平按∶此篇自篇首至末，见《素问》卷六第十九《玉机真脏论》篇，又见《甲乙经》卷八第
一《五脏传病发寒热》篇。
大骨枯槁，大肉陷下，胸中气满，喘息不便，其气动形，期六月死，真脏见，乃予之期日。
（骨为身干，人之将死，肉不附骨，遂至大骨亦无润泽，故曰枯槁，即骨先死也。身之小肉皆脱，
乃至大肉亦陷，即肉先死也。肺气虚少，邪气盈胸，故喘息不安也。喘息气急，肩膺皆动，故曰
动形也。肺病次传，至肺再伤，故六月死也，此乃不至七传者也。有前病状，真脏未见，期六月
死。真脏脉见，即与死期，不至六月也。古本有作正脏，当是秦皇名正，故改为真耳，真、正义同
也。平按∶真脏下《素问》有脉字。）大骨枯槁，大肉陷下，胸中气满，喘息不便，内痛引肩项，
期一月死，真脏见，乃予之期日。（内痛，谓是心内痛也。心府手太阳脉从肩络心，故内痛引肩
项也。心不受痛，受病不离一月，故一月死。真脏脉见，即不至一月，可即与死期也。平按∶真脏
下《甲乙》有脉
字。）大骨枯槁，大肉陷下，胸中气满，喘息不便，内痛引肩项，身热脱肉破 ，真脏见，十月之
内死。（此内痛，即脾胃痛也。手少阳脉偏应三焦，脾胃即中焦也，上出缺盆上项，故脾胃中痛引
肩项也。脾主身肉，故脾胃病，身热脱肉破 者也。 ，其 反。前之病状，真脏未见，十月以
上而死。真脏脉见，十月内死，良以脾胃受于谷气，故至十月而死也。平按∶《甲乙》身热作痛热，
真脏下有脉字。注 袁刻误作涓。已上袁刻作以上。）大骨枯槁，大肉陷下，肩随内消，动作益衰，
真脏未见，期一岁死，见其真脏，乃予之期日。（肾腑足太阳脉，循肩 内，故肾病，肩随内藏
消瘦也。又两肩垂下，曰随。肾间动气，五脏六腑十二经脉之原，故肾病，动运皆衰也。肾间动
气强大，故真脏脉未见者，肾气未是甚衰，所以期至一年。肾气衰甚，真脏即见，故与之死日之
期也。平按∶《素问》肩随作肩髓，未见作来见，新校正云∶当作未字之误。期日袁刻作日期。注
动运袁刻作运动。）大骨枯槁，大肉陷下，胸中气满，肉痛中不便，肩项身热，破 脱肉，目匡陷，
真脏见，目不见人，立死，其见人者，至其所不胜之时则死。（真脏脉见，少阳脉绝，两目精坏，
目不见人，原气皆尽，故即立死。真脉虽见，目犹见人，得至土时而死也。平按∶肉痛《素问》、
《甲乙》作腹内痛。注土时未详，《素问》王注谓“不胜之时，谓于庚辛之月”，以金克木也。）
急虚身卒至，五脏绝闭，脉道不通，气不往来，辟于随溺，不可为期。四时虚邪，名曰经虚。八
风从其虚之乡来，令人暴病卒死，名急虚身。辟于随溺（辟，卑至反，除也）谓不得随意溺也。如
此急虚之病，亦有生者，故不可与为死期也。平按∶身下《素问》有中字，《甲乙》身上有中字。辟于
随溺《素问》作譬于堕溺，《甲乙》作譬之堕溺。其脉绝不来，若人一息五六至，其形肉不脱，
真脏虽不见，犹死也。（中于急虚，其脉绝而不来，有来一息脉五六至，不待肉脱及真脏见，必
当有死也。平按∶若下《甲乙》无人字。《素问》新校正云∶“按人一息脉五六至，何得为死？
必息字误，当作呼乃是。”平按∶一息五六至，乃连上文脉绝不来而言，以脉绝不来，或来而一
息五六至，复绝不来，此即经所谓不满十动而一代者，五脏无气，予之短期，故真脏虽不见犹死。）
真肝脉至，中外急，如循刀刃 然，如按瑟弦，色青白不泽，毛折乃死。（ ，寒也。如以衣带
盛绳，引带不引绳，即外急也；引绳不引带，即内急也。绳带俱引，即内外急也。今真肝脉见，中
外皆急，如人以手犹摩刀刃，中外坚急，令人洒淅寒也。又如以手按瑟弦，急不调 者，此无胃气，
即真肝脉也。青为肝色，白为肺色，是肺乘肝也，故青不泽也。肺主于气，气为身本，身之气衰，
即皮毛不荣，故毛折当死也。平按∶《素问》、《甲乙》 作责责。注犹摩，犹字恐系循字传
写之误。）真心脉至，坚而揣，如循薏KT 累累然，其色赤黑不泽，毛折乃死。（薏，于极反。KT ，
