脉之形体长而圆，如以水贯葱叶中，有长有短，有大有小，有虚有实，有
缓有紧。（长短以纵言，大小以广言，虚实以蕴积言，缓紧以张弛言。）
长 溢出三指之外为长。
短 歉于三指之中为短。
按寸口之脉，由胸中行至大指端，非有断截，本无长短可言。然脉体有现
有不现，不现者按之止见其动于三指之内，现者见其长出于三指之外，则长短宜分
矣。（高鼓峰云∶有形体之长，有往来之长，往来之长，谓来有余韵也。按高说甚善，长
短虽本言形体，而凡脉之
以神气悠长为贵者，固可因此说而想见其状矣。）
大 大而盛于浮分，名洪；大而散漫渗开，脉与肉无界限，名散。
小 与大相反，一名细，细甚无力名微。
虚 虚，不实也。虚甚则中空，名芤。
实 实，结实之谓。实如按猪筋，虚如按灯心，芤如按葱。旧谓浮中沉皆有力
为实，皆无力为虚，浮沉皆有力，惟中无力为芤，虽未尝不是，然尚非正解。（实如葱
中水充实，虚则不充，芤者尤其不充者也。）
缓 柔软之意，甚则失之软弱，而名软名弱。旧以缓属迟，盖缓兼两义也。
紧 即搏急，与缓相反。如张弦，如引绳，两头牵紧，必挺劲抗指，紧不甚，
名弦。弦紧而大者，名革牢。
长短有得于禀赋者，筋现者脉怕长，筋不现者脉怕短也。有随时令变异者，则
春脉长，而秋脉短也。有因病而变异者，则邪气长而脉长，正气短而脉短也。
大小有得于禀赋者，世所谓六阳六阴也。（生成脉大者名六阳脉，小者名六阴脉。）有随时令
变异者，时当生长则脉大，当收敛则脉小也。有因病而变异者，邪有余则脉大，（邪
气壅满。）正不足则脉小也。（血气衰少。）
虚实亦有得于生成者，肉坚实者脉多实，虚软者脉多虚也。亦有变于时令者，
春夏发泄，虽大而有虚象；秋冬敛藏，虽小而有实形也。若因病而异，则大而实，
（不特壅满，而且积实。）小而虚者，（不特衰小，而且空虚。）可验正邪之主病。（俱盛邪盛，俱衰正衰。）大
而虚，（气有余，血不足，如葱中少水，但吹之使胀也。）小而实者，（血能充，而气衰不鼓。）
可验阴阳之偏枯。
紧缓有得于生成者，皮肤绷急者脉多紧，宽松者脉多缓也。其变于时令，则天
气严凝而筋脉收引，天气暄热而筋脉弛纵也。其因病而变者，则或外感风寒，或内
伤生冷，寒胜故脉收引，而紧急有力。或热或湿，筋脉纵弛，而软弱无力也。
附∶洪、散、微、芤、弦、革、牢、软、（旧作 ，又作濡。）弱各脉。
洪 洪即大耳。旧以洪为来盛去衰，是大之盛于浮分者也。
散 脉形本圆敛，今散漫不收，似大而实非大，盖虚甚而四散者也。
微 古以微属浮，细属沉。分微为阳衰，细为血少。本集各脉皆直指本义，故
以细甚无力为微。
芤 脉虚而且中空者。芤，慈葱名。如卧葱管于指下，轻取重取皆有，而中取
则无，此为失血之脉。
弦 似紧而略逊，但稍见抗指即是，不若紧之搏手。凡弦紧之脉，由外邪而致
者，犹易为治，由正虚而致者，则难为功。盖脾胃虚败，中和之气，化为劲急，土
败木贼，不可救矣。古人有时以长为弦，如谓春脉弦，而言其软弱直长，是弦即长
也。今分为二，则弦自有急劲之意，不仅长而已。
革牢 弦大迟而浮虚者为革，如按鼓皮，内虚空而外绷急也。弦大迟而沉实者
为牢，寒气深痼，如牢狱也。
软弱 皆柔缓之甚而无力者。旧以软属浮，弱属沉。
脉的形态长而圆，就像用水贯穿葱叶中间一样，有长有短，有大有小，有虚有实，有缓有紧。（长短是从纵向来说的，大小是从横向广度来说的，虚实是指内部充盈程度的积累情况，缓紧是指脉管的张弛状态。）
长：脉搏搏动范围溢出三指（寸、关、尺）之外的称为长。
短：脉搏搏动范围不足三指（寸、关、尺）范围的称为短。
按摸寸口之脉，从胸中运行至大拇指端，并没有断截之处，本来没有长短可言。然而脉象表现有的显现出来，有的不显现出来；不显现的，按压时只能看到它在三指范围内跳动；显现的，能看到它长出三指之外，这样长短就应该区分了。（高鼓峰说：有形体上的长，有往来气势上的长，往来气势上的长，是指来势有余韵。按高氏的说法很妥当，长短虽然本意是指形体，但凡是脉象以神气悠长为贵重的，确实可以通过这个说法想象出它的状貌了。）
大：脉体大而盛于浮取部位，称为洪脉；大而散漫渗开，脉象与肌肉没有界限，称为散脉。
小：与大脉相反，一名细脉，细到极且无力的称为微脉。
虚：虚，就是不充实。虚到极点则中间空虚，称为芤脉。
实：实，就是结实的意思。实脉像按猪筋，虚脉像按灯心草，芤脉像按葱管。旧时说浮取、中取、沉取都有力的为实，都无力的为虚，浮取和沉取有力，唯独中取无力为芤脉，这虽然并非不对，但还不是正解。（实脉像葱管中水充实，虚脉则不充，芤脉则是更加不充的情况。）
