而真脏之脉独见者死。即前篇所谓但弦无胃。但石无胃之类。是也。然但弦但石。虽为真脏。若肝无气则不弦。
肾无气则不石。亦由五脏不得胃气而然。与真脏无胃者等耳。志云。弦钩毛石。胃气所生之真象也。真象见者。
谓胃气已绝。故死。然五脏之真象。乃胃腑精气之所生。精气绝。则肝不弦。肾不石。而又带钩弹石之死脉见
矣。高云。至春而肝不微弦。至冬而肾不微石也。简按高仍王义。近是。谢缙翁及袁表校本脉经。作肝但弦。
心但钩。脾但弱。肺但毛。肾但石也。未知据何本。
太阳脉至 张云。此言人之脉气。必随天地阴阳之化。而为之卷舒也。太阳之气。王于谷雨后六十
日。是时阳气太盛。故其脉洪大而长也。马云。按王注扁鹊脉法。亦后世假托之言耳。（王注。当是新校正。）
简按新校正扁鹊脉法。出于脉经。吕广说。出于七难注。太阳脉云云八字。吴本移于阳明后。仿于七难之例也。
少阳脉至 张云。少阳之气。王于冬至后六十日。是时阳气尚微。阴气未退。故长数为阳。疏短为
阴。而进退未定也。
阳明脉至 张云。阳明之气。王于雨水后六十日。是时阳气未盛。阴气尚存。故脉虽浮大。而仍兼
短也。此论但言三阳。而不及三阴。诸家疑为古文脱简者。是也。及阅七难所载。则阴阳俱全。三阳与此皆同。
至。谓太阴之至。紧大而长。少阴之至。紧细而微。厥阴之至。沉短而敦。此三阴三阳之辨。乃气令必然之理。
盖阴阳有更变。脉必随于时也。
琅 张云。符瑞图曰。玉而有光者。说文曰。琅 似珠。简按禹贡。厥贡惟球琳琅 。孔传。琅
。石而似珠。尔雅释地。西北之美者。有昆仑虚之 琳琅 焉。郭注。琅 。状如珠也。山海经曰。昆仑山。
有琅 。附。李时珍云。在山为琅 。在水为珊瑚。
微曲 汪机云。偃曲。乃略近低陷之意。数至之中。而有一至似低陷。不应指也。张云。喘喘连属。
急促相仍也。其中微曲。即钩多胃少之义。吴云。不能如循琅 之滑利矣。
前曲后居 吴本。居。作倨。张云。前曲者。谓轻取则坚强而不柔。后居者。谓重取则牢实而不动。
如持革带之钩。
而全失充和之气。是但钩无胃也。故曰心死。简按丁德用注十五难云。后居。倨而不动。劲有故曰死也。王注
居为不动。盖读为倨。故吴直改之。倨。踞同。汉书。高祖箕踞。张耳传。作箕倨。踞。蹲也。故为不动之义。
厌厌聂聂 吴云。翩翻之状。浮薄而流利也。马云。恬静之意。
如落榆荚 十五难。落。作循。荚。作叶。甲乙同。马云。轻虚以浮之意。张云。轻浮和缓貌。即微
毛之义也。李时珍云。榆有数十种。荚榆。其木甚高硕。未生叶时。枝条间先生榆荚。形状似钱而小。色白成
串。俗呼榆钱。后方生叶。
不上不下如循鸡羽 吴云。不上下。则非厌厌聂聂翩翻流利之形矣。如循鸡羽。涩而难也。高云。如
循鸡羽。极轻极虚。不若榆荚之落也。马云。鸡羽两旁虽虚。而中央颇有坚意。所以谓之病也。简按玉机真脏
论。秋病脉曰。其气来毛。而中央坚两旁虚。此谓太过。王注盖本于此。而马衍其义。
如风吹毛 简按毛。草也。左传隐三年。涧溪沼 之毛。丁德用十五难注云。风吹毛者。飘腾不定。
无归之象。
招招 马云。招。迢同。迢迢然。长竿末梢。最为软弱。揭之则似弦而甚和。所以谓之平也。张云。
揭。高举也。高揭长竿。梢必柔软。即和缓弦长之义。招招。犹迢迢。吴意同。志云。以手相呼曰招。招招。
乍伏之象。高云。柔和而起伏也。简按集韵。迢迢。高貌。义难叶。志注本于诗邶风招招舟子之疏。尤得其解。
急益劲 甲乙。脉经。急下。有而字。
和柔相离如鸡践地 张云。和柔。雍容不迫也。相离。
匀净分明也。如鸡践地。从容轻缓也。此即充和之气。亦微软弱之义。是为脾之平脉。
实而盈数如鸡举足 张云。实而盈数。强急不和也。如鸡举足。轻疾不缓也。前篇言弱多胃少。此言
实而盈数。皆失中和之气。故曰脾病。汪机云。鸡践地。形容其轻而缓也。如鸡举足。言如鸡走之举足。形容
脉来实而数也。践地与举足不同。践地。是鸡不惊而徐行也。举足。是被惊时疾行也。况实数与轻缓相反。彼
