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Sanxu pulse (Three-Deficiency Pulse) is a Yin pulse. Under the fingers, deep pressure reveals insufficiency, and light pressure similarly reveals insufficiency; this pulse image is called Deficiency Pulse (Xu Mai). It primarily indicates insufficient vitality and susceptibility to fright, mental vagueness (huang hu), and infantile convulsions (Jing Feng).

The Deficiency Pulse is a Yin pulse and represents the Li trigram. The center of Li is empty (Li zhong xu); in Heaven it corresponds to Fire, and in Humans it corresponds to the Heart. The Heart governs the blood vessels. When blood is substantial, the pulse is substantial; when blood is deficient, the pulse is deficient. Now, since deep pressure reveals insufficiency and light pressure similarly reveals insufficiency, this indicates a deficiency of Heart Blood. When Heart Blood is deficient, the Spirit (Shen) has no foundation, thus resulting in lack of strength, susceptibility to fright, and mental vagueness. The *I Ching* states: "The Li fire at sunset, how can it last long?" If an infant presents with this Deficiency Pulse, they are prone to developing convulsions. Why? Infants are in a phase of vigorous growth, and their pulse should be forceful. To now see a Deficiency Pulse indicates congenital insufficiency or Spleen-Stomach weakness, allowing Wind-Fire pathogens to easily invade. Therefore, it primarily governs conditions of convulsions. In treatment, one should tonify Yuan Qi (Primordial Qi) and cultivate the Spleen Earth, so that when Qi and Blood are sufficient, the Wood pathogen cannot take advantage of the deficiency, and the disaster of convulsions may hopefully be avoided. Zhang Shixian's interpretation suggests treating with Shi Qing Wan (Moist Green Pill) and modified Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction); would this not cause the disaster of "deficientifying the deficient" (making the deficient even more deficient), and how could disaster be avoided?

According to the *Mai Jing* (Pulse Classic): The Deficiency Pulse is slow, large, and soft; upon pressing, there is a sense of insufficiency, and under the finger, it feels hollow and empty.

Mental vagueness, palpitations, and frequent fright; within the three positions (Cun, Guan, Chi) fixed by breath, the pulse is difficult to form. Blood deficiency causes organs and bowels to generate vexatious heat; tonifying the San Jiao brings peace.

The Heart governs the blood vessels. Mental vagueness accompanied by frequent palpitations and fright indicates blood deficiency. Upon examining the pulse, within the Cun, Guan, and Chi positions, both searching and pressing reveal deficiency, and the pulse rhythm does not conform to normal breath counts. This is not merely the deficiency of one Zang or Fu organ, but the deficiency of the entire San Jiao (Triple Burner). The San Jiao is the root of the five Zang and six Fu organs. When the blood of the San Jiao is deficient, vexatious heat arises in the organs and bowels. In treatment, one should tonify and benefit the San Jiao. Since it is stated as Heart Blood deficiency, why speak of tonifying the San Jiao? Precisely because the Heart belongs to Fire, and the San Jiao also belongs to Ministerial Fire. Tonifying the San Jiao aligns with the meaning in the *I Ching*: "Bright and becoming Li, the superior person continues the brightness." Otherwise, like the Li fire at sunset, how can it last long?

According to the *Mai Jing*: If the Chi position pulse is deficient and small, it leads to coldness, flaccidity, bi-syndrome (painful obstruction), and pain in the lower legs and feet.