缓：柔软的意思，严重了就失之软弱，称为软脉或弱脉。旧时将缓归属于迟脉，大概是因为缓兼有两层含义。
紧：就是搏动急迫，与缓脉相反。像张开的弓弦，像拉紧的绳子，两头牵紧，必然挺劲抵抗手指，紧的程度如果不甚，称为弦脉。弦紧而且大的，称为革脉或牢脉。
长短有得自先天禀赋的，筋骨显露的人脉怕长，筋骨不显露的人脉怕短。有随季节时令变化的，那么春脉长，秋脉短。有因病而变化的，邪气盛则脉长，正气衰则脉短。
大小有得自先天禀赋的，世上所说的六阳脉和六阴脉。（出生时脉大的叫六阳脉，小的叫六阴脉。）有随季节时令变化的，时节处于生长阶段则脉大，处于收敛阶段则脉小。有因病而变化的，邪气有余则脉大（邪气壅满），正气不足则脉小（血气衰少）。
虚实也有得自先天生成的，肌肉坚实的人脉多实，虚弱柔软的人脉多虚。也有随季节时令变化的，春夏季节发泄，虽然脉大但有虚象；秋冬季节敛藏，虽然脉小但有实形。如果因病而异，脉大且实的（不仅壅满，而且积实），脉小且虚的（不仅衰小，而且空虚），可以验证正气和邪气哪一方为主病（都是邪盛则邪盛，都是正衰则正衰）。脉大但虚的（气有余，血不足，像葱管里水少，只吹气使其胀大），脉小但实的（血能充盈，但气衰不能鼓动），可以验证阴阳哪一方偏枯。
紧缓有得自先天生成的，皮肤绷急的人脉多紧，皮肤宽松的人脉多缓。其随季节时令变化，天气严寒凝滞则筋脉收缩牵引，天气温暖炎热则筋脉松弛放纵。其因病而变化，或是外感风寒，或是内伤生冷，寒邪胜故脉收缩牵引，而紧急有力。或是热邪或湿邪，筋脉纵弛，而软弱无力。
附注：洪、散、微、芤、弦、革、牢、软、（旧作“濡”，又作“濡”。）、弱各脉。
洪：洪就是大。旧时说洪脉是来势盛而去势衰，这是指大脉在浮取部位特别盛大。
散：脉形本来是圆敛的，现在散漫不收，似大但实际上不是大，这是因为虚损至极而四散。
微：古时将微归属于浮脉，细归属于沉脉。将微分为阳气衰，细分为血少。本集对各脉都直指本义，所以将细到极且无力称为微脉。
芤：脉虚而且中间空虚的。芤，是慈葱的名称。像把葱管卧在手指下，轻取重取都有感觉，而中取则无，这是失血的脉象。
弦：类似紧脉但稍逊一筹，只要稍微见到抵抗手指的感觉就是了，不像紧脉那样搏击手掌。凡是弦紧的脉，由外邪导致的，还容易治疗，由正气虚导致的，就很难见效。因为脾胃虚败，中和之气化为劲急，土败木贼，不可救药了。古人有时把长称为弦，比如说是春脉弦，说的是它软弱直长，这就是弦即长。现在分为两类，那么弦自有急劲的意思，不仅仅是长而已。
革牢：弦大迟而浮虚的为革脉，像按鼓皮，内部虚空而外部绷急。弦大迟而沉实的为牢脉，寒气深固，像牢狱一样。
The form of the pulse is long and round, like water passing through the center of a scallion leaf. It varies in length (Chang) and shortness (Duan), largeness (Da) and smallness (Xiao), emptiness (Xu) and fullness (Shi), slackness (Huan) and tension (Jin). (Length and shortness refer to the longitudinal extent; largeness and smallness refer to the transverse width; emptiness and fullness refer to the accumulation or lack of internal substance; slackness and tension refer to the relaxation or constriction of the vessel.)
Long: The pulse extends beyond the three finger widths (Cun, Guan, Chi) is called Long.
Short: The pulse does not fill the space of the three finger widths is called Short.