此对看。尤见明白。难经以此为心病。志云。鸡足有四爪。践地极和缓。形容脾土之灌溉四脏。鸡举足。拳而
收敛。不能灌溉于四脏也。简按汪志并凿。
如鸟之喙 宋本。鸟。作乌。甲乙同。张云。喙。音诲。嘴也。
如鸟之距 张云。距。权与切。鸡足钩距也。
如屋之漏如水之流 脉经。流。作陷。张云。如屋之漏。点滴无伦也。如水之流。去而不反也。是皆
脾气绝。而怪脉见。
如钩 张云。冬脉沉石。故按之而坚。若过于石。则沉伏不振矣。故必喘喘累累。如心之钩。阴中
藏阳。而得微石之义。莫善昌云。琅 。石之美者。钩。乃心之脉也。心脉如循琅 。肾脉如钩者。心肾水火
之气。互相交济者也。
如引葛 马云。葛根相附。而引之不接。按之大坚。则石而不和。所以谓之病也。张云。坚搏牵连
也。高云。如引葛藤之上延。散而且蔓。不若钩之有本矣。
如夺索 吴云。两人争夺其索。引长而坚劲也。志云。如引葛。而更坚劲矣。
辟辟如弹石 高云。辟辟。来去不伦也。如弹石。圆硬不软也。此但石无胃。故曰肾死。张云。难
经十五难所载。
平病死脉。视之本经。异同颠倒。意者其必有误。或别有所谓耶。且难经之义。原出本论。学人当以本经为主。
○高本。上文肝见庚辛死云云三十二字。移于如弹石曰肾死之后。似文脉顺承。
如果真脏脉单独出现，则预示死亡。这就是前篇所说的“只有弦象而没有胃气”、“只有石象而没有胃气”等情况。然而，仅有弦象或石象，虽然属于真脏脉的范畴，但如果肝脏没有气，就不会呈现弦象；肾脏没有气，就不会呈现石象。这也是因为五脏得不到胃气滋养的缘故，这与真脏脉无胃气的情况是等同的。张志聪说：弦、钩、毛、石四种脉象，是胃气所化生的正常真象。如果出现这种真象（指真脏独见），意味着胃气已经断绝，所以会死亡。然而，五脏的真象，乃是胃腑精气所化生。如果精气断绝，那么肝就不弦，肾就不石，同时会出现带有钩象和弹石象的死脉。高世栻说：到了春天，肝脏的脉象如果不微带弦意；到了冬天，肾脏的脉象如果不微带石意……简按：高世栻仍遵循王冰的解释，这比较接近真理。谢缙翁及袁表校对的《脉经》中，写作“肝但弦，心但钩，脾但弱，肺但毛，肾但石”。不知道依据的是什么版本。
太阳脉至 张景岳说：这是说人的脉气，必然随着天地阴阳的变化而随之伸缩变化。太阳之气，在谷雨后的六十天内旺盛。此时阳气太盛，所以其脉象洪大且长。马莳说：按照王注《扁鹊脉法》，也是后世假托之言罢了。（这里的“王注”，应当是指新校正。）简按：新校正《扁鹊脉法》出自《脉经》，吕广的解释出自《难经七难注》。“太阳脉云云”这八个字，吴崑本将其移到了阳明脉之后，是仿照《难经七难》的体例。
少阳脉至 张景岳说：少阳之气，在冬至后的六十天内旺盛。此时阳气尚微弱，阴气尚未消退，所以脉象长数为阳，疏短为阴，进退未定。
阳明脉至 张景岳说：阳明之气，在雨水后的六十天内旺盛。此时阳气尚未盛大，阴气尚存，所以脉象虽然浮大，但仍兼有短象。这段论述只讲了三阳脉，而没有涉及三阴脉，各家怀疑是古文脱简，这是正确的。等到阅读《难经七难》所载的内容，则阴阳俱全，三阳脉与此相同。所谓“至”，是指太阴脉至时，脉象紧大而长；少阴脉至时，脉象紧细而微；厥阴脉至时，脉象沉短而敦。这三阴三阳的区别，是气令变化的必然道理。大概阴阳有更替变化，脉象必然随季节时令而变化。
琅玕 张景岳说：《符瑞图》说：玉而有光者称为琅玕。《说文解字》说：琅玕像珠子。简按：《尚书·禹贡》记载：“厥贡惟球琳琅玕。”孔安国传注：“琅玕，石而似珠。”《尔雅·释地》说：“西北之美者，有昆仑虚之琳琅玕焉。”郭璞注：“琅玕，状如珠也。”《山海经》说：“昆仑山，有琅玕。”李时珍说：在山中的叫琅玕，在水中的叫珊瑚。
微曲 汪机说：偃曲，是略微低陷的意思。在数脉之中，有一至似乎低陷，不应指下。张景岳说：喘喘连属，急促相仍。其中的微曲，就是“钩多胃少”的含义。吴崑说：不能像抚摸琅玕那样滑利。
