脉乃血派 气血之先 血之隧道 气息应焉 其象法地 血之府也 心之合也
皮之部也 资始于肾 资生于胃 阳中之阴 本乎营卫 营者阴血 卫者阳气 营行脉中 卫行脉外 脉不自行
随气而至 气动脉应 阴阳之谊 气如橐 血如波澜 血脉气息 上下循环 十二经中 皆有动脉 惟手太阴 寸
口取决 此经属肺 上系吭嗌 脉之大会 息之出入 一呼一吸 四至为息 日夜一万 三千五百 一呼一吸 脉行
六寸 日夜八百 十丈为准 初持脉时 令仰其掌 掌后高骨 是谓关上 关前为阳 关后为阴 阳寸阴尺 先后推
寻心肝居左 肺脾居右 肾与命门 居两尺部 魂魄谷神 皆见寸口 左主司官 右主司府 左大顺男 右大顺女
本命扶命 男左女右 关前一分 人命之主 左为人迎 右为气口 神门决断 两在关后 人无二脉 病死不愈 男
女脉同 惟尺则异 阳弱阴盛 反此病至 脉有七诊 曰浮中沉 上下左右 消息求寻 又有九候 举按轻重 三部
浮沉 各候五动 寸候胸上 关候膈下 尺候于脐 下至跟踝 左脉候左 右脉候右 病随所在 不病者否 浮为心
肺沉为肾肝 脾胃中州 浮沉之间 心脉之浮 浮大而散 肺脉之浮 浮涩而短 肝脉之沉 沉而弦长 肾脉之沉
沉实而濡 脾胃属土 脉宜和缓 命为相火 左寸同断 春弦夏洪 秋毛冬石 四季和缓 是谓平脉 太过实强 病
生于外 不及虚微 病生于内 春得秋脉 死在金日 五脏准此 推之不失 四时百病 胃气为本 脉贵有神 不可
不审 调停自气 呼吸定息 四至五至 平和之则 三至为迟 迟则为冷 六至为数 数即热证 转迟转冷 转数转
热迟数既明 浮沉当别 浮沉迟数 辨内外因 外因于天 内因于人 天有阴阳 风雨晦冥 人喜怒忧 思悲恐惊
外因之浮 则为表证 沉里迟阴 数则阳盛 内因之浮 虚风所为 沉气迟冷 数热何疑 浮数表热 沉数里热 浮
迟表虚 沉迟冷结 表里阴阳 风气冷热 辨内外因 脉证参别 脉理浩繁 总括于四 既得提纲 引申触类 浮脉
法天 轻手可得 泛泛在上 如水漂木 有力洪大 来盛去悠 无力虚大 迟而且柔 虚甚则散 涣漫不收 有边无
中其名曰芤 浮小为濡 绵浮水面 濡甚则微 不任寻按 沉脉法地 近于筋骨 深深在下 沉极为伏 有力为牢
实大弦长 牢甚则实 而强 无力为弱 柔小如绵 弱甚则细 如蛛丝然 迟脉属阴 一息三至 小快于迟 缓
不及四 二损一败 病不可治 两息夺精 脉已无气 浮大虚散 或见芤革 浮小濡微 沉小细弱 迟细为涩 往来
极难 易散一止 止而复还 结则来缓 止而复来 代则来缓 止不能回 数脉属阳 六至一息 七疾八极 九至为
脱浮大者洪 沉大牢实 往来流利 是谓之滑 有力为紧 弹如转索 数见寸口 有止为促 数见关中 动脉可候
厥厥动摇 状如小豆 长则气治 过于本位 长而端直 弦脉应指 短则气病 不能满部 不见于关 惟尺寸候 一
脉一形 各有主病 数脉相兼 则见诸证 浮脉主表 里必不足 有力风热 无力血弱 浮迟风虚 浮数风热 浮紧
风寒 浮缓风湿 浮虚伤暑 浮芤失血 浮洪虚火 浮微劳极 浮濡阴虚 浮散虚剧 浮弦痰饮 浮滑痰热 沉脉主
里主寒主积 有力痰食 无力气郁 沉迟虚寒 沉数热伏 沉紧冷痛 沉缓水蓄 沉牢痼冷 沉实热极 沉弱阴虚
沉细痹湿 沉弦饮痛 沉滑宿食 沉伏吐利 阴毒聚积 迟脉主脏 阳气伏潜 有力为痛 无力虚寒 数脉主腑 主
吐主狂 有力为热 无力为疮 滑脉主痰 或伤于食 下为蓄血 上为吐逆 涩脉少血 或中寒湿 反胃结肠 自汗
厥逆 弦脉主饮 病属胆肝 弦数多热 弦迟多寒 浮弦支饮 沉弦悬痛 阳弦头痛 阴弦腹痛 紧脉主寒 又主诸
痛浮紧表寒 沉紧里痛 长脉气平 短脉气病 细则气少 大则病进 浮长风痫 沉短宿食 血虚脉虚 气实脉实
洪脉为热 其阴则虚 细脉为湿 其血则虚 缓大者风 缓细者湿 缓涩血少 缓滑内热 濡小阴虚 弱小阳竭 阳
竭恶寒 阴虚发热 阳微恶寒 阴微发热 男微虚损 女微泻血 阳动汗出 阴动发热 为痛与惊 崩中失血 虚寒
相搏 其名为革 男子失精 女子失血 阳盛则促 肺痈阳毒 阴盛则结 疝瘕积郁 代则气衰 或泄脓血 伤寒心
悸女胎三月 脉之主病 有宜不宜 阴阳顺逆 凶吉可推 中风浮缓 急实则忌 浮滑中痰 沉迟中气 尸厥沉滑
卒不知人 入脏身冷 入腑身温 风伤于卫 浮缓有汗 寒伤于营 浮紧无汗 暑伤于气 脉虚身热 湿伤于血 脉
缓细涩 伤寒热病 脉喜浮洪 沉微涩小 证反必凶 汗后脉静 身凉则安 汗后脉躁 热甚必难 阳病见阴 病必
危殆 阴病见阳 虽困无害 上不至关 阴气已绝 下不至关 阳气已竭 代脉止歇 脏绝倾危 散脉无根 形损难
