微脉,极细而软,按之如欲绝,若有若无(《脉经》)。细而稍长(戴氏)。《素问》谓之小。气血微则脉微。
〔体状相类诗〕微脉轻微瞥瞥乎,按之欲绝有如无。微为阳弱细阴弱。细比于微略较粗。轻诊即见,重按如欲绝者,
微也。往来如线而常有者,细也。仲景曰∶脉瞥瞥如羹上肥者,阳气微;萦萦如蚕丝细者,阴气衰;长病得之死,卒病
得之生。
〔主病诗〕气血微兮脉亦微,恶寒发热汗淋漓。男为劳极诸虚候,女作崩中带下医。寸微气促或心惊,关脉微时胀
满形。尺部见之精血弱,恶寒消瘅痛呻吟。微主久虚血弱之病,阳微恶寒,阴微发热。《脉诀》云∶岁中日久为白带,
漏下多时骨亦枯。
紧脉,来往有力,左右弹人手(《素问》)。如转索无常(仲景),数如切绳(《脉经》),如纫 线(丹溪)。紧乃热为
寒束之脉,故急数如此,要有神气。《素问》谓之急。《脉诀》言∶寥寥入尺来。崔氏言∶如线,皆非紧状。或以浮紧为
弦,沉紧为牢,亦近似耳。
〔体状诗〕举如转索切如绳,脉象因之得紧名。总是寒邪来作寇,内为腹痛外身疼。
〔相类诗〕见弦、实。
〔主病诗〕紧为诸痛主于寒,喘咳风痫吐冷痰。浮紧表寒须发越,紧沉温散自然安。寸紧人迎气口分,当关心腹痛
沉沉。尺中有紧为阴冷,定是奔豚与疝疼。诸紧为寒为痛,人迎紧盛伤于寒,气口紧盛伤于食,尺紧痛居其腹。况乃疾
在其腹。中恶浮紧、咳嗽沉紧,皆主死。
The Wei (Micro) pulse is extremely fine, thin, and soft; upon heavy pressure, it feels as if it is about to disappear, seeming to exist yet not exist (from *Mai Jing*). Some describe it as fine and slightly long (Dai's view). It is referred to as "Xiao" (Small) in the *Su Wen*. When Qi and Blood are deficient, the pulse appears as Wei.
[Poem on Form and Similarities] The Wei pulse is slight and flickering; under heavy pressure, it seems to vanish, appearing non-existent. Wei indicates deficiency of Yang, while Xi (Fine) indicates deficiency of Yin. Xi is slightly coarser than Wei. If felt lightly but feels like it is about to cease under heavy pressure, it is Wei. If it flows back and forth like a thread but remains constant, it is Xi. Zhang Zhongjing stated: A pulse that flickers like fat floating on soup surface indicates weak Yang Qi; a pulse that winds like silk threads indicates declining Yin Qi. In chronic diseases, this pulse portends death; in acute diseases, it suggests survival.
[Poem on Main Diseases] When Qi and Blood are deficient, the pulse also becomes micro; symptoms include aversion to cold, fever, and profuse sweating. In men, it signifies extreme exhaustion and various deficiency syndromes; in women, it indicates conditions such as metrorrhagia and leukorrhea requiring treatment. At the Cun position, a Wei pulse may present with shortness of breath or palpitations; at the Guan position, a Wei pulse manifests as abdominal distension and fullness; at the Chi position, it indicates weakness of essence and blood, accompanied by aversion to cold, emaciation, thirst, pain, and groaning. Wei primarily governs diseases of chronic deficiency and weak blood. Weak Yang leads to aversion to cold, while weak Yin leads to fever. *Mai Jue* states: Prolonged duration can lead to excessive white leukorrhea, and prolonged leakage causes the bones to wither.
The Jin (Tight) pulse is forceful in its coming and going, striking the fingers from both sides (from *Su Wen*). It resembles a twisting rope, changing constantly (Zhang Zhongjing), rapid like cutting a rope (*Mai Jing*), or like stitches on a needle (Zhu Danxi). The Jin pulse arises because heat is constrained by cold pathogens, resulting in such urgency and rapidity, yet it must retain Shen Qi (Spirit/Energy). *Su Wen* refers to it as "Ji" (Urgent). *Mai Jue* says: Rarely reaching the Chi position. Cui Shi said: Like a thread. These descriptions do not accurately depict the Jin pulse. Some mistakenly identify floating-tight as Xian (Wiry) and sinking-tight as Lao (Deep-Firm), which are only approximate.
[Poem on Form] Light pressure feels like a twisting rope, heavy pressure feels like cutting a rope; thus the pulse obtains the name Jin. This is always caused by the invasion of Cold Pathogens, leading to abdominal pain internally and body pain externally.
[Poem on Similarities] See Xian (Wiry) and Shi (Excess).
[Poem on Main Diseases] Jin primarily governs pain due to Cold, as well as wheezing, coughing, wind-stroke epilepsy, and vomiting of cold phlegm. Floating-Jing indicates exterior cold, requiring diaphoresis (sweating method); Sinking-Jin indicates interior cold, which will naturally resolve with warming and dispersing methods. At the Cun position, differences between Renying and Qikou acupoints should be noted, concerning heavy pain in the heart and abdomen. Jin at the Chi position indicates Yin-Cold, definitely pointing to Ben Tun (Rushing Tumor) and Hernia pain. All Jin pulses indicate Cold and Pain. Renying pulse tight and excess indicates injury by Cold; Qikou pulse tight and excess indicates injury by food stagnation; Chi pulse tight indicates pain located in the abdomen. Furthermore, if the disease is in the abdomen. In Zhong E (Sudden Evil) presenting with Floating-Jin, or coughing presenting with Sinking-Jin, both portend death.