旧诀。以浮芤滑实弦紧洪为七表。以沉微迟缓濡伏弱涩为八里。以长短虚促结代牢动细
为九道。不无可议处。浮沉迟数。为诊脉四大纲。旧诀竟脱去数字。谬甚。当就李濒湖李士
材二十七字外。更增入大脉方足。然病无定情。脉不单见。学无头绪。指下茫然。兹以浮沉
迟数虚实大缓八脉为主。而以兼见之脉附之。总括以诗。为切脉之捷法。
浮。（轻手乃得。重手不见。）为阳为表。（除沉伏牢三脉之外。皆可互见。）浮而中空为
芤。（有边无中。如以指着葱之象。）主失血。浮而抟指为革。（中空外坚。似以指按鼓皮之
状。浮见也。视芤脉。中更空而外更坚。）主阴阳不交。浮而不聚为散。（按之散而不聚。来
去不明。）主气散。
诗曰。浮为表脉病为阳。轻手扪来指下彰。芤似着葱知血脱。革如按鼓识阴亡。（孤阳
越于上。便知真阴竭于下矣。）从浮辨散形撩乱。定散非浮气败伤。除却沉中牢伏象。请君
象外更参详。（浮。不沉也沉中诸脉俱不能兼。）
沉。（轻手不得。重手乃得。按至肌肉以下。）为阴为里。（除浮革芤散四脉之外。皆可
互见。）沉而几无为伏。（着骨始得。较沉更甚。）主邪闭。沉而有力为牢。（沉而强直抟指。）
主内实。
诗曰。沉为里脉病为阴。浅按如无按要深。伏则幽潜推骨认。牢为劲直着筋寻。须知诸
伏新邪闭。可悟诸牢内实寻。除却浮中芤革散。许多活法巧从心。（沉。不浮也。浮中诸脉。
不
迟。（一息。三至或二至。）为在脏为寒。（除数紧促动四脉之外。皆可互见。）迟而时止
为结。（迟中而时有一止也。但无定数）主气郁血壅痰滞。（亦主气血渐衰。）迟而更代为代。
（缓中一止。不能自还而更代也止有定数。）主气绝。（亦主经坠。有阻。妊
诗曰。迟为在脏亦为寒。（脉经云。迟为寒。仲景云。迟为在脏。）一息未及四至弹。（一
呼一吸。合为一息。一呼脉来二至。一吸脉来二至。合为一息四至。为平人之脉。迟则一息
三至。或一息二至。至于一息一至。必死。）结以偶停无定数。（迟中一止也。）代因不返即
更端。（一脏气绝。其脉往而不能自还他脏因而更代之。须知此脉止有定数。）共传代主元阳
绝。还识结成郁气于。除却数中促紧动。诸形互见细心观。（迟。不数也。数中诸脉不能兼
见。）
数。（一息。五六至。）为在腑为热。（除迟结代三脉之外。俱可互见。）数而牵转为紧。
（如牵绳转索。）主寒邪而痛。（亦主表汗。）数而时止为促。（数中时有一止。亦无定数。）
主
邪气内陷。数见关中为动。（形圆如豆。厥厥摇动见于关部。）主阴阳相搏。（主气与惊。男
亡阳。女血崩。）
诗曰。数为腑脉热居多。（仲景云。数为在腑脉经云。数为热。）一息脉来五六科。（谓
一息五六至也。至七八至者危。）紧似转绳寒甫闭。动如摇豆气违和。数中时止名为促。促
里阳偏即是魔（阳盛为促。）除却迟中兼结代。旁形侧出细婆婆。（数。不迟也。迟中诸脉。
不能兼见。）
虚。（不实也。应指无力。浮中沉三候俱有之。前人谓豁然空大见于浮脉者非。）主虚。
（有素禀不足。因虚而生病者。有邪气不解。因病而至虚者。）虚而沉小为弱。（沉细而软。
按之乃得。沉见。）主血虚（亦分阴阳胃气。）虚而浮小为濡。（如絮浮水面。○浮见。）主气
虚。（亦主外湿。）虚而模糊为微。（不显也。指下不分明。若无若有。浮中沉皆是。）主阴阳
气绝。虚而势滞为涩。（往来干涩。如轻刀刮竹之象。）主血虚。亦主死血。虚而形小为细。
（形如蜘蛛丝之细。指下分明。）主气冷。虚而形缩为短。（寸不通鱼际。尺不通尺泽。）主
气
损。（亦主气郁。）诗曰。虚来三候按如绵。元气难支岂偶然。弱在沉中阴已竭。濡居浮分气
之愆。痨成脉隐微难见。（指下不分明。）
病剧精干涩遂传。冷气蛛丝成细象。（以上皆言脉势。唯细大长短。皆指脉形而言。细
者形如蛛丝也。微与细相类。但微对显而言。细对大而言。分别在此。）短为形缩郁堪怜。
