Library

[Physical Characteristics] The characteristics of a Full pulse (Shi Mai) are that it is forceful, long and large in shape, and firm; upon finger pressure, the Floating (Fu), Middle (Zhong), and Deep (Chen) positions all exhibit this state.

[Etiology and Pathogenesis] A Blood Excess condition presenting with a Full pulse is mostly caused by the accumulation and knotting of Fire-Heat pathogenic factors. If a Full pulse appears at the Left Cun position, it indicates Heart exhaustion, with symptoms of tongue stiffness and surging Qi. If a Full pulse appears at the Right Cun position, it indicates Lung disease, with symptoms of vomiting, belching or hiccups, and throat pain. If a Full pulse appears at the Left Guan position, it indicates Liver Fire, with symptoms of hypochondriac pain. If a Full pulse appears at the Right Guan position, it indicates middle-jiao fullness and Qi-related pain. If a Full pulse appears at the Left Chi position, it indicates constipation and abdominal pain. If a Full pulse appears at the Right Chi position, it indicates hyperactivity and counterflow of Ministerial Fire (Xiang Huo).

[Combined Pulses] A Full pulse combined with a Tight pulse (Jin Mai) indicates stagnation of Cold accumulation within the body. A Full pulse combined with a Slippery pulse (Hua Mai) indicates pathology caused by phlegm coagulation.

[Commentary] The meaning of "Full" refers to the state where pathogenic factors are abundant and overflowing, presenting an image of firmness, strength, and excess. Since the pulse shape is already large and long, since it is both large and long and forceful, and since it exhibits these qualities in the Floating, Middle, and Deep positions, all characteristics of Yang pulses are fully present. Those who observe this pulse must suffer from major pathogens, major heat, major accumulations, and major masses. Therefore, Wang Shuhe stated in *Mai Jing* (Pulse Classic): "A Full pulse can be felt in both floating and deep palpations; the pulse is large, long, and slightly wiry, feeling solid and forceful under the fingers." He also said: "In cases of Blood Excess, the pulse is Full." He further stated: "When the pulse is Full, it is due to disorders of water and grain [diet]." He also said: "When the Qi comes forth solid and strong, this is called 'Excess' (Tai Guo)." From this, we can deduce that the Full pulse primarily indicates Excess-Heat conditions, not Deficiency-Cold conditions; this distinction is as clear as seeing one's eyebrows. Thus, Wang Shuhe held the view that a Full pulse at the Chi position leads to difficulty in urination. However, spurious formulas erroneously interpret a Full pulse at the Chi position as urinary incontinence, which is exactly opposite to Wang Shuhe's view! They also falsely claim that if the pulse feels like a rope responding to the finger, it is the form of a Tight pulse, not the image of a Full pulse. Although the Tight pulse and the Full pulse are similar, they are actually vastly different; the Tight pulse is wiry and urgent like a cut rope, rebounding against the hand left and right, whereas the Full pulse is both large and long, and forceful in all three positions. The Tight pulse occurs when Heat is constrained by Cold, so its image is tense and unrelaxed; the Full pulse occurs when pathogenic factors are driven by Fire, so its image is hard and full rather than soft and harmonious. By correlating with symptoms and examining through reason, the distinction becomes clear in mind and eye, and should not be confused.

[Further Commentary] Zhang Jiegu was misled by the spurious formula claiming that the Full pulse indicates Deficiency-Cold, and consequently used Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger) and Fu Zi (Prepared Aconite Root) for treatment; this is highly inadvisable as a model. If the Full pulse is combined with a Tight pulse, such treatment might be appropriate; but if there is no Tight pulse image, applying strongly warming agents to a person with major Heat will rarely fail to cause immediate death. Given Zhang Jiegu's wisdom, he undoubtedly treated cases where the Full pulse was combined with a Tight pulse.