呼出心与肺，吸入肾与肝，呼吸之间，脾受谷味，其脉在中。心、肺俱浮，浮而大散者心，浮而短
涩者肺；肾、肝俱沉，牢而长者肝，濡而来实者肾；脾为中州，其脉在中。
即前所谓三菽、五菽之重也。
寸为阳，为上部，主头项以下至心胸之分也；关为阴阳之中，为中部，主脐腹肚胁之中也；尺为阴，
为下部，主腰足胫股之分。凡此三部之中，每部又各有浮、中、沉三候，三而三之，为九候也。浮主皮
肤，候表及腑；中主肌肉，以候胃气；沉至筋骨，候
里及脏也。
凡诊脉之道，先须调平自己气息，男左女右，先以中指定得关位，却齐下前、后二指。初轻按以消息
之，次中按以消息之，次重按以消息之，然后自寸、关至尺逐部寻究。一呼一吸之间，要以脉行四至为
率，闰以太息，脉五至，为平脉也。其有太过、不及，则为病脉；看在何部，各以其部断之。
凡诊脉须要先识时脉。胃脉与腑脏平脉，然后及于病脉。时脉谓春三月六部中俱带弦，夏三月俱带
洪，秋三月俱带浮，冬三月俱带沉。胃脉谓中按得之脉和缓。腑脏平脉已见前章。凡人腑脏脉既平，胃脉
和，又应时脉，乃无病者也，反此为病。
凡诊脉之际，人臂长则疏下指，臂短则密下指。三部之内，大小浮沉迟数同等，尺寸阴阳高下相符，
男女左右强弱相应，四时之脉不相戾，命曰平人。其或一部之内独大独小、偏迟偏疾、左右强弱之相反、
四时男女之相背，皆病脉也。凡病之见在上曰上病，在下曰下病，左曰左病，右曰右病。左脉不和为病在
表，为阳，主四肢；右脉不和为病在里，为阴，主腹脏∶以次推之。
凡取脉之道，理各不同；脉之形状，又各非一。
凡脉之来，必不单至，必曰浮而弦、浮而数、沉而紧、沉而细之类，将何以别之？大抵提纲之要，不出
浮、沉、迟、数、滑、涩之六脉也。浮、沉之脉，轻手、重手而取之也；迟、数之脉，以己之呼吸而取之
也；滑、涩之脉，则察夫往来之形也。浮为阳，轻手而得之也，而芤、洪、散、大、长、濡、弦，皆轻手
而得之之类也；沉为阴，重手而得之也，而伏、石、短、细、牢、实，皆重手得之之类也。迟者一息脉
二至，而缓、结、微、弱皆迟之类也。或曰滑类乎数，涩类乎迟，何也？然脉虽似，而理则殊也。彼
迟、数之脉，以呼吸察其至数之疏数，此滑、涩之脉，则以往来密察其形状也。数为热，迟为寒，滑为
血多气少，涩为气多血少。所谓提纲不出乎六字者，盖以其足以统夫表里、阴阳、冷热、虚实、风寒湿
燥、脏腑气血也。浮为阳，为表，诊为风、为虚；沉为阴，为里，诊为湿、为实，迟为在脏，为寒，为冷；
数为在腑，为热，为燥，滑为血有余；涩为气独滞也。人一身之变，不越乎此。能于是六脉之中以求
之，则 疾在人者，莫能逃焉。
持脉之要有三∶曰举，曰按，曰寻。轻手循之曰举，重手取之曰按，不轻不重委曲求之曰寻。初持脉，轻
手候之，脉见皮肤之间者，阳也，腑也，亦心。肺之应也；重手得之，脉附于肉下者，阴也，脏也，亦肝、
肾之应也；不轻不重中而取之，其脉应于血肉之间者，阴阳相适冲和之应，脾、胃之候也。若浮、中、
沉之不见，则委曲而求之。若隐若见，则阴阳伏匿之脉也。三部皆然。
察脉须识上下、来去、至止六字，不明此六字，则阴阳虚实不别也。上者为阳，来者为阳，至者为阳；
下者为阴，去者为阴，止者为阴也。上者自尺部上于寸口，阳生于阴也；下者自寸口下于尺部，阴生于阳
