典藏书目

Question: Regarding the relationship between pulse and disease, how can one distinguish whether a disease is about to heal? Answer: At the three positions of Cunkou (Radial Pulse at the wrist crease), Guanshang (Middle position of the radial artery), and Chizhong (Distal position of the radial artery), if the size, floating/sinking, and slow/rapid characteristics of the pulse are equal and harmonious, even if there are still unresolved cold or heat symptoms, this pulse indicates that Yin and Yang are in a state of peace. Although the condition may be severe, it will likely heal. (The *Needle Classic · Forbidden Service Chapter* states: "The pulses at Cunkou and Renying (Carotid pulse) correspond with each other, being equal in size like a taut rope; this is called a 'Ping Ren' (healthy person)." This means the Cunkou pulse on the hand and the Renying pulse beside the throat are equal in size, indicating normalcy. The subsequent clause states: "When the Yin and Yang of all six pulses cease [to show extreme deviation], the patient will first experience chills and tremors, then sweat, and subsequently recover." This refers to the aforementioned situation.) Generally, when a patient presents with Jue (Cold Extremities) pulse, which is rapid and active, but after taking herbal decoctions the pulse becomes slower, or changes from floating and large to smaller, or shifts from restless/agitated to calm, these are all signs of impending recovery. If the pulse is floating and rapid but feels fine upon pressure, and the patient's body temperature is moderate, the disease is about to resolve. If a patient suffering from illness desires to drink water, it is a sign of impending recovery. In Taiyin Wind Strike, if the Yang aspect of the pulse is slight, the Yin aspect is choppy yet long, it indicates impending recovery. In Shaoyin Wind Strike, if the Yang aspect is slight and the Yin aspect is floating, it indicates impending recovery. In Jueyin Wind Strike, if the pulse is slightly floating, it indicates impending recovery; if not floating, it has not yet recovered.

Taiyang Disease may resolve between Si and Wei hours (09:00–15:00); Yangming Disease resolves between Shen and Xu hours (15:00–21:00); Shaoyang Disease resolves between Yin and Chen hours (03:00–09:00); Taiyin Disease resolves between Hai and Chou hours (21:00–03:00); Shaoyin Disease resolves between Zi and Yin hours (23:00–03:00); Jueyin Disease resolves between Chou and Mao hours (01:00–07:00).

Question: For any illness, how does one determine when it was contracted and when it will heal? Answer: Suppose a person contracts the disease at noon and recovers at midnight; this is because Yang obtains Yin and thus resolves. Suppose a person contracts the disease at midnight and recovers at noon; this is because Yin obtains Yang and thus resolves. A family member requests an examination, stating the patient suffers from fever and body pain, lying down. When the physician arrives and palpates the pulse, finding it deep and slow, they know the patient is recovering. Why? Because for exterior diseases, the pulse should be floating and large; since it is now deep and slow, we know recovery is imminent. Suppose the patient complains of sudden abdominal pain, sitting upright. When the physician palpates the pulse and finds it floating and large, they know the patient is recovering. Why? Because for interior diseases, the pulse should be deep and fine; since it is now floating and large, we know recovery is imminent.

Question: Why do some patients experience shaking/chills followed by sweating and resolution? Answer: If the pulse is floating and tight, but feels hollow (Kou Pulse) upon pressure, this is due to underlying deficiency. Therefore, shaking/chills and subsequent sweating leading to resolution are expected. The person is inherently deficient, hence the shaking; because the pulse is floating, sweating and resolution are expected. If the pulse is floating and rapid, and does not feel hollow upon pressure, the person is not inherently deficient. If self-resolution occurs, it will be through sweating alone, without shaking/chills. Question: Why do some patients resolve without shaking/chills and without sweating? Answer: The pulse is naturally faint. This is because the patient previously underwent diaphoresis (sweating therapy), emesis, purgation, or lost blood, resulting in a lack of internal Jin-Ye (Body Fluids). Waiting for Yin and Yang to naturally harmonize leads to self-healing; thus, there is no shaking/chills and no sweating, yet resolution occurs. Shanghai Zang Yun (referring to Li Dongyuan/Zhang Yuansu school): Resolution after shaking/chills belongs to Taiyang Disease; resolution without shaking/chills but with sweating belongs to Yangming Disease; resolution without shaking/chills and without sweating belongs to Shaoyang Disease. In Taiyang Disease unresolving, if the Yin and Yang aspects of the pulse both cease [showing extreme stagnation], there must first be shaking/chills, then sweating and resolution. If the Yang pulse is slight, resolution occurs via sweating; if the Yin pulse is slight, resolution occurs via purgation.

Hai Zang (Li Dongyuan): When Taiyang Disease transmits to Yangming Disease, although there may be indications for purgation, the Yangming syndrome反而 (instead) recedes, with no fever, no thirst, yet Shaoyang syndrome appears. This indicates resolution is possible. For Taiyang syndrome, resolution is indicated if there is no headache, no stiffness of the neck, and no pain in the limbs/joints, indicating the exterior pathogen is easily resolved. For Yangming syndrome, resolution is indicated if there is no fever or aversion to heat, indicating the interior pathogen is easily resolved. For Shaoyang syndrome, resolution is indicated if the alternating chills and fever no longer occur at a fixed time, showing the pathogen has not fully retreated. If Chaihu Tang (Bupleurum Decoction) is used, shifting the timing of symptoms—either earlier or later, moving Qi into Blood or Blood into Qi—the pathogen loses its place of residence, indicating resolution is possible. The pulse indicating resolution is Floating and Deficient (Xu); the pulse indicating non-resolution is Floating and Excess (Shi). Floating and Deficient indicates the pathogen remains in the Exterior; Floating and Excess indicates the pathogen has entered the Interior. Profuse sweating without resolution indicates transmission to Yangming Disease.