幼科指纹，总无正论，且游移不定，莫可稽考。有谓不必用者，有用而至于怪诞不经，诬民惑世者，是皆
未明纹中之理，所以有用不用之殊议。请以一得之愚，聊发其要。盖此指纹与寸关尺同一脉也。按《内经》十
二经络始于手太阴（即肺脉也），其支者从腕后出次指之端，而交于手阳明支者，（即旁支也。从手腕后出食指之端，而
交通荣卫于手阳明大肠之经），即此指纹是也。明如景岳，犹谓此纹为手阳明浮络，不知手太阴经起于中府，而
终于大拇指之少商，手阳明经起于食指之商阳，两不相值。若无此旁支交通荣卫，不几令太阴，阳明表里断绝
乎！况此脉可诊，人所不知，其迟数代促与太渊一毫无异，但脉体差小，由旁支也。指纹之法起于宋人钱仲
阳，以食指分为三关∶寅曰风关，卯曰气关，
辰曰命关。其诀谓风轻、气重、命危，虽未必言其悉验，而其义可取。盖位则自下而上，邪则自浅而深，证则
自轻而重，人皆可信。只恨复出诡异之说，谬撰惊风门类，致后贤多岐亡羊，反成疑案。予意仲阳宋之明人，
以孝见称，岂肯为此误世。大抵后之俗子，假托其名而为之者。惟有识者知其语言鄙俚，论证荒唐，便能弃之不
用，如张景岳、夏禹铸辈，皆谓可不必用，盖非不用，实恶其妄诞不经而无可用耳。近世医家不知真伪，不辨
是非，习而行之，乃致惑世诬民，祸害婴幼。夫医事动关生命，乃听无稽之言，流传贻殃，是岂其可！予虽不敏，
粗知经脉，每见幼科指纹之说，不胜发竖，欲为规正，恨非其人，知而不言，此心未慊，今幸余闲，请言其要。
盖此指纹，即太渊脉之旁支也，则纹之变易，亦即太渊之变易，不必另立异说，眩人心目，但当以浮沉分表里，
红紫辨寒热，淡滞定虚实，则用之不尽矣。倘舍此不图，妄执伪说以为是，临证不察病源，谬指为人惊、畜惊，
诳惑愚昧，予恐盲人翳马，终坠重渊，莫之能出也。
周虚中曰∶指纹晰义之精，自仲阳以来，七百余年，无人道及。今读至此，如梦初觉，如醉初醒，足以快人
神智，真千古特识也。
盖世人乍闻此言，未能深信，姑就其舛谬之传，撮其大要以正之。其略曰∶指上辨青纹，认是四足惊，虎
口脉青色，是猪犬马惊，黑色因水扑，赤色火人惊，紫色多成泻，黄即是雷惊。又曰∶青惊白是疳，黄即困脾
端，青色大小曲，人惊并四足云云。凡此等之言，断非钱氏所出，实齐东野语，正人君子所不屑挂于齿颊者，
然不明指其非，人或以予言不实，今驳其最无理者，以博一笑。其曰∶指上辨青纹，认是四足惊，虎口脉青色，
是猪犬马惊，黑色因水扑，赤色火人惊，紫色多成泻，黄即是雷惊。是指纹之青黄赤黑，一皆惊之所致。然则
小儿之赋禀浓薄，胎元寒热，以及内伤外感，杂证麻痘，数百之证
悉当以惊风称之，以惊风治之矣。不然，除去青黄赤黑之纹，又将何者辨其非惊风乎？谬误之传，莫此为最！既
云黄即困脾端矣，是谓指纹黄色，脾土受伤，不足之证，又曰黄即是雷惊，似谓闻雷致惊，有余之候。假令小儿
指纹见黄，不知此时应断为脾困乎，抑应断为雷惊乎？治之者，不知应治脾乎，应治其雷乎？或将合一为治乎？
抑亦分晰其方乎？且脾困为虚，雷惊为实，治虚遗实，治实碍虚，兼治不能，分治不可，予亦莫知何所适从乎！
至谓青色大小曲，人惊并四足。夫人与四足，灵蠢天渊，清浊冰炭，气化纯杂不侔，断无并列之理。今既曰人
惊并四足矣，则是临证时，凡指纹青者，谓之人惊可也，即谓之四足惊亦可也，是人与四足竟可以通称，而四
足与人不几同类耶！即以纹曲之大小别之，原其意必谓大曲为人惊，小曲为畜惊，又安知人惊不为小曲，畜惊
不为大曲乎？何所据而确知其人惊之曲必应大，畜惊之曲必应小？设使大曲之中仍有小曲，小曲之旁兼见大曲，
得无曰此人惊中之畜惊，畜惊中之人惊耶？无稽之谈，不堪寓目。再究其治疗，更无是处。若谓人惊畜惊总为
一惊，不必论证，不须异治，则今之分大分小，指人指畜者，得无谵妄乎？若谓人惊畜惊各为一惊，未可同论，
正不知人惊为何病？畜惊为何证？宜以何物治人惊？何物治四足惊？既有以上之惊名，应立以上之证治，何以