医饮食内伤 气口急滑 劳倦内伤 脾脉大弱 欲知是气 下手脉沉 沉极则伏 涩弱久深 火郁多沉 滑痰紧食
气涩血芤 数火细湿 滑主多痰 弦主留饮 热则滑数 寒则弦紧 浮滑兼风 沉滑兼气 食伤短疾 湿留濡细 疟
脉自弦 弦数者热 弦迟者寒 代散者折 泄泻下痢 沉小滑弱 实大浮洪 发热则恶 呕吐反胃 浮滑者昌 弦数
紧涩 结肠者亡 霍乱之候 脉代勿讶 厥逆迟微 是则可怕 咳嗽多浮 聚肺关胃 沉紧小危 浮濡易治 喘急息
肩浮滑者顺 沉涩肢寒 散脉逆证 病热有火 洪数可医 沉微无火 无根者危 骨蒸发热 脉数而虚 热而涩小
必殒其躯 劳极诸虚 浮软微弱 土败双弦 火炎急数 诸病失血 脉必见芤 缓小可喜 数大可忧 瘀血内蓄 却
宜牢大 沉小涩微 反成其害 遗精白浊 微涩而弱 火盛阴虚 芤濡洪数 三消之脉 浮大者生 细小微涩 形脱
可惊 小便淋 鼻头色黄 涩小无血 数大何妨 大便燥结 须分气血 阳数而实 阴迟而涩 癫乃重阴 狂乃重
阳浮洪吉兆 沉急凶殃 痫脉宜虚 实急者恶 浮阳沉阴 滑痰数热 喉痹之脉 数热迟寒 缠喉走马 微伏则难
诸风眩晕 有火有痰 左涩死血 右大虚看 头痛多弦 浮风紧寒 热洪湿细 缓滑厥痰 气虚弦软 血虚微涩 肾
厥弦坚 真痛短涩 心腹之痛 其类有九 细迟从吉 浮大延久 疝气弦急 积聚在里 牢急者生 弱急者死 腰痛
之脉 多沉而弦 兼浮者风 兼紧者寒 弦滑痰饮 濡细肾着 大乃肾虚 沉实闪肭 香港脚有四 迟寒数热 浮滑者
风濡细者湿 痿病肺虚 脉多微缓 或涩或紧 或细或濡 风寒湿气 合而为痹 浮涩而紧 三脉乃备 五疸实热
脉必洪数 涩微属虚 切忌发渴 脉得诸沉 责其有水 浮气与风 沉石或里 沉数为阳 沉迟为阴 浮大出厄 虚
小可惊 胀满脉弦 土制于木 湿热数洪 阴寒迟热 浮为虚满 紧则中实 浮大可治 虚小危极 五脏为积 六腑
为聚 实强者生 沉细者死 中恶腹胀 紧细者生 脉若浮大 邪气已深 痈疽浮散 恶寒发热 若有痛处 痈疽所
发脉数发热 而痛者阳 不数不热 不疼阴疮 未溃痈疽 不怕洪大 已溃痈疽 洪大可怕 肺痈已成 寸数而实
肺痿之形 数而无力 肺痈色白 脉宜短涩 不宜浮大 唾糊呕血 肠痈实热 滑数可知 数而不热 关脉芤虚 微
涩而紧 未脓当下 紧数脓成 切不可下 妇人之脉 以血为本 血旺易胎 气旺难孕 少阴动甚 谓之有子 尺脉
滑利 妊娠可喜 滑疾不散 胎必三月 但疾不散 五月可别 左疾为男 右疾为女 女腹如箕 男腹如釜 欲产之
脉其至离经 水下乃产 未下勿惊 新产之脉 缓滑为吉 实大弦牢 有证则逆 小儿之脉 七至为平 更察色证
与虎口纹 奇经八脉 其诊又别 直上直下 浮则为督 牢则为冲 紧则任脉 寸左右弹 阳跷可决 尺左右弹 阴
跷可别 关左右弹 带脉当诀 尺外斜上 至寸阴维 尺内斜上 至寸阳维 督脉为病 脊强癫痫 任脉为病 七疝
瘕坚 冲脉为病 逆气里急 带主带下 脐痛精失 阳维寒热 目眩僵仆 阴维心痛 胸胁刺筑 阳跷为病 阳缓阴
急阴跷为病 阴缓阳急 癫痫螈 寒热恍惚 八脉脉证 各有所属 平人无脉 移于外络 兄位弟乘 阳溪列缺
病脉既明 吉凶当别 经脉之外 又有真脉 肝绝之脉 循刀责责 心绝之脉 转豆躁疾 脾则雀啄 如屋之漏 如
水之流 如杯之覆 肺绝如毛 无根萧索 麻子动摇 浮波之合 肾脉将绝 至如省客 来如弹石 去如解索 命脉
将绝 虾游鱼翔 至如涌泉 绝在膀胱 真脉既形 胃已无气 参察色证 断之以臆
脉，是血液运行的通道，也是气血变化的先导。它是血液流通的隧道，气息在其中相应地运行。它的形态效法大地，是血液汇聚的府库，与心脏相合，外应于皮肤。
脉气的起源始于肾，滋养依赖于胃。它属于阳中之阴，根本在于营气和卫气。营气是阴血，卫气是阳气；营气行于脉管之中，卫气行于脉管之外。脉管本身不能自行搏动，而是随着气的推动而跳动。气推动则脉应动，这是阴阳之间的密切关系。气就像风箱，血就像波澜，血脉与气息上下循环不息。在十二经脉中，都有动脉搏动，但唯独手太阴肺经的寸口部位，可以作为诊断的依据。这条经脉隶属于肺，向上连接咽喉，是诸脉大会之处，呼吸的出入都由此体现。一呼一吸称为一息，脉搏跳动四次为一息。一天一夜共一万三千五百息。每一息，脉气运行六寸，一天一夜共运行八百十丈，以此作为标准。
