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Old theories state: When pathogenic cold is in the Yang meridians, the pulse is floating; when pathogen enters the Yin meridians, the pulse is sinking. This represents the general principle that a floating pulse indicates exterior conditions and a sinking pulse indicates interior conditions. In reality, when cold pathogen is initially contracted at the exterior, the pulse is often deep (Chen), tight (Jin), and rapid (Shu), rather than floating. Zhang Jingyue has already clarified this matter. When pathogen enters the Yin meridians, only in cases of direct strike by cold pathogen does the pulse appear deep and tight; if heat transforms from the Yang meridians and transmits inward, the pulse is typically surging (Hong) and full, rarely transforming into a fine (Xi) and thin pulse. Then, are the old theories incorrect? The answer is: When it is said that the pulse of the Yang meridians lies in "floating," it does not mean the pulse itself must be floating, but rather that the practitioner should examine its variations at the superficial level (Fu fen, light pressure); when it is said that the pulse of the Yin meridians lies in "sinking," it does not mean the pulse itself must be sinking, but rather that the practitioner should examine its variations at the deep level (Chen fen, heavy pressure). Generally, upon initial contraction of external pathogen, if it belongs to wind-heat, the pulse floats, but the signs of wind-heat are only visible at the superficial level; if pressed heavily, they disappear. If it belongs to wind-cold, the pulse is deep and cannot float, but the signs of wind-cold are only present where the finger force first touches the skin surface of the pulse; if pressed heavily to the bottom of the pulse, they also disappear, and the momentum suggests an intention to float but inability to do so. From this, we can see that cold pathogen occupies the exterior, preventing Yang qi from reaching the outside. This explains the saying "pathogen in Yang meridians results in a floating pulse." When pathogen enters the interior, if it involves deep cold or cold-dampness received from below directly entering the Yin meridians, pressing deeply will definitely reveal a fine and tight pulse; if heat pathogen enters the interior while exterior cold binds, the pulse will likely be floating and tight with a slippery quality at the deep level. Regarding cold damage transforming into heat in the Yang meridians and transmitting to the Yin meridians, this is merely the internal connection of pathogen, not a complete shift of pathogen inward with the total resolution of exterior pathogen. The pulse should feel more surging and solid compared to when the disease was in the Yang meridians; the variations of the pathogen are seen not only in the superficial level but also in the deep level. This explains the saying "pathogen in Yin meridians results in a sinking pulse." If exterior pathogen enters the interior and the exterior completely recedes, showing only interior symptoms, this must be due to internal deficiency causing pathogen to sink inward; or if heat knots in the chest causing confusion and delirious speech, the pulse must be deep, fine, and rapid; or if cold sinks into the middle jiao causing diarrhea and cold feet, the pulse must be deep, faint, and nearly imperceptible, or deep, tight, and slow. With excess pathogen and deficient healthy qi, recovery is harder than in cases of direct strike by pathogen. "Internal connection" means pathogen spreads while healthy qi is insufficient to resist; "internal sinking" means healthy qi is entirely deficient, allowing pathogen to occupy its stronghold. "Direct strike" implies although there is also deficiency of healthy qi, the pathogen strikes directly without spreading widely or firmly establishing itself, so urgent attack is possible, but delay renders it ineffective. There are also cases where pathogen is excessive at the exterior and healthy qi is deficient at the interior, such as "if the chi position is faint, sweating is contraindicated; if the chi position is slow, purgation is contraindicated." In these cases, the deficient areas lack pathogen, so one should urgently tonify the deficiency to assist healthy qi in expelling pathogen; otherwise, pathogen will sink inward. If pathogen is everywhere, treatment becomes difficult to initiate.