并无一法，而徒设此无稽虚言以诳俗？在庸妄固不足责，而立言诸公，不之规正，反为编次于书，遗误后世，
吾恐有目者，未必不为之 裂也！
再曰青惊白是疳，青惊即已前诸说，不必琐赘，至于白是疳，诚为妄诞。夫疳证即方脉之虚劳，在幼稚谓
之疳积，本脾肾两伤之候；久之，五脏俱损，中气败极，则面目肌肤俱见晃白，形如枯骨之象，故曰白是疳。
此以形色言也，今以指纹当之，谬之甚矣。盖气血两伤，精神久亏之证，其纹必淡，凡虚证皆然，不特疳证已
也。然只可言其色淡，不可谓之色白，
盖指上从无白纹，予临证四十余载，未尝一遇。后人勿谓古人之言一定不易，必俟其指纹白色，始可称之为疳，
若然，则疳证之儿无幸矣。故知按图索骥，终非解人。神而明之，始称匠手。指纹辨证，详列于下。
儿科指纹诊法，历来没有统一的正论，而且说法游移不定，无法考证。有的人说根本不需要使用，有的人虽然使用却流于怪诞不经，欺骗百姓、迷惑世人，这都是因为没有弄懂指纹背后的医理，所以产生了用与不用的不同争议。请允许我凭借一点浅薄的见解，来阐述其中的要点。
大概这种指纹与寸关尺脉是一样的道理。按照《内经》记载，十二经络始于手太阴肺经（即肺脉），其分支从手腕后出于食指末端，并与手阳明大肠经的分支相交接（即旁支。从手腕后出于食指之端，从而在荣卫之间与手阳明大肠经相通），这个就是所谓的指纹。像张景岳这样明理的人，仍然认为此纹是手阳明经的浮络，却不知道手太阴肺经起于中府穴，终于大拇指的少商穴；手阳明大肠经起于食指的商阳穴，两者并不直接相接。如果没有这个旁支来交通荣卫，岂不是让太阴和阳明这两条表里经脉断绝联系了吗！况且这条脉是可以诊察的，只是人们不知道罢了，它的迟、数、代、促等变化与太渊脉毫无二致，只是脉体较小，因为它是旁支的缘故。
指纹诊法起源于宋代钱仲阳，他将食指分为三关：寅位叫风关，卯位叫气关，辰位叫命关。他的口诀说“风轻、气重、命危”，虽然未必完全灵验，但其义理是可取的。因为位置是从下往上，病邪是从浅入深，证候是从轻到重，大家都可以相信。只恨后来又出现了诡异的学说，谬撰了“惊风”这一门类，导致后世贤才在歧路上迷失，反而成了疑难案件。我认为钱仲阳是宋代的明医，以孝顺著称，怎么肯做出这种误导世人的事？大抵是后来的庸俗之人，假托他的名字而编造的。只有有见识的人知道那些语言粗鄙、论证荒唐，就能弃之不用。像张景岳、夏禹铸等人，都说可以不必用，其实不是不能用，而是厌恶其妄诞不经、没有实用价值罢了。近世的医家不知真伪，不辨是非，沿袭这种做法，致使迷惑世人、祸害婴幼儿。医疗事务关乎生命，如果听信无稽之谈，流传下去贻害无穷，这怎么可以呢！我虽然不聪敏，但也粗知经脉，每次见到儿科指纹的说法，都感到愤慨，想要予以纠正，可惜没有合适的人选或时机，明知不对却不说话，心中不安。现在幸得空闲，请让我说说要点。
大概这个指纹，就是太渊脉的旁支，那么指纹的变化，也就是太渊脉的变化，不必另外设立异说，来眩惑人心，只要通过浮沉来分辨表里，红紫来辨别寒热，淡滞来确定虚实，那么运用起来就无穷无尽了。如果舍弃这些正理，妄执伪说是正确的，临证时不考察病源，错误地指认为人惊、畜惊，欺骗愚昧之人，我恐怕就像盲人骑马一样，最终坠入深渊，无法自拔。
周虚中说：“指纹辨析义理的精深，自钱仲阳以来，七百多年，没有人提到过。今天读到此处，如梦初醒，如醉初觉，足以使人神智清爽，真是千古独到的见识。”
