问曰∶手足三阴三阳十二经皆有动脉，而独取寸口者，何也？扁鹊曰∶昼夜漏水下百刻
，凡一刻一百三十五息，十刻一千三百五十息，百刻一万三千五百息，脉行五十度周于身，
漏下一百刻，荣卫行阳二十五度，行阴二十五度，合五十度为一周，而复会于手太阴。手太
阴者，寸口也，寸口者，五脏六腑气血之所终始，故法取于寸口也。脉有尺寸者，从关至尺
是尺内阴之所治，从关至鱼际是寸内阳之所治。寸口位八分，关上位三分，尺中位八分，合
三部一寸九分。寸口关上为阳，阳脉常浮而速，尺中为阴，阴脉常沉而迟。初持脉如三菽之
重，与皮毛相得者，肺脉也；如六菽之重与血脉相得者，心脉也；如九菽之重与肌肉相得者，
脾
凡诊脉，当视其人大小长短及性气缓急，称其形性则吉，与本性相乘则凶，何则？人大
而脉细，人细而脉大，人乐而脉实，人苦而脉虚，性急而脉缓，性缓而脉躁，人壮而脉细，
人羸而脉大，此皆为逆，逆则难治，反则为顺，则为易治。
凡妇人脉常欲濡，弱于丈夫也，小儿四五岁者，脉自疾快，呼吸八至也。
凡春脉细弦而长，夏脉洪浮而长，来疾而去迟。
秋脉微浮而散，冬脉沉滑而实，季夏脉洪而迟。
凡心肺二脉大率俱浮，何以别之，浮而大者心也，浮而短者肺也。凡肝肾二脉俱沉，何
以别之，牢而长者肝也，按之濡举指来实者肾也，迟缓而长者脾也。
夫人受气于谷，谷成于胃乃传于五脏六腑，五脏六腑皆受气于胃，其清者为荣，浊者为
卫，荣行脉内，卫行脉外，阴阳相贯，如环之无端。故胃为水谷腑，主禀四方，皆以胃气为
本也。
凡人病脉不病，名曰内虚。脉病患不病，名曰行尸，死不治。
夫平和之脉，不缓不急不涩不滑不存不亡不长不短不低不昂不纵不横，此为平也，无病
。尺欲小大，关欲小实，老人脉欲微，阳羸于阴者，平也。
夫按之不足，举之有余，名曰浮。浮，阳也。
按之去来促急，名曰数。数，阳也。
按之如琴瑟弦，三关通病，梗梗无有屈挠，名曰弦。弦，阳也。（《王函经》为阴。）
按之如动珠子，名曰滑。滑，阳也。
按之实强，其脉有似沉伏，名曰牢。牢，阳也。
按之浮大在指下而满，名曰洪。洪，阳也。
按之洪大牢强隐指，名曰实。实，阳也。
脉见于关上，无头尾，大如豆，厥厥摇，名曰动。动，阳也。
上件八条，皆阳脉也。
按之有余，举之不足，名曰沉。沉，阴也。
按之无，举之来，两旁实而中央空，名曰芤。芤，阴也。
按之迟小，名曰细。细，阴也。
按之短实而数，有似切绳状，名曰紧。紧，阴也。
按之依依，名曰缓。缓，阴也。
按之大而迟，名曰虚。虚，阴也。
按之短小不至，动摇若有若无，或复浮薄而细急，轻手乃得，重手不得，名曰微。微，
阴也。
按之乃得，举之无有，濡而细，名曰弱。弱，阴也。
按之尽牢，举之无有，不前不却，但出不入，如鱼之接食动中，名曰迟。迟，阴也。
按之无有，举之有余，或如帛衣在水中，轻手与肌肉相得而软，名曰濡。濡，阴也。
按之促数浮短，如刮竹皮，轻手乃得，重手不离其处，或多入而少出，名曰涩。涩，阴
也。
按之来，数时一止，名曰促。促，阴也。
脉来动而中止，按之小数中能还者，举指则动，名曰结。结，阴也，不死。
脉动而止，不能自还，因而复动，名曰代。代，阴也，代者死。
上件一十四条，皆阴脉也。
脉有相薄者，寸口微，而尺中弦，此为相薄也，或但寸口微而弦，亦为相薄也。
沉与伏相类；濡与弱相类；弦与紧相类；
浮与芤相类；牢与实相类；微与涩相类；
迟与缓相类；滑与数相类。
凡脉出为阳，入为阴，来往之间为脾，大阴
凡脉浮滑长皆为阳，沉涩短皆为阴也。
脉有一阴一阳者，脉来沉而滑也；一阴二阳者，脉来沉滑而长也；一阴三阳者，脉来浮
滑而长，时一沉也。一阳一阴者，脉来浮而涩也；一阳二阴者，脉来长而沉涩也；一阳三阴
者，脉来沉涩而短，时一浮也。
脉有伏匿者，谓阴阳更相乘伏也。若脉居阴部，反阳脉见，为阳乘阴也；虽阳脉，时沉
涩而短者，此为阳中伏阴也。脉居阳部，反阴脉见，为阴乘阳也；虽阴脉，时浮滑而长者，
此为阴中伏阳也。故重阴者癫，重阳者狂。
脉有太过，有不及，有阴阳相乘，有覆有溢，有关有格。关之前者，阳之动也。脉当见
九分而浮过者，谓之太过，减者谓之不及。遂上鱼为溢，为外关内格，此阴乘之脉。关之后
者阴之动也，脉当见一寸而沉。过者谓之太过，减者谓之不及。遂入尺为覆，为内关外格，
此阳乘之脉，是真脏之见也。得此诸脉，人不病自死。寸脉下不至关为阳绝，尺脉上不至关
为阴绝，此皆死不治，欲决死生，当以月节期之。
脉有相乘，有纵有横，有逆有顺，何以知之。水行乘火，金行乘木，名曰纵。火行乘水
，木行乘金，名曰横。水行乘金，火行乘木，名曰逆。金行乘水，木行乘火，名曰顺也。