When palpating the Cun Kou (Inch Gate) pulse, it runs from the chest to the tip of the thumb without interruption, so originally there is no concept of length or shortness. However, some pulses manifest visibly, while others do not. Those that do not manifest fully are felt only within the three-finger span upon pressure; those that manifest fully extend beyond the three fingers. Thus, length and shortness must be distinguished. (Gao Gufeng stated: There is physical length and dynamic length. Dynamic length refers to a lingering resonance in the pulse's arrival. Gao's explanation is excellent. Although length and shortness primarily describe physical form, any pulse considered precious for its spirit and prolonged vitality can be envisioned through this description.)
Large: A pulse that is large and vigorous at the superficial level (Floating/Fu) is called Hong (Surging). A pulse that is large and diffuse, lacking clear boundaries between the pulse and the flesh, is called San (Scattered).
Small: Opposite to Large, also known as Xi (Fine). When extremely fine and forceless, it is called Wei (Minute).
Empty (Xu): Xu means not solid. When extremely empty with a hollow center, it is called Kou (Bamboo Shoot).
Full (Shi): Shi means solid or knotty. Feeling a Shi pulse is like pressing a pig tendon; feeling a Xu pulse is like pressing a rush pith; feeling a Kou pulse is like pressing a scallion stalk. Old texts state that strength at floating, middle, and deep levels indicates Shi (Full); weakness at all three indicates Xu (Empty); strength at floating and deep but weakness at the middle indicates Kou. While not incorrect, this is not the definitive explanation. (A Shi pulse is like a scallion filled with water; a Xu pulse lacks this filling; a Kou pulse is even less filled.)
Slack (Huan): Means soft and relaxed. If excessively so, it becomes Ruannuo (Soft and Weak). Historically, Huan was sometimes grouped with Chi (Slow) because Huan encompasses two meanings.
