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Weak pulse (Ruo Mai), extremely soft and deep-thin, can only be felt with heavy pressure, and is absent upon light touch (Mai Jing). The Weak pulse is the dry manifestation of the Soft pulse (Ru Mai). The Mai Jue states: "It can be felt with light hand." Li Shi describes it as resembling floating bubbles on water; these are characteristics of the Soft pulse, not the Weak pulse. The Su Wen states: "A pulse that is weak yet slippery indicates the presence of Stomach Qi." A pulse that is weak and choppy indicates a chronic illness. For patients after an illness or the elderly, this pulse is favorable (Shun); for healthy young people, it is unfavorable (Ni).

[Body Form Poem] The Weak pulse comes without strength, feeling soft upon heavy pressure; soft, thin, and deep, never floating. Yang energy sinks into Yin, essence and blood are deficient; acceptable in old age, but causes sorrow in youth.

[Similarity Poem] See Soft pulse (Ru Mai).

[Main Disease Poem] The Weak pulse indicates Yin deficiency and decline of Yang Qi, with symptoms such as aversion to cold, fever, and flaccidity of bones and sinews. Prone to fright, excessive sweating, and reduced spirit; one must tonify Qi and regulate Ying (Nutritive) Qi, treating urgently and early. Weakness at the Cun position (left) reveals Yang deficiency; weakness at the Guan position indicates Stomach weakness and Spleen decline. To investigate diseases of sinking Yang and Yin deficiency, one must examine the Shenmen acupoint and the Chi positions. The Weak pulse primarily governs Qi deficiency diseases. Zhang Zhongjing stated: "When Yang sinks into Yin, there is aversion to cold and fever." He also said: "The Weak pulse governs sinew diseases, the Deep pulse governs bone diseases; when Yang floats and Yin is weak, blood deficiency leads to sinew tension." Liu Shi stated: "Qi deficiency results in a Weak pulse; left Cun weakness indicates Yang deficiency, right Chi weakness indicates Yin deficiency, and Guan weakness indicates Stomach deficiency."

Scattered pulse (San Mai), large and scattered. It has a superficial aspect but lacks depth (Mai Jing), spreading out and unrestrained (Cui Shi), lacking regulation and constraint, with irregular rhythm, sometimes coming more and going less, or going more and coming less. Scattered and unrestrained, resembling the drifting image of willow catkins (Liu Shi). Dai Tongfu stated: "Heart pulse floating, large, and scattered; Lung pulse short, choppy, and scattered; these are normal pulses (Ping Mai)." Heart pulse soft and scattered indicates palpitations (Zhengchong); Lung pulse soft and scattered indicates sweating; Liver pulse soft and scattered indicates overflowing fluid retention (Yi Yin); Spleen pulse soft and scattered indicates edema; these are pathological pulses. Kidney pulse soft and scattered, or any disease pulse showing intermittent (Dai) and scattered characteristics, indicates death. The Nan Jing states: "If the Scattered pulse appears alone, it is critical." Liu Shi stated: "The Scattered pulse indicates dual deficiency of Qi and Blood, representing the detachment of the root; if seen in laboring women, birth occurs; if seen in pregnant women, abortion occurs."

[Body Form Poem] The Scattered pulse flies like drifting willow catkins, coming and going unpredictably, difficult to count regularly. In childbirth, it signifies life; in pregnancy, it signifies abortion; for chronic illness, encountering it means no need for treatment.

[Similarity Poem] The Scattered pulse is unconstrained and naturally dispersed; the Soft pulse is floating and thin, like cotton in water. Floating, slow, and large indicates a Deficient pulse; the Knotted pulse (Kou Mai) is hollow in the center with solid sides.

[Main Disease Poem] Left Cun scattered pulse indicates palpitations; Right Cun scattered pulse indicates sweating; overflowing fluid retention corresponds to the left Guan soft and scattered pulse. Right Guan soft and scattered pulse indicates edema; if found in both Chi positions, the soul should be considered severed.