初诊脉时，令患者手掌向上。手腕后方高起的骨头，称为“关”。关的前面为阳，称为“寸”；关的后面为阴，称为“尺”。通过先后推寻寸、关、尺三部来诊脉。心、肝居于左手，肺、脾居于右手，肾与命门居于两尺部。魂、魄、谷神等脏腑精气，都反映在寸口脉上。左手主要候察五脏（官），右手主要候察六腑（府）。男子左手脉大顺其体质，女子右手脉大顺其体质。本命与命门之气，男左女右有所不同。关前一分处，是人命的根本。左手关前为人迎穴脉位，右手关前为气口脉位。神门穴位于关后两侧，如果人没有这两处的脉象，说明病情危重，难以治愈。男女脉象大体相同，只有尺脉有所差异。如果阳气虚弱而阴气盛，或者反过来阴弱阳盛，都是病态。
脉诊有七种指法，即浮、中、沉三种力度，以及上、下、左、右四个方位，需要仔细消息求索。又有九候之法，通过举、按的不同轻重，在寸、关、尺三部进行浮、沉候察，每部各候五种脉动情况。寸部候察胸部以上，关部候察膈肌以下，尺部候察脐部，向下直至脚跟和脚踝。左脉主要候察身体左侧，右脉主要候察身体右侧，疾病随所在部位而定，无病者则不在此列。
浮脉对应心肺，沉脉对应肾肝，脾胃处于中州，脉象介于浮沉之间。心脉之浮，表现为浮大而散；肺脉之浮，表现为浮涩而短；肝脉之沉，表现为沉而弦长；肾脉之沉，表现为沉实而濡。脾胃属土，脉象宜和缓。命门属相火，左寸脉可同断。春脉弦，夏脉洪，秋脉毛（浮），冬脉石（沉），四季末月脉象和缓，这称为平脉（正常脉象）。脉象太过、坚实强硬，病生于体表；脉象不及、虚微无力，病生于体内。春季出现秋季的毛脉，死于金旺之日，五脏脉象均可依此类推，不会失误。四时百病，以胃气为本。脉象贵在有神，不可不审慎。
调停呼吸，一呼一吸定为一息，脉搏跳动四至五至，是平和的标准。三至为迟脉，迟脉主冷证；六至为数脉，数脉主热证。越迟越冷，越数越热。明确了迟数，再辨别浮沉。浮沉迟数可以辨别内外病因。外因源于天时，内因源于人事。天有阴阳风雨晦明，人有喜怒忧思悲恐惊。外感引起的浮脉，则为表证；沉里、迟脉为阴，数脉为阳盛。内伤引起的浮脉，多为虚风所致；沉脉为气滞，迟脉为冷，数脉为热无疑。浮数主表热，沉数主里热，浮迟主表虚，沉迟主冷结。辨别表里、阴阳、风气、冷热，以区分内外因。脉证参合辨别，脉理虽然浩繁，总括于上述四类。既然掌握了提纲，便可引申触类旁通。
浮脉法天，轻手即可触及，泛泛在上，如水漂木。有力者为洪脉，来势盛而去势悠长；无力者为虚脉，迟而且柔。虚甚则为散脉，涣漫不收；有边无中，名为芤脉。浮小者为濡脉，绵软浮于水面；濡甚则为微脉，不堪寻按。
沉脉法地，近于筋骨，深深在下。沉极者为伏脉。有力者为牢脉，实大弦长；牢甚则为实脉，强劲有力。无力者为弱脉，柔小如绵；弱甚则为细脉，如蛛丝一般。
迟脉属阴，一息三至。缓脉比迟稍快，但不及四至。二息一至为损脉，一息一至为败脉，病不可治。两息一至夺精，脉已无气。若见浮大虚散，或见芤革脉；浮小濡微，沉小细弱，均为危象。迟而细为涩脉，往来极难；易散且有一止，止而复还为结脉；来缓且止不能回代为代脉。
数脉属阳，一息六至。七至为疾脉，八至为极脉，九至为脱脉。浮大者为洪脉，沉大牢实，往来流利，谓之滑脉。有力弹指如转索者为紧脉。数脉见于寸口，时有止者为促脉；数脉见于关中，厥厥动摇状如小豆者为动脉。
长脉表示气机调治，超过本位；长而端直，应指有力为弦脉。短脉表示气病，不能满部，不见于关部，仅在尺寸两部可见。一脉一形，各有主病。数脉相兼，则出现各种证候。
浮脉主表，里必不足。有力为风热，无力为血弱。浮迟为风虚，浮数为风热，浮紧为风寒，浮缓为风湿，浮虚为伤暑，浮芤为失血，浮洪为虚火，浮微为劳极，浮濡为阴虚，浮散为虚剧，浮弦为痰饮，浮滑为痰热。
沉脉主里、主寒、主积。有力为痰食，无力为气郁。沉迟为虚寒，沉数为热伏，沉紧为冷痛，沉缓为水蓄，沉牢为痼冷，沉实为热极，沉弱为阴虚，沉细为痹湿，沉弦为饮痛，沉滑为宿食，沉伏为吐利、阴毒聚积。
弦脉主饮，病属胆肝。弦数多热，弦迟多寒。浮弦为支饮，沉弦为悬痛，阳弦为头痛，阴弦为腹痛。
长脉气平，短脉气病。细则气少，大则病进。浮长风痫，沉短宿食。血虚脉虚，气实脉实。
洪脉为热，其阴则虚。细脉为湿，其血则虚。缓大者为风，缓细者为湿，缓涩者血少，缓滑者内热。濡小者阴虚，弱小者阳竭。阳竭恶寒，阴虚发热。阳微恶寒，阴微发热。男微为虚损，女微为泻血。阳动则汗出，阴动则发热，为痛与惊，崩中失血。
阳盛则促脉，主肺痈、阳毒。阴盛则结脉，主疝瘕、积郁。代脉主气衰，或泄脓血。伤寒心悸，女胎三月见代脉。
脉之主病，有宜不宜，阴阳顺逆，凶吉可推。中风脉浮缓，急实则忌。浮滑为中痰，沉迟为中气。尸厥脉沉滑，卒不知人。入脏身冷，入腑身温。风伤于卫，脉浮缓有汗；寒伤于营，脉浮紧无汗。暑伤于气，脉虚身热；湿伤于血，脉缓细涩。