义当苡，即十珠也。坚而揣者，譬人以手循摩薏苡之珠累累然，坚钩无胃气之柔，即真心脉也。赤
为心色，黑为肾色，是肾乘心也，故赤不泽也。平按∶揣《素问》作搏。《甲乙》坚作紧，揣作
搏。薏KT 《素问》作薏苡，《甲乙》作薏苡子。）真肺脉至，大而虚，如毛羽中人肤然，其色赤
白不泽，毛折乃死。（其真肺脉，如毛羽掷来，中人皮肤，大而浮虚者，毛无胃气，即真肺脉也。
赤为心色，白为肺色，是心乘肺也，故曰不泽也。平按∶《素问》、《甲乙》如下有以字，肤下无
然其二字。）真肾色至，揣而绝，如
循弹石辟辟然，其色黄黑不泽，毛折乃死。（揣，初委反，动也。其真肾脉至，如石弹指辟打指
者，营无胃气，即真肾脉也。黄为脾色，黑为肾色，是脾乘肾，故黑不泽也。平按∶《素问》、
《甲乙》揣作搏，循作指。《甲乙》此段在真脾脉一段下。注黄为脾色，袁刻为作色。）真脾脉
至，弱而乍疏乍数然，其色青黄不泽，毛折乃死。（真脾脉至，乍疏乍数也。疏，谓动稀也。数，
谓连动。此无胃气，即真脾脉也。青为肝色，黄为脾色，是肝乘脾，故黄不泽也。平按∶色上《素
问》、《甲乙》无然其二字。）诸真脏见者，皆死不治。（脏脉独见，以无胃气，死故不疗也。平
按∶《素问》、《甲乙》脏下有脉字。又按《素问》此节下，新校正引杨注甚详。）
【平按】：本篇从开头到结尾，内容见于《素问》卷六第十九篇《玉机真脏论》，也见于《甲乙经》卷八第一篇《五脏传病发寒热》篇。
骨骼枯槁消瘦，大肌肉塌陷下陷，胸中气机壅满，呼吸喘息不畅，气息扰动身形，预期六个月后死亡；若出现真脏脉（无胃气的脉象），则给予具体的死期日期。
（骨为身体的主干，人将死时，肌肉不依附于骨，导致大骨也失去润泽，所以称为枯槁，即骨先死。身体的小肉都脱落，以至于大肉也凹陷，即肉先死。肺气虚弱少气，邪气充满胸中，所以呼吸喘息不安。喘息气急，肩部和膺部都随之动摇，所以称为动形。肺病依次传变，至肺再次受伤，所以六个月后死亡，这不属于七传那样的恶性循环。有前面的病症表现，但真脏脉未见，预期六个月后死亡。真脏脉出现，就给予死期，不到六个月了。古本中有写作“正脏”的，应当是因为秦始皇名讳“政”，所以改为“真”。真、正意义相同。平按：在“真脏”之下，《素问》中有“脉”字。）
骨骼枯槁消瘦，大肌肉塌陷下陷，胸中气机壅满，呼吸喘息不畅，内部疼痛牵引至肩项，预期一个月后死亡；若出现真脏脉，则给予具体的死期日期。
（内痛，指的是心内部疼痛。心之府的手太阳脉从肩部联络心脏，所以内部疼痛牵引肩项。心不受痛，受病不超过一个月，所以一个月后死亡。真脏脉出现，就不止一个月了，可以立即给予死期。平按：在“真脏”之下，《甲乙经》中有“脉”字。）
骨骼枯槁消瘦，大肌肉塌陷下陷，胸中气机壅满，呼吸喘息不畅，内部疼痛牵引肩项，身体发热，肌肉脱失消瘦，真脏脉出现，十个月内死亡。
（这个内痛，就是脾胃疼痛。手少阳脉偏应于三焦，脾胃属于中焦，向上出于缺盆和颈部，所以脾胃中间疼痛牵引肩项。脾主身之肌肉，所以脾胃生病，身体发热，肌肉脱失消瘦。[此处原文有缺字或异文]，其义相反。之前的病症表现，真脏脉未见，十个月以上死亡。真脏脉出现，十个月内死亡，大概因为脾胃受纳谷气，所以能维持到十个月而死。平按：《甲乙经》中“身热”写作“痛热”，“真脏”下有“脉”字。注：袁刻本误作“涓”。以上部分袁刻本作“以上”。）
骨骼枯槁消瘦，大肌肉塌陷下陷，肩膀随之内消，动作日益衰弱，真脏脉未见，预期一年死亡；若见到真脏脉，则给予具体的死期日期。
（肾之腑的足太阳脉，循行经过肩内，所以肾病，肩膀随之内藏消瘦。另外两肩下垂，称为随。肾间动气是五脏六腑十二经脉的原气，所以肾病，运动功能都衰弱。肾间动气强大，所以真脏脉未见的情况下，肾气尚未极度衰弱，因此预期到一年。肾气衰败严重，真脏脉出现，所以给予死期的日期。平按：《素问》中“肩随”写作“肩髓”，“未见”写作“来见”，新校正说：应当是“未”字的误写。期日袁刻本作“日期”。注：“动运”袁刻本作“运动”。）
