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Body and Image The body image of the Short Pulse (Duan Mai) is choppy and small, with both the beginning and end lying low; the middle part protrudes, failing to fill the pulse position.
The image of the Short Pulse is that both ends sink down, while only the middle part floats up.

Predominant Diseases The Short Pulse indicates insufficiency, belonging to Qi Deficiency Syndrome (Qi Xu Zheng). If the Short Pulse appears at the Left Cun (Cun Position on the Left Wrist), the Heart Spirit (Shen) is unsettled. If the Short Pulse is at the Left Guan (Guan Position on the Left Wrist), Liver Qi (Gan Qi) is injured. If the Short Pulse is found at the Left Chi (Chi Position on the Left Wrist), there must be pain in the lower abdomen.
If the Short Pulse appears at the Right Cun, Lung Qi deficiency causes headache. If the Short Pulse is at the Right Guan, disaster strikes between the diaphragm. If the Short Pulse is found at the Right Chi, the True Fire (Zhen Huo) of the Mingmen is not flourishing.
The *Suwen: Pulse Essentials and Subtleties* states: "A Short Pulse signifies disease of Qi." This is because Qi belongs to Yang and governs abundance; if the Short Pulse appears alone, it is a clear sign of Qi decline. However, the Lung is the zang organ that governs Qi, yet it corresponds specifically to the Short Pulse; how should this be explained? The *Suwen: Jade Machine and True Organ Manifestations* states that the normal pulse of the Lung is gentle and light, like falling elm seeds. Thus, within the Short Pulse, there is naturally an image of harmony and slowness, indicating that Qi is still healthy. But if the Short Pulse is deep and choppy, can one say that Qi is not diseased?
Commentary: If breath does not circulate for one respiration, the mechanism of life is exhausted; if continuity is broken by even a hair's breadth, heaven and earth are separated. The spurious prescriptions claim that the Short Pulse has presence in the middle but absence at both ends, representing insufficiency from its proper position. According to this theory, the pulse would be severed and unconnected. Since the pulse implies connectivity, if it does not connect upwards, it is Yang Severance (Yang Jue); if it does not connect downwards, it is Yin Severance (Yin Jue); both are pulses of certain death. How could the mere appearance of a Short Pulse lead to peril and demise? Dai Tongfu also realized this, stating, "The Short Pulse should only be seen at the Cun and Chi positions; if a Short Pulse is seen at the Guan position, it means it does not connect to the Cun above nor the Chi below, constituting a Yin-Yang Severance pulse leading to certain death." Tongfu's view is highly insightful. However, whether the Chi or Cun is short, it still falls into the categories of Yin or Yang Severance. It is unknown that the Short Pulse is not severed at both ends; rather, the two ends lie low and sink, while the middle protrudes and floats, remaining connected. Hehu (Wang Shuhe) said, "It returns upon touching the finger, failing to fill the position." This is also not a correct discussion of the Short Pulse. Lizhen (Li Shizhen) said, "The Long Pulse belongs to the Liver and is suitable for Spring; the Short Pulse belongs to the Lung and is suitable for Autumn. By examining the Lung and Liver, the Long and Short pulses will naturally appear." Therefore, we know that if it is not the appropriate season or position, it constitutes a pathological pulse. Whenever a Short Pulse is obtained, it must indicate Qi and Blood deficiency. Why do the spurious prescriptions point to Qi stagnation? Jiegu (Zhang Congzheng) even wished to treat it with Croton Seed (Badou) Divine Medicine, which is truly incomprehensible.