实。（不虚也。应指有力。浮中沉俱有之。四言脉诀云。牢甚则实。独附于沉脉者非。
大抵指下清楚而和缓。为元气之实。指下逼逼而不清。为邪气之实。）主实。实而流利为滑。
（往来流利。）主血治。（亦主痰饮。）实而迢长为长。（上至鱼际。下至尺泽。）主气治。（亦
主阳盛阴虚。）实而涌沸为洪。（应指满溢。如群波涌起之象。）主热极。亦主内虚。实而端
直为弦。（状如弓弦。按之不移。）主肝邪。（亦主寒。主痛。）
诗曰。实来有力象悠悠。邪正全凭指下求。（脉来有力。指下清而不浊。滑长不兼洪弦
之象。正气实也。如指下浊而不清。但见洪紧。不见滑长。是邪气实也。）流利滑呈阴素足。
迢遥长见病当瘳。洪如涌浪邪传热。弦以张弓木作仇。毫发分途须默领。非人浑不说缘由。
大。（即洪脉而兼脉形之阔大也。旧本统于洪脉。今分别之。）
诗曰。大脉如洪不是洪。形兼洪阔不雷同。绝无舞柳随风态。却似移兵赴敌雄。新病邪
强知正怯。夙 外实必中空。内经病进真堪佩。总为阳明气不充。（邪气盛。则胃气衰。故
脉大而不缓。）
缓。（脉来四至。从容不迫。）主正复。（和缓之缓。主正复。怠缓之缓。主中湿。）
诗曰。缓脉从容不迫时。诊来四至却非迟。胃阳恰似祥光布。谷气原如甘露滋。不问阴
阳欣得此。任他久暂总相宜。若还怠缓须当辨。湿中脾经步履疲。（胃气复。则邪气退。故
脉缓而不大。○缓者。主脉之气象从容不迫而言。非指往来之迟缓也。迟字对数字言。迟则
不数。数则不迟也。缓字所包者广。迟中有缓。数中亦有缓。非浅人所可领会。故内经与大
字对言。不与数字对言。其旨深哉。）
旧有的脉诀，将浮、芤、滑、实、弦、紧、洪这七种脉象归为“七表”，将沉、微、迟、缓、濡、伏、弱、涩这八种脉象归为“八里”，将长、短、虚、促、结、代、牢、动、细这九种脉象归为“九道”。这种分类并非没有可议论之处。浮、沉、迟、数这四者，是诊察脉搏的四大纲领，而旧有的脉诀竟然遗漏了这几个字，错误非常严重。应当在李濒湖（李时珍）和李士材总结的二十七字之外，再增加“大”脉，才算完备。然而病情没有固定的情状，脉象也不会单独出现。如果学习没有头绪，手指下的感觉就会茫然无措。现在以浮、沉、迟、数、虚、实、大、缓这八种脉象作为主脉，而以兼见的脉象附属于其后，总括成诗歌的形式，这是切脉的便捷方法。
浮脉。（轻取即得，重按不见。）属阳，属表。（除了沉、伏、牢这三种脉象之外，其他脉象都可以与浮脉互见。）浮而中空为芤脉。（有边无中，像用手指按在葱管上的样子。）主失血。浮而搏指为革脉。（中空外坚，像用手指按压鼓皮的状态，属于浮脉的一种。相比芤脉，中间更空，外面更坚。）主阴阳不交。浮而不聚为散脉。（按之散漫而不聚集，来去不明。）主气散。
诗曰：浮为表脉病属阳，轻手抚摸指下显明。芤脉似着葱管知血脱，革脉如按鼓皮识阴亡。（孤阳越于上，便知真阴竭于下矣。）从浮脉辨别散脉形状撩乱，确定散脉非浮脉而是气败伤。除却沉脉中的牢、伏象，请君在象外更详细参详。（浮脉，是不沉；沉脉中的各种脉象都不能兼见于浮脉。）
沉脉。（轻取不得，重按乃得，按至肌肉以下。）属阴，属里。（除了浮、革、芤、散这四种脉象之外，其他脉象都可以与沉脉互见。）沉而几乎无感为伏脉。（贴着骨头才能摸到，比沉脉更深。）主邪气闭阻。沉而有力为牢脉。（沉而强直搏指。）主内实。
诗曰：沉为里脉病属阴，浅按如无需按深。伏脉幽潜推骨认，牢脉劲直着筋寻。须知诸伏脉多因新邪闭，可悟诸牢脉多因内实寻。除却浮脉中的芤、革、散，许多活法巧从心。（沉脉，是不浮；浮脉中的各种脉象不能兼见于沉脉。）