夫欲知人病将愈，当诊其三部之脉，大小迟疾浮沉正等，虽有寒热不解，然阴阳已平，
知当愈也。
夫病者发热身体疼痛，此为表有病，其脉当浮大，今脉反沉迟，故知当愈。病卒腹中急
痛，此为里有病，其脉当沉细，今脉反浮大，故知当愈。然此二脉，其人不即愈者，必当死，
以
夫脉者，血之腑也，长则气治，短则气病，数则烦心，大则病进。上盛则气高，下盛则
气胀；代则气衰，细则气少。短而急者，病在上；长而缓，者病在下；弦而沉者，病在内；
浮而洪者，病在外。脉实者，病在内，脉虚者，病在外。滑而微浮病在肺，下坚上虚病在脾
胃，长而弦者病在肝，脉小血少病在心，大而紧者病在肾。
凡脉，腑为阳，主热，脏为阴，主寒。阳微自汗，阴浮自下。阳数即口疮，阴数即恶寒
。阳数出血，阴涩下血。脉与肌肉相得，久持之至者可下之。
夫脉有三部，阴阳相乘，荣卫气血，任人体躬，呼吸出入，上下于中，因息游布，津液
流通，随时动作， 象形容，春弦秋浮，冬沉夏洪，察色观脉，大小不同，一时之间，变无
经常，尺寸参差，或短或长，上下乖错，或存或亡，病辄改易。进退低昂，心迷意惑，动失
纪纲，愿为具陈，令得分明。师曰∶子之所问，道之根源，脉有三部，尺寸及关，荣卫流行，
不失衡铨，肾沉心洪，肺浮肝弦，此自经常，不失铢分。出入升降，漏刻周旋，水下百刻，
一周循环，当复寸口，虚实见焉，变化相乘，阴阳相干。风则浮虚，寒则牢坚。沉潜水畜，
支饮急弦，动则为痛，数即热烦，设有不应，知有所缘，三部不同，病各异端。太过可怪，
不及亦然，邪不空见，终必有奸，审察表里，三焦别焉。知其所舍，消息珍看，料度脏腑，
独见若神，为子条记，传与贤人。
凡疗病，当察其形气色泽，脉之盛衰，病之新故，乃可疗之。形气相得，色泽以浮，脉
顺四时，此为易治，形气相失，色夭不泽，脉实坚甚，脉逆四时，此为难疗。
夫形盛脉细，少气不足以息者，危。形瘦脉大，胸中气多者，死。形气相得者，生，三
五不调者，病。
夫关前为阳，关后为阴，阳出阴入，以关为界，阳数则吐，阴数则下，阳弦头痛，阴弦
腹痛。
问：手足三阴经和三阳经这十二条经脉都有动脉搏动，为什么唯独选取寸口脉来诊察呢？扁鹊回答说：一昼夜漏壶滴水共一百刻，每一刻有一百三十五次呼吸（息），十刻有一千三百五十次呼吸，一百刻有一万三千五百次呼吸。脉搏在体内运行五十周遍全身，随着漏壶滴下一百刻的时间，营气（营养之气）和卫气（防御之气）在阳分运行二十五周，在阴分运行二十五周，合起来五十周为一个大循环，最后重新汇聚于手太阴肺经。手太阴肺经的循行部位，就是寸口；寸口是五脏六腑气血运行的起始和终结之处，所以诊断时以取寸口脉为法。
脉象有寸、关、尺三部之分，从关部到尺部这一区域称为“尺内”，是阴气所主管的部位；从关部到鱼际这一区域称为“寸内”，是阳气所主管的部位。寸口部位长八分，关部以上长三分，尺中部位长八分，合计三部总长一寸九分。寸部和关部属于阳，阳脉通常浮而快；尺部属于阴，阴脉通常沉而慢。
初诊切脉时，指力轻如三颗豆子的重量，感觉与皮毛相应的是肺脉；指力稍重如六颗豆子的重量，感觉与血脉相应的是心脉；指力再重如九颗豆子的重量，感觉与肌肉相应的是脾脉……
凡诊脉，应当观察病人的体型大小、高矮长短以及性格气质的急躁或舒缓，脉象与人的形体性格相称则为吉，若脉象与本性相克则凶。为什么呢？如果人体型大而脉象细，人体型小而脉象大，人心情愉快而脉象实，人痛苦而脉象虚，性格急躁而脉象缓，性格舒缓而脉象躁，身体强壮而脉象细，身体消瘦而脉象大，这些都属于逆证，逆证难治；反之则为顺证，顺证易治。
一般妇女的脉象通常柔和濡弱，比男子要弱一些；四五岁的小儿，脉象自然疾速，一呼一吸之间脉跳八次。
春季的脉象细、弦且长；夏季的脉象洪大、浮而长，来势急而去势缓；秋季的脉象微浮而散；冬季的脉象沉滑而实；季夏（长夏）的脉象洪大而迟。
心和肺的脉象大体上都浮，如何区分它们呢？浮而大的脉是心脉，浮而短的脉是肺脉。肝和肾的脉象都沉，如何区分呢？坚牢而长的脉是肝脉，按之柔软、抬手时感觉充实的是肾脉，迟缓而长的是脾脉。
人禀受谷气于胃，食物在胃中消化后传送给五脏六腑，五脏六腑都接受胃中的精气。其中清轻的部分化为营气，浑浊厚重的部分化为卫气，营气行于脉管之内，卫气行于脉管之外，阴阳相互贯通，像圆环一样没有尽头。所以胃是水谷之海，主宰四方，都以胃气为根本。
凡是病人外表看似正常但脉象异常，称为“内虚”；凡是脉象看似正常但病人症状严重，称为“行尸”，这种病死亡且无法治疗。