也。来者自骨肉之分而出于皮肤之际，气之升也；去者自皮肤之际而还于骨肉之分，气之降也。应曰至，
息曰止也。
明脉须辨表里、虚实四字。表，阳也，腑也，凡六淫之邪袭于经络，而未入于胃腑及脏者，皆属于表
也；里，阴也，脏也，凡七情之气郁于心腹之内不能越散，饮食五味之伤流于腑脏之间不能通泄，皆属于里
也；虚者，元气之自虚，精神耗散，气力衰竭也；实者，邪气之实，由正气本虚邪得乘之，非元气之自实
也。故虚者补其正气，实者泻其邪气。经曰所谓邪气盛则实，精气夺则虚。此大法也。
凡脉之至，在筋肉之上，出于皮肤之间者，阳也，腑也；行于肌肉之下者，阴也，脏也。若短小而
见于皮肤之间者，阴乘阳也；洪大而见于肌肉之下，阳乘阴也。寸尺皆然。
春季脉象呈弦象，夏季脉象呈洪象，秋季脉象呈毛（浮）象，冬季脉象呈石（沉）象，长夏及四季交替时的脉象迟缓。
呼气时气达心与肺，吸气时气达肾与肝，在呼吸之间，脾受纳水谷精微，其脉位在中部。心、肺二脏的脉象均浮，其中浮而大散的是心脉，浮而短涩的是肺脉；肾、肝二脏的脉象均沉，其中牢而长的是肝脉，濡软且来势充实的是肾脉；脾居中央属土，其脉位在中部。
这就是前面所说的用三片豆子和五片豆子的重量来按压的方法。
寸口脉属阳，位于上部，主要主管头项以下至心胸部位的病变；关脉位于阴阳之中，属于中部，主要主管脐腹肚胁中间的病变；尺脉属阴，位于下部，主要主管腰足胫股部位的病变。在这三部之中，每部又各有浮、中、沉三种候法，三乘以三，共为九候。浮取主要候察皮肤，以了解表证及腑病；中取主要候察肌肉，以了解胃气；沉取直达筋骨，以了解里证及脏病。
凡是诊脉的方法，首先必须调匀自己的气息，男性诊左手，女性诊右手，先用中指定位找到关脉的位置，然后食指、无名指同时按在前、后位置。先轻按以体察脉象，再中等力度按以体察脉象，最后重按以体察脉象，然后从寸、关到尺逐部仔细寻究。在一呼一吸之间，脉搏跳动四次为标准，偶尔有深长的呼吸（太息），脉搏跳动五次，这称为平脉（正常脉象）。如果脉象太过或不及，就是病脉；根据脉象出现在哪一部，就分别依据该部的情况来判断病情。
凡是诊脉，必须先识别时令脉象。胃脉以及脏腑的平脉，然后再去辨别病脉。所谓时令脉，是指春季三个月六部脉都带有弦象，夏季三个月都带有洪象，秋季三个月都带有浮象，冬季三个月都带有沉象。所谓胃脉，是指中按时感觉脉象和缓有力。脏腑的平脉在前面章节已经见过。凡是人的脏腑脉象平和，胃气和缓，又符合时令脉象，这才是无病的人，反之则为有病。
凡是诊脉的时候，如果人手臂长，则手指下得疏一些；手臂短，则手指下得密一些。在三部之内，大小、浮沉、迟数等特征同等，寸尺阴阳高低相符，男女左右强弱相应，四时脉象不违背时令规律，这就叫做平人（健康人）。如果某一部内单独偏大或偏小、偏迟或偏疾、左右强弱相反、四时或男女脉象相违背，这些都是病脉。凡是疾病表现于上部叫上病，在下部叫下病，在左叫左病，在右叫右病。左脉不和表示病在表，属阳，主四肢；右脉不和表示病在里，属阴，主腹脏：依此类推。
凡是切脉的道理各不相同；脉的形状，也各不一样。
