体象 迟脉属阴，象为不及；往来迟慢，三至一息。
迟之为义，迟滞而不能中和也。脉以一息四至为和平，迟则一息三至。气不振发，行不如度，故曰属阴。
主病 迟脉主藏，其病为寒。左寸迟者，心痛停凝。迟在左关， 结挛筋。左尺得迟，肾虚便浊，
女子不月。右寸迟者，肺寒痰积。迟在右关，胃伤冷物。右尺得迟，藏寒泄泻，小腹冷痛。
五脏为阴，迟亦为阴，是以主藏。阴性多滞，故阴寒之证，脉必见迟也。正如太阳隶于南陆，则火度而行
数；隶于北陆，则水度而行迟；即此可以征阴阳迟速之故矣。《难经·九难》曰∶“迟者，藏也。”又曰∶“迟
则为寒。”《伤寒论》亦曰∶“迟为在藏。”以阳气伏潜，不能健行，故至数迟耳。其所主病，与沉脉大约相
同。但沉脉之病为阴逆而阳郁，迟脉之病为阴盛而阳亏。沉则或须攻散，迟则未有不大行温补者也。
兼脉 有力冷痛，无力虚寒。浮迟表冷，沉迟里寒。迟涩血少，迟缓湿寒。
迟而有力，有壅实不通利之意，痛可想见。迟云阳伏而又无力，岂非虚寒。浮则表之候也，沉则里之候
也，兼迟而为寒可必。血得热则行，湿得热则散，迟乃寒象，何以养营而燥湿乎。
按迟脉之象，上中下候皆至数缓慢。伪诀云∶“重手乃得。”是沉脉而非迟脉矣。又云∶“状且难。”是涩脉
而非迟脉矣。一息三至，甚为分明，而云“隐隐”，是微脉而非迟脉矣。迟而不流利则为涩脉，迟而有歇
止则为结脉，迟而浮大且缓则为虚脉。至于缓脉，绝不相类。夫缓以宽纵得名，迟以至数不及为义。故
缓脉四至，宽缓和平；迟脉三至，迟滞不前。然则二脉迥别，又安可溷哉！以李濒湖之通达，亦云小驶于
迟作缓。持以至数论缓脉，是千虑之一失也。叔和曰∶“一呼一至曰离经，二呼一至曰夺精，三呼一至
曰死，四呼一至曰命绝，此损之脉也。一损损于皮毛，二损损于血脉，三损损于肌肉，四损损于筋，五损
损于骨。”是知脉之至数愈迟，此时正气已无，阴寒益甚，不过烬灯之余焰，有不转眼销亡者乎！
体象 迟脉属于阴，其形象表现为不及；脉搏往来迟缓缓慢，一息（一次呼吸）之间跳动三次。
迟脉的含义，是迟滞而不能达到中和的状态。脉搏以每息跳动四次为平和之象，若每息仅跳动三次即为迟脉。这是因为气机不振发，运行不符合常度，所以称为属阴。
主病 迟脉主要反映脏病，其病症多为寒证。左寸部出现迟脉，提示心区疼痛且气血凝滞。迟脉出现在左关部，提示筋脉拘急挛缩。左尺部出现迟脉，提示肾虚、小便浑浊，女性可能出现月经闭止。右寸部出现迟脉，提示肺寒、痰饮积聚。迟脉出现在右关部，提示胃因受冷物损伤。右尺部出现迟脉，提示脏腑虚寒、泄泻，小腹部冷痛。
五脏属阴，迟脉也属阴，因此迟脉主要主脏病。阴性多表现为停滞，所以阴寒性质的病证，脉象必然呈现迟象。这就像太阳隶属于南陆时，则按火度运行而次数多；隶属于北陆时，则按水度运行而次数少；由此可以推知阴阳导致脉率快慢的原因了。《难经·九难》说：“迟脉主脏。”又说：“迟则为寒。”《伤寒论》也说：“迟为在藏。”这是因为阳气伏潜，不能健旺运行，所以至数（脉搏跳动的频率）迟缓。其所主的病症，与沉脉大致相同。但沉脉的病机是阴逆而阳郁，迟脉的病机是阴盛而阳亏。沉脉有时需要攻逐消散，而迟脉没有不采用温补疗法的。
兼脉 脉有力者为冷痛，无力者为虚寒。浮迟脉为表寒，沉迟脉为里寒。迟涩脉为血少，迟缓脉为湿寒。
迟脉而有力，有壅实不通利之意，疼痛可以想见。迟脉若是阳气伏潜而又无力，难道不是虚寒吗？浮脉是表证的征候，沉脉是里证的征候，兼见迟脉则可断定是寒证。血液得热则运行，湿气得热则消散，迟脉乃是寒象，怎么能滋养营血而燥化湿气呢？
按：迟脉的形象，上、中、下三部诊察时均表现为至数缓慢。伪诀中说：“重手按压才能触及。”这是沉脉而不是迟脉。又说：“形状艰难。”这是涩脉而不是迟脉。一息三次，界限分明，却说“隐隐”，这是微脉而不是迟脉。迟而不流利则是涩脉，迟而有歇止则是结脉，迟而浮大且缓则是虚脉。至于缓脉，绝不相类似。缓脉以宽纵得名，迟脉以至数不及为义。所以缓脉每息四至，宽缓和平；迟脉每息三至，迟滞不前。既然这样，这两脉截然不同，又怎么可以混淆呢！以李濒湖的通达，也说缓脉比迟脉稍快一点。用至数来论述缓脉，这是他千虑中的一失。叔和说：“一呼一至叫离经，二呼一至叫夺精，三呼一至叫死，四呼一至叫命绝，这是损脉。一损损害皮毛，二损损害血脉，三损损害肌肉，四损损害筋，五损损害骨。”由此可知，脉搏至数越迟，此时正气已无，阴寒越甚，不过是残灯余焰，转眼就会消亡啊！
**Physical Manifestation** The *Chi* pulse (Slow Pulse) belongs to Yin; its image represents deficiency. The flow is slow and sluggish, occurring three times per respiration cycle (*Yi Xi*).