迟脉。（一息三至或二至。）主在脏，主寒。（除了数、紧、促、动这四种脉象之外，其他脉象都可以与迟脉互见。）迟而时有停止为结脉。（迟脉中时而有一次停止，但没有固定次数。）主气郁、血壅、痰滞。（也主气血渐衰。）迟而更代为代脉。（缓中一次停止，不能自还而由他脏更代之，停止有固定次数。）主气绝。（也主经脉坠落、有阻滞、妊娠。）
诗曰：迟为在脏亦为寒。（《脉经》说，迟为寒；张仲景说，迟为在脏。）一息未及四至弹。（一呼一吸合为一息，一呼脉来二至，一吸脉来二至，合为一息四至，是平人的脉象。迟则一息三至，或一息二至，至于一息一至，必死。）结脉偶停无定数。（迟脉中一次停止。）代脉因不返即更端。（一脏气绝，其脉往而不能自还，他脏因而更代之，须知此脉止有定数。）共传代脉主元阳绝，还识结脉成郁气于内。除却数脉中的促、紧、动，诸形互见细心观。（迟脉，不数；数脉中的各种脉象不能兼见。）
数脉。（一息五六至。）主在腑，主热。（除了迟、结、代这三种脉象之外，其他脉象都可以与数脉互见。）数而牵转为紧脉。（像牵绳转索的样子。）主寒邪而痛。（也主表汗。）数而时止为促脉。（数脉中时有一次停止，也没有固定次数。）主邪气内陷。数见关中为动脉。（形圆如豆，厥厥摇动见于关部。）主阴阳相搏。（主气与惊，男亡阳，女血崩。）
诗曰：数为腑脉热居多。（张仲景说，数为在腑；《脉经》说，数为热。）一息脉来五六科。（谓一息五六至也，至七八至者危。）紧似转绳寒甫闭，动如摇豆气违和。数中时止名为促，促里阳偏即是魔（阳盛为促。）除却迟脉中兼结代，旁形侧出细婆婆。（数脉，不迟；迟脉中的各种脉象不能兼见。）
虚脉。（不实也，应指无力，浮、中、沉三候俱有之。前人谓豁然空大见于浮脉者非。）主虚。（有素禀不足，因虚而生病者；有邪气不解，因病而至虚者。）虚而沉小为弱脉。（沉细而软，按之乃得，属于沉脉。）主血虚。（也分阴阳胃气。）虚而浮小为濡脉。（如絮浮水面，属于浮脉。）主气虚。（也主外湿。）虚而模糊为微脉。（不显也，指下不分明，若无若有，浮、中、沉皆是。）主阴阳气绝。虚而势滞为涩脉。（往来干涩，像轻刀刮竹的样子。）主血虚，也主死血。虚而形小为细脉。（形如蜘蛛丝之细，指下分明。）主气冷。虚而形缩为短脉。（寸不通鱼际，尺不通尺泽。）主气损。（也主气郁。）
诗曰：虚来三候按如绵，元气难支岂偶然。弱在沉中阴已竭，濡居浮分气之愆。痨成脉隐微难见。（指下不分明。）病剧精干涩遂传。冷气蛛丝成细象。（以上皆言脉势，唯细、大、长、短，皆指脉形而言。细者形如蛛丝也。微与细相类，但微对显而言，细对大而言，分别在此。）短为形缩郁堪怜。
实脉。（不虚也，应指有力，浮、中、沉俱有之。《四言脉诀》云，牢甚则实，独附于沉脉者非。大抵指下清楚而和缓，为元气之实；指下逼逼而不清，为邪气之实。）主实。实而流利为滑脉。（往来流利。）主血治。（也主痰饮。）实而迢长为长脉。（上至鱼际，下至尺泽。）主气治。（也主阳盛阴虚。）实而涌沸为洪脉。（应指满溢，像群波涌起的样子。）主热极，也主内虚。实而端直为弦脉。（状如弓弦，按之不移。）主肝邪。（也主寒，主痛。）
诗曰：实来有力象悠悠，邪正全凭指下求。（脉来有力，指下清而不浊，滑长不兼洪弦之象，正气实也。如指下浊而不清，但见洪紧，不见滑长，是邪气实也。）流利滑呈阴素足，迢遥长见病当瘳。洪如涌浪邪传热，弦以张弓木作仇。毫发分途须默领，非人浑不说缘由。
大脉。（即洪脉而兼脉形之阔大也。旧本统于洪脉，今分别之。）
诗曰：大脉如洪不是洪，形兼洪阔不雷同。绝无舞柳随风态，却似移兵赴敌雄。新病邪强知正怯，夙疾外实必中空。内经病进真堪佩，总为阳明气不充。（邪气盛，则胃气衰，故脉大而不缓。）
缓脉。（脉来四至，从容不迫。）主正复。（和缓之缓，主正复；怠缓之缓，主中湿。）