凡是脉的到来，必定不是单一出现的，必定会说浮而弦、浮而数、沉而紧、沉而细等等，那用什么来区别它们呢？大概提纲挈领的要领，不出浮、沉、迟、数、滑、涩这六种脉象。浮、沉脉，是通过轻手、重手来取法的；迟、数脉，是通过自己的呼吸来取法的；滑、涩脉，则是通过观察脉气往来的形态来取法的。浮脉属阳，是轻手就能得到的，而芤、洪、散、大、长、濡、弦，都属于轻手可得的一类；沉脉属阴，是重手才能得到的，而伏、石、短、细、牢、实，都属于重手可得的一类。迟脉是一息脉搏跳动两次，而缓、结、微、弱都属于迟脉一类。有人问：滑脉类似数脉，涩脉类似迟脉，为什么呢？然而脉象虽然相似，但道理却不同。那些迟、数脉，是通过呼吸来考察其至数的疏密，而这滑、涩脉，则是通过往来仔细考察其形状。数脉主热，迟脉主寒，滑脉主血多气少，涩脉主气多血少。所谓提纲不出乎六个字，是因为这六个字足以统括表里、阴阳、冷热、虚实、风寒湿燥、脏腑气血等变化。浮脉属阳，属表，诊断为风、为虚；沉脉属阴，属里，诊断为湿、为实；迟脉主在脏，主寒、主冷；数脉主在腑，主热、主燥；滑脉主血有余；涩脉主气独滞。人身一切变化，不超出这些范围。能在这六种脉象中去寻求病因，那么疾病在人身上，就没有能逃脱的了。
持脉的要领有三点：叫举，叫按，叫寻。轻手循摸叫举，重手取之叫按，不轻不重曲折探求叫寻。初持脉时，轻手候之，脉显现于皮肤之间的，属阳，属腑，也是心、肺的应象；重手得到，脉附着于肉下的，属阴，属脏，也是肝、肾的应象；不轻不重中间取之，脉应于血肉之间的，是阴阳相适冲和的应象，是脾、胃的候象。如果浮、中、沉三部都见不到脉，就要曲折探求。若隐若现，这是阴阳伏匿的脉象。三部都是这样。
察脉必须认识上下、来去、至止这六个字，不明白这六个字，就无法辨别阴阳虚实。上者为阳，来者为阳，至者为阳；下者为阴，去者为阴，止者为阴。上者是从尺部上行至寸口，这是阳生于阴；下者是从寸口下行至尺部，这是阴生于阳。来者是从骨肉之分出于皮肤之际，这是气的上升；去者是从皮肤之际还于骨肉之分，这是气的下降。应息叫至，息止叫止。
明脉必须辨别表里、虚实这四个字。表，属阳，属腑，凡是六淫邪气侵袭经络，而未进入胃腑及内脏的，都属于表；里，属阴，属脏，凡是七情之气郁结于心腹之内不能发散，饮食五味之伤流于腑脏之间不能通泄的，都属于里；虚者，是元气自身的虚弱，精神耗散，气力衰竭；实者，是邪气的盛实，由于正气本来虚弱邪气得以乘虚而入，并非元气自身的强实。所以虚证要补其正气，实证要泻其邪气。经书说：邪气盛则实，精气夺则虚。这是大法。
凡是脉的到来，在筋肉之上，出于皮肤之间的，属阳，属腑；行于肌肉之下的，属阴，属脏。如果脉短小而见于皮肤之间的，是阴乘阳；如果脉洪大而见于肌肉之下的，是阳乘阴。寸部和尺部都是这样。
Spring pulse is wiry (Xian), summer pulse is surging (Hong), autumn pulse is floating/misty (Mao), winter pulse is deep/stony (Shi), and the pulse during late summer and the transition of seasons is slow and moderate.