前曲后居 吴崑本中，“居”写作“倨”。张景岳说：前曲，是说轻取时坚强而不柔和；后居，是说重取时牢实而不动。就像拿着革带上的钩子。从而完全失去了充和之气，这就是“但钩无胃”，所以说心脏死。简按：丁德用注《难经十五难》说：“后居，倨而不动，劲急故曰死。”王冰注将“居”解释为不动，大概是读作“倨”，所以吴崑直接改为“倨”。“倨”与“踞”同义。《汉书》中高祖箕踞，《张耳传》中写作箕倨。“踞”即蹲坐，所以有不移动的含义。
厌厌聂聂 吴崑说：翩翻的样子，浮薄而流利。马云说：恬静的意思。
如落榆荚 《难经十五难》中，“落”写作“循”，“荚”写作“叶”。《甲乙经》相同。马云说：轻虚以浮的意思。张景岳说：轻浮和缓的样子，也就是微毛的含义。李时珍说：榆树有几十种，荚榆这种树木很高大硕壮。在未生叶时，枝条间先生出榆荚，形状像钱币但较小，白色成串，俗称榆钱。后来才生叶子。
不上不下如循鸡羽 吴崑说：不上下，就不是厌厌聂聂、翩翻流利的形态了。像抚摸鸡羽，涩滞而困难。高世栻说：像抚摸鸡羽，极轻极虚，不如榆荚飘落。马云说：鸡羽两旁虽虚，而中央颇有坚实之意，所以称之为病证。简按：《素问·玉机真脏论》秋季病脉说：“其气来毛，而中央坚两旁虚，此谓太过。”王冰注大概基于此，而马云阐发了其含义。
如风吹毛 简按：毛，指草。《左传·隐公三年》：“涧溪沼沚之毛。”丁德用《难经十五难注》说：风吹毛，是飘腾不定、无归宿的景象。
招招 马云说：招，与迢同义。迢迢然，像长竿的末梢，最为软弱，举起它则像弦一样甚为和谐，所以称之为平脉。张景岳说：揭，是高举。高高举起长竿，梢头必定柔软，这就是和缓弦长的含义。招招，犹如迢迢。吴崑的意思相同。张志聪说：以手相呼叫做招。招招，是乍伏的样子。高世栻说：柔和而起伏。简按：《集韵》中，迢迢是高貌，意义难以押韵。张志聪的注解本于《诗经·邶风·招招舟子》的疏，尤其能得其解释。
急益劲 《甲乙经》、《脉经》中，“急”下有“而”字。
和柔相离如鸡践地 张景岳说：和柔，雍容不迫。相离，匀净分明。如鸡践地，从容轻缓。这就是充和之气，也是微软弱的含义。这是脾的平脉。
实而盈数如鸡举足 张景岳说：实而盈数，强急不和。如鸡举足，轻疾不缓。前篇说弱多胃少，这里说实而盈数，都失去了中和之气，所以说脾病。汪机说：鸡践地，形容其轻而缓。如鸡举足，言如鸡行走时的举足，形容脉来实而数。践地与举足不同。践地，是鸡不惊而徐行。举足，是被惊时疾行。况且实数与轻缓相反，彼此对照看，尤其明白。《难经》将此作为心病。张志聪说：鸡足有四爪，践地极和缓，形容脾土灌溉四脏；鸡举足，拳缩收敛，不能灌溉于四脏。简按：汪机和张志聪的说法都过于穿凿。
如鸟之喙 宋本中，“鸟”写作“乌”。《甲乙经》相同。张景岳说：喙，音诲，嘴也。
如鸟之距 张景岳说：距，权与切，鸡足上的钩距。
如屋之漏如水之流 《脉经》中，“流”写作“陷”。张景岳说：如屋之漏，点滴无伦次。如水之流，去而不返。这都是脾气断绝，而出现怪脉。
如钩 张景岳说：冬脉沉石，所以按之而坚。如果过于石，则沉伏不振。所以必须喘喘累累，像心的钩脉，阴中藏阳，而得到微石的意味。莫善昌说：琅玕，是美石。钩，是心的脉象。心脉像抚摸琅玕，肾脉像钩，这是心肾水火之气互相交济。
如引葛 马云说：葛根相互依附，牵引而不接续。按之大坚，则石而不和，所以称之为病。张景岳说：坚搏牵连。高世栻说：像牵引葛藤向上延伸，散漫而且蔓生，不像钩那样有根本。
如夺索 吴崑说：两人争夺那绳索，引长而坚劲。张志聪说：像牵引葛藤，更加坚劲。
辟辟如弹石 高世栻说：辟辟，来去无次序。如弹石，圆硬不软。这只是石而无胃，所以说肾死。张景岳说：《难经十五难》所载的平病死脉，视之本经，异同颠倒，猜想其中必有错误，或者另有说法。况且《难经》的本义，原本出自《内经》，学者应当以本经为主。○高世栻本：上文“肝见庚辛死”等三十二字，移到了“如弹石曰肾死”之后，似乎文脉顺承。
