带脉之讯。病主带下,腹胀腰冷。
左右弹,紧脉之象也。阳 主阳络,故应于寸而见浮紧而细。阴 主阴络,故应于尺而见沉紧。带脉状如
束带,在人腰间,故应于关而见浮紧。紧主寒,故三脉皆见寒症。如阳 则或见为厥仆倒地身软作声
而痫,或筋缓而伸为 ,盖痫动而属阳,阳脉主之。阴 则或见为语言颠倒举止错动而癫,或筋急而缩为螈,
盖癫静而属阴,阴脉主之。带则病发腰腹,而有腹胀腰冷带下之症矣。
尺外斜上,至寸阴维。其病在里,故苦心痛。尺内斜上,至寸阳维。其病在表,故苦寒热。
从右尺手少阳三焦,斜至寸上手厥阴心包络之位,是阴维脉也。从左尺足少阴肾经,斜至寸上手太阳小肠
之位,是阳维脉也。二脉皆载九道图中。斜上不由正位而上,斜向大指,名为尺外;斜向小指,名为尺内。
二脉一表一里,在阴维主里,则见心痛;阳维主表,则见寒热是也。
脉有反关,动在臂后。别由列缺,不干证候。
反关本于有生之初,非病脉也,故曰不干症候。其脉不行寸口,由列缺络入臂后手阳明大肠之经。以其不
顺行于关,故曰反关。凡见关上无脉,须令病患复手以取方见。
经脉病脉,业已昭详。将绝之形,更当度量,心绝之脉,如操带钩。转豆躁疾,一日可忧。
经曰∶脉来前曲后居,如操带钩,曰心死。前曲者,谓轻取则坚强而不柔。后居者,谓重取则牢实而不动。
如持革带之钩,全失冲和之气。但钩无胃,故曰心死。转豆者,即经所谓如循薏苡子累累然,状其
短实坚强,真脏脉也。又曰∶心绝,一日死。
肝绝之脉,循刀责责。新张弓弦,死在八日。
经曰∶真肝脉至,中外急如循刀刃。又曰∶脉来急益劲,如新张弓弦,曰肝死。又曰∶肝绝,八日死。
脾绝萑啄,又同屋漏。一似流水,还如杯复。
旧诀曰∶雀啄连来四五啄,屋漏少刻一点落。若流水,若杯复,皆脾绝也。经曰∶脾绝,四日死。
肺绝维何,如风吹毛。毛羽中肤,三日而号。
经曰∶如风吹毛,曰肺死。又曰∶真肺脉至,如以毛羽中人肤。皆状其但毛而无胃气也。又曰∶肺绝,三
日死。
肾绝如何,发如夺索。辟辟弹石,四日而作。
经曰,脉来如夺索,辟辟如弹石,曰肾死。又曰∶肾绝,四日死。旧诀云∶弹石硬来寻即散,搭指散乱如
解索。正谓此也。
命脉将绝,鱼翔虾游。至如涌泉,莫可挽留。
旧诀云∶鱼翔似有又似无,虾游静中忽一跃。经云∶浑浑革至如泉涌,绵绵其去如弦绝。皆死脉也。
The sign of the Dai Mai (Girdle Vessel) indicates diseases primarily characterized by leukorrhea (vaginal discharge), abdominal distension, and coldness in the waist.
Trembling to both sides is the image of the Jin Mai (Taut Pulse). The Yang pulse governs the Yang collaterals, thus appearing at the Cun (Inch) position as floating, taut, and thin. The Yin pulse governs the Yin collaterals, thus appearing at the Chi (Cubit) position as deep and taut. The Dai Mai resembles a girdle, located at the waist of the human body, thus appearing at the Guan (Bar) position as floating and taut. Tautness indicates Cold patterns; therefore, all three pulses manifest Cold symptoms. If it is Yang Epilepsy (Yang Xian), it may present as sudden collapse with a soft body and vocalization, or muscle relaxation and extension leading to convulsions; since epilepsy involves agitation and belongs to Yang, it is governed by the Yang pulse. If it is Yin Mania (Yin Dian), it may present as incoherent speech and erratic behavior, or muscle tension and contraction leading to spasms; since mania is quiet and belongs to Yin, it is governed by the Yin pulse. Disease of the Dai Mai manifests in the waist and abdomen, presenting with symptoms of abdominal distension, coldness in the waist, and leukorrhea.