伤寒热病，脉喜浮洪。若见沉微涩小，证反必凶。汗后脉静，身凉则安；汗后脉躁，热甚必难。阳病见阴脉，病必危殆；阴病见阳脉，虽困无害。上不至关，阴气已绝；下不至关，阳气已竭。代脉止歇，脏绝倾危；散脉无根，形损难医。
饮食内伤，气口脉急滑。劳倦内伤，脾脉大弱。欲知是气，下手脉沉，沉极则伏，涩弱久深。火郁多沉，滑主痰，紧主食，气涩血芤，数主火，细主湿。滑主多痰，弦主留饮。热则滑数，寒则弦紧。浮滑兼风，沉滑兼气。食伤脉短疾，湿留脉濡细。
疟脉自弦。弦数者热，弦迟者寒。代散者折（死）。泄泻下痢，脉沉小滑弱；若实大浮洪，发热则恶。呕吐反胃，脉浮滑者昌（吉）；弦数紧涩，结肠者亡（死）。霍乱之候，脉代勿讶（不必惊讶）；厥逆迟微，是则可怕。
咳嗽多浮，聚于肺关胃。沉紧小危，浮濡易治。喘急息肩，脉浮滑者顺；沉涩肢寒，散脉逆证。病热有火，洪数可医；沉微无火，无根者危。骨蒸发热，脉数而虚；热而涩小，必殒其躯。劳极诸虚，脉浮软微弱。土败双弦，火炎急数。诸病失血，脉必见芤；缓小可喜，数大可忧。瘀血内蓄，却宜牢大；若见沉小涩微，反成其害。遗精白浊，脉微涩而弱；火盛阴虚，脉芤濡洪数。三消之脉，浮大者生；细小微涩，形脱可惊。小便淋，鼻头色黄，脉涩小无血，数大何妨。大便燥结，须分气血：阳数而实，阴迟而涩。
癫乃重阴，狂乃重阳。浮洪吉兆，沉急凶殃。痫脉宜虚，实急者恶。浮阳沉阴，滑痰数热。喉痹之脉，数热迟寒。缠喉走马，微伏则难。
诸风眩晕，有火有痰。左涩为死血，右大为虚看。头痛多弦，浮风紧寒，热洪湿细，缓滑厥痰。气虚弦软，血虚微涩。肾厥弦坚，真痛短涩。
心腹之痛，其类有九。细迟从吉，浮大延久。疝气弦急，积聚在里。牢急者生，弱急者死。
腰痛之脉，多沉而弦。兼浮者风，兼紧者寒，弦滑痰饮，濡细肾着。大乃肾虚，沉实闪肭。
香港脚有四：迟寒数热，浮滑者风，濡细者湿。痿病肺虚，脉多微缓，或涩或紧，或细或濡。风寒湿气，合而为痹，脉浮涩而紧，三脉乃备。
五疸实热，脉必洪数；涩微属虚，切忌发渴。脉得诸沉，责其有水。浮气与风，沉石或里。沉数为阳，沉迟为阴。浮大出厄，虚小可惊。胀满脉弦，土制于木。湿热数洪，阴寒迟热。浮为虚满，紧则中实。浮大可治，虚小危极。
五脏为积，六腑为聚。实强者生，沉细者死。中恶腹胀，紧细者生；脉若浮大，邪气已深。
痈疽浮散，恶寒发热。若有痛处，痈疽所发。脉数发热而痛者阳，不数不热不疼者阴疮。未溃痈疽，不怕洪大；已溃痈疽，洪大可怕。肺痈已成，寸数而实。肺痿之形，数而无力。肺痈色白，脉宜短涩，不宜浮大。唾糊呕血，肠痈实热，滑数可知。数而不热，关脉芤虚，微涩而紧，未脓当下，紧数脓成，切不可下。
妇人之脉，以血为本。血旺易胎，气旺难孕。少阴动甚，谓之有子。尺脉滑利，妊娠可喜。滑疾不散，胎必三月；但疾不散，五月可别。左疾为男，右疾为女。女腹如箕，男腹如釜。欲产之脉，其至离经。水下乃产，未下勿惊。新产之脉，缓滑为吉；实大弦牢，有证则逆。
奇经八脉，其诊又别。直上直下，浮则为督，牢则为冲，紧则任脉。寸左右弹，阳跷可决；尺左右弹，阴跷可别；关左右弹，带脉当诀。尺外斜上至寸，阴维可辨；尺内斜上至寸，阳维可别。
督脉为病，脊强癫痫。任脉为病，七疝瘕坚。冲脉为病，逆气里急。带主带下，脐痛精失。阳维寒热，目眩僵仆。阴维心痛，胸胁刺筑。阳跷为病，阳缓阴急；阴跷为病，阴缓阳急。癫痫螈疭，寒热恍惚。八脉脉证，各有所属。
病脉既明，吉凶当别。经脉之外，又有真脉（绝脉）。肝绝之脉，循刀责责（如按刀刃）。心绝之脉，转豆躁疾。脾则雀啄，如屋之漏，如水之流，如杯之覆。肺绝如毛，无根萧索，麻子动摇，浮波之合。肾脉将绝，至如省客，来如弹石，去如解索。命脉将绝，虾游鱼翔，至如涌泉，绝在膀胱。真脉既形，胃已无气。参察色证，断之以臆（主观判断/经验推断）。
Pulse is the pathway of blood, the precursor of Qi and Blood. It is the tunnel through which blood flows, and the movement of Qi responds within it. Its form mimics the earth; it is the mansion where blood gathers, harmonized with the Heart, and externally connected to the skin.