If the Zang-organ pulse appears alone, death ensues. This refers to what was mentioned in the previous chapter: "only a wiry quality without Stomach Qi," or "only a stone-like quality without Stomach Qi." However, although a purely wiry or stone-like quality constitutes a Zang-organ pulse (the pulse of an organ revealing its true nature due to the absence of Stomach Qi), if the Liver lacks Qi, it will not present as wiry; if the Kidney lacks Qi, it will not present as stone-like. This is also because the Five Zang organs fail to receive nourishment from Stomach Qi, which is equivalent to the condition of a Zang-organ pulse lacking Stomach Qi. Zhang Zhicong stated that the wiry, hook, hair, and stone qualities are the true manifestations generated by Stomach Qi. The appearance of such true manifestations (referring to the isolated Zang-organ pulse) indicates that Stomach Qi has been exhausted, hence death. However, the true manifestations of the Five Zang organs are produced by the essence and Qi of the Stomach Fu organ. If essence and Qi are exhausted, the Liver will not be wiry, nor the Kidney stone-like, but instead, death pulses featuring hook and stone-like qualities will appear. Gao Shishi stated: "By spring, if the Liver does not show a slight wiry quality; by winter, if the Kidney does not show a slight stone-like quality..." Commentary: Gao Shishi still follows Wang Bing's interpretation, which is relatively accurate. Xie Jinweng and Yuan Biao's collated edition of *Mai Jing* (Pulse Classic) reads: "Liver only wiry, Heart only hook, Spleen only weak, Lung only hair, Kidney only stone." It is unknown what source this is based on.
