（真脉，真脏脉也，即死脉也。文有异同，义无差别，总之不见胃气之脉，乃名真脏脉。）
真肝脉至，中外急，如循刀刃责责然，如按琴瑟弦。
真心脉至，坚而搏，如循薏苡子累累然。
真脾脉至，弱而乍数乍疏。
真肺脉至，大而虚，如毛羽中人肤。
真肾脉至，搏而绝，如弹石状辟辟然。
【按】凡持真脏脉者，肝至悬绝，十八日死。心至悬绝，九日死。肺
至悬绝，十二日死。肾至悬绝，七日死。脾至悬绝，四日死。
春胃微弦曰平，弦多胃少曰肝病，但弦无胃曰死。
夏胃微钩曰平，钩多胃少曰心病，但钩无胃曰死。
长夏胃微软弱曰平，弱多胃少曰脾病，但弱无胃曰死。
秋胃微毛曰平，毛多胃少曰肺病，但毛无胃曰死。
冬胃微石曰平，石多胃少曰肾病，但石无胃曰死。
蔡氏曰∶“不大不小，不长不短，不滑不涩，不浮不沉，不疾不迟，应手中和，意思欣欣，难以名状者，胃气脉也。”
东垣曰∶“有病之脉，当求其神。如六数七极，热也。脉中
有力，即有神矣。为泄其热。三迟二败，寒也。脉中有力，即
有神矣。为去其寒。若数极迟败，脉中不复有力，为无神也。
而遽泄之去之，神将何根据耶！故经曰，脉者，气血之先；气血
者，人之神也。”（按王宗正曰∶“诊脉之法，当从心肺俱浮，肾肝俱沉，脾在中
州。”即王氏之言，而知东垣所谓“脉中有力”之中，盖指中央戊
己土，正在中候也。胃气未散，虽数不至于极，迟不至于败，尚可图也。故东垣之所谓有神，即《内经》之
所谓有胃气也。）
(Real pulse, also known as the pulse of the Zang organs (Zhen Zang Mai), is the pulse of death. Although the textual descriptions may vary slightly, the meaning is identical; in essence, it refers to a pulse devoid of Stomach Qi (Wei Qi), which is named the pulse of the Zang organs.)
When the real Liver pulse arrives, it is tense and urgent both superficially and deeply, resembling the sensation of sliding along the edge of a knife, or like pressing the strings of a qin or se instrument.
When the real Heart pulse arrives, it is firm and striking, resembling the sensation of touching Coicis Semen (Yiyiren, 薏苡仁) beads that are clustered together.
When the real Spleen pulse arrives, it is weak and intermittently rapid and slow.
When the real Lung pulse arrives, it is large and empty, resembling the feeling of feathers lightly brushing against human skin.
When the real Kidney pulse arrives, it is forceful yet intermittent, sounding like stones being struck, "pi pi" loudly.
[Commentary] In cases where the pulse of the Zang organs is detected: if the Liver pulse appears suspended and severed (Xuan Jue, 悬绝), death occurs within eighteen days. If the Heart pulse appears suspended and severed, death occurs within nine days. If the Lung pulse appears suspended and severed, death occurs within twelve days. If the Kidney pulse appears suspended and severed, death occurs within seven days. If the Spleen pulse appears suspended and severed, death occurs within four days.
In spring, a pulse with a slight wiry quality (Xian, 弦) indicating Stomach Qi is considered normal (Ping, 平). A wiry quality predominant with little Stomach Qi indicates Liver disease. A wiry quality without any Stomach Qi indicates death.
In summer, a pulse with a slight hook-like quality (Gou, 钩) indicating Stomach Qi is considered normal. A hook-like quality predominant with little Stomach Qi indicates Heart disease. A hook-like quality without any Stomach Qi indicates death.
In late summer, a pulse with a slight soft and weak quality indicating Stomach Qi is considered normal. A soft and weak quality predominant with little Stomach Qi indicates Spleen disease. A soft and weak quality without any Stomach Qi indicates death.
In autumn, a pulse with a slight hairy/light quality (Mao, 毛) indicating Stomach Qi is considered normal. A hairy/light quality predominant with little Stomach Qi indicates Lung disease. A hairy/light quality without any Stomach Qi indicates death.
In winter, a pulse with a slight stone-like heavy quality (Shi, 石) indicating Stomach Qi is considered normal. A stone-like quality predominant with little Stomach Qi indicates Kidney disease. A stone-like quality without any Stomach Qi indicates death.
Cai stated: "Neither too large nor too small, neither too long nor too short, neither slippery nor choppy, neither floating nor sinking, neither rapid nor slow, responding with harmony and balance, exhibiting a vibrant and thriving spirit, difficult to describe in words—this is the pulse of Stomach Qi."
Li Dongyuan stated: "For pathological pulses, one must seek the 'Shen' (Spirit/Vitality). For instance, a pulse rate of six or seven beats per breath cycle, or extremely rapid, indicates Heat syndrome. If there is strength within the pulse, this constitutes having 'Shen'. The treatment should be to drain the Heat. Conversely, a pulse rate of three or two beats per breath cycle, or failing/decaying, indicates Cold syndrome. If there is strength within the pulse, this constitutes having 'Shen'. The treatment should be to dispel the Cold. However, if the pulse is both extremely rapid and extremely slow/failing, and lacks strength entirely, this is 'no Shen'. In such a case, rashly applying draining or dispelling methods would leave the Shen without foundation! Therefore, the Classic states: 'The pulse is the precursor of Qi and Blood; Qi and Blood are the Shen of humanity.'" ([Note] Wang Zongzheng stated: "The method of pulse diagnosis should follow the principle that Heart and Lung pulses are generally superficial (Fu), while Kidney and Liver pulses are generally deep (Chen), and the Spleen pulse resides in the Central Region (Zhong Zhou)." From Wang's statement, we can understand that Li Dongyuan's reference to "strength in the middle" (Zhong) likely refers to the Central Earth (Wu Ji Tu, 戊己土), corresponding to the intermediate depth of palpation (Zhong Hou, 中候). As long as Stomach Qi has not dissipated, even if the pulse is rapid but not extreme, or slow but not failing, recovery is still possible. Thus, Li Dongyuan's concept of having 'Shen' is equivalent to the concept of having 'Stomach Qi' in the Neijing.)