诗曰：缓脉从容不迫时，诊来四至却非迟。胃阳恰似祥光布，谷气原如甘露滋。不问阴阳欣得此，任他久暂总相宜。若还怠缓须当辨，湿中脾经步履疲。（胃气复，则邪气退，故脉缓而不大。○缓者，主脉之气象从容不迫而言，非指往来之迟缓也。迟字对数字言，迟则不数，数则不迟也。缓字所包者广，迟中有缓，数中亦有缓，非浅人所可领会，故《内经》与大字对言，不与数字对言，其旨深哉。）
Old pulse formulas categorized the seven superficial pulses—Floating (Fu, 浮), Knifely (Kou, 芤), Slippery (Hua, 滑), Full/Excess (Shi, 实), Wiry (Xian, 弦), Tight (Jin, 紧), and Surging (Hong, 洪)—as "Seven Superficial" (Qi Biao). They categorized eight interior pulses—Deep (Chen, 沉), Minute (Wei, 微), Slow (Chi, 迟), Moderate (Huan, 缓), Soft (Ru, 濡), Hidden (Fu, 伏), Weak (Ruo, 弱), and Choppy (Se, 涩)—as "Eight Interior" (Ba Li). They categorized nine miscellaneous pulses—Long (Chang, 长), Short (Duan, 短), Deficient (Xu, 虚), Hasty (Cu, 促), Knotted (Jie, 结), Intermittent (Dai, 代), Firm (Lao, 牢), Agitated (Dong, 动), and Thready (Xi, 细)—as "Nine Channels" (Jiu Dao). This classification is open to discussion. Floating, Deep, Slow, and Rapid constitute the four major outlines of pulse diagnosis. The old formulas omitted these characters, which is a serious error. Beyond the twenty-seven characters summarized by Li Binhu (Li Shizhen) and Li Shicai, the "Large" (Da, 大) pulse must be added to be complete. However, diseases have no fixed manifestations, and pulses do not appear in isolation. Without a systematic approach, the practitioner feels bewildered under the fingers. Therefore, this text takes Floating, Deep, Slow, Rapid, Deficient, Excess, Large, and Moderate as the primary pulses, attaching intermixed pulses to them. These are summarized in verse as a convenient method for pulse taking.
