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Real Pulse: Whether superficial or deep, the pulse is felt to be large and long, slightly wiry, and feels firm and tight under the fingers. The *Mai Jue* (Pulse Classic) states: "Coming like a rope responding to the touch," which indicates recovery. It also says: "The Real pulse is strong and powerful in both superficial and deep positions, tight like a snapping cord changing constantly; one must know that the Firm pulse pulls at the sinews and bones, whereas the Real pulse is large, slightly wiry, and longer."

Indications: The Real pulse indicates excessive stagnation of Yang fire, manifesting as madness, delirious speech, frequent vomiting, representing Yang toxicity; or it indicates food retention with constipation, or Qi stagnation pain. A Real pulse at the Cun (inch) position indicates facial disorders. The classics state: "When the pulse is Real, water and grain pathogens are the cause." It also states: "When the Qi comes strong and solid, this is an excess condition." The *Mai Jue* claims that a Real pulse at the Chi (cubit) position causes urinary incontinence, which contradicts the syndrome of Chi position Real pulse accompanied by lower abdominal pain and difficult urination. Jiegu (Zhang Yuansu) failed to recognize this error, mistakenly treating it as deficiency-cold using Sheng Jiang (Prepared Ginger) and Fu Zi (Aconite Root), thereby worsening the condition.

Long Pulse: The pulse is neither too large nor too small, stretching smoothly and far. If it feels like tracing the tip of a long bamboo pole, it is a normal pulse (Ping Mai); if it feels like pulling a taut rope or tracing a rigid long pole, it is a pathological pulse. Furthermore, the Long pulse encompasses the extent of all three positions (Cun, Guan, Chi). Real, Firm, Wiry, and Tight pulses all accompany the Long quality.

Indications: The Long pulse is smooth and uniform in size; when abnormal, it feels tense like a pulled rope. Unless it is Yang toxicity or epilepsy, it indicates deep heat in the Yangming channel. Generally, the Long pulse primarily indicates excess conditions.

Surging Pulse: Under the fingers, the pulse appears extremely large, coming with vigorous force and departing with declining force. In the Bagua (Eight Trigrams), the Surging pulse corresponds to Li; in seasons, it corresponds to Summer; in the human body, it corresponds to the Heart. The *Su Wen* refers to it as "Large." Hua Shou (Hua Shi) stated: "Coming vigorously and departing weakly, curved like a hook, rising then falling, reflecting the movement of blood vessels, resembling the shape of all things spreading out and hanging down." Zhan Shi incorrectly described it as rolling like beads. The *Mai Jue* claimed that the Surging pulse is suitable for Late Summer, and that sweating to unblock Yang is appropriate in Autumn and Winter; these are errors. Li Shi stated: "When the pulse comes surging and goes declining, filling the fingers with a rushing sensation corresponding to Summer; if appearing in Spring, Autumn, or Winter months, one should raise Yang and scatter fire without hesitation." He also said: "The Surging pulse arrives with a slapping sound, departing weakly but arriving strongly like waves; to distinguish it from the Real pulse, observe whether it is wiry, long, and hard upon lifting and pressing."

Indications: A Surging pulse indicates excessive Yang and deficient Blood, with Ministerial Fire blazing, commonly found in heat diseases; abdominal distension and stomach reversal require early treatment; deficiency-Yin diarrhea and dysentery are worrying. A Surging pulse at the Cun position indicates scorching Heart fire; a Surging Lung pulse indicates the Metal element cannot withstand the attack; Liver fire internal deficiency should be examined at the Guan position; Kidney deficiency with Yin fire should be viewed at the Chi position. It is further stated: The Surging pulse indicates diseases of Yang excess and Yin deficiency; it is contraindicated for patients with diarrhea, dysentery, hemorrhage, or chronic cough. The classics state: "Emaciated form with a large pulse and excessive Qi indicates death." It also states: "A large pulse indicates disease progression."