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When examining the blood vessels (collaterals), redness indicates heat; blueness indicates pain; blackness indicates chronic bi-syndrome (obstruction); if red, black, and blue colors appear together, it indicates a mixture of cold and heat. (Blood vessels refer to collaterals, which are visible in individuals with tender and thin skin and muscles.) Prominent blue veins on the arms indicate blood loss (due to depletion of blood in the collaterals, hence appearing blue rather than red).

Dry hair forming tufts indicates deficient blood and flourishing fire. Falling hair suggests deficient defensive qi (Wei Qi) and wind invasion; if eyebrows also fall out, the wind pathogen is difficult to cure. Hair standing upright on the head indicates a fatal prognosis for chronic illness (this reflects blood deficiency failing to nourish, similar to dry grass becoming stiff and straight; it is common in pediatric malnutrition syndrome [Gan disease] and also indicates intestinal parasites).

Generally observing the relationship between form and qi: A substantial form implies abundant qi. If the form is substantial but qi is deficient, premature death is certain (e.g., fat and white complexion but lacking qi). If qi is substantial but the form is deficient, it is a sign of longevity (e.g., tall stature, dark complexion, and spirit). Abundant qi corresponds to a substantial form; deficient qi corresponds to a deficient form. A plump body with a fine pulse indicates that qi cannot distribute breath properly, signaling critical danger. A emaciated body with a large pulse indicates excessive qi in the chest, suggesting a fatal condition. Obese individuals suffering from wind-stroke often have a dense form but deficient qi; phlegm-dampness obstructs, qi mechanism is blocked, and flaming fire rushes upward causing sudden syncope. Emaciated individuals have yin deficiency and depleted blood; ministerial fire easily hyperactive, leading to consumptive cough. When a patient's form is depleted but qi appears abundant, death is indicated (deficient healthy qi leads to form depletion, while excess pathogenic qi makes the pulse abundant). A substantial form with loose and relaxed skin predicts reaching old age; a substantial form with tight and urgent skin predicts premature death. Mismatches such as substantial form with deficient qi, abundant qi with deficient form, rough form with slippery pulse, large form with small pulse, small form with large pulse, long form with short pulse, short form with long pulse, smooth form with choppy pulse, fine pulse in obese persons, and restless pulse in emaciated persons are all ominous signs (indicating contradiction between pulse and symptoms). Excess blood with deficient qi tends to make the body fat; excess qi with deficient blood tends to make the body thin. Fat people can endure cold; thin people can endure heat. Lush beard extending to the chest indicates excess in the Yangming channel; sparse and short beards indicate deficiency in the Yangming channel. Sitting with one leg hanging down indicates lower back pain. Slow walking may indicate bi-syndrome, or strong exterior qi, or lower back and leg pain, or numbness, gradually developing into wind disease. Protecting the abdomen as if holding an egg indicates heart pain. Yawning during pulse diagnosis indicates no disease (as stated in the classics, when yang qi draws upward and yin qi draws downward, yawning occurs; this mutual attraction of yin and yang indicates health or recovery). Shoulder shrugging during breathing indicates hardness and urgency in the chest. Breathing involving the chest with rebellious qi indicates cough. Breathing with open mouth indicates shortness of breath, characteristic of lung萎 (Lung Flaccidity) with spitting foam. Cold palms and cold abdomen indicate yin deficiency if palms are hot. During examination, patients crossing hands over the heart, closing eyes, and remaining silent indicate heart deficiency and palpitations. Inability of the "granaries" (Spleen/Stomach) to store and inability of the "gates" (orifices) to control indicates bladder failure to store urine. Head drooping with deep-set eyes indicates impending loss of spirit. Curved back and drooping shoulders indicate deterioration of the fu organs. Difficulty turning and shaking the waist indicates exhaustion of the Kidneys. The knees are the mansion of sinews; inability to flex and extend, and stooping while walking, indicate exhaustion of sinews. Bones are the mansion of marrow; inability to stand for long and trembling while walking indicate exhaustion of bones. Swelling of eyelids and ten fingers indicates chronic cough.