Exhalation reaches the Heart and Lungs, inhalation reaches the Kidneys and Liver; between breaths, the Spleen receives the essence of grains, and its pulse position is in the middle. The pulses of the Heart and Lungs are both superficial (Fu); among them, superficial and large/scattered indicates the Heart pulse, while superficial and short/choppy indicates the Lung pulse. The pulses of the Kidneys and Liver are both deep (Chen); among them, firm and long indicates the Liver pulse, while soft/relaxed with a solid incoming force indicates the Kidney pulse. The Spleen resides in the central region (Earth element), and its pulse position is in the middle.
This refers to what was previously mentioned as the pressure of three beans or five beans.
The Cun (Inch) position is Yang, located at the upper part, primarily governing the area from the head and neck down to the chest and heart. The Guan (Bar) position is in the middle of Yin and Yang, belonging to the middle section, primarily governing the area of the umbilicus, abdomen, and hypochondrium. The Chi (Cubit) position is Yin, located at the lower part, primarily governing the waist, feet, shins, and thighs. Within these three positions, each has three levels of palpation: superficial (Fu), middle (Zhong), and deep (Chen). Three times three equals nine examinations (Jiu Hou). Superficial palpation primarily examines the skin, indicating exterior conditions and Fu organ diseases; middle palpation primarily examines the muscles, indicating Stomach Qi; deep palpation reaches the sinews and bones, indicating interior conditions and Zang organ diseases.
In all methods of pulse diagnosis, one must first regulate one's own breathing. For men, diagnose the left hand; for women, the right hand. First, use the middle finger to locate the Guan position, then place the index and ring fingers simultaneously before and after it. Initially, press lightly to observe the pulse, then press moderately to observe it, and finally press heavily to observe it. Then, investigate each position sequentially from Cun, Guan to Chi. In one exhalation and inhalation cycle, four pulse beats are considered normal. Occasionally, with a deep sigh (Tai Xi), five beats occur, which is also considered a normal pulse (Ping Mai). If the pulse is excessive or deficient, it is a pathological pulse; depending on which position it appears in, judge the condition according to that specific position.
When diagnosing the pulse, one must first understand seasonal pulses. Understand the normal pulses of the Stomach and the Zang-Fu organs before identifying pathological pulses. Seasonal pulses refer to: in the three months of spring, all six positions carry a wiry quality; in summer, all carry a surging quality; in autumn, all carry a floating quality; in winter, all carry a deep quality. The Stomach pulse refers to a pulse that feels harmonious and moderate when pressed moderately. The normal pulses of Zang and Fu organs have been seen in previous chapters. When a person's Zang-Fu pulses are harmonious, the Stomach pulse is moderate, and it corresponds to the seasonal pulse, they are disease-free; the opposite indicates illness.
During pulse diagnosis, if the arm is long, space the fingers wider; if the arm is short, place the fingers closer together. Within the three positions, if the size, depth, speed, and frequency are equal, the Yin-Yang height of Cun and Chi matches, the strength of left and right corresponds to gender norms, and the seasonal pulse does not contradict the season, this is called a "Ping Ren" (healthy person). If any single position is distinctly larger or smaller, slower or faster, if left and right strengths oppose each other, or if the pulse contradicts seasonal or gender norms, these are all pathological pulses. Diseases manifesting in the upper part are called upper diseases; in the lower part, lower diseases; on the left, left diseases; on the right, right diseases. Disharmony in the left pulse indicates disease in the exterior, Yang, governing the four limbs; disharmony in the right pulse indicates disease in the interior, Yin, governing the abdominal organs. Deduce accordingly.
The principles of taking the pulse vary; the shapes of pulses are also diverse.
