迟数者，脉之缓急也。气火甚盛，脉来急疾，一息六七至者为数，属阳属热多实证。气
血衰微，脉来怠缓，一息二三至者为迟，属阴属寒多虚证。虽间亦有中气不充，脉形虚数，
实积凝结，脉道迟滞者，而以寻常脉理言之，固数主有余，迟主不及也。是以肿疡脉数，皆
为病邪之有余，其势方张，其毒方盛，脉象应之，必兼数疾。或为身热，则数大而洪，或已
酿脓，则紧数而实，脉病相合，是为常态。若在既溃之后，其毒已泄，脉以安静为吉。如仍
数疾不减，则身热之未净，余毒之未化也。初溃得之，尚无大害，化邪解热，即可向安。若
其迁延既久，正气日馁，邪气不衰，而脉数不退，或数大而中空，或细数而急疾，形神必惫
，真元消亡，斯为坏证矣。肿疡脉迟，多属正气之不及，脉病不符，甚非佳象。此惟于虚弱
之体偶见之，而寻常之疡，所不应有者也。惟附骨环跳诸证，病因虚寒，初起酸疼经缩，脉
象应之，沉迟为正。温养舒经，其毒自化。若脑疽、背疽，寒邪在经，迟脉亦为正应。温经
宣托，收效亦佳。苟非此证，则阳病阴脉，宜求其故矣。若在溃后，邪势已衰，脉迟虽似相
宜，如果形证皆顺，养胃调元，是为正治。抑或神疲气馁，则余毒未净，而真元欲漓，脉至
无神，亦非吉象。
迟脉和数脉，指的是脉搏的缓慢与急促。气火旺盛时，脉搏来势急疾，一呼一吸之间跳动六七次，称为数脉，多属于阳证、热证，且多为实证。气血衰微时，脉搏来势怠慢迟缓，一呼一吸之间仅跳动二三次，称为迟脉，多属于阴证、寒证，且多为虚证。虽然偶尔也有中气不足导致脉形虚数，或者实邪积结导致脉道迟滞的情况，但按照一般的脉理来说，数脉主有余（邪气盛），迟脉主不及（正气虚）。因此，在肿疡（未溃破的疮疡）阶段，如果脉象数，都是病邪有余的表现，此时病势正盛，毒气正强，脉象相应地必然兼见数而疾速。如果伴有身体发热，脉象则表现为数而大且洪；如果已经酿脓，脉象则表现为紧数而实，脉象与病症相符合，这是正常情况。如果在疮疡溃破之后，毒气已经泄出，脉象以安静平和为吉利。如果仍然数疾不减，说明体内的余热尚未清净，余毒尚未化解。刚溃破时出现这种情况，还没有太大危害，通过化邪解热的方法，病情即可向安。如果病程迁延日久，正气日益衰弱，邪气却不衰退，而脉数依然不退，或者脉象数大而中空（芤脉），或者细数而急疾，患者的形体和精神必定疲惫不堪，真元消亡，这就成了坏证（难治之证）。肿疡阶段脉象迟，多属于正气不足，脉象与病症不相符，这绝不是好现象。这种情况只见于体质虚弱的人偶尔出现，普通的疮疡是不应该有的。只有像附骨疽、环跳疽这类病症，病因是虚寒，初起时感到酸痛、筋脉拘挛，脉象相应地表现为沉迟，这才是正常的脉象。采用温养舒经的方法，毒气自然会化解。如果是脑疽、背疽，寒邪在经络中，出现迟脉也是相应的正常表现。采用温经宣托的方法，也能收到很好的效果。如果不是这些特定的病症，那么阳证出现阴脉，就应该探究其原因了。如果在溃破之后，邪势已经衰退，脉象迟虽然看似适宜，但如果形体和症状都顺遂，采用养胃调元的方法是正治。如果出现精神疲倦、气息微弱，则是余毒未净，真元即将耗尽，脉象到达时无神，也不是吉利的征象。
Chi (Slow) and Shu (Rapid) pulses refer to the slowness and rapidity of the pulse. When Qi and Fire are excessively abundant, the pulse comes rapidly; beating six or seven times per respiration is defined as Shu (Rapid) [Shu Mai (Rapid Pulse)], belonging to Yang and Heat patterns, mostly Excess syndromes. When Qi and Blood are depleted and weak, the pulse comes lethargic and slow; beating two or three times per respiration is defined as Chi (Slow) [Chi Mai (Slow Pulse)], belonging to Yin and Cold patterns, mostly Deficiency syndromes. Although there are occasional cases where Middle Qi is insufficient leading to a virtual Rapid pulse, or where solid pathogenic accumulation causes stagnation in the pulse vessels, generally speaking according to pulse theory, Shu indicates Excess (redundancy), while Chi indicates Deficiency (insufficiency). Therefore, in the stage of Zhongyang (Swollen Ulcer / Pre-ulcerative abscess), if the pulse is Shu (Rapid), it indicates an excess of pathogenic factors; the disease momentum is rising, and the toxicity is strong, so the pulse image must correspondingly be both Shu (Rapid) and Ji (Hurried). If accompanied by fever, the pulse is Shu (Rapid), large, and Hong (Surging); if pus has already formed, the