Its origin begins in the Kidney, and its nourishment depends on the Stomach. It belongs to Yin within Yang, rooted in Ying (Nutritive) Qi and Wei (Defensive) Qi. Ying is Yin Blood, while Wei is Yang Qi; Ying circulates within the vessels, whereas Wei circulates outside the vessels. The vessels cannot beat on their own but move following the propulsion of Qi. When Qi moves, the pulse responds, illustrating the intimate relationship between Yin and Yang. Qi is like a bellows, and Blood is like waves; the circulation of blood vessels and Qi moves up and down continuously. In the twelve meridians, there are pulsating arteries, yet only the Cunkou (Inch Position) of the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian serves as the basis for diagnosis. This meridian belongs to the Lung, connects upward to the throat, and is the great assembly of all pulses, governing the entry and exit of respiration. One exhalation and one inhalation constitute one "Xi" (respiratory cycle); the pulse beats four times per Xi. In a day and night, there are 13,500 Xis. With each Xi, Qi moves six cun, totaling 810 zhang in a day and night, which serves as the standard.
When initially palpating the pulse, instruct the patient to hold their palm upward. The prominent bone at the back of the wrist is called the Guan (Bar). The area anterior to the Guan is Yang, known as Cun (Inch); the area posterior to the Guan is Yin, known as Chi (Cubit). By sequentially pushing and searching the Cun, Guan, and Chi positions, one diagnoses. The Heart and Liver reside on the left, the Lung and Spleen on the right, and the Kidneys and Mingmen (Gate of Life) occupy both Chi positions. Hun (Ethereal Soul), Po (Corporeal Soul), and Gushen (Grain God) are all reflected in the Cunkou pulse. The left side primarily observes the Zang organs (Officer), and the right side primarily observes the Fu organs (Functionary). A larger pulse on the left is favorable for men, and a larger pulse on the right is favorable for women. The influence of Benming (Life Destiny) and Mingmen differs by gender: left for men, right for women. One fen anterior to the Guan is the master of human life. The position anterior to the Guan on the left is Renying (Human Welcome), and on the right is Qikou (Qi Gate). Shenmen (Spirit Gate) is located bilaterally posterior to the Guan. If these two pulses are absent, the condition is critical and difficult to cure. Men and women generally have similar pulses, except for the Chi position. If Yang is weak and Yin is excessive, or conversely if Yin is weak and Yang is excessive, these are pathological states.
There are seven diagnostic techniques: Floating (Fu), Middle (Zhong), and Deep (Chen) pressures, applied to Upper, Lower, Left, and Right positions, requiring careful inquiry. There are also nine inspections, using light lifting and heavy pressing to examine the three positions (Cun, Guan, Chi) for floating and deep qualities, observing five movements in each. The Cun position examines the chest and above; the Guan position examines below the diaphragm; the Chi position examines the navel, extending down to the heels and ankles. The left pulse primarily reflects the left side of the body, and the right pulse primarily reflects the right side; disease manifests according to location, while health does not follow this rule.
Floating pulse corresponds to the Heart and Lung; Deep pulse corresponds to the Kidney and Liver; the Spleen and Stomach are in the central region, with pulses intermediate between floating and deep. The Heart's floating pulse is large, floating, and scattered; the Lung's floating pulse is floating, choppy, and short; the Liver's deep pulse is deep, wiry, and long; the Kidney's deep pulse is deep, solid, and soft. The Spleen and Stomach belong to Earth, and their pulse should be harmonious and relaxed. The Mingmen represents Ministerial Fire, and the left Cun pulse can be interpreted similarly. Spring pulses are wiry, Summer pulses are surging, Autumn pulses are feathery (floating), Winter pulses are stone-like (deep), and pulses during the last month of each season are harmonious; this is called the Ping Pulse (Normal Pulse). Excessive, solid, and strong pulses indicate disease originating externally; insufficient, deficient, and minute pulses indicate disease originating internally. If an Autumn (feathery) pulse appears in Spring, death occurs on a Metal day; this principle applies to the five Zang organs without error. For diseases across the four seasons, Stomach Qi is fundamental. The pulse must possess Shen (Spirit); this must be examined carefully.
Regulate breathing; one respiratory cycle constitutes one Xi. Four to five beats per Xi is the standard for harmony. Three beats per Xi is Chi (Slow) pulse, indicating Cold. Six beats per Xi is Shu (Rapid) pulse, indicating Heat. The slower, the colder; the faster, the hotter. Once Slow and Rapid are understood, distinguish Floating and Deep. Floating, Deep, Slow, and Rapid help differentiate external and internal causes. External causes stem from heaven; internal causes stem from humanity. Heaven has Yin/Yang, wind/rain, darkness/brightness; humans have joy/anger, worry, thought, sorrow, fear, fright. External Floating indicates Exterior Syndrome. Deep interior, Slow Yin, and Rapid Yang excess are patterns. Internal Floating results from deficient wind; Deep indicates Qi stagnation, Slow indicates Cold, and Rapid indicates Heat without doubt. Floating-Rapid indicates Exterior Heat; Deep-Rapid indicates Interior Heat; Floating-Slow indicates Exterior Deficiency; Deep-Slow indicates Cold accumulation. Differentiate Exterior/Interior, Yin/Yang, Wind/Cold-Heat to identify causes. Correlate pulse and symptoms; although pulse theory is vast, it summarizes into four categories. Having grasped the outline, one can extend and apply it analogously.