Floating Pulse: Obtained with light pressure, not felt with heavy pressure. It belongs to Yang and the Exterior (except for Deep, Hidden, and Firm pulses, it can coexist with others). Floating and hollow in the middle is the Knifely (Kou) pulse. It has edges but is empty in the center, resembling pressing a finger onto a scallion stalk. It indicates blood loss. Floating and beating against the finger is the Leathery (Ge) pulse. It is hollow inside and firm outside, resembling pressing a finger on a drumhead; it is a type of floating pulse. Compared to the Knifely pulse, it is emptier in the center and firmer on the outside. It indicates the failure of Yin-Yang interaction. Floating and scattered is the Scattered (San) pulse. Upon pressing, it is scattered and does not gather; its arrival and departure are indistinct. It indicates dissipation of Qi.
Verse: Floating is the exterior pulse, disease is Yang. Light palpation reveals it clearly under the fingers. Knifely like touching a scallion knows blood depletion. Leathery like pressing a drum recognizes Yin exhaustion. (When solitary Yang floats upward, one knows true Yin is exhausted below.) Distinguish the Scattered form from Floating, chaotic and disordered. Confirming Scattered is not Floating, but Qi failing. Except for the images of Firm and Hidden within Deep, please investigate further beyond the image. (Floating means not Deep; pulses within Deep cannot coexist with Floating.)
Deep Pulse: Not obtained with light pressure, obtained only with heavy pressure, pressing down to below the muscle layer. It belongs to Yin and the Interior (except for Floating, Leathery, Knifely, and Scattered pulses, it can coexist with others). Deep and nearly non-existent is the Hidden (Fu) pulse. It is felt only when pressing to the bone, deeper than Deep. It indicates obstruction by pathogenic factors. Deep and forceful is the Firm (Lao) pulse. It is deep, strong, straight, and beats against the finger. It indicates internal excess.
Verse: Deep is the interior pulse, disease is Yin. Shallow pressing seems like nothing, press deeply. Hidden is profound and hidden, recognized by pushing against the bone. Firm is vigorous and straight, sought by feeling the tendons. Know that various Hidden pulses often stem from new pathogenic obstruction. Understand that various Firm pulses seek internal excess. Except for Knifely, Leathery, and Scattered within Floating, many flexible methods arise from the heart. (Deep means not Floating; pulses within Floating cannot coexist with Deep.)
Slow Pulse: Three or two beats per respiration cycle (Yi Xi). It indicates involvement of the Zang organs and Cold (except for Rapid, Tight, Hasty, and Agitated pulses, it can coexist with others). Slow with occasional stops is the Knotted (Jie) pulse. In slow pulses, there is an occasional stop, but without a fixed number. It indicates Qi stagnation, blood congestion, and phlegm retention (also indicates gradual decline of Qi and Blood). Slow with replacement is the Intermittent (Dai) pulse. In moderate/slowness, there is one stop, unable to return on its own, replaced by another. The stop has a fixed number. It indicates exhaustion of Qi (also indicates meridian collapse, obstruction, or pregnancy).
