exhausted.

Swollen eyelids and slightly swollen fingertips indicate chronic cough.