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The Cu (Hasty) pulse manifests as a rapid and frequent rhythm, with a sudden pause in the middle, followed by a forceful resumption. Any pulse that is rapid, hurried, or intermittent in the Dai (Intermittent) category belongs to the type of Cu. It differs from the Jie (Knotted) pulse, which features pauses within a slow rhythm.
(This passage is attributed to Zhang Lu. Additionally, the descriptive poem in Li Shizhen's *Binhu Maixue* states: "Cu pulse is rapid yet occasionally stops; this indicates extreme Yang heat threatening to deplete Yin. The blazing fire of Sanjiao depression grows intense; if it advances, there is no survival, but if it retreats, life may be preserved.")

The Cu pulse is a sign of pathogenic Yang sinking inward. In cases where exterior pathogens are not fully resolved, when pathogens merge into the Yangming channel, or when interior pathogens are about to resolve and transmit to the Jueyin channel, this pulse is often present. Consequently, the disease must manifest symptoms such as chest fullness, diarrhea, and cold extremities.
Furthermore, blood stasis causing madness, stagnation of phlegm and food, or rebellious Qi due to sudden anger can also cause a Cu pulse. If the Middle Jiao is deficient without stagnation, the pulse would naturally be relaxed and long; how could there be an appearance of pausing? (Li Shicai said: "Rapid with pauses is called Cu; is this not indicative of excessive Yang? Lung abscess and heat toxins are all caused by extreme Fire.")

The Jie (Knotted) pulse feels slow under the fingers with intermittent pauses, resuming after a short while. Any pulse that is slow, intermittent (Dai), or choppy (Se) featuring pauses belongs to the type of Jie. It differs from the Dai (Intermittent) pulse, where the movement stops and cannot recover spontaneously.
(This passage is attributed to Zhang Lu. Additionally, the descriptive poem in Li Shizhen's *Binhu Maixue* states: "Jie pulse is slow yet occasionally stops; this indicates excessive Yin alone threatening to deplete Yang. Floating indicates Qi stagnation, deep indicates accumulation; the distinction between sweating and purging methods lies in the physician's judgment.")

The Jie pulse arises from the gradual decline of Qi and Blood, and the inability of vitality to sustain itself continuously, resulting in interruptions followed by continuations, and continuations followed by interruptions. Patients with chronic deficiency exhaustion or long-standing illnesses often exhibit this pulse. However, there is a distinction between Yin deficiency and Yang deficiency. Therefore, if the Jie pulse is accompanied by slowness, the deficiency lies in Yang; if accompanied by rapidity, the deficiency lies in Yin. One must still observe the severity of the knotting to assess the waxing and waning of Yuan Qi. If the knotting is excessive and the pulse is very forceful, it mostly indicates Heat or stagnant and unregulated Qi. Treatment should employ acrid-warm herbs to support the healthy Qi, slightly combined with methods to dissipate knots and resolve phlegm, after which the knotting will naturally recede. As for individuals who have exhibited a Jie pulse throughout their lives, this is an abnormal constitution and should not be treated merely as a disease. (The Jie pulse has both deficiency and excess patterns. Deficiency is like what Jingyue described: blood and Qi gradually decline, vitality fails to continue, so it breaks and resumes, resumes and breaks. Excess is like what Yue Ren [Bian Que] described: severe knotting corresponds to severe accumulations.)