平和正常的脉象，不缓不急、不涩不滑、不存不亡、不长不短、不高不低、不纵不横，这就是平脉，表示无病。尺部脉欲小大适中，关部脉欲小实，老人脉象欲微弱，阳气略弱于阴气，这也是平脉。
按下去感觉不足，抬起来感觉有余，称为浮脉。浮，属阳。
按下去感觉往来急促快速，称为数脉。数，属阳。
按下去感觉像琴瑟的弦一样，三部皆如此，僵硬挺直没有屈挠感，称为弦脉。弦，属阳。（《王函经》认为弦脉属阴。）
按下去感觉像滚动的珠子一样，称为滑脉。滑，属阳。
按下去感觉坚实强劲，脉象似乎深沉潜伏，称为牢脉。牢，属阳。
按下去感觉浮大充满指下，称为洪脉。洪，属阳。
按下去感觉洪大牢强，隐没于指下，称为实脉。实，属阳。
脉象出现在关部，没有头尾，大如豆子，跳动有力摇摆不定，称为动脉。动，属阳。
以上八条，都是阳脉。
按下去感觉有余，抬起来感觉不足，称为沉脉。沉，属阴。
按下去感觉空无，抬起来感觉脉来，两边实中间空，称为芤脉。芤，属阴。
按下去感觉迟滞细小，称为细脉。细，属阴。
按下去感觉短实而快，好像切割绳索的感觉，称为紧脉。紧，属阴。
按下去感觉依随缓慢，称为缓脉。缓，属阴。
按下去感觉大而迟，称为虚脉。虚，属阴。
按下去感觉短小不至，动摇不定似有似无，或者又浮薄而细急，轻取可得，重取不得，称为微脉。微，属阴。
按下去才能感觉到，抬起来就没有了，濡软而细，称为弱脉。弱，属阴。
按下去完全牢实，抬起来就没有了，不前不却，只出不入，像鱼在水中接食时那样微微颤动，称为迟脉。迟，属阴。
按下去感觉空无，抬起来感觉有余，或者像帛衣浮在水中，轻取与肌肉相应而柔软，称为濡脉。濡，属阴。
按下去感觉促急数而浮短，像刮竹皮一样粗糙，轻取可得，重按不离其处，或者多入少出，称为涩脉。涩，属阴。
按下去感觉急促数，时而停止一次，称为促脉。促，属阴。
脉来跳动中途停止，按下去在细微数中能恢复跳动，抬手时又见跳动，称为结脉。结，属阴，主不死。
脉动而停止，不能自行恢复，因而再次跳动，称为代脉。代，属阴，代脉主死。
以上十四条，都是阴脉。
脉象有相互搏击的情况，寸口脉微，而尺中脉弦，这叫相搏；或者仅寸口脉微而弦，也称为相搏。
沉脉与伏脉相似；濡脉与弱脉相似；弦脉与紧脉相似；
浮脉与芤脉相似；牢脉与实脉相似；微脉与涩脉相似；
迟脉与缓脉相似；滑脉与数脉相似。
凡是脉象外出为阳，内入为阴，往来之间为脾脉（注：此处原文可能有误或特指，通常脾脉居中，但依文意翻译）。
凡是脉象浮、滑、长都为阳，沉、涩、短都为阴。
脉象有一阴一阳的，是指脉来沉而滑；一阴二阳的，是指脉来沉滑而长；一阴三阳的，是指脉来浮滑而长，偶尔有一次沉。一阳一阴的，是指脉来浮而涩；一阳二阴的，是指脉来长而沉涩；一阳三阴的，是指脉来沉涩而短，偶尔有一次浮。
脉象有伏匿的现象，是指阴阳互相乘袭潜伏。如果脉位于阴部（尺部），反而出现阳脉，这是阳乘阴；虽然见到阳脉，但有时沉涩而短，这是阳中伏阴。脉位于阳部（寸部），反而出现阴脉，这是阴乘阳；虽然见到阴脉，但有时浮滑而长，这是阴中伏阳。所以，重阴者发癫病，重阳者发狂病。
脉象有过盛，有不及，有阴阳相乘，有覆脉、溢脉、关脉、格脉。关之前的脉，是阳气的变动。脉应当显现九分而浮，超过这个程度叫太过，减少这个程度叫不及。如果脉上达鱼际称为溢脉，这是外关内格，属于阴乘阳的脉。关之后的脉，是阴气的变动，脉应当显现一寸而沉。超过这个程度叫太过，减少这个程度叫不及。如果脉深入尺部称为覆脉，这是内关外格，属于阳乘阴的脉，这是真脏脉的表现。得到这些脉象的人，即使没有病症也会自死。寸脉向下不到关部称为阳绝，尺脉向上不到关部称为阴绝，这些都是死证不可治，想要判断生死，应当以月令节气来推测。
脉象有相乘，有纵、有横、有逆、有顺，怎么知道呢？水行乘火，金行乘木，叫做纵。火行乘水，木行乘金，叫做横。水行乘金，火行乘木，叫做逆。金行乘水，木行乘火，叫做顺。
想知道病人的病将要痊愈，应当诊察寸、关、尺三部脉，如果大小、迟疾、浮沉都正等协调，虽然还有寒热症状未解，但阴阳已经平和，知道病将痊愈。
病人发热身体疼痛，这是表有病，脉应当浮大，现在脉反而沉迟，所以知道病将痊愈。病人突然腹中急痛，这是里有病，脉应当沉细，现在脉反而浮大，所以知道病将痊愈。然而这两种情况，如果病人没有立即痊愈的，必定会死亡，因为……（原文此处中断）
脉，是血之府库。脉长则气机调治，脉短则气机有病，脉数则心烦，脉大则病势进展。上部盛则气逆于上，下部盛则气胀于下；代脉则气衰，细脉则气少。脉短而急，病在上部；脉长而缓，病在下部；脉弦而沉，病在内里；脉浮而洪，病在外表。脉实，病在内；脉虚，病在外。脉滑而微浮，病在肺；下坚上虚，病在脾胃；脉长而弦，病在肝；脉小血少，病在心；脉大而紧，病在肾。
