脉分两手,手分三部,隔寸尺者,命之曰关,去肘度尺曰尺,关前一寸为寸,左手之寸
极上,右手之尺极下,男子阳顺,自下生上,故极下之地,右手之尺为受,命之根本。如天
地未分,元气浑沌也。既受命矣,万物从土而出,惟脾为先,故尺上之关为脾,脾土生金,故
关上之寸为肺,肺金生水,故自右手之寸,越左手之尺为肾,肾水生木,故左手尺上之关为
肝,肝木生火,故关上之寸为心。女子阴逆自上生下,故极上之地,左手之寸为受命之根
本,既受命矣,万物土上而出,惟脾为先,故左手寸下之关为脾,脾土生金,故关下之尺为
肺,肺金生水,故左手之尺越右手之寸为肾,肾水生木,故右手寸下之关为肝,肝木生火,
故关下之尺为心。男子右手尺脉常弱,初生微眇之气也;女子尺脉常强,心大之位也,非
男非女之身,感以妇人,则男脉应胗,动以男子则女脉顺指,不察乎此,难与言医。同化五
谷,故胃为脾府,而脉从脾;同气通泄,故大肠为肺府,而脉从肺;同主精血,故膀胱为肾府,
而脉从肾;同感交合,故小肠为心府,而脉从心∶同以脉为窍,故胆为肝府。而脉从肝澄生
后世传其言而已,尔初决其秘,发悟后人矣,非至神乎。体修长者脉疏,形侏儒者脉密
,肥人如沉,而正沉者愈沉,瘦人如浮,而正浮者愈浮,未烛斯理,遏愈众疾,表里多名,呼
吸定至,抑皆未也。世俗并传,兹得略云尔。
The pulse is divided into the left and right hands, and each hand is further divided into three positions: Cun (Inch), Guan (Bar), and Chi (Cubit). The position separating the Cun and Chi positions is called the Guan (Bar). The distance from the elbow crease to the wrist crease is measured as the Chi (Cubit) region, and the position one cun anterior to the Guan is the Cun (Inch) region.
For men, Yang Qi moves in a順 (smooth/forward) direction, growing from bottom to top. Therefore, the position at the lowest point, which is the Right Hand Chi (Cubit) pulse, receives the vital energy and serves as the root of life, akin to the primordial chaos before Heaven and Earth were separated. Once life is received, all things emerge from Earth; thus, the Spleen (Pi Zang, Spleen Organ) is primary. Consequently, the Guan (Bar) position above the Chi corresponds to the Spleen. Since Spleen Earth generates Lung Metal, the Cun (Inch) position above the Guan corresponds to the Lungs. Since Lung Metal generates Kidney Water, the pulse travels from the Right Hand Cun, crossing over to the Left Hand Chi, corresponding to the Kidneys. Since Kidney Water generates Liver Wood, the Guan position above the Left Hand Chi corresponds to the Liver. Since Liver Wood generates Heart Fire, the Cun position above the Guan corresponds to the Heart.
For women, Yin Qi moves in a 逆 (reverse/backward) direction, generating from top to bottom. Therefore, the position at the highest point, which is the Left Hand Cun (Inch) pulse, serves as the root of receiving life. Once life is received, all things emerge from above the Earth; thus, the Spleen is primary. Consequently, the Guan position below the Left Hand Cun corresponds to the Spleen. Since Spleen Earth generates Lung Metal, the Chi position below the Guan corresponds to the Lungs. Since Lung Metal generates Kidney Water, the pulse travels from the Left Hand Chi, crossing over to the Right Hand Cun, corresponding to the Kidneys. Since Kidney Water generates Liver Wood, the Guan position below the Right Hand Cun corresponds to the Liver. Since Liver Wood generates Heart Fire, the Chi position below the Guan corresponds to the Heart.
The Right Hand Chi pulse in men is often weak, reflecting the subtle and minute Qi at birth. The Chi pulse in women is often strong, associated with the prominent position of the Heart. If this distinction is not observed, when dealing with individuals of ambiguous sexual characteristics, applying female principles to males will cause male pulses to appear agitated; applying male principles to females will make female pulses appear compliant. Without understanding this, it is difficult to discuss medicine.
The body assimilates the five grains; therefore, the Stomach is the Fu organ of the Spleen, and its pulse follows the Spleen. They share similar Qi for transmission and excretion; therefore, the Large Intestine is the Fu organ of the Lungs, and its pulse follows the Lungs. They jointly govern essence and blood; therefore, the Bladder is the Fu organ of the Kidneys, and its pulse follows the Kidneys. They participate in union and interaction; therefore, the Small Intestine is the Fu organ of the Heart, and its pulse follows the Heart. Similarly, using the pulse as an orifice, the Gallbladder is the Fu organ of the Liver, and its pulse follows the Liver. Chu Cheng lived in later generations and merely transmitted his words. He originally deciphered these secrets and enlightened posterity; is this not extremely profound?
Individuals with tall and slender builds have sparse pulses, while those with short and stocky builds have dense pulses. Obese individuals tend to have deep pulses, and if they naturally have deep pulses, they become even deeper. Thin individuals tend to have floating pulses, and if they naturally have floating pulses, they become even more floating. Failing to illuminate this principle hinders the treatment of many diseases. There are numerous names for superficial and interior pulses, and methods of counting pulse beats per breath cycle are not entirely accurate. These views are widely circulated among the secular world; here, we can only briefly state them.