pulse is Jin (Tight), Shu (Rapid), and Shi (Excess). When the pulse and disease match, this is the normal state. After the ulcer has ruptured (Ji Kui), when the toxicity has been discharged, a quiet and peaceful pulse is auspicious. If the pulse remains Shu (Rapid) and Ji (Hurried) without decrease, it indicates that residual heat is not yet cleared and residual toxins are not yet resolved. If this occurs immediately after rupture, it poses no major danger; resolving pathogens and clearing heat will lead to recovery. However, if the condition persists for a long time, Zheng Qi (Upright Qi) declines daily while Xie Qi (Pathogenic Qi) does not diminish, and the Shu (Rapid) pulse does not recede, or if the pulse is Shu (Rapid) and large with a hollow center (Kou Pulse), or thin, Shu (Rapid), and hurried, the patient's form and spirit will inevitably become exhausted, and Zhen Yuan (True Yuan/Original Qi) will perish; this constitutes a Huai Zheng (Bad/Incurable Syndrome). A Chi (Slow) pulse during the Zhongyang (Swollen Ulcer) stage mostly indicates insufficiency of Zheng Qi (Upright Qi); the pulse and disease do not correspond, which is definitely not a good omen. This is only seen occasionally in individuals with weak constitutions and should not occur in ordinary ulcers. Only in conditions such as Fugu Ju (Bone-attached Abscess) and Huantiao Ju (Huantiao Abscess), where the etiology is Deficient-Cold, presenting initially with sour pain and tendon contraction, a Chen (Deep) and Chi (Slow) pulse is correct. Applying Wenyang Shujing (Warming and Nourishing to Soothe the Meridians) allows the toxicity to resolve naturally. In cases of Nao Ju (Neck Carbuncle) and Bei Ju (Back Carbuncle), where Cold Pathogen resides in the meridians, a Chi (Slow) pulse is also a corresponding normal finding. Applying Wenjing Xuantuo (Warming the Meridians and Promoting Expulsion) yields good results. If these specific conditions are not present, then a Yang disease presenting with a Yin pulse requires investigation into its cause. After rupture, when the pathogenic momentum has declined, a Chi (Slow) pulse may seem appropriate; if the physical signs and symptoms are favorable, treating by nourishing the Stomach and regulating Yuan Qi (Primal Qi) is the correct approach. Alternatively, if there is mental fatigue and deficient Qi, it indicates residual toxins are not cleared and Zhen Yuan (True Yuan/Original Qi) is about to dissipate; a pulse arriving without Shen (Spirit/Vitality) is also not an auspicious sign.