Library

The *Shenmen* pulse (Spirit Gate Pulse) at the *Chi* position (Cubit position, distal part of the radial artery) of both hands. Wang Shuhe said: "If the *Shenmen* pulse is severed, located on both sides behind the *Guan* position (Middle position), and a person lacks these two pulses, when critically ill, they cannot be saved." A detailed examination of his discussion on the deficiency and excess of the Kidney shows that it is verified after the *Shenmen* point in the *Chi* position. Water is the primal origin of Heaven One, upon which all things rely for their beginning. Therefore, if the *Shenmen* pulse ceases, the root of congenital essence is severed, and there is absolutely no day for revival. The *Mai Jue* (Pulse Classic) erroneously identifies it as the Heart pulse. This mistake arose because there is an acupoint named *Shenmen* in the Heart meridian, located precisely at the end of the styloid process of the ulna (Dui bone). They confused it. Little do they know that the Heart is in the Upper Jiao; how could it be palpated at the *Chi* position?

The pulse does not pass through the *Cunkou* (Inch Port, proximal part of the radial artery) but enters the posterior arm via the *Lieque* acupoint, connecting to the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian. Because it does not run normally over the *Guan* position, it is called *Fanguan* (Reverse Gate) pulse. The hand must be turned over to palpate it to see it.

(Added text)
*Chongyang* acupoint is the Stomach pulse. (Also known as *Duyang*, located five cun between the big toe on the dorsum of the foot, where the arterial pulse is felt between the bones.) Whenever the disease condition is critical, one should palpate *Chongyang* to verify the presence or absence of Stomach Qi. Earth is the mother of all things, the foundation of nourishment. Thus, the Classics state: "If the *Chongyang* pulse ceases, death is incurable."
*Taixi* acupoint is the Kidney pulse. (Located in the depression above the heel bone behind the medial malleolus, where the arterial pulse is felt.) Whenever the disease condition is critical, one should monitor *Taixi* to verify the presence or absence of Kidney Qi. Water is the primal origin of Heaven One, the foundation of initiation. Thus, the Classics state: "If the *Taixi* pulse ceases, death is incurable."
*Taichong* acupoint is the Liver pulse. (Located two cun posterior to the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe.) The Classics state: "Palpating whether the patient's *Taichong* pulse exists can determine life or death." (The *Nan Jing* states: "If there is pulse in the upper part but none in the lower part, the person should vomit; if they do not vomit, they will die.")

(Added text)
Zhu Danxi said: "In ancient times, Xuanyuan Huangdi ordered Ling Lun to cut bamboo from Xie Valley to make the *Huangzhong* pitch pipe, to observe the solar terms of heaven and earth. He ordered Qibo to take the *Qikou* (Radial Pulse) to establish pulse diagnosis, to observe the vital qi of humans. Therefore, the length of *Huangzhong* is nine fen, and the length of *Qikou* is also nine fen; with the pitch pipe established, the measurement of Cun begins. Thus, the movement of the pulse: Yang obtains nine fen, Yin obtains one Cun, matching *Huangzhong*. Heaven is deficient in the northwest, with Yang in the south and Yin in the north; therefore, men have strong Cun pulses and weak Chi pulses, resembling Heaven. Earth is incomplete in the southeast, with Yang in the north and Yin in the south; therefore, women have strong Chi pulses and weak Cun pulses, resembling Earth. *Huangzhong* is the omen of Qi, thus it can measure the seasons of heaven and earth. *Qikou* is the convergence of pulses, thus it can know the life and death of humans. Vulgar doctors of the world recite the false formulas of Gao Yangsheng, intending to treat diseases; it is rare that they do not kill people." (Can Huangzi said: "Men are governed by Yang, so both Cun pulses are often stronger than the Chi pulses; women are governed by Yin, so both Chi pulses are often stronger than the Cun pulses; this is the norm. Reversing this indicates disease.") According to Chu Cheng's *Zunsheng Jing*, male pulses are exactly as described by Shuhe. For females, the left Cun corresponds to Mingmen and Sanjiao, Guan to Spleen and Stomach, Chi to Lung and Large Intestine; the right Cun corresponds to Kidney and Bladder, Guan to Liver and Gallbladder, Chi to Heart and Small Intestine. Men's Chi pulses are often weak, representing the faint initial Qi. Women's Chi pulses are often strong, representing the position of Taiyang Heart Fire. Reviewing various schools, Chu's theory is the most precise. Regarding the distinction of Yin and Yang between men and women: during pregnancy, male fetuses embrace the mother, female fetuses turn away from her; during urination, males face downward, females face upward. Male life is rooted in the Kidney, aging starts from below, so the lower abdomen sags first; female life is rooted in the breasts, aging starts from above, so the breasts wither first. The strength and weakness of Cun and Chi pulses in men and women resemble Heaven and Earth. Yue Ren (Bian Que) believed men are born in Yin month and women in Shen month, with Three Yin growing from Earth and Three Yang born from Heaven; this is extremely erroneous. Only Danxi based his argument on musical laws, integrating Heaven and Human principles to refute this, making it clear after a thousand years. Is this not correct? The *Mai Jing* states: "Left pulse large suits men, right pulse large suits women."