From the outer side of the Chi position slanting upwards to the Cun position is the Yin Wei Mai (Yin Linking Vessel). Its pathology is interior, causing distress from heart pain. From the inner side of the Chi position slanting upwards to the Cun position is the Yang Wei Mai (Yang Linking Vessel). Its pathology is exterior, causing distress from aversion to cold and fever.
Starting from the Right Chi position corresponding to the Foot-Shaoyang Sanjiao (Triple Burner) meridian, slanting to the Cun position corresponding to the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium meridian, this is the Yin Wei Mai. Starting from the Left Chi position corresponding to the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney meridian, slanting to the Cun position corresponding to the Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine meridian, this is the Yang Wei Mai. Both vessels are depicted in the Nine Pulses diagram. Slanting upwards not through the standard position but towards the thumb is named "Chi Wai" (Outer Cubit); slanting towards the little finger is named "Chi Nei" (Inner Cubit). These two vessels are one exterior and one interior: Yin Wei Mai governs the interior, hence showing heart pain; Yang Wei Mai governs the exterior, hence showing aversion to cold and fever.
There is a phenomenon called Fan Guan Mai (Reverse Guan Pulse), where the pulse beats behind the arm. It branches off via Lieque (LU 7) and does not affect the diagnostic presentation.
Fan Guan Mai originates from birth; it is not a pathological pulse, hence it does not affect the syndrome differentiation. This pulse does not travel through the Cun Kou (Inch Port) but enters the posterior arm via the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine meridian from Lieque. Because it does not run smoothly through the Guan position, it is called Fan Guan. Whenever no pulse is felt at the Guan position, the patient's hand must be turned over to locate it.
The pulses of meridians and diseases have been clearly detailed. The forms of impending extinction must be further measured. The pulse of Heart Extinction is like grasping a belt hook. Rolling bean-like restlessness and rapidity, one day brings worry.
The Classic states: "When the pulse comes curving forward and staying back, like grasping a belt hook, it is called Heart Death." "Curving forward" means that light pressure feels hard and stiff without flexibility. "Staying back" means that heavy pressure feels firm and solid without movement. Like holding the hook of a leather belt, completely losing the harmonious Qi. Only the hook aspect remains without Stomach Qi, hence called Heart Death. "Rolling bean" refers to what the Classic calls "like walking on coix seeds," describing its short, solid, hard, and stiff nature, which is the True Zang Pulse. It also states: "Heart Extinction leads to death in one day."
The pulse of Liver Extinction is sharp and urgent like touching a knife blade. Like a newly strung bowstring, death occurs in eight days.
The Classic states: "The True Liver pulse arrives, urgent inside and out, like touching a knife edge." It also states: "When the pulse comes urgent and increasingly strong, like a newly drawn bowstring, it is called Liver Death." It also states: "Liver Extinction leads to death in eight days."
Spleen Extinction resembles bird pecking, and also like water dripping from a leaking roof. Sometimes like flowing water, sometimes like an overturned cup.
Old rhymes state: "Pecking like a sparrow, four or five pecks in succession; like a leaking roof, a drop falls after a long interval. Like flowing water, like an overturned cup, all indicate Spleen Extinction." The Classic states: "Spleen Extinction leads to death in four days."
What is Lung Extinction? Like wind blowing feathers. Feathers penetrating the skin, wailing occurs in three days.
The Classic states: "Like wind blowing feathers, it is called Lung Death." It also states: "The True Lung pulse arrives, like feathers piercing human skin." All describe having only the feather aspect without Stomach Qi. It also states: "Lung Extinction leads to death in three days."
How is Kidney Extinction manifested? Like pulling a rope apart. Cracking sounds like striking stones, arising in four days.
The Classic states: "When the pulse comes like pulling a rope apart, cracking like striking stones, it is called Kidney Death." It also states: "Kidney Extinction leads to death in four days." Old rhymes say: "Striking stones, hard coming then quickly scattering; upon the finger, scattered and chaotic like untying a knot." This precisely refers to this condition.
When the Life Pulse is about to extinguish, it resembles fish swimming or shrimp darting. Even like a gushing spring, it cannot be retained.
Old rhymes say: "Fish swimming seems to exist yet not; shrimp darting suddenly leaps amidst stillness." The Classic says: "Chaotic and vigorous arriving like a surging spring, faint and continuous departing like a severed string." All are pulses of death.