Taiyang Pulse Arrival: Zhang Jingyue said: This describes how human pulse Qi must expand and contract in accordance with the changes of Heaven and Earth's Yin and Yang. Taiyang Qi prospers for sixty days after Guyu (Grain Rain). At this time, Yang Qi is excessively abundant, so the pulse is surging, large, and long. Ma Shi said: According to the commentary by Wang in *Bianque Mai Fa* (Pulse Methods of Bianque), this is also a later fabrication. (The "Wang commentary" here likely refers to the New Collation.) Commentary: The New Collation of *Bianque Mai Fa* originates from *Mai Jing*, while Lu Guang's explanation comes from the commentary on *Nan Jing Chapter 7*. The eight characters "Taiyang pulse..." were moved by Wu Kun to follow the Yangming pulse, imitating the structure of *Nan Jing Chapter 7*.
Shaoyang Pulse Arrival: Zhang Jingyue said: Shaoyang Qi prospers for sixty days after Dongzhi (Winter Solstice). At this time, Yang Qi is still subtle, and Yin Qi has not yet receded. Thus, a long and rapid quality represents Yang, while sparse and short represents Yin, indicating a state of indecision between advance and retreat.
Yangming Pulse Arrival: Zhang Jingyue said: Yangming Qi prospers for sixty days after Yushui (Rain Water). At this time, Yang Qi is not yet abundant, and Yin Qi still remains. Therefore, although the pulse is floating and large, it is still accompanied by a short quality. This discussion mentions only the Three Yang pulses and omits the Three Yin pulses. Various scholars suspect this is due to missing bamboo slips in the ancient text, which is correct. Upon reading *Nan Jing Chapter 7*, however, both Yin and Yang are complete, and the Three Yang pulses are consistent with this. The term "arrival" (Zhi) refers to: when Taiyin arrives, the pulse is tight, large, and long; when Shaoyin arrives, the pulse is tight, fine, and subtle; when Jueyin arrives, the pulse is deep, short, and solid. These distinctions among the Three Yin and Three Yang are the inevitable principles of seasonal Qi transformation. Generally, as Yin and Yang alternate, the pulse must follow the seasonal timing.
Langgan: Zhang Jingyue said: *Furu Tu* states: Jade that shines is called Langgan. *Shuowen Jiezi* says: Langgan resembles pearls. Commentary: *Shangshu · Yugong* records: "Its tribute included balls, lang, and gan." Kong Anguo's commentary notes: "Langgan is a stone resembling a pearl." *Erya · Shidi* states: "Among the beauties of the northwest, there is the langlanggan of Kunlun Mountain." Guo Pu's commentary adds: "Langgan looks like a pearl." *Shanhaijing* states: "On Kunlun Mountain, there is langgan." Li Shizhen said: What is in the mountains is called Langgan; what is in the water is called coral.
Slight Curve: Wang Ji said: Yanqu implies a slightly sunken meaning. Among the rapid pulses, one beat seems slightly sunken and does not respond distinctly to the finger. Zhang Jingyue said: Continuous and rapid, closely following one another. The slight curve within refers to the meaning of "more hook quality than Stomach Qi." Wu Kun said: It cannot be as smooth and slippery as stroking Langgan.