Floating pulse mimics heaven; it is accessible with light pressure, superficial like wood floating on water. Forceful and large with vigorous onset and leisurely decline is Hong (Surging) pulse. Weak and large with slow and soft quality is Xu (Deficient) pulse. Extremely deficient leads to San (Scattered) pulse, which is diffuse and uncontained. Having edges but no center is Kou (Hollow) pulse. Small and floating is Ru (Soggy) pulse, soft and floating on water surface. Extremely soggy leads to Wei (Minute) pulse, which cannot withstand pressure.
Deep pulse mimics earth; it is near tendons and bones, deeply situated. Extremely deep is Fu (Hidden) pulse. Forceful, large, wiry, and long is Lao (Tight/Firm) pulse. Extremely firm becomes Shi (Excess) pulse, strong and hard. Weak and small like cotton is Ruo (Weak) pulse. Extremely weak becomes Xi (Fine) pulse, like a spider's thread.
Chi (Slow) pulse belongs to Yin, beating three times per Xi. Huan (Moderate) pulse is slightly faster than Slow but less than four beats. Two beats per Xi is Sun (Damage) pulse; one beat per Xi is Bai (Decay) pulse, untreatable. One beat every two Xi indicates loss of Jing (Essence) and absence of Qi. If Floating, Large, Deficient, Scattered, or Kou/Ger pulses appear; or Floating-Small, Ru, Wei, Deep-Small, Xi, Ruo pulses, these are critical signs. Slow and Fine is Se (Choppy) pulse, extremely difficult to flow. Easy to scatter with occasional pauses that return is Jie (Knotted) pulse. Slow with pauses that do not return is Dai (Intermittent) pulse.
Shu (Rapid) pulse belongs to Yang, beating six times per Xi. Seven beats is Ji (Fast) pulse; eight beats is Ji (Extreme) pulse; nine beats is Tuo (Depleted) pulse. Floating and large is Hong (Surging) pulse. Deep, large, firm, and solid with smooth flow is Hua (Slippery) pulse. Forceful and snapping like a turning rope is Jin (Tight) pulse. Rapid pulse at Cun with occasional pauses is Cu (Hasty) pulse. Rapid pulse at Guan with quivering motion like a small bean is Dong (Moving) pulse.
Chang (Long) pulse indicates regulated Qi, extending beyond its normal position. Long and straight, responding to the finger, is Xian (Wiry) pulse. Duan (Short) pulse indicates Qi pathology, failing to fill the position, absent at Guan, visible only at Cun and Chi. Each pulse shape has specific disease associations. Combined rapid pulses present various syndromes.
Floating pulse governs Exterior; Interior must be deficient. Forceful indicates Wind-Heat; weak indicates Blood deficiency. Floating-Slow indicates Wind-Deficiency; Floating-Rapid indicates Wind-Heat; Floating-Tight indicates Wind-Cold; Floating-Moderate indicates Wind-Dampness; Floating-Deficient indicates Summerheat injury; Floating-Hollow indicates Blood loss; Floating-Surging indicates Deficient Fire; Floating-Minute indicates Extreme Fatigue; Floating-Soggy indicates Yin Deficiency; Floating-Scattered indicates Severe Deficiency; Floating-Wiry indicates Phlegm-Fluid; Floating-Slippery indicates Phlegm-Heat.
Deep pulse governs Interior, Cold, and Accumulation. Forceful indicates Phlegm-Food; weak indicates Qi stagnation. Deep-Slow indicates Deficient-Cold; Deep-Rapid indicates Hidden Heat; Deep-Tight indicates Cold Pain; Deep-Moderate indicates Water retention; Deep-Firm indicates Chronic Cold; Deep-Solid indicates Extreme Heat; Deep-Weak indicates Yin Deficiency; Deep-Fine indicates Bi-Dampness; Deep-Wiry indicates Fluid-Pain; Deep-Slippery indicates Retained Food; Deep-Hidden indicates Vomiting/Diarrhea, Yin Toxin accumulation.
Chi (Slow) pulse governs Zang organs, with latent Yang Qi. Forceful indicates Pain; weak indicates Deficient-Cold.
Shu (Rapid) pulse governs Fu organs, vomiting, and mania. Forceful indicates Heat; weak indicates Sores/Ulcers.
Hua (Slippery) pulse governs Phlegm or food injury. Downward indicates Blood stasis; upward indicates vomiting/regurgitation.
Se (Choppy) pulse indicates Blood deficiency or Cold-Dampness invasion, leading to reverse regurgitation, colon constipation, spontaneous sweating, and cold limbs.
Xian (Wiry) pulse governs Fluid retention, belonging to Gallbladder and Liver. Wiry-Rapid indicates Heat; Wiry-Slow indicates Cold. Floating-Wiry indicates Branch Fluid; Deep-Wiry indicates Suspended Pain; Yang-Wiry indicates Headache; Yin-Wiry indicates Abdominal Pain.
Jin (Tight) pulse governs Cold and various pains. Floating-Tight indicates Exterior Cold; Deep-Tight indicates Interior Pain.
Chang (Long) pulse indicates balanced Qi; Duan (Short) pulse indicates Qi pathology. Fine indicates little Qi; Large indicates disease progression. Floating-Long indicates Epilepsy; Deep-Short indicates Retained Food. Blood deficiency yields Deficient pulse; Qi excess yields Excess pulse.