大概世人乍听到这些话，不能完全深信，姑且摘录那些荒谬传说的概要，来加以纠正。大致内容是：手指上出现青纹，认为是被四足动物惊吓；虎口脉青色，是被猪狗马惊吓；黑色是因为水淹；赤色是被火或人惊吓；紫色多变成腹泻；黄色就是被雷惊吓。又说：青惊白是疳积，黄色就是脾困，青色大小弯曲，是人惊并四足惊等等。凡是这样的话，绝对不是钱氏所说，实在是齐东野语，正人君子不屑于挂在嘴边的。然而如果不明确指出其错误，别人可能会认为我的话不实。现在我驳斥其中最无理的部分，以此博君一笑。它说：指纹的青黄赤黑，都是惊吓所致。既然如此，小儿的禀赋厚薄、胎元寒热，以及内伤外感、杂证麻痘，数百种证候都应该称为惊风，并用治惊风的方法治疗了。否则，除去青黄赤黑之纹，又将用什么来辨别非惊风呢？错误的传说，没有比这更严重的了！既然说“黄即困脾端”，这是说指纹黄色代表脾土受伤，属于不足之证；又说“黄即是雷惊”，似乎说是闻雷致惊，属于有余之候。假如小儿指纹见黄，不知道此时应该判断为脾困呢，还是判断为雷惊呢？治疗者，不知道应该治脾呢，还是治雷呢？是将二者合在一起治疗呢，还是分别制定方剂呢？况且脾困为虚证，雷惊为实证，治虚遗实，治实碍虚，兼治不能，分治不可，我也不知道该听从哪种方法！
至于说“青色大小曲，人惊并四足”。人和四足动物，灵性与蠢笨有天壤之别，清浊如冰炭，气化纯杂完全不同，绝对没有并列的道理。现在既然说人惊并四足惊，那么在临证时，凡是指纹青色的，说是人惊也可以，说是四足惊也可以，这样人和四足动物竟然可以通称，四足动物和人岂不是同类吗！即使根据纹曲的大小来区别，推究其本意一定是认为大曲是人惊，小曲是畜惊，又怎么知道人惊不为小曲，畜惊不为大曲呢？有什么依据确知人惊之曲必定大，畜惊之曲必定小？假设在大曲之中仍有小曲，小曲旁边兼见大曲，难道要说这是人惊中的畜惊，畜惊中人惊吗？无稽之谈，不堪入目。再追究它的治疗，更是没有道理。如果说人惊畜惊总归是一种惊，不必论证，不需要不同的治疗，那么现在区分大小、指认人或畜的做法，岂不是胡言乱语吗？如果说人惊畜惊各是一种惊，不可以混同讨论，正不知道人惊是什么病？畜惊是什么证？应该用什么药治人惊？什么药治四足惊？既然有了以上这些惊名，就应该建立相应的证治方法，为什么没有任何一种方法，而徒然设立这些无稽虚言来欺骗世俗？平庸狂妄的人固然不值得责备，但立言的各位先生，不加以纠正，反而编排收录在书中，贻误后世，我恐怕有眼睛的人，未必不会为此愤怒裂眦！
再说“青惊白是疳”，前面的青惊之说已经说过，不必琐碎赘述。至于“白是疳”，确实是荒诞妄语。疳证就是方脉中的虚劳，在幼儿称为疳积，本是脾肾两伤的证候；时间久了，五脏俱损，中气败坏至极，则面目肌肤都呈现苍白，形体如同枯骨，所以说“白是疳”。这是从形色上来说的。现在用指纹来对应，谬误得很。大概气血两伤、精神久亏的证候，其纹路必然淡，凡是虚证都是如此，不仅仅是疳证而已。然而只能说颜色淡，不能说颜色白，因为手指上从来没有白色的纹路，我临证四十多年，从未遇到过。后人不要以为古人的话一定不变，非要等到指纹变白，才称之为疳，如果是这样，那么患疳证的儿童就没有希望了。所以知道按图索骥，终究不是解人。能够神而明之，才称得上是匠手。指纹辨证，详细列于下文。
Pediatric fingerprint diagnosis has never had a unified orthodox theory, and its interpretations are inconsistent and unverified. Some claim it is unnecessary to use, while others, though using it, resort to absurdities that deceive the public and confuse the world. These views stem from a failure to understand the principles behind the fingerprints, leading to divergent opinions on whether to employ this method. Permit me to offer my humble insights to clarify the essentials.