The meaning of the *Chi* pulse is stagnation and failure to achieve harmony. A healthy pulse beats four times per respiration cycle; if it beats only three times, it is a *Chi* pulse. This is because Qi fails to rise and propagate, and its movement does not follow the proper measure, hence it is classified as belonging to Yin.
**Predominant Diseases** The *Chi* pulse primarily indicates Zang organ diseases, with Cold syndromes being the pathology. If the *Chi* pulse is found at the Left Cun position, it indicates Heart pain with stagnation. If found at the Left Guan position, it indicates tendon spasm and contraction. If found at the Left Chi position, it indicates Kidney deficiency, turbid urine, and amenorrhea in women. If found at the Right Cun position, it indicates Lung Cold with phlegm accumulation. If found at the Right Guan position, it indicates Stomach injury from cold substances. If found at the Right Chi position, it indicates internal Cold leading to diarrhea and cold pain in the lower abdomen.
The Five Zang organs belong to Yin, and the *Chi* pulse also belongs to Yin; therefore, it primarily indicates Zang diseases. Yin nature tends toward stagnation, so in Yin-Cold syndromes, the pulse must appear slow. Just as when the Sun is associated with the Southern Continent, it follows the Fire degree and moves rapidly; when associated with the Northern Continent, it follows the Water degree and moves slowly, this illustrates the reason for the speed or slowness of Yin and Yang. The *Nan Jing · Chapter 9* states: "Slow indicates Zang." It also states: "Slow indicates Cold." The *Shang Han Lun* also says: "Slow indicates involvement of the Zang." This is because Yang Qi is latent and unable to function vigorously, resulting in a slow rate. The diseases indicated by this pulse are approximately the same as those of the *Chen* pulse (Deep Pulse). However, the pathology of the *Chen* pulse is Yin rebellion with Yang depression, whereas the pathology of the *Chi* pulse is Yin excess with Yang deficiency. While the *Chen* pulse may sometimes require purgative or dispersing methods, the *Chi* pulse invariably requires warming and tonifying treatments.
**Combined Pulses** With force indicates Cold pain; without force indicates Deficiency Cold. Floating and Slow indicates Exterior Cold; Deep and Slow indicates Interior Cold. Slow and Choppy indicates Blood deficiency; Slow and Moderate indicates Damp-Cold.
A Slow pulse with force suggests obstruction and lack of free flow, implying pain can be imagined. A Slow pulse indicating latent Yang yet lacking force is undoubtedly Deficiency Cold. Floating indicates an Exterior sign; Deep indicates an Interior sign; combined with Slow, Cold is certain. Blood flows when warmed by Heat; Dampness dissipates when warmed by Heat. Since Slow is an image of Cold, how can it nourish Ying (Nutrient) blood or dry Dampness?
Note: In the manifestation of the Slow pulse, the rate is slow across the Upper, Middle, and Lower positions. Apocryphal texts state: "It is felt only with heavy pressure." This describes the *Chen* (Deep) pulse, not the *Chi* (Slow) pulse. They also state: "The shape is difficult." This describes the *Se* (Choppy) pulse, not the *Chi* pulse. Three beats per respiration is clearly defined, yet describing it as "faint" refers to the *Wei* (Fine/Micro) pulse, not the *Chi* pulse. Slow and unsmooth is the *Se* (Choppy) pulse; Slow with intermittent pauses is the *Jie* (Knotted) pulse; Slow, floating, large, and relaxed is the *Xu* (Deficient) pulse. As for the *Huan* (Moderate) pulse, it is completely dissimilar. The *Huan* pulse gets its name from being broad and loose; the *Chi* pulse is defined by having fewer beats than normal. Thus, the *Huan* pulse has four beats per respiration, being broad, moderate, and peaceful; the *Chi* pulse has three beats per respiration, being slow and stagnant. Therefore, these two pulses are distinct, and how can they be confused? Even Li Binhu, known for his clarity, stated that the *Huan* pulse is slightly faster than the *Chi*. Using beat frequency to discuss the *Huan* pulse was a lapse in his otherwise thorough analysis. Shuhe said: "One beat per exhalation is called Li Jing (Departing from the Normal); two beats per exhalation is called Duo Jing (Loss of Essence); three beats per exhalation is Death; four beats per exhalation is Life Extinction. These are Damage pulses. First damage affects skin and hair; second damage affects blood vessels; third damage affects muscles; fourth damage affects sinews; fifth damage affects bones." From this, we know that the slower the pulse rate, the more depleted the Zheng Qi (Upright Qi), the more severe the Yin Cold, resembling the remaining flame of an extinguishing lamp, which will vanish in the blink of an eye!