Hong (Surging) pulse indicates Heat, with Yin deficiency. Xi (Fine) pulse indicates Dampness, with Blood deficiency. Moderate-Large indicates Wind; Moderate-Fine indicates Dampness; Moderate-Choppy indicates Blood shortage; Moderate-Slippery indicates Internal Heat. Ru-Small indicates Yin Deficiency; Ruo-Weak indicates Yang exhaustion. Yang exhaustion causes aversion to cold; Yin deficiency causes fever. Yang micro indicates aversion to cold; Yin micro indicates fever. Male micro indicates deficiency damage; female micro indicates bleeding. Yang moving causes sweating; Yin moving causes fever, pain, fright, metrorrhagia, and blood loss.
Deficient-Cold interacting is named Ger (Leather) pulse. Men lose essence; women lose blood.
Yang excess yields Cu (Hasty) pulse, governing Lung Abscess and Yang Toxin. Yin excess yields Jie (Knotted) pulse, governing Hernia, Masses, and stagnation. Dai (Intermittent) pulse indicates Qi decline, or pus/blood discharge. In Shanghan (Cold Damage) palpitations, or three-month pregnancy, Dai pulse appears.
Pulse governing diseases has appropriate and inappropriate patterns; Yin/Yang compliance determines auspiciousness or peril. Zhongfeng (Wind Stroke) shows Floating-Moderate; Rapid/Solid is contraindicated. Floating-Slippery indicates Phlegm obstruction; Deep-Slow indicates Qi obstruction. Shijue (Corpse Fainting) shows Deep-Slippery, sudden unconsciousness. Entering Zang causes cold body; entering Fu causes warm body. Wind injuring Wei shows Floating-Moderate with sweat; Cold injuring Ying shows Floating-Tight without sweat. Summerheat injuring Qi shows Deficient pulse with fever; Dampness injuring Blood shows Moderate-Fine-Choppy pulse.
In Shanghan febrile diseases, Floating-Surging is favorable. Deep-Micro-Choppy-Small pulses contradict symptoms and indicate peril. Post-sweat quiet pulse and cool body indicate safety; post-sweat restless pulse and severe heat indicate difficulty. Yang disease showing Yin pulse is critical; Yin disease showing Yang pulse is manageable despite severity. Pulse not reaching Guan indicates Yin exhaustion; pulse not reaching Guan from below indicates Yang exhaustion. Dai pulse with pauses indicates Zang failure and peril; San (Scattered) pulse without root indicates physical damage and incurability.
Dietary injury shows Urgent-Slippery Qi Kou pulse. Labor/fatigue injury shows Large-Weak Spleen pulse. To identify Qi issues, press deeply; pulse becomes Deep, eventually Hidden, Choppy, and Weak over time. Fire depression often shows Deep pulse; Slippery indicates Phlegm, Tight indicates Food, Qi Choppy, Blood Hollow, Rapid indicates Fire, Fine indicates Dampness. Slippery indicates much Phlegm; Wiry indicates retained fluid. Heat yields Slippery-Rapid; Cold yields Wiry-Tight. Floating-Slippery combines Wind; Deep-Slippery combines Qi. Food injury yields Short-Rapid pulse; Dampness retention yields Ru-Fine pulse.
Malaria pulse is naturally Wiry. Wiry-Rapid indicates Heat; Wiry-Slow indicates Cold. Dai-Scattered indicates death. Diarrhea/dysentery shows Deep-Small-Slippery-Weak pulse; if Solid-Large-Floating-Surging with fever, it is ominous. Vomiting/regurgitation shows auspicious Floating-Slippery pulse; Wiry-Rapid-Tight-Choppy indicates colon constipation and death. Huoluan (Cholera) shows Dai pulse (do not be surprised); JueNi (Reversal Cold) with Slow-Micro pulse is terrifying.
Cough is mostly Floating, gathering at Lung, Guan, Stomach. Deep-Tight-Small is dangerous; Floating-Ru is easy to treat. Panting with shoulder breathing shows Smooth-Shun (favorable) Floating-Slippery pulse; Deep-Choppy with cold limbs shows Reverse San (Scattered) pulse. Fever with fire shows curable Surging-Rapid pulse; Deep-Micro without fire shows dangerous rootless pulse. Bone-steaming fever shows Rapid-Deficient pulse; fever with Choppy-Small pulse leads to death. Extreme fatigue and deficiencies show Floating-Soft-Weak pulse. Earth failure shows Double Wiry pulse; Fire flare shows Rapid pulse. All blood loss diseases show Kou (Hollow) pulse; Moderate-Small is pleasing, Rapid-Large is worrying. Internal blood stasis should show Firm-Large pulse; Deep-Small-Choppy-Micro is harmful. Spermatorrhea/cloudy urine shows Micro-Choppy-Weak pulse; Fire excess/Yin deficiency shows Kou-Ru-Surging-Rapid pulse. Sanxiao (Three Wasting-Thirst) pulse: Floating-Large indicates survival; Small-Micro-Choppy with physical depletion is alarming. Lin (Strangury) with yellow nose tip shows Choppy-Small without blood; Rapid-Large is acceptable. Dry stool requires distinguishing Qi/Blood: Yang is Rapid-Solid, Yin is Slow-Choppy.
Dian (Depression) is Heavy Yin; Kuang (Mania) is Heavy Yang. Floating-Surging is auspicious; Deep-Urgent is disastrous. Xian (Epilepsy) pulse should be Deficient; Solid-Urgent is bad. Floating is Yang, Deep is Yin; Slippery is Phlegm, Rapid is Heat. Houbi (Throat Obstruction) pulse: Rapid is Heat, Slow is Cold. Chanhou Zouma (Rapid Throat Swelling) with Micro-Hidden pulse is difficult.