Front Curved, Back Stationary: In Wu Kun's edition, "Ju" is written as "Ju" (stiff/awkward). Zhang Jingyue said: Front curved means that upon light palpation, the pulse feels firm and unyielding, not soft. Back stationary means that upon heavy palpation, it feels secure and immobile, like holding the hook of a leather belt. Consequently, it completely loses the Qi of fullness and harmony. This is "only hook quality without Stomach Qi," hence it is said that the Heart dies. Commentary: Ding Deyong's commentary on *Nan Jing Chapter 15* states: "Back stationary means stiff and immobile; firmness thus indicates death." Wang Bing interpreted "Ju" as immobile, likely reading it as "Ju" (stiff), which is why Wu Kun directly changed it. "Ju" is synonymous with "Ju" (to squat/sit with legs spread). In *Han Shu*, Emperor Gaozu sat with legs spread (*Jiju*); in *Zhang Er Zhuan*, it is written as *Jiju*. "Ju" means to squat, hence the meaning of immobility.
Yanyan Nie Nie: Wu Kun said: A fluttering appearance, floating, thin, and fluid. Ma Yun said: A sense of tranquility.
Like Falling Elm Seeds: In *Nan Jing Chapter 15*, "Luo" is written as "Xun," and "Jia" as "Ye." *Jia Yi Jing* is the same. Ma Yun said: A meaning of lightness, emptiness, and floating. Zhang Jingyue said: A light, floating, and gentle appearance, which is the meaning of slight hair-quality. Li Shizhen said: There are dozens of elm species. The Jia Yu tree is very tall and robust. Before leaves emerge, elm seeds grow between branches first. They resemble small coins, are white and clustered, commonly known as "elm money." Leaves grow later.
Neither Up Nor Down, Like Stroking Chicken Feathers: Wu Kun said: Neither up nor down means it is not the fluttering, fluid shape of Yanyan Nie Nie. Like stroking chicken feathers, it is rough and difficult. Gao Shishi said: Like stroking chicken feathers, extremely light and empty, unlike falling elm seeds. Ma Yun said: Although the sides of chicken feathers are empty, the center has considerable firmness, which is why it is considered pathological. Commentary: *Suwen · Yuji Zhenzang Lun* regarding autumn disease pulses states: "Its Qi comes as hair, firm in the center and empty on the sides; this is termed Excess." Wang Bing's commentary likely derives from this, while Ma Yun expanded on its meaning.
Like Wind Blowing Grass/Hair: Commentary: Mao refers to grass. *Zuo Zhuan · Yin Year 3* mentions: "Grass of streams, brooks, marshes, and ponds." Ding Deyong's commentary on *Nan Jing Chapter 15* states: Wind blowing grass/hair depicts a scene of drifting instability with no fixed abode.
Zhao Zhao: Ma Yun said: Zhao is synonymous with Tiao. Tiaotiao refers to the tip of a long pole, which is the most flexible. When lifted, it resembles a string and is very harmonious, hence called a normal pulse. Zhang Jingyue said: Jie means to hold high. Holding a long pole high ensures the tip is soft, representing the meaning of harmony, slowness, wiriness, and length. Zhao Zhao is akin to Tiaotiao. Wu Kun's intent is similar. Zhang Zhicong said: Calling each other with hands is called Zhao. Zhao Zhao is the image of sudden sinking. Gao Shishi said: Soft and undulating. Commentary: *Jiyun* defines Tiaotiao as high, which is hard to rhyme. Zhang Zhicong's annotation is based on the sub-commentary to *Shijing · Bei Feng · Zhao Zhao Zhou Zi*, which particularly captures the explanation.
Rapid and Increasingly Forceful: *Jia Yi Jing* and *Mai Jing* have the character "Er" (and) after "Ji" (rapid).