凡是脉象，腑属阳，主热；脏属阴，主寒。阳脉微则自汗，阴脉浮则下利。阳脉数则口舌生疮，阴脉数则恶寒。阳脉数而出血，阴脉涩而下血。脉与肌肉相得，久持之至者可下之（此处原文逻辑稍显跳跃，直译：脉象与肌肉形态相配合，长时间切脉感到至数可下的，可以用泻下法）。
脉有三部，阴阳相乘，营卫气血，顺应人体躯体，呼吸出入，上下于中，因气息游布，津液流通，随时动作，形象形容，春弦秋浮，冬沉夏洪，观察面色观看脉象，大小不同，一时之间，变化无常，尺寸参差，或短或长，上下乖错，或存或亡，病辄改易。进退低昂，心迷意惑，动失纪纲，愿为具陈，令得分明。老师说：你所问的，是道的根源。脉有三部，即寸、尺及关，营卫流行，不失衡平权衡。肾脉沉，心脉洪，肺脉浮，肝脉弦，这是常理，不差毫厘。出入升降，随漏刻旋转，水下百刻，一周循环，当复归于寸口，虚实可见，变化相乘，阴阳相干。风邪则脉浮虚，寒邪则脉牢坚。沉潜潜水畜（注：疑为“沉潜水蓄”或特定术语，依字面译），支饮则脉急弦，动脉则为痛，数脉即为热烦。假设有不应验的，要知道有所缘由，三部脉不同，病因各异端。太过令人奇怪，不及也是如此，邪气不会凭空出现，终必有奸邪作祟，审察表里，三焦分别清楚。知道病邪所在，斟酌珍视查看，料度脏腑，独见若神，为你条理记录，传给贤人。
凡是治病，应当观察病人的形体气质、色泽，脉象的盛衰，疾病的新旧，然后才可以治疗。形气相得，色泽明亮，脉象顺应四时，这是易治；形气相失，色夭晦暗无光泽，脉象实坚甚，脉象违背四时，这是难疗。
形体盛壮而脉象细弱，气短不足以息的，危重。形体消瘦而脉象大，胸中气多的，死证。形气相得的，生；三五不调的，病。
Question: The twelve meridians of the hand and foot, consisting of three Yin and three Yang meridians, all have arterial pulses. Why is only the Cun Kou (Inch Port) pulse selected for diagnosis? Bian Que replied: In a full day and night, the clepsydra (water clock) drips one hundred ke (time units). Each ke consists of 135 breaths (xi). Ten ke amount to 1,350 breaths, and one hundred ke amount to 13,500 breaths. The pulse circulates fifty times throughout the body during this period. As the water drips one hundred ke, Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) and Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) circulate twenty-five times in the Yang aspects and twenty-five times in the Yin aspects, totaling fifty cycles to complete one great revolution, finally converging again at the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian. The Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian corresponds to the Cun Kou; the Cun Kou is the beginning and end of the Qi and Blood of the Zang and Fu organs. Therefore, the method of diagnosis selects the Cun Kou pulse.
