典藏书目

[Body Image] The Fu (Hidden) pulse is concealed, lying deeper than the Chen (Deep) pulse; one must push aside the tendons to reach the bone before its form can be perceived.

[Main Diseases] The Fu pulse belongs to Yin, indicating that the pathogenic factor has penetrated deeply. If the Fu pulse is found at the Left Cun position, it indicates Blood Stagnation. If the Fu pulse is found at the Right Cun position, it indicates Qi Stagnation. If the Fu pulse is found at the Left Guan position, it suggests Liver Blood accumulation in the abdomen. If the Fu pulse is found at the Right Guan position, it suggests Cold coagulation affecting water and grain digestion. If the Fu pulse appears at the Left Chi position, it confirms the presence of Hernia and Jia masses (abdominal lumps). If the Fu pulse is hidden at the Right Chi position, it indicates the extinction of the Fire of Vitality (Ming Men fire).

[Commentary] The meaning of the Fu pulse refers to being hidden and not visible. In the Floating (Fu) and Middle (Zhong) positions, there is absolutely no trace; even in the Deep (Chen) position, it cannot be seen. One must push aside the tendons to reach the bone before it becomes perceptible. Therefore, the diseases it governs are mostly located in the deep Yin aspects and hidden depths, which cannot be broken through by light or superficial remedies. In the *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage), a Fu pulse in one hand is called "Single Fu," while a Fu pulse in both hands is called "Double Fu." This should not be taken as a simple example of Yang syndromes presenting with Yin pulses. When Fire pathogen is internally constrained and cannot vent outward, it represents Extreme Yang resembling Yin. Thus, patients with a Fu pulse will inevitably resolve their condition through profuse sweating, just as after a long drought, the sky must first become dark before rain falls, after which all things revive. There are also cases of Yin-type Cold Damage where latent Yin exists internally, compounded by external Cold invasion. With vigorous Yin qi and depleted Yang qi, leading to cold limbs and reversal, the six pulses become deep and hidden. Treatment requires administering Ginger and Aconite decoctions and moxibustion at the Guanyuan (CV 4) acupoint to restore Yang qi, after which the pulse will reappear. If both the Taixi (KI 3) and Chongyang (ST 42) pulses are absent, death is inevitable. Liu Xuanbin stated: "The Fu pulse should not be treated with diaphoresis (sweating methods), because it is not a Exterior pulse, nor does it require inducing sweat as it will naturally sweat." However, spurious texts suggest "slowly inducing sweat," and Zhang Congzheng (Jiegu) proposed using Fuzi Xixin Mahuang Decoction (Aconite, Asarum, and Ephedra Decoction) to induce sweat. These are inappropriate for the Fu pulse. Spurious texts absurdly describe its image as "seeming present when sought, completely absent when breath is held," implying visibility in the Middle position, which contradicts the very definition of the Fu pulse!

[Body Image] The Ji (Rapid/Extreme) pulse is urgent and swift, representing the extreme of the Shu (Rapid) pulse; it beats seven or eight times per respiration, with blood flow rushing rapidly.

[Main Diseases] The Ji pulse indicates Extreme Yang and the exhaustion of Yin qi. The pulse is termed "Li Jing" (Departing from the Channel), signaling that the deficient Hun (Ethereal Soul) is about to perish. As the condition progresses and the pulse becomes faster, death may occur within a day or two. If the Ji pulse is at the Left Cun, it resembles self-immolation if unchecked. If at the Right Cun, it indicates Metal (Lung) being overwhelmed by Fire. If at the Left Guan, Liver Yin is exhausted. If at the Right Guan, Spleen Yin is consumed. If at the Left Chi, it is like a dried-up rut difficult to moisten. If at the Right Chi, it signifies sunlight blazing to an extreme degree.

[Commentary] When the pulse beats more than six times per respiration, it has two names: either Ji (Rapid) or Ji (Extreme). It always presents as a rapid form, representing severe Shu (Rapid) pulses. This pulse is seen only in cases of Extreme Heat from Cold Damage and is not common in other diseases. However, in patients with Lao Zhai (consumptive disease) who are weak and exhausted, this pulse may also appear, indicating that Yin marrow is exhausted below and Yang sun is hyperactive above, having "sun without moon," allowing one to predict a short lifespan. Patients with Yin-Yang Exchange disease often have pulses beating seven or eight times per respiration, termed Li Jing (Departing from the Channel), indicating they are already listed among the dead. For pregnant women near delivery, a Li Jing pulse also appears; however, this is not named so merely because of the rate of seven or eight beats. Rather, if the pulse changes from floating to deep, large to small, slow to rapid, slippery to choppy compared to usual, any deviation from the normal regular pulse is called Li Jing. Generally, four beats per respiration result in approximately 13,500 respirations per day and night, circulating fifty times around the body, traveling 810 zhang, which is the normal extent of meridian circulation. [Note: The original text contains a logical inconsistency here regarding the calculation for 4 beats vs higher rates, but translates literally]. If there are four beats per exhalation/inhalation cycle leading to 100 circuits per day, the pulse travels over 1,600 zhang. This would lead to panting, hoarseness, and breathing confined only to the upper chest, unable to reach the root. This indicates extreme Yin deficiency below and lone Yang hyperactivity above, with Qi depletion reaching its limit. Human life and death depend on Qi, and the gathering/scattering of Qi depends on Blood. Those surviving on residual breath rely solely on this unbroken thread of Qi. At eight beats per respiration, Qi is about to escape, and hoping for recovery through herbal medicine is futile, hence why treatment often fails to catch up!