Library

The *Suwen · Pingren Qixiang Lun* states: When the Shou Shaoyin pulse (located at the left Cun position, reflecting Heart Qi) of a woman beats strongly and noticeably, it indicates pregnancy.

The Shou Shaoyin pulse corresponds to the Heart pulse. The Heart governs Blood, and the Kidney stores Essence. When Essence and Blood are abundant and condense, pregnancy is formed. Menstruation ceases, Heart Fire flares upward, causing the pulse to beat particularly vigorously; therefore, symptoms such as irritability, thirst, and nausea may also appear. This is because the flaming fire prevents turbid Qi from flowing downward smoothly. However, this pulse image is harmonious and slippery, not a pathological pulse; the Kidney pulse must also be fluent and substantial. Based on this, one can know that she is pregnant. If the Heart pulse is deficient and floating with movement, and the Kidney pulse is not slippery but rather choppy, and menstruation has ceased, this is Blood stasis. It is a deficiency-type restless Heart Fire, not pregnancy, and if prolonged, it will inevitably become a disease. The term "pregnant with a child" mentioned here covers both male and female fetuses. To distinguish the gender: if the Left hand pulse is vigorous and the Cun position is vigorous, it is Yang and indicates a male fetus; if the Right hand pulse is vigorous and the Chi position is vigorous, it is Yin and indicates a female fetus.

Furthermore, the *Fuzhong Lun* chapter of this classic states: How do we know that a pregnant woman is about to give birth? Qibo answered: The body has symptoms, but the pulse lacks pathogenic signs. "Lacking pathogenic signs" means the pulse is not choppy or discordant, but fluent and soft-slippery; "having symptoms" refers to the obstruction of menstruation, as well as irritability, thirst, craving for sour foods, and nausea. Abdominal pain occurs just before delivery.

The *Yinyang Bie Lun* chapter states: Yin pulses beating strongly, distinct from Yang pulses, is called having a child. If both Yin and Yang are deficient, accompanied by intestinal rumbling and diarrhea, death ensues. Yang adding to Yin is called sweating; Yin deficiency with Yang pulsation is called Bing (metrorrhagia). If all three Yin meridians' pulses beat strongly, death occurs at midnight after twenty days; if two Yin meridians' pulses beat strongly, death occurs in the evening after thirteen days; if one Yin meridian's pulse beats strongly, death occurs after ten days; if all three Yang meridians' pulses beat strongly and drum-like, death occurs after three days; if all three Yin and three Yang meridians' pulses beat strongly, with fullness of the heart and abdomen manifesting completely, and inability to perform private functions (urination/defecation), death occurs after five days; if two Yang meridians' pulses beat strongly, the disease is Warmth, untreatable, and death occurs within ten days.

This discussion on pulse images emphasizes that harmony and slow rhythm (Stomach Qi) are fundamental. If the pulse beats strongly without being soft and slow, it is a pathological pulse. Only in the case of pregnancy in women is this different, which is why it is explicitly marked first. "Yin beating strongly, distinct from Yang" refers to positions like Chi or deep palpation, which belong to Yin. If they beat strongly, differing from the superficial palpation of Yang positions, this indicates abundant Essence and Blood. The pulse must beat fluently without choppiness, which is the sign of pregnancy. If choppy, it is Blood stasis; long-standing stasis will inevitably cause abdominal pain and distension. If both Yin and Yang pulses are deficient, accompanied by intestinal rumbling and incessant diarrhea, regardless of gender, this is collapse of the root Yuan Qi unable to secure and retain, leading to death. "Yang adding to Yin" means Yang pathogen invading Yin, causing fluids to dissipate as sweat. If there is aversion to wind, Zhang Zhongjing's Guizhi Tang should be used; if there is no aversion to wind but sweating occurs during sleep, it is called Night Sweats. Examining that there are no external pathogens, treatment should focus on nourishing Yin. Deficient Yin pulse and strong Yang pulsation indicate Yang hyperactivity failing to control Blood returning to the vessels, resulting in sudden Bing, specifically referring to women. If all three Yin meridians' pulses beat strongly, this is the Zang-Fu true organ pulse lacking Stomach Qi. After twenty days, passing through a Jieqi (solar term) and adding a Hou (five-day period), reaching midnight where Yin is extreme and Yang Qi cannot generate, death occurs. Two Yin and One Yin pulsations are largely similar with minor differences. Three Yang pulsating and drumming, and three Yin and three Yang pulsating together, are all true organ pulses, combined with heart and abdominal fullness. "Fa jin" means extreme distension; "bud e yinqu" means obstruction of urination and defecation. This is the Guan Ge syndrome, hence death ensues. Two Yang pulsating with Warmth disease implies solitary Yang without Yin, leading to death within two Hou periods.

In the *Tongping Xushi Lun* chapter, the Yellow Emperor asked: A nursing mother suffers from heat disease; what if the pulse is suspended and small? Qibo answered: Survival if hands and feet are warm; death if cold. The Yellow Emperor asked: A nursing mother contracts Wind-Heat; she wheezes with audible sounds and breathes using shoulder muscles. What is the pulse like? Qibo answered: For wheezing with audible sounds and shoulder breathing, the pulse should be Excess and Large. Survival if slow/relaxed; death if rapid/tight.

"Nursing mother" refers to a woman who has recently given birth and is breastfeeding. Postpartum blood loss combined with Warm-Heat disease results in a small pulse, indicating deficient Zheng Qi and excess Xie Qi. If hands and feet are warm, the Spleen-Stomach Yang Qi is still able to circulate and sustain life; if cold, Yang Qi has reversed, leading to death. If contracting Wind-Heat Yang pathogen affecting the upper Yang regions, causing rebellious Qi in the Heart and Lungs, wheezing with audible sounds and shoulder breathing occurs. This is wheezing with sound and raising shoulders, with pathogen obstructing the upper jiao, so the pulse must be Excess and Large. If harmonious with Stomach Qi, clearing the pathogenic heat leads to survival; if Excess, Large, Rapid, and Strong, it is the True Organ pulse of Qi collapse, leading to death.