Library

The San pulse (Scattered Pulse) is large and scattered, presenting superficially without depth, diffused and unrestrained, lacking regulation and control. Its rhythm is irregular, sometimes with more arrivals than departures, or more departures than arrivals. It resembles the image of willow catkins drifting aimlessly in the air. Another saying states: "The Scattered pulse flies like scattered willow catkins, coming and going without certainty, its rhythm difficult to align; for a woman in labor, it signifies birth; for a pregnant woman, it signifies miscarriage; for chronic illness, it indicates incurability." Dai stated: A Heart pulse that is floating, large, and scattered, or a Lung pulse that is short, choppy, and scattered, are normal pulses (Ping Mai). However, if the Heart pulse is soft and scattered, it indicates palpitations (Zhengchong); if the Lung pulse is soft and scattered, it indicates sweating; if the Liver pulse is soft and scattered, it indicates Yi Yin (overflowing fluid); if the Spleen pulse is soft and scattered, it indicates swelling—these are pathological pulses. If the Kidney pulse is soft and scattered, or if various diseases present with Dai San pulses (intermittent and scattered), these are death pulses. The *Nan Jing* (Classic of Difficult Issues) states: "If the Scattered pulse appears alone, the condition is critical." Liu stated: "The Scattered pulse indicates deficiency of both Qi and Blood, with the root having detached. For a parturient, it signifies survival; for a pregnant woman, it signifies miscarriage." Li stated: "The Scattered pulse is unrestrained and diffused; it feels soft, floating, and fine, like cotton in water. Floating, slow, and large indicates a Deficient pulse; the Kou pulse (Cork-pulse) is hollow in the center but firm on the sides." Regarding main diseases: A Scattered pulse at the left Cun position indicates palpitations; at the right Cun position, it indicates sweating; at the left Guan position, it corresponds to Yi Yin (overflowing fluid); at the right Guan position, a soft and scattered pulse indicates swelling; if the Scattered pulse is located at both Chi positions, the soul is destined to break (indicating poor prognosis).

Dai stated: Pulse diagnosis must count fifty beats, a view originating from the *Nan Jing*. However, the Five Zang Song in the *Mai Jue* (Pulse Rhymes) uses forty-five beats as the standard, which deviates from the classics. Liu stated: "In ancient times, counting the beats was crucial; one must observe fifty beats to know if there are missing rhythms. Today's practitioners claim to have seen the pulse as soon as their finger touches the wrist and forearm. Is observing fifty beats really a matter of snapping fingers? Therefore, students should combine pulse diagnosis, inquiry into symptoms, listening to voice, and observation of complexion to complete the Four Diagnostic Methods without error." If the pulse beats fifty times without stopping, the body is disease-free. If there are stops within the fifty beats, it is a fixed sign of pathology. Forty-one beats followed by a stop indicate the failure of one Zang organ, with death likely occurring after four years. Thirty-one beats followed by a stop correspond to three years; twenty-one beats followed by a stop correspond to two years. A stop after every ten beats indicates death within one year; one must also observe complexion and physical signs. A stop after two beats predicts death in three to four days; a stop after three or four beats predicts death in six or seven days; a stop after five or six beats predicts death in seven or eight days. Following this sequence ensures accuracy.