Essentially, this fingerprint is identical in nature to the pulse at the Cun, Guan, and Chi positions. According to the *Neijing* (Classic of Internal Medicine), the twelve meridians originate from the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian (i.e., the Lung pulse). Its branch emerges from behind the wrist to the tip of the index finger and connects with the branch of the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian (i.e., the collateral branch. Emerging from behind the wrist to the tip of the index finger, it facilitates the communication of Ying and Wei Qi with the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian). This is what is referred to as the fingerprint. Even Zhang Jingyue, a figure of clarity, still regarded this line as a superficial collateral of the Hand-Yangming Meridian. He failed to realize that the Hand-Taiyin Meridian begins at Zhongfu (LU-1) and ends at Shaoshang (LU-11) on the thumb, while the Hand-Yangming Meridian begins at Shangyang (LI-1) on the index finger; the two do not directly meet. Without this collateral branch facilitating the circulation of Ying and Wei Qi, would it not sever the connection between the Taiyin and Yangming meridians, which are exterior-interior pairs? Moreover, this vessel can be palpated, although people are unaware of it. Its variations in speed (Chi, Shu), intermittentness (Dai), and urgency (Cu) are no different from those at the Taiyuan pulse (Radar point); it merely appears smaller because it is a collateral branch.
The method of diagnosing via fingerprints originated with Qian Zhongyang of the Song Dynasty. He divided the index finger into three sections: the Yin position is called the Wind Gate (Feng Guan), the Mao position is the Qi Gate (Qi Guan), and the Chen position is the Life Gate (Ming Guan). His mnemonic states "Light [illness] at Wind, Heavy [illness] at Qi, Critical [condition] at Life." Although not necessarily entirely accurate in every case, its logic is sound. The position progresses from bottom to top, the pathogen moves from shallow to deep, and the syndrome severity increases from mild to severe, making it credible to all. It is only regrettable that later bizarre theories emerged, falsely creating categories for "Convulsion" (Jing Feng), causing later scholars to lose their way amidst divergent paths and turning it into a source of doubt. I believe Qian Zhongyang, a renowned physician of the Song Dynasty known for his filial piety, would never have devised such misleading practices. Most likely, these were fabricated by vulgar practitioners later on, claiming his name. Only discerning individuals, recognizing the coarse language and absurd arguments, discard them. Figures like Zhang Jingyue and Xia Yuzhu claimed they need not be used; this was not because they were unusable, but because they despised their baseless absurdity and lack of utility. Modern physicians, unable to distinguish truth from falsehood, have blindly followed these practices, thereby confusing the world and harming infants. Medical practice concerns life itself; listening to groundless rumors and spreading harm is unacceptable. Though I am not particularly gifted, I have a basic understanding of meridians. Whenever I encounter pediatric fingerprint theories, I am indignant and wish to correct them, yet lacking the right opportunity or audience, I remain uneasy if I stay silent. Now, having some leisure, I will explain the essentials.
This fingerprint is essentially a collateral branch of the Taiyuan pulse. Therefore, changes in the fingerprint reflect changes in the Taiyuan pulse. There is no need to establish alternative theories to confuse people. One should simply use floating/sinking to differentiate Exterior/Interior, red/purple to distinguish Cold/Heat, and pale/stagnant to determine Deficiency/Excess. With this approach, the method becomes infinitely applicable. If one ignores these principles, clings to false theories, fails to investigate the disease origin during clinical practice, and erroneously attributes symptoms to human or animal fright, deceiving the ignorant, I fear one will be like a blind man riding a horse, eventually falling into an abyss from which there is no escape.