Regarding the pulse positions of Cun, Guan, and Chi: From the Guan position to the Chi position is the "Chi Nei" (Inner Chi), which is governed by Yin Qi. From the Guan position to the Yu Ji (Fish Border) is the "Cun Nei" (Inner Cun), which is governed by Yang Qi. The Cun Kou position measures eight fen, the area above the Guan measures three fen, and the Chi Zhong position measures eight fen, totaling one cun and nine fen across the three positions. The Cun and Guan positions belong to Yang; Yang pulses are typically floating and rapid. The Chi position belongs to Yin; Yin pulses are typically deep and slow.
When initially palpating the pulse, with a light pressure equivalent to the weight of three beans, feeling it correspond to the skin and hair indicates the Lung pulse. With a slightly heavier pressure equivalent to six beans, feeling it correspond to the blood vessels indicates the Heart pulse. With further increased pressure equivalent to nine beans, feeling it correspond to the muscles indicates the Spleen pulse...
In general, when diagnosing the pulse, one must observe the patient's body size, height, length, and whether their temperament is rapid or leisurely. If the pulse matches the person's physical constitution and temperament, it is auspicious; if the pulse clashes with their inherent nature, it is ominous. Why? If a large-bodied person has a thin pulse, or a small-bodied person has a large pulse; if a person who is joyful has a solid pulse, or a suffering person has a deficient pulse; if a person with an irritable temperament has a slow pulse, or a leisurely person has a restless pulse; if a robust person has a thin pulse, or a emaciated person has a large pulse—these are all considered "Ni" (Rebellious/Adverse) patterns, which are difficult to treat. Conversely, these are "Shun" (Smooth/Favorable) patterns, which are easy to treat.