Harmonious and Soft, Separated, Like a Chicken Treading Ground: Zhang Jingyue said: Harmonious and soft means dignified and unhurried. Separated means even, clean, and distinct. Like a chicken treading ground means leisurely and slow. This is the Qi of fullness and harmony, also implying slight softness and weakness. This is the normal pulse of the Spleen.
Solid and Full/Rapid, Like a Chicken Lifting Its Foot: Zhang Jingyue said: Solid and full/rapid means strong, urgent, and disharmonious. Like a chicken lifting its foot means light, swift, and not slow. The previous chapter mentioned "weak with much Stomach Qi"; this mentions "solid and full/rapid." Both lose the Qi of harmony and balance, hence it is said that the Spleen is diseased. Wang Ji said: "Chicken treading ground" describes lightness and slowness. "Chicken lifting foot" refers to the lifting motion when walking, describing a pulse that is solid and rapid. Treading ground and lifting foot are different. Treading ground is the chicken walking slowly without alarm; lifting foot is moving rapidly when startled. Moreover, solid/rapid contrasts with light/slow; comparing them makes it clear. *Nan Jing* considers this a Heart disease. Zhang Zhicong said: Chicken feet have four claws. Treading ground is extremely harmonious and slow, describing Spleen Earth irrigating the Four Zang organs. Lifting foot involves curling and contracting, unable to irrigate the Four Zang organs. Commentary: Both Wang Ji and Zhang Zhicong's interpretations are overly forced.
Like a Bird's Beak: In Song editions, "Niao" (bird) is written as "Wu" (crow). *Jia Yi Jing* is the same. Zhang Jingyue said: Hui (beak) sounds like "Hui," meaning mouth/beak.
Like a Bird's Spur: Zhang Jingyue said: Ju (spur) is pronounced "Quan Yu Qie," referring to the spur on a chicken's foot.
Like a Leaking Roof or Flowing Water: *Mai Jing* writes "Liu" (flow) as "Xian" (sink/depress). Zhang Jingyue said: Like a leaking roof, drops are irregular and unordered. Like flowing water, it goes and does not return. These all indicate the exhaustion of Spleen Qi and the appearance of strange pulses.
Like a Hook: Zhang Jingyue said: Winter pulse is deep and stone-like, so pressing it feels firm. If it is too stone-like, it becomes deep, hidden, and unresponsive. Thus, it must be continuous and rolling, like the Heart's hook pulse, hiding Yang within Yin, thereby obtaining the meaning of slight stone-quality. Mo Shanchang said: Langgan is a beautiful stone. Hook is the pulse of the Heart. Heart pulse like stroking Langgan, Kidney pulse like a hook; this represents the mutual interaction and assistance of Heart-Kidney Water-Fire Qi.
Like Pulling Vines: Ma Yun said: Vine roots attach to each other but do not connect when pulled. Pressing it feels very firm, stone-like and disharmonious, hence called disease. Zhang Jingyue said: Firm, knotted, and connected. Gao Shishi said: Like pulling vines extending upward, scattered and creeping, unlike the hook which has a root.
Like Snatching a Rope: Wu Kun said: Two people struggling over a rope, pulling it long and firm. Zhang Zhicong said: Like pulling vines, but even more firm and forceful.
Clack Clack Like Striking Stone: Gao Shishi said: Pipi means coming and going without order. Like striking stone, round, hard, and not soft. This is only stone-quality without Stomach Qi, hence it is said that the Kidney dies. Zhang Jingyue said: The flat, sick, and death pulses recorded in *Nan Jing Chapter 15*, when viewed against the original text, show discrepancies and inversions. I suspect there must be an error, or perhaps there is another interpretation. Moreover, the meaning of *Nan Jing* originally stems from *Neijing*; students should prioritize the original classic. ○ Gao Shishi's edition: The thirty-two characters above, "Liver sees Geng/Xin and dies...", were moved to after "Like striking stone, Kidney dies," which seems to make the textual flow smoother.