Library

Shen Rou stated: In deficiency-consumption diseases, if the pulse is surging and large (Hongda), but upon deep pressure, there remains a single line (referring to the substantial core of the pulse) in the middle, it is treatable; if the pulse is empty and scattered with no such line, even if there is temporary relief, death is inevitable. The "single line" mentioned here refers to the "spine" (the root/foundation) of the pulse, not an additional vessel felt under the fingers. I have said: Pulses in asthma (Chuan) are mostly full-of-fingers, void, and moving, lacking a normal shape; if there is a root, it is treatable; if there is no root, it is fatal. The "root" is the spine of the pulse. Yuan Lianfu stated: If a scattered pulse (Sanmai) contains a single line, it is a sign of liver pathogenic factors and spleen failure. This "single line" is tense, firm, and stiff under the fingers, devoid of vitality, indicating blood stagnating internally and qi having no place to return. Predecessors stated: Where yang qi does not reach, the pulse becomes wiry (Xian). When this wiry quality appears in interior conditions, it confirms that the true yang of the five zang organs has already dissipated. Shen Rou also said: In labor-damage syndromes with alternating chills and fever accompanied by diarrhea, if the pulse is rapid, surging, and slow upon deep pressure, feeling like a fine thread against the bone, it is incurable. Wang Hangan stated: In phlegm-fluid retention, the pulse often presents as wiry and surging, interspersed with a fine line, hidden under the fingers yet forceful. This fine and slippery quality appearing at moderate and deep depths indicates stomach yang being constrained and unable to diffuse. Whenever a fine line in the pulse is loose yet rapid, it indicates internal heat restrained by tangible pathogens, either due to internal accumulation of hot-phlegm or internal stasis of hot-blood. These three types differ in form and prognosis, so they must be distinguished carefully. Internal stasis of hot-blood may develop into an internal abscess. Symptoms include irritability and thirst worsening at night, vague swelling and pain, and red, scanty urination.

Mai Jian Bu Yi discusses pulses resembling measuring lines, regarding them as signs of phlegm diseases and the dispersion of blood and exhaustion of qi near death, which is a detailed explanation. Recently, reading the Biography of Master Cang, it states: "Palpating the pulse, one obtains the yin qi of the lung; its arrival is multi-directional, yet inconsistent upon reaching; the complexion overcomes the pulse color, therefore it is known that death from hematuria will occur within ten days." Obtaining the lung's yin qi means obtaining the true zang pulse of the lung. The Nei Jing states: What is called 'yin' refers to the true zang pulse. The lung pulse is short, choppy, and scattered, hence described as arriving in a scattered manner. "Multi-directional" means multiple lines running parallel, like measuring lines. "Inconsistent upon reaching" signifies true choppy (Se) quality. Death from hematuria results from the failure of qi and blood to sustain each other. This disease originated from falling from a horse onto a stone, injuring the lung. Zhang Zhongjing's Bian Mai Pian states: "Coughing and rebellious qi with a scattered pulse indicate death, because the physical form is damaged." My humble annotation interprets "physical damage" as injury to the lung tissue, which coincides with this meaning. Because the organ's structure is瘀败 (stagnant and ruined), and true qi fails to nourish, the pulse scatters and fails to gather. From this, we can infer: in severe asthma and cough, as well as all cases of carbuncles, traumatic injuries, and hemorrhage, if this type of pulse is seen, especially when accompanied by choppy, knotted qualities and inconsistency upon arrival, death is imminent. Generally, if upon deep pressure the line gathers tightly under the fingers, it indicates phlegm excess; if the line scatters to both sides, it indicates qi dispersion. In the old theory of eight strange pulses, what is called "like untying a rope" (Ru Jie Suo) refers to this pulse.