Generally, women's pulses tend to be soft and weak, weaker than those of men. Children aged four or five naturally have rapid pulses, beating eight times per respiration cycle.
Spring pulses are fine, wiry, and long. Summer pulses are surging, floating, and long, arriving rapidly and departing slowly. Autumn pulses are slightly floating and scattered. Winter pulses are deep, slippery, and solid. Late Summer pulses are surging and slow.
The pulses of the Heart and Lungs are generally both floating. How to distinguish them? A floating and large pulse is the Heart pulse; a floating and short pulse is the Lung pulse. The pulses of the Liver and Kidneys are both deep. How to distinguish them? A firm and long pulse is the Liver pulse; one that feels soft upon pressing but solid upon lifting is the Kidney pulse; a slow, moderate, and long pulse is the Spleen pulse.
Humans receive Qi from grain, which is processed in the Stomach and transmitted to the Zang and Fu organs. All Zang and Fu organs receive Qi from the Stomach. The clear and light part becomes Ying Qi, while the turbid and heavy part becomes Wei Qi. Ying Qi circulates within the vessels, and Wei Qi circulates outside the vessels. Yin and Yang interconnect like a circle without end. Thus, the Stomach is the Sea of Water and Grain, governing the four directions, with Stomach Qi as the root.
If a patient appears normal but the pulse is abnormal, it is called "Nei Xu" (Internal Deficiency). If the pulse appears normal but the patient exhibits severe symptoms, it is called "Xing Shi" (Walking Corpse); this condition leads to death and is untreatable.
A balanced, normal pulse is neither slow nor rapid, neither choppy nor slippery, neither present nor absent, neither long nor short, neither high nor low, neither vertical nor horizontal. This is a Ping Pulse (Normal Pulse), indicating no disease. The Chi pulse should be moderately sized, the Guan pulse slightly solid. An elderly person's pulse should be faint, with Yang slightly weaker than Yin; this is also considered normal.
If pressing reveals insufficiency but lifting reveals excess, it is called a Floating Pulse (Fu Mai). Floating belongs to Yang.
If pressing reveals a rapid and hurried movement, it is called a Rapid Pulse (Shu Mai). Rapid belongs to Yang.
If pressing feels like a lute string, consistent across all three positions, stiff and unyielding, it is called a Wiry Pulse (Xian Mai). Wiry belongs to Yang. (According to *Wang Han Jing*, Wiry is Yin.)
If pressing feels like rolling pearls, it is called a Slippery Pulse (Hua Mai). Slippery belongs to Yang.
If pressing feels solid and strong, resembling a deep and hidden pulse, it is called a Firm Pulse (Lao Mai). Firm belongs to Yang.
If pressing feels large and full under the fingers, it is called a Surging Pulse (Hong Mai). Surging belongs to Yang.
If pressing feels surging, large, firm, and strong, sinking into the fingers, it is called a Solid Pulse (Shi Mai). Solid belongs to Yang.
If the pulse appears at the Guan position, without head or tail, large like a bean, trembling vigorously, it is called a Moving Pulse (Dong Mai). Moving belongs to Yang.
The above eight types are all Yang pulses.
If pressing reveals excess but lifting reveals insufficiency, it is called a Deep Pulse (Chen Mai). Deep belongs to Yin.
If pressing feels empty but lifting reveals the pulse coming, with solidity on both sides and emptiness in the center, it is called a Scallion Stem Pulse (Kou Mai). Scallion Stem belongs to Yin.
If pressing feels slow and fine, it is called a Fine Pulse (Xi Mai). Fine belongs to Yin.
If pressing feels short, solid, and rapid, resembling the cutting of a rope, it is called a Tight Pulse (Jin Mai). Tight belongs to Yin.
If pressing feels compliant and slow, it is called a Moderate Pulse (Huan Mai). Moderate belongs to Yin.
If pressing feels large and slow, it is called a Deficient Pulse (Xu Mai). Deficient belongs to Yin.
If pressing feels short and small, wavering as if present or absent, or alternatively floating, thin, and rapid, obtainable with light pressure but not with heavy pressure, it is called a Minute Pulse (Wei Mai). Minute belongs to Yin.
If the pulse is felt only upon pressing and disappears upon lifting, being soft and fine, it is called a Weak Pulse (Ruo Mai). Weak belongs to Yin.