Verse: Slow indicates Zang involvement and Cold. (*Mai Jing* says: Slow is Cold; Zhang Zhongjing says: Slow is in the Zang.) Less than four beats per respiration cycle. (One exhalation and one inhalation combined make one respiration cycle. Two beats per exhalation and two beats per inhalation combine to four beats per cycle, the pulse of a healthy person. Slow is three or two beats per cycle. One beat per cycle leads to death.) Knotted pulse stops occasionally without a fixed number. Intermittent pulse does not return, thus changing ends. (When one Zang Qi exhausts, the pulse goes forth but cannot return to itself, so other Zang replace it. Know that this pulse's stop has a fixed number.) It is said that Intermittent indicates exhaustion of Primordial Yang. Recognize that Knotted forms from stagnant Qi within. Except for Hasty, Tight, and Agitated within Rapid, observe carefully how various forms intermix. (Slow means not Rapid; pulses within Rapid cannot coexist with Slow.)
Rapid Pulse: Five or six beats per respiration cycle. It indicates involvement of the Fu organs and Heat (except for Slow, Knotted, and Intermittent pulses, it can coexist with others). Rapid and twisting like pulling a rope is the Tight (Jin) pulse. It indicates cold pathogens causing pain (also indicates exterior sweating). Rapid with occasional stops is the Hasty (Cu) pulse. In rapid pulses, there is an occasional stop, also without a fixed number. It indicates pathogenic factors sinking inward. Rapid appearing at the Guan position is the Agitated (Dong) pulse. Round like a bean, trembling and moving, appearing at the Guan section. It indicates struggle between Yin and Yang (also indicates Qi disturbance and fright; in men, Yang exhaustion; in women, uterine bleeding).
Verse: Rapid is the Fu organ pulse, mostly Heat. (Zhang Zhongjing says: Rapid is in the Fu; *Mai Jing* says: Rapid is Heat.) Five or six beats per respiration cycle. (Five or six beats per cycle; seven or eight beats indicate danger.) Tight resembles twisting rope, cold just closed. Agitated like shaking bean, Qi disharmonious. Occasional stop in Rapid named Hasty. Hasty indicates excessive Yang, which is demonic (Yang excess causes Hasty). Except for Knotted and Intermittent within Slow, side forms emerge intricately. (Rapid means not Slow; pulses within Slow cannot coexist with Rapid.)
Deficient Pulse: Not full, powerless upon touch, present in Floating, Middle, and Deep positions. Previous authors claimed it appears as suddenly empty and large in the Floating pulse, which is incorrect. It indicates deficiency. (There are those with congenital insufficiency who become ill due to deficiency; there are those whose pathogenic factors persist, leading to deficiency due to illness.) Deficient, Deep, and small is the Weak (Ruo) pulse. Deep, fine, and soft, obtained only upon pressing, belonging to Deep. It indicates Blood deficiency (also distinguishes Yin/Yang and Stomach Qi). Deficient, Floating, and small is the Soft (Ru) pulse. Like cotton floating on water, belonging to Floating. It indicates Qi deficiency (also indicates external dampness). Deficient and vague is the Minute (Wei) pulse. Indistinct, unclear under the fingers, seeming to exist and not exist, present in Floating, Middle, and Deep. It indicates exhaustion of Yin and Yang Qi. Deficient and sluggish is the Choppy (Se) pulse. Rough and dry movement, like scraping bamboo with a light knife. It indicates Blood deficiency, also indicates dead blood (stasis). Deficient and thin is the Thready (Xi) pulse. Thin like a spider's silk, clear under the fingers. It indicates cold Qi. Deficient and contracted is the Short (Duan) pulse. Does not reach Yuji at Cun, does not reach Chize at Chi. It indicates Qi damage (also indicates Qi stagnation).
