Library

The *Mai Jing* (Pulse Classic) states: A pulse that comes with a weak force is termed Xu (Deficiency); a slow and weak pulse is Xu; a fine and faint pulse is Xu; a soft and weak pulse is Xu; a soggy pulse is Xu; a wiry pulse indicates Middle Qi Deficiency (deficiency of the Spleen and Stomach Qi); a pulse that is fine and faint indicates both Blood and Qi are deficient; a small pulse indicates both Blood and Qi are scant.

The *Nei Jing* (Inner Canon) states: Pulse deficiency, Qi deficiency, and Chi (Cun-Kuan distance near the wrist crease) pulse deficiency constitute "Chong Xu" (Double Deficiency). What is meant by Qi deficiency is disordered speech; what is meant by Chi pulse deficiency is unsteady gait; pulse deficiency fails to reflect the fullness of Yin blood. In such cases, a slippery pulse indicates survival, while a choppy pulse indicates death.

The *Jin Gui Yao Lue* (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet) states: A Kou (Hollow) pulse indicates Deficiency; a deep, small, and slow pulse indicates Loss of Qi.

The *Nan Jing* (Classic of Difficult Issues) states: Zhi pulses (increasing in frequency from bottom to top) involve damage progressing upwards; Sun pulses (decreasing in frequency from top to bottom) involve damage progressing downwards. First-degree damage affects the skin and hair: the skin gathers and hair falls out. Second-degree damage affects the blood vessels: the vessels become deficient and scarce, failing to nourish the Five Zang and Six Fu organs. Third-degree damage affects the muscles: the muscles emaciate, and food intake fails to transform into muscle tissue. Fourth-degree damage affects the sinews: the sinews become flaccid, unable to hold or control themselves. Fifth-degree damage affects the bones: bone atrophy occurs, making it impossible to rise from bed. The reverse applies to Zhi disease progression. Damage progressing upwards leads to death if bone atrophy prevents rising from bed; damage progressing downwards leads to death if skin gathering and hair loss occur. However, the method for treating Sun diseases is as follows: For lung damage, benefit its Qi; for heart damage, regulate Ying and Wei (Nutritive and Defensive Qi); for spleen damage, regulate diet and adapt to cold and warmth; for liver damage, soothe its interior; for kidney damage, benefit its Essence.

The *Bing Ji Yao Yao Lun* (Treatise on Pathogenesis Essentials) states: Diseases of deficiency and wasting arise because external pathogens are contracted due to internal deficiency. Contracting cold damages Yang; Yang deficiency leads to Yin excess. This damage progresses from top to bottom, and treatment should employ Pungent, Sweet, and Bland flavors. If the damage exceeds the Stomach, it becomes incurable. Contracting heat damages Yin; Yin deficiency leads to Yang excess. This damage progresses from bottom to top, and treatment should employ Bitter, Sour, and Salty flavors. If the damage exceeds the Spleen, it becomes incurable. Damage progressing from top to bottom: First-degree damage affects the Lung, causing skin gathering and hair loss; second-degree damage affects the Heart, causing blood vessels to be deficient and unable to nourish the organs, resulting in amenorrhea in women; third-degree damage affects the Stomach, where food intake fails to nourish the flesh. Damage progressing from bottom to top: First-degree damage affects the Kidney, causing bone atrophy and inability to rise from bed; second-degree damage affects the Liver, causing flaccid sinews and inability to control movement; third-degree damage affects the Spleen, where food cannot be digested and transformed. The commentary states: When the Heart and Lung are damaged, the complexion becomes dull; when the Kidney and Lung are damaged, the form becomes atrophic; when grain and water fail to transform, the Spleen is damaged. Those contracting these illnesses suffer from Sun diseases. As these conditions gradually penetrate deeply, they all become Xu Lao (Deficiency and Emaciation) diseases.

Respectfully noted: The *Nan Jing* discusses the pulse and symptoms of Sun diseases, referring to physical, vascular, and organ damage caused by overwork, involving both internal and external factors; thus, the treatment method is suitable for nourishing and regulating. The above discussions refer to external pathogenic contraction due to internal deficiency. However, initial contraction of Shang Han (Cold Damage) and Zhong Shu (Heat Stroke) must first invade the Foot Taiyang Bladder Channel. Now, attributing this to the Hand Taiyin Lung Channel and Foot Shaoyin Kidney Channel is likely because the Lung governs the skin and hair, and the Kidney governs the bones. If so, then external contraction due to deficiency does not solely injure the Foot Channels. However, since Foot Channel Shang Han involves transmission and transformation, perhaps it should not be discussed as a Sun disease?