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The Dai pulse (Intermittent Pulse) presents with a pause in the beat that cannot recover spontaneously, followed by resumption of the beat; this is named Dai Yin. All pulses such as Cu (Rapid Intermittent) and Jie (Slow Intermittent) belong to this category. They differ from Cu and Jie pulses, which, although showing pauses, resume with force. (This passage is attributed to Zhang Lu. Additionally, Li Shizhen's poem on pulse characteristics states: "When the beat stops and cannot return, and resumes due to this, it is seen as Dai; if the patient has it, it may still be treatable, but for a healthy person, it relates to lifespan." In the poem comparing similar pulses: "Fast with occasional stops is called Cu, slow with stops should be called Jie; only when the stop does not immediately return is it Dai, while Jie and Dai lead to different paths of life and death.") The Dai pulse is a sign that Yuan Qi (Original Qi) is on the verge of exhaustion. Dai Tongfu stated: "Dai is a sign of Spleen Qi exhaustion; since the Spleen governs trustworthiness (Xin), the pauses occur at regular intervals." Therefore, seeing a Dai pulse in a disease-free individual is most perilous. Even if caused by sudden loss of Blood and Qi, discontinuation of Yuan Shen (Original Spirit), excessive Seven Emotions, severe trauma from falls, or congenital obstruction of meridians causing sluggish circulation, resulting in a Dai pulse, the pauses must be irregular, and perhaps it remains treatable. However, if the pauses are regular, then the vital energy is already exhausted, and there is no hope for regeneration. Only in cases of severe hyperemesis gravidarum (morning sickness) during pregnancy is the Dai pulse commonly seen; because food intake is scant, Blood and Qi converge entirely to nourish the fetus, causing the pulse Qi to fail to connect continuously. However, this might occur in early pregnancy; by the fourth month, when the fetus is formed, a pulsating pulse with pauses should no longer be present. (Li Shizhen said: "Five beats per breath indicate sufficient Qi in the five Zang organs. Thus, fifty beats per breath align with the number of Great Expansion (Dayan), known as a Normal Pulse; deviating from this results in pauses. If Kidney Qi fails to arrive, there is one pause after forty beats; if Liver Qi fails to arrive, there is one pause after thirty beats. This is because when the Qi of one Zang organ declines, the Qi of another Zang organ takes over to arrive.")

The San (Scattered) pulse feels diffuse upon light palpation and disappears upon heavy pressure. It may resemble blown feathers, scattered leaves, the uvula, fat floating on soup, or burning firewood. Its arrival and departure are unclear, lacking any root. It differs from the Xu (Deficiency) pulse, which, although weak upon heavy pressure, does not feel diffuse. (Li Binhu's poem on pulse characteristics states: "Scattered like willow catkins flying diffusely, coming and going without certainty, difficult to unify; for childbirth, it is an omen of birth, for pregnancy, an omen of miscarriage; for chronic illness, encountering it means it need not be treated." The *Nan Jing* states: "If the Scattered pulse appears alone, it is critical.") The San pulse is a manifestation of the dispersion of Yuan Qi (Original Qi) and corresponds to the exhaustion of the Kidneys. Since the Kidney pulse is naturally deep, finding it floating and scattered upon pressure indicates that the congenital root is exhausted. For instance, in Cold Damage diseases presenting with coughing and rebellious Qi ascending, if the pulse shows a Scattered image, death is certain. This aligns with the canonical meaning that "Dai and San pulses indicate death." Although texts mention that if fever subsides and the body feels comfortable, or if diarrhea stops and grain broth can be ingested, survival might be possible, these are not definitive guarantees. (Since the Scattered pulse is a Death Pulse, it does not primarily indicate specific diseases.)