古来方技，如天文术数，堪舆风鉴，卜筮医术数类。天文惟帝皇所重；术数若遁甲风角
，惟
为将所重；堪舆其应每远数百载，或数十载始验，真伪难知；风鉴即能先知预定人之富贵寿
考，本各自具也。卜筮不过决疑，医则自天子以至于庶人，皆不可废其术。疗疾病，决生死
，望问切脉之次，必云因何而得，所属何脏
，所系何经，当用何药，服后能见何效。危者复安，骨者复肉，能神而明之，实为方技中之
最要者也。
人禀天地五行之气，以生手三阳三阴，足三阳三阴，合为十二经，以环络一身，往来流
通，
无少间断，其脉应于两手三部焉。夫脉者，血也；脉不自动，气实使之，故有九候之法。《
内经》云∶脉者血之府。《说文》云∶血理分袤行体者，从爪从血亦作脉。华佗云∶脉者气
血之先也，气血盛则脉盛，气血衰则脉衰；血热则脉数，血寒则脉迟；血微则脉弱，气血平
则脉缓。晋·王叔和分为七表八里，可谓详且至矣。然文理繁多，学人卒难究白。宋·崔子
虚以《难经》六难，专言浮沉，九难专言迟数，故用为宗以统也。七表八里而总万病。其说
以为浮者为表为阳，外得之病也；有力主风，无力主气，浮而无力为芤，有力为洪。沉者为
里为阴，内受之病也；有力主积，无力主气，沉而极小为微，至骨为伏，无力为弱。迟者为
阴主寒，内受之病也；有力主痛，无力主冷，迟而少 为缓。短细为涩，无力为濡。数者为
阳主热，外得之病也；有力主热，无力主疮，数而极弦为紧，有力为弦，流利为滑。他如九
道六极之殊，三焦五脏之辨，与其持脉之道，疗病之方，其间元妙，俱在六脉。当时师承传
授，皆为名医，其诀盖不出于此，学人其求诸。
自古以来，方技（古代技艺，包括天文、占卜、医术等）中，像天文、术数、堪舆风水、卜筮和医术这几类。天文只有帝王重视；术数中的遁甲风角，只有将领重视；堪舆风水的应验往往要几百年或几十年后才显现，真假难以知晓；风水相术虽然能预先知道人的富贵寿命，但各自具备其道理。卜筮不过是为了决断疑惑，而医学从天子到平民百姓，都不可废弃。治疗疾病，决断生死，在望诊、问诊、切脉的过程中，必须弄清楚病因是什么，归属于哪个脏腑，关联哪条经络，应当使用什么药物，服药后能看到什么疗效。使危重者恢复平安，消瘦者恢复肌肉，能够神妙地阐明这些道理，实在是方技中最重要的一项。
人禀受天地的五行之气而生，手三阳经和手三阴经，足三阳经和足三阴经，合起来为十二经脉，环绕联络全身，往来流通，没有片刻间断，其脉象反映在双手的三部（寸、关、尺）上。所谓脉，是血的府库；脉本身不会自动跳动，是气推动它，所以有九候的诊断方法。《内经》说：脉是血的府库。《说文解字》说：血理分袤行体者，从爪从血，也写作“脉”。华佗说：脉是气血的先导，气血旺盛则脉象盛大，气血衰弱则脉象微弱；血热则脉率快，血寒则脉率慢；血微少则脉象弱，气血平和则脉象缓。晋代王叔和将脉分为七表八里，可以说详细且透彻了。然而文理繁多，学习者最终难以完全弄明白。宋代崔子虚依据《难经》第六难专门论述浮沉，第九难专门论述迟数，因此用它们作为宗旨来统摄。七表八里概括了万病。他的学说认为：浮脉属于表证、阳证，是外感引起的疾病；有力主风邪，无力主气虚，浮而无力为芤脉，有力为洪脉。沉脉属于里证、阴证，是内伤引起的疾病；有力主积滞，无力主气虚，沉而极小为微脉，按至骨部为伏脉，无力为弱脉。迟脉属于阴证，主寒，是内伤引起的疾病；有力主痛，无力主冷，迟而稍快为缓脉。短细为涩脉，无力为濡脉。数脉属于阳证，主热，是外感引起的疾病；有力主实热，无力主疮疡，数而极弦为紧脉，有力为弦脉，流利为滑脉。其他如九道六极的不同，三焦五脏的辨别，以及持脉的方法和治病的方剂，其中的奥妙，都包含在六脉之中。当时的师徒传承，都是名医，他们的秘诀大概不出于此，学习者应当从这里探求。
Since ancient times, among the various arts and skills (Fangji, referring to traditional crafts including astronomy, divination, and medicine), such as astronomy, technical numerology (Shushu, involving esoteric calculations like Dunjia), geomancy (Kanyu, fengshui), divination (Bushi), and medicine: Astronomy is valued only by emperors; Technical numerology, specifically methods like Dunjia (a form of divination using time and space) and Fengjiao (wind observation for prediction), are valued only by military generals; The effects of Geomancy often manifest only after hundreds or dozens of years, making truth and falsehood difficult to discern; Physiognomy (Fengjian, face/body reading) may predict a person's wealth, status, and longevity, each possessing its own logic. Divination merely resolves doubts, whereas Medicine cannot be abandoned by anyone from the Son of Heaven (Emperor) to commoners. In treating diseases and determining life and death, during the processes of inspection (Wang), inquiry (Wen), and palpation (Qie), one must ascertain the cause of onset, the affected Zang organs, the involved meridians, the appropriate herbs, and the expected efficacy after administration. To restore the critically ill to health and the emaciated to fleshiness, and to elucidate these principles with divine clarity, is truly the most essential aspect among all arts and skills.