Verse: Deficient feels like cotton in all three positions, how can Yuan Qi support this accidentally? Weak in Deep indicates Yin exhaustion. Soft in Floating indicates Qi fault. Consumption makes pulse hidden, Minute hard to see (indistinct under fingers). Severe illness transmits through Jing and Dryness, then Choppy. Cold Qi like spider silk forms Thready image. (Above all describe pulse momentum; only Thready, Large, Long, and Short describe pulse shape. Thready is shaped like spider silk. Minute and Thready are similar, but Minute contrasts with distinct, Thready contrasts with Large; the distinction lies here.) Short is contracted shape, pity the stagnation.
Excess Pulse: Not deficient, forceful upon touch, present in Floating, Middle, and Deep positions. *Si Yan Mai Jue* states: When Firm is extreme, it becomes Excess; attaching it solely to Deep pulse is incorrect. Generally, clear and moderate under the fingers indicates excess of Yuan Qi; pressing tightly and unclearly indicates excess of pathogenic factors. It indicates excess. Excess and smooth is the Slippery (Hua) pulse. Smooth movement. It indicates treatment of Blood (also indicates phlegm-fluid retention). Excess and long is the Long (Chang) pulse. Reaches Yuji above, Chize below. It indicates treatment of Qi (also indicates Yang excess and Yin deficiency). Excess and surging is the Surging (Hong) pulse. Fills the finger, like waves rising. It indicates extreme heat, also indicates internal deficiency. Excess and straight is the Wiry (Xian) pulse. Like a bowstring, does not move upon pressing. It indicates Liver pathogen (also indicates Cold, pain).
Verse: Excess comes with force, image leisurely. Pathogen and Righteousness rely on finger judgment. (Pulse with force, clear and not turbid under fingers, Slippery and Long without Surging and Wiry images indicates excess of Righteous Qi. If turbid and unclear, seeing only Surging and Tight, not Slippery and Long, indicates excess of Pathogen.) Smooth indicates sufficient Yin. Long indicates disease will heal. Surging like waves transmits heat. Wiry like drawing a bow, Wood acts as enemy. Must silently grasp the slightest distinctions; if not the right person, reasons are not explained.
Large Pulse: Is the Surging pulse combined with a broad shape. Old texts grouped it under Surging; now distinguished.
Verse: Large pulse resembles Surging but is not Surging. Shape combines Surging breadth, not identical. Lacks the posture of dancing willows in the wind. Resembles troops marching to battle heroically. New disease with strong pathogen knows Righteous Qi is weak. Chronic disease with exterior excess must have hollow center. *Nei Jing* disease progression is truly admirable. Overall due to insufficient Qi of Yangming. (When pathogen is strong, Stomach Qi declines, so pulse is Large but not moderate.)
Moderate Pulse: Four beats per respiration cycle, calm and unhurried. Indicates recovery of Zheng Qi. (The Moderate meaning calm/recovered indicates recovery of Zheng Qi; the Moderate meaning sluggish indicates dampness invading Spleen.)
Verse: Moderate pulse is calm and unhurried. Diagnosed as four beats, yet not Slow. Stomach Yang spreads like auspicious light. Grain Qi originates like sweet dew. Whether Yin or Yang, rejoicing to obtain this. Regardless of duration, always suitable. If still sluggish, must distinguish. Dampness invades Spleen meridian, walking is fatigued. (When Stomach Qi recovers, pathogen retreats, so pulse is Moderate but not Large. ○ Moderate refers to the calm and unhurried atmosphere of the pulse, not the slowness of movement. Slow contrasts with Rapid; Slow means not Rapid, Rapid means not Slow. Moderate covers broadly; Slow contains Moderate, Rapid also contains Moderate. This is not comprehensible to shallow scholars. Thus *Nei Jing* pairs Moderate with Large, not with Rapid. Its meaning is profound.)