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The floating pulse (Fumai, 浮脉) models the Heavenly Way, possessing the imagery of lightness and clarity residing above. In the Eight Trigrams, it corresponds to Qian (Heaven); in the seasons, to Autumn; and in the human body, to the Lung. It is also described as "Mao" (feather-like). If excessive, the center is firm while the sides are empty, resembling touching a chicken feather; this indicates pathogenic factors in the exterior. If deficient, the qi comes weakly like a feather; this indicates disease in the interior. The *Mai Jue* (Pulse Classic) states that feeling excessive upon searching is actually an image of floating combined with洪 (Hong, surging) and紧 (Jin, tight) pulses, not a pure floating pulse.

Main Pathologies: The floating pulse is Yang and governs exterior syndromes. With force, it indicates excess in the exterior; without force, deficiency in the exterior. Floating and slow indicates wind-stroke; floating and rapid indicates wind-heat; floating and tight indicates wind-cold; floating and relaxed indicates wind attacking the surface; floating and empty indicates injury by summer-heat; floating and knotted (Kou, 芤) indicates blood loss; floating and surging indicates deficient heat; floating and scattered indicates extreme exhaustion. Floating at the Cun (Inch) position governs headache and vertigo, or wind-phlegm in the Stomach; floating at the Guan (Bar) position governs decline of Earth (Spleen) and hyperactivity of Wood (Liver); floating at the Chi (Cubit) position governs constipation.

The sinking pulse (Chenmai, 沉脉) models the Earthly Way, possessing the imagery of deep springs residing below. In the Eight Trigrams, it corresponds to Kan (Water); in the seasons, to Winter; and in the human body, to the Kidney. It is also called "Shi" (stone) or "Ying" (nutrient). If excessive, it feels like stone, becoming harder upon pressure; this indicates disease in the exterior [Note: Textual anomaly]. If deficient, the qi comes weakly and vacuously, and departs rapidly; this indicates disease in the interior. The *Mai Jue* states that slowly passing through the three positions, resembling rotten cotton, is incorrect. Sinking pulses vary by position and rate (slow/rapid); the description "rotten cotton" characterizes the Weak pulse (Ruomai, 弱脉).

Main Pathologies: The sinking pulse governs interior syndromes. With force, it indicates excess in the interior; without force, deficiency in the interior. Sinking indicates Qi stagnation; sinking and choppy indicates Qi depression; sinking and weak indicates alternating cold and fever; sinking and slow indicates cold-dampness; sinking and tight... [Text cuts off here].

The slow pulse (Chimai, 迟脉) occurs when Yang fails to overcome Yin, thus Yin arrives but is insufficient. The *Mai Jue* says it requires heavy pressure to feel, implying only sinking without floating, beating three times per respiration, which is easily seen. To say it is faint and difficult to discern describes the Choppy pulse (Semai, 涩脉), revealing the error therein. However, two beats per respiration is extremely slow; with force, it is Relaxed (Huanmai, 缓脉); without force, it is Choppy; with interruptions, it is Knotted (Jiemai, 结脉); extreme slowness indicates failure; floating and soft indicates Deficiency. Mr. Li said: Slow pulse is small and solid; Relaxed pulse is large and slow. Slow pulse indicates Yin excess and Yang deficiency; Relaxed pulse indicates Wei (Defensive) excess and Ying (Nutrient) weakness; these must be distinguished.

Main Pathologies: The slow pulse governs Zang organ diseases. With force, it indicates cold pain; without force, it indicates deficient cold. Floating and slow indicates exterior cold; sinking and slow indicates interior cold; it also governs abundant phlegm, and chronic accumulations and masses (Jijia, 积聚瘕). Slow at the Cun position indicates cold in the Upper Jiao; slow at the Guan position indicates middle-jiao cold abdominal pain; slow at the Chi position indicates fecal incontinence and lower back pain due to Kidney deficiency.