If pressing finds it completely firm, disappearing upon lifting, neither advancing nor retreating, only exiting without entering, moving like a fish taking food in water, it is called a Slow Pulse (Chi Mai). Slow belongs to Yin.
If pressing feels empty but lifting reveals excess, or feels like silk cloth in water, soft and corresponding to the muscle with light pressure, it is called a Soft Pulse (Ru Mai). Soft belongs to Yin.
If pressing feels hurried, rapid, floating, and short, like scraping bamboo skin, obtainable with light pressure but staying put with heavy pressure, or entering more than exiting, it is called a Choppy Pulse (Se Mai). Choppy belongs to Yin.
If pressing feels hurried and rapid, stopping occasionally, it is called a Hasty Pulse (Cu Mai). Hasty belongs to Yin.
If the pulse beats and then stops, but upon pressing recovers within a slight rapidity, and moves upon lifting, it is called a Knotted Pulse (Jie Mai). Knotted belongs to Yin and indicates survival.
If the pulse beats and stops, cannot recover spontaneously, and thus moves again, it is called a Intermittent Pulse (Dai Mai). Intermittent belongs to Yin and indicates death.
The above fourteen types are all Yin pulses.
Pulses may clash. If the Cun Kou pulse is minute while the Chi Zhong pulse is wiry, this is clashing. Even if only the Cun Kou is minute and wiry, it is still considered clashing.
Deep and Hidden pulses are similar; Soft and Weak pulses are similar; Wiry and Tight pulses are similar;
Floating and Scallion Stem pulses are similar; Firm and Solid pulses are similar; Minute and Choppy pulses are similar;
Slow and Moderate pulses are similar; Slippery and Rapid pulses are similar.
Generally, pulses emerging outward are Yang, and those entering inward are Yin. The movement between incoming and outgoing relates to the Spleen.
Generally, floating, slippery, and long pulses are Yang; deep, choppy, and short pulses are Yin.
A pulse with one Yin and one Yang element arrives deep and slippery. One Yin and two Yang elements arrive deep, slippery, and long. One Yin and three Yang elements arrive floating, slippery, and long, occasionally sinking. One Yang and one Yin element arrive floating and choppy. One Yang and two Yin elements arrive long, deep, and choppy. One Yang and three Yin elements arrive deep, choppy, and short, occasionally floating.
Pulses may have hidden or concealed characteristics, referring to Yin and Yang mutually overcoming and hiding. If a pulse located in the Yin sector (Chi) unexpectedly shows Yang pulses, this is Yang overcoming Yin. Although Yang pulses appear, if they are sometimes deep, choppy, and short, this is Yin hidden within Yang. If a pulse located in the Yang sector (Cun) unexpectedly shows Yin pulses, this is Yin overcoming Yang. Although Yin pulses appear, if they are sometimes floating, slippery, and long, this is Yang hidden within Yin. Therefore, excessive Yin leads to Mania (Dian), and excessive Yang leads to Hyperactivity (Kuang).
Pulses may be excessive or deficient, involving mutual overcoming, covering (Fu), overflowing (Yi), blocking (Guan), and repelling (Ge). Before the Guan position is the movement of Yang. The pulse should manifest nine fen and float. Exceeding this is termed Excessive; reducing it is termed Deficient. If it extends up to the Fish Border, it is called an Overflowing Pulse (Yi Mai), representing external blockage and internal repulsion, a pulse of Yin overcoming Yang. Behind the Guan position is the movement of Yin. The pulse should manifest one cun and sink. Exceeding this is Excessive; reducing it is Deficient. If it sinks into the Chi region, it is called a Covering Pulse (Fu Mai), representing internal blockage and external repulsion, a pulse of Yang overcoming Yang. This manifests the True Zang pulses. Obtaining such pulses means the person will die even without illness. If the Cun pulse does not reach the Guan below, it is Yang Extinction. If the Chi pulse does not reach the Guan above, it is Yin Extinction. These are all fatal and untreatable. To determine life and death, one must refer to the lunar months and solar terms.
Pulses involve mutual overcoming, with Vertical (Zong), Horizontal (Heng), Rebellious (Ni), and Smooth (Shun) dynamics. How to know them? Water overcoming Fire, and Metal overcoming Wood, is called Vertical. Fire overcoming Water, and Wood overcoming Metal, is called Horizontal. Water overcoming Metal, and Fire overcoming Wood, is called Rebellious. Metal overcoming Water, and Wood overcoming Fire, is called Smooth.