Tension (Jin): Means rapid and tense, opposite to Huan. It feels like a tightened bowstring or a pulled rope, rigid and resisting the finger. If the tension is not severe, it is called Xian (Wiry). If Xian or Jin is also large, it is called Ge (Drum Skin) or Lao (Deep-Fixed).
Some variations in length are constitutional. Individuals with prominent tendons may have longer pulses; those without prominent tendons may have shorter pulses. Some vary with seasons: Spring pulses are long, Autumn pulses are short. Some vary with disease: Excess pathogenic factors lead to long pulses; deficiency of healthy Qi leads to short pulses.
Some variations in size are constitutional, known as Liu Yang (Six Yang) and Liu Yin (Six Yin) pulses. (Those born with large pulses are Liu Yang; those with small pulses are Liu Yin.) Some vary with seasons: Pulses enlarge during growth seasons and shrink during收敛 (convergence/storage) seasons. Some vary with disease: Excess pathogens cause large pulses (pathogenic qi stagnation); deficiency of healthy Qi causes small pulses (decline of blood and qi).
Variations in emptiness/fullness can also be constitutional. Those with firm flesh often have Full pulses; those with soft flesh often have Empty pulses. They also vary with seasons: In Spring and Summer, when qi exerts outwardly, pulses may appear large but show signs of emptiness; in Autumn and Winter, when qi stores inwardly, pulses may appear small but show signs of fullness. Pathologically, a large and full pulse (stagnation and accumulation) versus a small and empty pulse (decline and hollowness) helps identify whether the disease is dominated by excess pathogens or deficient healthy Qi (both excess indicate pathogen excess; both deficiency indicate healthy Qi deficiency). A large but empty pulse (excess qi, deficient blood, like blowing air into an empty scallion tube) versus a small but full pulse (blood is sufficient, but qi is too weak to propel) helps identify Yin-Yang imbalance.
Variations in tension/slackness can be constitutional. Those with tight skin often have Tense pulses; those with loose skin often have Slack pulses. Seasonal variations occur due to cold causing contraction and heat causing relaxation. Pathological variations include external Wind-Cold or internal injury from cold/raw food, where Cold excess causes contraction, resulting in a Tense, forceful pulse. Heat or Dampness causes relaxation, resulting in a Soft, forceless pulse.
Appendix: Hong, San, Wei, Kou, Xian, Ge, Lao, Ruan, Ruo pulses.
Hong: Hong simply means large. Old texts described it as "strong arrival, weak departure," referring to its vigor at the superficial level.
San: The pulse shape should be gathered and round, but now it is diffuse and uncontained. It seems large but is not truly large; it represents extreme emptiness scattering outward.
Wei: Ancient texts associated Wei with Floating and Xi with Deep. They distinguished Wei as Yang deficiency and Xi as Blood deficiency. This collection defines pulses by their primary meaning, so Wei is defined as extremely fine and forceless.
Kou: A pulse that is empty and hollow in the center. "Kou" is the name for a specific type of scallion. It feels like lying a scallion tube under the finger: present on light and heavy pressure, but absent on medium pressure. This is a pulse of blood loss.
Xian: Similar to Jin but slightly less intense. It merely needs to show some resistance to the finger, unlike Jin which beats against the palm. Xian or Jin pulses caused by external pathogens are easier to treat; those caused by healthy Qi deficiency are difficult to cure. This is because Spleen-Stomach failure transforms harmonious Qi into rigidity ("Earth fails, Wood attacks"), which is incurable. Sometimes ancients equated Chang (Long) with Xian, describing Spring pulses as soft, straight, and long. Now distinguished, Xian implies urgency and rigidity, not just length.
Ge and Lao: Ge is Xian, large, slow, floating, and empty, feeling like pressing a drum skin (hollow inside, tight outside). Lao is Xian, large, slow, deep, and solid, indicating deeply entrenched Cold pathogens, like a prison.
Ruan and Ruo: Both represent extreme softness and slackness with a lack of force. Old texts associated Ruan with Floating and Ruo with Deep.