Zhou Xuzhong stated: "The profound analysis of fingerprint meanings has not been discussed since Qian Zhongyang, over seven hundred years ago. Reading this now is like waking from a dream or sobering up from drunkenness; it refreshes the mind and spirit. It is truly a unique insight of the ages."
People may initially hesitate to believe these words. Let us briefly summarize the erroneous traditions to correct them. The gist is as follows: A blue/green line on the finger indicates fright from four-legged animals; cyan color at the Tiger's Mouth pulse indicates fright from pigs, dogs, or horses; black color results from drowning; red color indicates fright from fire or humans; purple color often leads to diarrhea; yellow color indicates fright from thunder. It also says: Blue/green fright with white indicates Pi Syndrome (Gan Ji); yellow indicates Spleen distress; variations in the curvature of the blue/green line indicate human or four-legged animal fright. Such statements are certainly not from Qian’s school but are mere rustic nonsense, unworthy of mention by gentlemen. However, without explicitly refuting them, others might doubt my credibility. I will refute the most illogical parts here for amusement. The claim that all colors (blue, yellow, red, black) of the fingerprint are caused by fright implies that all hundreds of pediatric conditions—whether due to constitutional strength, prenatal cold/heat, internal injury, external contraction, miscellaneous syndromes, measles, or smallpox—should be classified and treated as "Fright Convulsion." Otherwise, excluding these colored lines, how else would one distinguish non-fright conditions? No error is greater than this! If "yellow indicates Spleen distress," it means the fingerprint is yellow due to damaged Spleen Earth, a Deficiency pattern. Yet, it also says "yellow indicates Thunder Fright," implying an Excess pattern caused by hearing thunder. If a child’s fingerprint is yellow, should one diagnose Spleen Distress or Thunder Fright? Should treatment target the Spleen or the Fright? Should they be treated together or separately? Since Spleen Distress is Deficiency and Thunder Fright is Excess, treating Deficiency while neglecting Excess, or treating Excess while hindering Deficiency, makes combined treatment impossible and separate treatment impractical. I do not know which path to take!
Regarding "Blue/Green curvature size indicates Human Fright and Four-Legged Fright": Humans and four-legged animals differ vastly in intelligence and purity, akin to ice and charcoal. Their Qi transformations are incomparable, so there is no logical basis for equating them. If human fright and animal fright are equivalent, then any blue/green fingerprint could be diagnosed as either, implying humans and animals are interchangeable—a ridiculous notion. Even distinguishing by the degree of curvature, assuming large curves mean human fright and small curves mean animal fright, how can we be sure human fright isn't small-curved or animal fright isn't large-curved? What evidence supports that human fright must be large-curved and animal fright small-curved? If a large curve contains small curves, or vice versa, does it imply mixed frights? This is unfounded talk. Furthermore, the proposed treatments are flawed. If human and animal fright are the same and require no differentiation or distinct treatment, then distinguishing them is nonsensical. If they are different, what exactly are "Human Fright" and "Animal Fright"? What medicines treat them? Given these names, corresponding treatments should exist, yet none are provided. These empty words merely deceive the masses. While quacks deserve no blame, scholars who fail to correct and instead include these errors in books mislead future generations, causing righteous people to rage.
Finally, "Blue/Green Fright and White indicates Pi Syndrome (Gan)." The previous discussion on blue/green fright is sufficient. Claiming "white indicates Pi Syndrome" is absurd. Pi Syndrome corresponds to Consumption (Xu Lao) in general medicine, specifically "Pi Accumulation" in children, originating from dual damage to the Spleen and Kidney. Over time, the five Zang organs are depleted, and Middle Qi collapses, resulting in a sallow, emaciated appearance resembling a skeleton. Thus, "white" refers to complexion, not the fingerprint itself. Applying this to the fingerprint is highly erroneous. In cases of dual Qi and Blood deficiency and chronic Spirit depletion, the fingerprint naturally appears pale, which applies to all Deficiency patterns, not just Pi Syndrome. One can say the color is pale, but never white, as white fingerprints do not exist. In over forty years of clinical practice, I have never encountered one. Do not assume ancient texts are immutable; waiting for a white fingerprint to diagnose Pi Syndrome would render the condition incurable. Thus, rigidly following diagrams is not the way of a true expert. One must understand the principles flexibly to be a master practitioner. Detailed fingerprint differentiation is listed below.