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Let us discuss further from the perspective of pulse qualities. The liver pulse should present as *Xian* (Wiry, 弦), which belongs to its own organ. However, it must be accompanied by a harmonious, slippery, and slow quality for the wiry pulse to be considered normal; if it is extremely hard and tense both internally and externally, beating strongly against the fingers, then this wiry pulse indicates death. The heart pulse should present as *Hong* (Surging, 洪), which belongs to its own organ. However, it must be empty, slippery, and fluent for the surging pulse to be considered normal; if it is excessively large and surging, even exceeding four times the normal magnitude, then this surging pulse indicates death. The spleen pulse should present as *Huan* (Moderate/Slack, 缓), which belongs to its own organ. However, it must be soft, slippery, and unrestricted to be a healthy pulse (*Ping Mai*, 平脉); if it is moderate yet choppy and stagnant, or fine, soft, and powerless, or intermittent with irregular intervals, then this moderate pulse indicates death. The lung pulse should present as *Fu* (Floating, 浮), which is the indicator for the lung. However, it must be weak and slippery to be the correct pulse; if it is floating and empty like chicken feathers, combined with fine and rapid pulses at the Guan and Chi positions, along with symptoms of wheezing, coughing, and hemoptysis, then this floating pulse portends demise. The kidney pulse should be deep and solid (*Shi*, 实), which is the indicator for the kidney. However, it must be deep, soft, and slippery to be the correct pulse; if it is wiry, fine, and stiff, resembling the touch of a blade edge, and beats forcefully against the fingers upon pressure, then this solid pulse is incurable. (The discussion of visceral pulses is limited to such brevity to avoid excessive elaboration that might obscure key points. Zhang Jingyue stated: Any liver pulse that is purely wiry without Stomach Qi, or any kidney pulse that is purely stone-like without Stomach Qi, is called a True Visceral Pulse because it lacks Stomach Qi.) Generally, when Yuan Qi (Primordial Qi) arrives, the pulse is harmonious and slow; when pathogenic Qi arrives, the pulse is stiff and urgent. One must perceive a pulse that is gentle and soothing, soft as willow branches in late spring, to recognize the manifestation of Spleen and Stomach Qi. (The pulse image of Stomach Qi is merely as described above. One must also observe whether food intake has decreased and whether digestion is functioning properly. If food intake diminishes day by day, one should carefully examine and treat here, and must not indiscriminately administer cloying and obstructive medicines.) Stomach Qi maintains a state of harmony and prospers during the four seasons. In spring, the pulse should be slightly wiry and harmonious; (The discussion of seasonal pulses is limited to this extent; adding more would become overly complicated. It is strange that people today exclusively memorize theories of seasonal generation and restriction, yet fail to comprehend the actual images of pulses, their transformations, and how to distinguish true from false.) In summer, it should be slightly surging and harmonious; in autumn, slightly floating and harmonious; in winter, slightly solid and harmonious. If, throughout the four seasons, there is no sign of harmonious and slow Qi, then True Visceral Pulses appear, indicating an untreatable condition.
Stomach pulses should be examined thus; therefore, all six pulse positions can be used to assess the presence or absence of Stomach Qi. Is it necessary to rely solely on the Stomach position at the Right Guan to determine auspiciousness or inauspiciousness? (This clears away superficial discourses on seasonal generation and restriction, uniquely highlighting terms like harmonious, slightly wiry, and slightly surging to define Stomach Qi, truly grasping the essential principles of pulse diagnosis. Editor's Note: Books such as *Sizhen Juewei* and *Maijue Guizheng* often discuss seasonal pulse bodies by敷衍 (perfunctorily addressing) life and death prognoses based on timing. Although the principles are difficult to alter, they are not definitive discussions for clinical pulse taking.)