Pulses never arrive singly; they are described as floating and wiry, floating and rapid, deep and tight, deep and thin, etc. How to distinguish them? Generally, the key categories do not exceed the six pulses: Floating (Fu), Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi), Rapid (Shuo), Slippery (Hua), and Choppy (Se). Floating and Deep pulses are obtained by light and heavy pressure, respectively. Slow and Rapid pulses are determined by counting beats per respiration. Slippery and Choppy pulses are distinguished by observing the shape of the flow. Floating is Yang, obtained with light pressure; Kun, Hong, San, Da, Chang, Ru, and Xian belong to this category. Deep is Yin, obtained with heavy pressure; Fu, Shi, Duan, Xi, Lao, and Shi belong to this category. Chi (Slow) is two beats per respiration; Huan, Jie, Wei, and Ruo belong to this category. One might ask: Why is Hua similar to Shuo, and Se similar to Chi? Although they seem similar, their principles differ. Chi and Shuo are judged by the frequency of beats relative to respiration, whereas Hua and Se are judged by the shape of the flow. Shuo indicates Heat, Chi indicates Cold, Hua indicates excess Blood and deficient Qi, and Se indicates excess Qi and deficient Blood. The reason the summary involves only these six characters is that they encompass Exterior/Interior, Yin/Yang, Cold/Heat, Deficiency/Excess, Wind/Cold/Dampness/Dryness, and Zang-Fu/Qi-Blood changes. Floating is Yang and Exterior, diagnosing Wind and Deficiency; Deep is Yin and Interior, diagnosing Dampness and Excess; Chi indicates Zang involvement, Cold, and Chill; Shuo indicates Fu involvement, Heat, and Dryness; Hua indicates Blood excess; Se indicates Qi stagnation. All variations in the human body do not exceed these. By seeking within these six pulses, no disease in the person can escape detection.
There are three essentials in holding the pulse: Ju (Lift), An (Press), and Xun (Seek). Lightly tracing is Ju; pressing heavily is An; neither light nor heavy, seeking through curvature, is Xun. Initially, hold the pulse lightly; if the pulse is felt between the skin, it is Yang, Fu, and corresponds to the Heart and Lungs. If felt heavily under the flesh, it is Yin, Zang, and corresponds to the Liver and Kidneys. Moderate pressure reveals the pulse between flesh and blood, representing the harmonious balance of Yin and Yang, corresponding to the Spleen and Stomach. If the pulse is not visible in Floating, Middle, or Deep positions, seek it carefully. If it is faintly visible, it is a pulse of hidden Yin and Yang. This applies to all three positions.
To examine the pulse, one must understand the six terms: Up/Down, Come/Go, Arrival/Stop. Without understanding these, one cannot distinguish Yin/Yang and Deficiency/Excess. Up is Yang, Come is Yang, Arrival is Yang; Down is Yin, Go is Yin, Stop is Yin. Up means moving from Chi to Cun, where Yang is born from Yin. Down means moving from Cun to Chi, where Yin is born from Yang. Come means emerging from the bone/flesh level to the skin surface, representing the ascending of Qi. Go means returning from the skin surface to the bone/flesh level, representing the descending of Qi. Responding to the breath is Arrival; stopping the breath is Stop.
To clearly understand the pulse, one must distinguish the four terms: Exterior/Interior, Deficiency/Excess. Exterior is Yang and Fu; any pathogenic factors of the Six Evils invading the meridians but not yet entering the Stomach/Fu organs or Zang organs belong to the Exterior. Interior is Yin and Zang; any emotional stagnation of the Seven Emotions郁结 in the heart/abdomen unable to disperse, or injury from food/flavors flowing into the Zang-Fu unable to be excreted, belongs to the Interior. Deficiency refers to the self-deficiency of Yuan Qi, with dissipation of spirit and exhaustion of strength. Excess refers to the solidity of Pathogenic Qi; due to original righteous Qi being weak, pathogenic Qi takes advantage, which is not the self-solidity of Yuan Qi. Therefore, deficiency requires tonifying righteous Qi, and excess requires purging pathogenic Qi. The Classics state: "When pathogenic Qi is abundant, it is Excess; when essential Qi is depleted, it is Deficiency." This is the general principle.
When the pulse arrives above the muscles and emerges between the skins, it is Yang and Fu; when it travels below the muscles, it is Yin and Zang. If the pulse is short and small and appears between the skins, it is Yin encroaching on Yang. If the pulse is surging and large and appears below the muscles, it is Yang encroaching on Yin. This applies to both Cun and Chi positions.