脉虽四诊之一。其精微玄妙。非粗工庸术所能推测。晋王叔和之言曰。心中易了。指下难明。谓沉为伏。方治永乖。
以缓作迟。危殆立至。况有数候。俱见异病同脉者乎。若是乎辨之不易也予何人斯。敢为脉辨。然理虽难辨。
自上古神圣以及历代名宿。虽兼望闻问。未有舍切而能施其巧者。予又不得不为之辨。辨之云者。亦非敢于古人未发之
旨。妄增一说也。古人之言简质平意淡。多含蓄未易通晓。予则辨之使显。俾隐深之妙。洞若观火。
及至后儒。各殚所学。博求众本。人持一说。莫所适从。予则辨之。使其据经分剖。不致混乱。一辨大略也。自二辨至
七辨。宗伯仁之六脉。而着其所统共得二十九脉。每脉各注。其阴阳。肖其形象。如芤动牢革之最难明者。皆
有确义可寻。自八辨至十二辨。则详叙十二经源流。不特尽脉所经行之处。与诊脉之法。如辨肺经。则肺之体。肺之
用。肺之性情。肺所受六淫七情之伤。以及肺之积。肺之败。不独知肺之脉。兼尽肺之义。心脾肝肾。莫不皆
然。而于胞络三焦。向所愦愦者。尤极开晰。自十四辨至三十二辨。则究极脉中变化之奥。有全取诸书者。则标其目。
虽粗工庸术。阅是编当亦有会。然不敢自谓无漏也。聊以此请正天下。有 知予盖留心于此道者。或肯惠然赐教耳。
Although pulse diagnosis is one of the Four Diagnostic Methods (Inspection, Auscultation-Olfaction, Inquiry, and Palpation), its subtlety and profundity cannot be surmised by crude practitioners or mediocre skills. Wang Shuhe of the Jin Dynasty stated, "It is easy to understand in the mind, but difficult to clarify under the fingers." This refers to mistaking the Chen (Deep) pulse for the Fu (Hidden) pulse, leading to completely erroneous treatment; or mistaking the Huan (Moderate/Relaxed) pulse for the Chi (Slow) pulse, causing immediate peril to the patient. Furthermore, how much more complex is it when multiple pulse presentations appear in different diseases (Yi Bing Tong Mai)? Thus, differentiation is not easy. Who am I to dare write a treatise on pulse differentiation? However, although the principles are difficult to differentiate, from the ancient divine sages to famous masters of successive dynasties, although they employed Inspection, Auscultation-Olfaction, and Inquiry, none could apply their skill without relying on Palpation (Qie). Therefore, I am compelled to differentiate them. By "differentiating," I do not dare to arbitrarily add new interpretations to the unexpressed intentions of the ancients. The words of the ancients were concise, plain, and subtle, often implicit and hard to comprehend. I differentiate them to make them explicit, so that the profound mysteries become as clear as observing fire.
Later Confucian physicians, each expending their learning and extensively seeking various texts, held individual theories, leaving readers at a loss for direction. I differentiate them to ensure they are analyzed according to classics, preventing confusion. This constitutes the first general outline. From the Second Differentiation to the Seventh Differentiation, following Zongbo Ren's discussion of the Six Pulses, I elaborate on the twenty-nine pulses collectively governed by them. Each pulse is annotated with its Yin-Yang attributes and described in imagery. Even the most difficult-to-understand pulses, such as Kong (Hollow), Dong (Fluttering), Lao (Firm), and Ge (Leather), have precise meanings to be found. From the Eighth Differentiation to the Twelfth Differentiation, I detail the origins and flows of the Twelve Meridians. Not only are the pathways of the pulses and methods of diagnosis described in detail—for example, in differentiating the Lung Meridian, I discuss the form, function, nature, and temperament of the Lung, injuries caused by the Six Evils (Wind, Cold, Summer-heat, Dampness, Dryness, Fire) and Seven Emotions (Joy, Anger, Worry, Pensiveness, Grief, Fear, Fright), as well as Lung accumulations and failures—I also exhaust the meaning of the Lung beyond just its pulse. The same applies to the Heart, Spleen, Liver, and Kidney. Particularly regarding the Pericardium Collateral (Baoluo) and Sanjiao (Triple Burner), which were previously sources of confusion, I provide extreme clarity. From the Fourteenth Differentiation to the Thirty-Second Differentiation, I explore the profound changes within pulse patterns. Where I fully adopt content from other books, I mark the headings. Even crude practitioners may gain insight from reading this compilation. However, I dare not claim it is flawless. I submit this to the knowledgeable world for correction, hoping that those who know I have devoted attention to this art might kindly offer instruction.