To know if a patient's illness will heal, diagnose the three positions of the pulse. If the Cun, Guan, and Chi are equal in size, slowness/rapidity, and depth/floating, even if cold and heat symptoms persist, knowing that Yin and Yang are balanced indicates healing.
If a patient has fever and body pain, this is an exterior disease, and the pulse should be floating and large. If the pulse is instead deep and slow, one knows healing is imminent. If a patient suddenly has abdominal urgency and pain, this is an interior disease, and the pulse should be deep and fine. If the pulse is instead floating and large, one knows healing is imminent. However, in these two cases, if the patient does not heal immediately, they will surely die, because... (Text cuts off here).
The pulse is the mansion of Blood. Long indicates regulated Qi; short indicates diseased Qi; rapid indicates vexation in the heart; large indicates progressing disease. Upper excess causes Qi rising; lower excess causes Qi distension. Intermittent pulses indicate Qi decline; fine pulses indicate Qi scarcity. Short and rapid pulses indicate disease in the upper body; long and moderate pulses indicate disease in the lower body; wiry and deep pulses indicate disease in the interior; floating and surging pulses indicate disease in the exterior. Solid pulses indicate interior disease; deficient pulses indicate exterior disease. Slippery and slightly floating pulses indicate Lung disease; hardness below and deficiency above indicate Spleen and Stomach disease; long and wiry pulses indicate Liver disease; small pulses with scant blood indicate Heart disease; large and tight pulses indicate Kidney disease.
Generally, Fu organs are Yang and govern heat; Zang organs are Yin and govern cold. Yang micro-pulse causes spontaneous sweating; Yin floating pulse causes downward discharge. Yang rapid pulse causes mouth ulcers; Yin rapid pulse causes aversion to cold. Yang rapid pulse causes bleeding; Yin choppy pulse causes bloody stool. When the pulse corresponds well with the muscle texture, holding it for a long time until the rate allows, purgative methods may be used.
There are three pulse positions. Yin and Yang overcome each other. Ying and Wei, Qi and Blood follow the human body. Through respiration entering and exiting, they move up and down within. Driven by breath, they circulate, distributing fluids smoothly. They act according to the time, forming images and descriptions: Spring is wiry, Autumn is floating, Winter is deep, Summer is surging. Observing color and viewing the pulse, sizes differ. Within a moment, changes are constant. Cun and Chi vary, sometimes short, sometimes long. Up and down are disordered, sometimes present, sometimes absent. Illness alters constantly. Advancing and retreating, rising and falling, cause confusion and bewilderment, losing discipline. I wish to state this fully to clarify. The Master said: What you ask is the root of the Dao. There are three pulse positions: Cun, Chi, and Guan. Ying and Wei flow without losing balance. Kidney is deep, Heart is surging, Lung is floating, Liver is wiry. This is the constant principle, accurate to the smallest fraction. Entering and exiting, ascending and descending, rotate with the clepsydra. Under the dripping water of one hundred ke, one cycle completes, returning to the Cun Kou. Deficiency and Excess become visible. Changes overcome each other; Yin and Yang interact. Wind causes floating and deficient pulses; Cold causes firm and hard pulses. Deep and submerged [water retention]; Phlegm-fluids cause urgent wiry pulses. Moving pulses indicate pain; Rapid pulses indicate heat and vexation. If there is discrepancy, know there is a cause. The three positions differ; diseases have different origins. Excess is strange; deficiency is so too. Evil does not appear empty; there is always a culprit. Examine the exterior and interior; differentiate the Triple Burner. Know where the pathogen resides. Carefully observe and judge. Estimate the Zang and Fu. See clearly as if divine. I record this for you to pass on to worthy persons.
In treating illness, one must observe the form, Qi, color, and luster; the prosperity and decline of the pulse; and the newness or oldness of the disease, before treatment can begin. If form and Qi match, color is bright, and the pulse follows the four seasons, it is easy to treat. If form and Qi mismatch, color is dull and lusterless, and the pulse is excessively solid and hard, violating the four seasons, it is difficult to treat.
If the form is robust but the pulse is fine, with insufficient Qi to breathe, it is critical. If the form is emaciated but the pulse is large, with much Qi in the chest, it is fatal. If form and Qi match, there is life; if the three [form, Qi, pulse] are discordant, there is disease.
Before the Guan is Yang; behind the Guan is Yin. Yang exits and Yin enters, with the Guan as the boundary. Yang rapid pulse causes vomiting; Yin rapid pulse causes diarrhea. Yang wiry pulse causes headache; Yin wiry pulse causes abdominal pain.