Humans are born endowing themselves with the Qi of Heaven and Earth and the Five Elements. The three Yang and three Yin meridians of the hand, along with the three Yang and three Yin meridians of the foot, combine to form the twelve primary meridians (Twelve Jing). These circulate and connect throughout the entire body, flowing continuously without interruption, and their pulse manifestations are reflected in the three positions (Cun, Guan, Chi) of both wrists. The Pulse is the mansion (Fu) of Blood; the pulse vessel does not move on its own but is driven by Qi, hence the method of Nine Palpations (Jiu Hou). The *Neijing* states: "The pulse is the mansion of blood." The *Shuowen Jiezi* explains: "Those whose structures branch out through the body, composed of the radical 'claw' and 'blood', are also written as 'mai' (pulse)." Hua Tuo stated: "The pulse is the precursor of Qi and Blood; when Qi and Blood are abundant, the pulse is vigorous; when deficient, it is weak; when blood is hot, the pulse is rapid (Shu); when cold, it is slow (Chi); when blood is scanty, the pulse is weak; when Qi and Blood are balanced, the pulse is moderate (Huan)." Wang Shuhe of the Jin Dynasty categorized pulses into Seven Exterior (Qi Biao) and Eight Interior (Ba Li) types, which can be considered detailed and thorough. However, due to the complexity of the text, learners find it difficult to fully comprehend. Cui Zixu of the Song Dynasty, relying on Difficulty Classic (Nanjing) Chapter 6 which focuses on Floating (Fu) and Sinking (Chen), and Chapter 9 which focuses on Slow (Chi) and Rapid (Shu), used these as the core principles to unify the study. The Seven Exterior and Eight Interior categories encompass myriad diseases. His theory posits that a Floating pulse indicates an Exterior syndrome and Yang condition, resulting from external pathogens; if forceful, it indicates Wind; if forceless, it indicates Qi deficiency; Floating and forceless corresponds to Kong (Hollow) pulse; Floating and forceful corresponds to Hong (Surging) pulse. A Sinking pulse indicates an Interior syndrome and Yin condition, resulting from internal injury; if forceful, it indicates accumulation/stagnation; if forceless, it indicates Qi deficiency; extremely small and sinking corresponds to Wei (Micro) pulse; pressing to the bone corresponds to Fu (Hidden) pulse; forceless corresponds to Ruo (Weak) pulse. A Slow pulse indicates a Yin condition and Cold, resulting from internal factors; if forceful, it indicates pain; if forceless, it indicates cold sensation; slightly faster than slow corresponds to Huan (Moderate) pulse. Short and thin corresponds to Se (Choppy) pulse; forceless corresponds to Ru (Soggy) pulse. A Rapid pulse indicates a Yang condition and Heat, resulting from external factors; if forceful, it indicates excess heat; if forceless, it indicates sores/ulcers; extremely wiry and rapid corresponds to Jin (Tight) pulse; forceful corresponds to Xian (Wiry) pulse; smooth and flowing corresponds to Hua (Slippery) pulse. Other distinctions such as the Nine Channels and Six Extremes, the differentiation of the Triple Burner and Zang organs, as well as the methods of palpation and prescriptions for treatment, contain profound mysteries all contained within the six main pulse qualities. The masters of that era, passing down knowledge through lineage, were all renowned physicians; their secrets likely did not extend beyond this framework. Learners should seek understanding here.