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The pulse at the Fuyang (Stomach source point) is slow and moderate, indicating that the Stomach Qi conforms to the normal state. If the pulse at the Fuyang is floating and rapid, a floating pulse indicates injury to the Stomach Qi, and a rapid pulse indicates disturbance of the Spleen Qi. This is not the original disease but the result of the physician's inappropriate use of purgation. Ying (Nutritive) and Wei (Defensive) Qi have sunk inward; the rapidity was first diminished, and the pulse reverses to appear only floating. The patient will certainly experience hard stools and belching with subsequent relief. Why is this so? Originally, the rapid pulse disturbed the Spleen Qi, and since the rapidity had previously diminished, we know that Spleen Qi dysfunction has occurred, leading to hard stools. Belching allows residual Qi to exit, bringing comfort. Now, the pulse reverses to floating, and the rapidity changes to diminished. Pathogenic Qi remains alone. Although the heart/mind feels hungry, pathogenic heat cannot digest food, resulting in tidal fever and thirst. A rapid pulse should normally transform into a slow and moderate one. If the pulse's progression and regression follow the proper rules, the patient will feel hunger. If the rapid pulse does not subside at the appropriate time, malignant sores will arise.

"Jing" (Classic/Constant) refers to the constant or normal state. The Fuyang pulse is used to inspect the Spleen and Stomach; therefore, a slow and moderate pulse is considered normal. If the pulse is floating and rapid, it indicates the physician's reckless use of purgation, which injures the Stomach and disturbs the Spleen, allowing pathogenic Qi to sink inward due to deficiency. When pathogenic Qi is in the exterior, Yang pulses appear; when in the interior, Yin pulses appear. When pathogenic Qi is in the exterior, the pulse is floating and rapid. Due to internal deficiency caused by purgation, Ying and Wei Qi sink inward, and pathogenic Qi lodges in the Spleen, disturbing it via the rapid pulse. Since the rapidity diminishes first, it means Spleen pathogenic Qi has sunk inward first. With Stomach deficiency and Spleen heat, body fluids dry up and decrease, making stools inevitably hard. The *Zhen Jing* (Needle Classic) states: "Spleen disease predisposes to belching; after the discharge of residual Qi (via defecation or flatulence), one feels relieved and the condition subsides." Now, the Spleen is invaded by pathogenic heat, hence belching brings relief. The Spleen is responsible for processing water and grain. Now, pathogenic Qi remains solely in the Spleen, and Spleen Qi fails to govern properly; although there is a sensation of hunger in the heart/mind, food cannot be digested. The Spleen is responsible for transporting body fluids for the Stomach. When the Spleen is scorched by heat, tidal fever and thirst occur. The Fuyang pulse was originally slow and moderate, but after purgation, it changed to floating and rapid. Ying and Wei Qi sank inward, and the rapidity again changed to diminished. This concerns the degree of change in the pulse before and after...