Wind vertigo involves Fire or Phlegm. Left Choppy indicates Dead Blood; Right Large indicates Deficiency. Headache is mostly Wiry; Floating is Wind, Tight is Cold, Surging is Heat, Fine is Dampness, Moderate-Slippery indicates Phlegm. Qi deficiency shows Soft-Wiry; Blood deficiency shows Micro-Choppy. Kidney Jue shows Firm-Wiry; True Pain shows Short-Choppy.
Heart/Abdominal pain has nine types. Fine-Slow is auspicious; Floating-Large prolongs illness. Hernia is Urgent-Wiry; Accumulation is internal. Firm-Urgent indicates survival; Weak-Urgent indicates death.
Lumbar pain pulse is mostly Deep-Wiry. Combined Floating is Wind; combined Tight is Cold; Wiry-Slippery is Phlegm-Fluid; Ru-Fine is Kidney Dampness. Large indicates Kidney Deficiency; Deep-Solid indicates Sprain.
Hongjiao (Gout/Leg Disease) has four types: Slow-Cold, Rapid-Heat, Floating-Slippery-Wind, Ru-Fine-Dampness. Wei Bing (Flaccidity) due to Lung Deficiency shows Micro-Moderate, or Choppy/Tight/Fine/Ru pulses. Wind-Cold-Dampness combine to form Bi syndrome, showing Floating-Choppy-Tight pulses.
Five Jaundices are Excess-Heat, showing Surging-Rapid pulses; Choppy-Micro indicates Deficiency, avoid thirst. Deep pulses suggest Water retention. Floating indicates Qi/Wind; Deep-Stone indicates Interior. Deep-Rapid is Yang; Deep-Slow is Yin. Floating-Large escapes danger; Deficient-Small is alarming. Distension shows Wiry pulse, Wood controlling Earth. Damp-Heat shows Surging-Rapid; Yin-Cold shows Slow-Heat. Floating indicates Empty Distension; Tight indicates Solid Interior. Floating-Large is treatable; Deficient-Small is critical.
Zang masses are Ji (Accumulation); Fu masses are Ju (Gathering). Solid-Strong indicates survival; Deep-Fine indicates death. Zhong'e (Evil Qi) abdominal distension: Tight-Fine indicates survival; Floating-Large indicates deep pathogen.
Yongju (Carbuncle/Ulcer) shows Floating-Scattered with chills/fever. Pain indicates Carbuncle development. Rapid pulse, fever, and pain indicate Yang sore; non-rapid, non-fever, non-pain indicates Yin sore. Unulcerated carbuncles fear not Surging-Large pulse; ulcerated carbuncles fear Surging-Large pulse. Lung Abscess formed shows Rapid-Solid Cun pulse. Lung萎 (Withering) shows Rapid-Weak pulse. Lung Abscess white color prefers Short-Choppy pulse, not Floating-Large. Spitting paste/blood indicates Intestinal Abscess Excess-Heat, known by Slippery-Rapid pulse. Rapid without fever, Hollow-Weak Guan pulse, Micro-Choppy-Tight indicates pus formation before drainage; if Tight-Rapid, pus is formed, do not drain.
Women's pulse is based on Blood. Abundant Blood facilitates conception; Abundant Qi hinders it. Strong Shaoyin pulse indicates pregnancy. Slippery-Smooth Chi pulse indicates favorable pregnancy. Slippery-Rapid without dispersion indicates three months gestation; Rapid without dispersion indicates five months. Left Rapid indicates Male fetus; Right Rapid indicates Female fetus. Female abdomen like basket; Male abdomen like pot. Pre-labor pulse changes to Li Jing (Departing from Standard). Delivery follows water breaking; do not panic before delivery. Post-partum pulse: Smooth-Slow is auspicious; Solid-Large-Wiry-Firm with symptoms is adverse.
Children's pulse: Seven beats per Xi is normal. Observe complexion, symptoms, and Tiger Mouth lines.
Extraordinary Vessels have distinct diagnostics. Straight up-down Floating is Du Mai; Firm is Chong Mai; Tight is Ren Mai. Left-right pulsation at Cun resolves Yang Qiao; at Chi resolves Yin Qiao; at Guan resolves Dai Mai. Diagonal up from outer Chi to Cun identifies Yin Wei; diagonal up from inner Chi to Cun identifies Yang Wei.
Du Mai disease: Stiff spine, epilepsy. Ren Mai disease: Seven hernias, masses. Chong Mai disease: Counterflow Qi, abdominal urgency. Dai Mai governs leukorrhea, umbilical pain, essence loss. Yang Wei: Chills/fever, dizziness, collapse. Yin Wei: Heart pain, chest/hypochondriac stabbing. Yang Qiao disease: Yang laxity, Yin tension. Yin Qiao disease: Yin laxity, Yang tension. Epilepsy convulsions, chills/fever, confusion. Eight Extraordinary Vessels have specific pulse-symptom associations.
Healthy people may lack pulses in main channels, shifting to collateral vessels (Brother occupying Elder's position). Pulses at Yangxi and Lieque points can be observed.
Once pathological pulses are clear, distinguish auspiciousness/peril. Beyond regular pulses are True Pulses (Extinction Pulses). Liver extinction: Razor-sharp. Heart extinction: Bean-like, restless/fast. Spleen: Sparrow pecking, roof leak, water flow, overturned cup. Lung: Feathery, rootless, desolate, sesame shaking, wave merging. Kidney nearing extinction: Guest visiting, striking stone onset, untied cord decline. Life pulse nearing extinction: Shrimp swimming, fish gliding, spring gushing, bladder extinction. Once True Pulses appear, Stomach Qi is gone. Correlate with complexion and symptoms to judge.