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The discussions on pulse and tongue have already been detailed in the previous general principles. Here, repeated admonitions are made, using reiterated words to clarify the points, truly because palpating the pulse and examining the tongue are essential for clinical diagnosis and for a physician's practice. When symptoms are ambiguous, rely on the pulse; when the pulse is ambiguous, rely on the tongue. The previous discussion only detailed the pulses and tongues of the Six Channels (Taiyang, Yangming, Shaoyang, Taiyin, Shaoyin, Jueyin), but did not elaborate one by one on how to diagnose abdominal distension, what the manifestations of different body parts are, what constitute normal versus abnormal pulses, what the morphology of the tongue body is, what the colors of the coating are, and what distinguishes true from false coatings. Therefore, "Essentials of Pulse Palpation" and "Essentials of Tongue Examination" are specifically divided into two sections to serve as a compass for clinical guidance. However, the principles of the pulse are subtle and profound; they are easy to understand in the mind but difficult to discern under the fingers. Tongue color is conspicuous, visible to the eye and palpable by hand, so examining the tongue is easier than palpating the pulse. Yet, the exactness of tongue color is fundamentally different from the subtlety of pulse principles, although the coating changes more rapidly than the pulse image. Even false or stained coatings must be carefully observed and thoroughly inquired about. Thus, clinical pulse palpation and tongue examination rely entirely on flexible application and deduction; they can be intuitively understood but are hard to fully express in words. With abundant experience and meticulous thinking, one will naturally grasp the essence of diagnosis. Now, let us clearly expound its essentials.

[Commentary by Xu Rongzhai]: Hu Anbang from Siming had an experiential insight regarding pulse palpation and tongue examination. His view is as follows: "Various pulses and tongues in diagnosis merely establish a general framework. Once we roughly understand which disease each pulse and tongue indicates, we should then seek their systematic connections. For example: a white and greasy tongue coating indicates exterior cold; yellow indicates transformation into heat and gradual entry into the interior; dry yellow indicates excessive internal heat; dry black indicates extreme heat with exhaustion of fluids. Similarly, a pale red tongue body is the normal color; bright red indicates heat; deep red indicates deeper heat; crimson indicates severe heat; purple indicates extreme heat. This is the first point. One must also distinguish between similar and distinct conditions: for instance, a slow pulse that is not smooth is a Choppy pulse (Se Mai); if it has intermittent pauses, it is a Knotted pulse (Jie Mai); floating, large, and soft indicates Deficiency (Xu). Again, a rapid pulse that is wiry and urgent is a Tight pulse (Jin Mai); if smooth, it is a Slippery pulse (Hua Mai); if it has intermittent pauses, it is a Rapid-intermittent pulse (Cu Mai); if it comes like a bean grain, it is a Pulsating pulse (Dong Mai); if it comes excessively fast beyond the limit, it is a Hasty pulse (Ji Mai). This is the second point. If the former is understood, daily observation of pulse and tongue can reveal the severity of disease progression; if the latter is understood, observing pulse and tongue during consultation can reveal hidden versus prominent aspects of the condition. As for initial consultation, where finger sensations are vague and tongue coatings change unpredictably, making definitive judgments is difficult; the only method is to inquire carefully beforehand, listen to the patient's account, and verify it with pulse and tongue signs, thereby naturally hitting the key points. Thus, the *Neijing* states: 'Combine three and five [methods] to decide life and death.' It also says: 'Combining complexion and pulse ensures perfection.' This does not mean that obtaining fragmented information suffices for all diagnostic tasks. For example, if a patient complains of coughing, and the pulse is floating with a white coating, it is Wind-Cold (Feng Han); if the pulse is rapid with a yellow coating, it is Dry-Heat (Zao Re); if the pulse is fine and rapid with a red tongue body, it is Yin Deficiency (Yin Xu); if the pulse is soggy and slippery with a thick greasy coating, it is Phlegm-Dampness (Tan Shi). Consequently, methods such as dispersing, clearing, nourishing Yin, and warming transformation are all appropriate." Such examples help elevate understanding from perceptual cognition to rational cognition.