骨骼枯槁消瘦，大肌肉塌陷下陷，胸中气机壅满，腹部内部疼痛不便，肩项身体发热，肌肉破溃脱失，眼眶凹陷，真脏脉出现，眼睛看不见人，立刻死亡；如果还能看见人，到了其所不胜的时辰就会死亡。
（真脏脉出现，少阳脉绝，两眼精气败坏，眼睛看不见人，原气全部耗尽，所以立即死亡。真脏脉虽然出现，眼睛还能看见人，能够撑到土旺的时辰而死。平按：腹内痛《素问》、《甲乙经》作“肉痛”。注：土时不详，《素问》王冰注认为“不胜之时，谓于庚辛之月”，以金克木解释。）
急虚之证身体突然倒下，五脏闭塞断绝，脉道不通，气机不往来，如同遭遇坠落溺水般危急，不能预定死期。四时的虚邪，名为经虚。八风从虚弱的方向吹来，使人暴病猝死，名为急虚身。辟于随溺（辟，音卑至反，意为除、去）指不能随意排尿等。像这样急虚的病，也有存活的情况，所以不能给予死期。平按：身下《素问》有“中”字，《甲乙经》身上有“中”字。辟于随溺《素问》作“譬于堕溺”，《甲乙经》作“譬之堕溺”。
脉搏断绝不来，如果人一呼一吸之间脉跳五六次，形体肌肉没有脱失，真脏脉虽然未见，也是死证。
（中于急虚，脉搏断绝不来，有时来一次脉搏跳动五六次，不等到肌肉脱失及真脏脉出现，必定会死。平按：若下《甲乙经》无“人”字。《素问》新校正说：“按人一息脉五六至，何得为死？必‘息’字误，当作‘呼’乃是。”平按：一息五六至，是连上文“脉绝不来”而言，因为脉绝不来，或者来了一次脉搏，一息五六至，然后又绝不来，这就是经文所说的不满十动而有一次代脉者，五脏无气，给予短期死期，所以真脏脉虽不见也是死证。）
真肝脉到来，脉象中外紧急，像触摸刀刃一样锐利，像按压瑟弦一样紧绷，面色青白而无光泽，毫毛折断就会死亡。
（[此处原文有缺字或异文]，意为寒。像用衣带盛着绳子，拉带不拉绳，就是外急；拉绳不拉带，就是内急。绳带一起拉，就是内外皆急。现在真肝脉出现，中外皆急，像人手抚摸刀刃，中外坚急，令人洒淅恶寒。又像用手按压瑟弦，急而不调和的，这是无胃气，就是真肝脉。青为肝色，白为肺色，是肺乘肝，所以青色不泽。肺主气，气为身之本，身之气衰，皮毛就不荣养，所以毫毛折断当死。平按：《素问》、《甲乙经》中[缺字]作“责责”。注：“犹摩”，“犹”字恐怕是“循”字传写之误。）
真心脉到来，坚硬而搏指，像触摸薏苡子累累相连的样子，面色赤黑而无光泽，毫毛折断就会死亡。
（薏，音于极反。KT，义同苡，即十颗珠子。坚硬而搏指的，比喻人手触摸薏苡之珠累累相连，坚硬钩曲而无胃气的柔和，就是真心脉。赤为心色，黑为肾色，是肾乘心，所以赤色不泽。平按：揣《素问》作“搏”。《甲乙经》“坚”作“紧”，“揣”作“搏”。薏KT《素问》作“薏苡”，《甲乙经》作“薏苡子”。）
真肺脉到来，大而虚，像羽毛中人皮肤一样轻浮，面色赤白而无光泽，毫毛折断就会死亡。
（其真肺脉，像羽毛掷来，中人皮肤，大而浮虚的，是无胃气的毛脉，就是真肺脉。赤为心色，白为肺色，是心乘肺，所以说无光泽。平按：《素问》、《甲乙经》如下有“以”字，“肤”下无“然其”二字。）
真肾脉到来，搏动而断绝，像触摸弹石辟辟作响一样，面色黄黑而无光泽，毫毛折断就会死亡。
（揣，初委反，意为动。其真肾脉到来，像石头弹击手指辟打手指的样子，营气无胃气，就是真肾脉。黄为脾色，黑为肾色，是脾乘肾，所以黑色不泽。平按：《素问》、《甲乙经》“揣”作“搏”，“循”作“指”。《甲乙经》这段在真脾脉一段之后。注：黄为脾色，袁刻本“为”作“色”。）
真脾脉到来，弱而忽疏忽数，面色青黄而无光泽，毫毛折断就会死亡。
（真脾脉到来，忽疏忽数。疏，谓跳动稀疏。数，谓连续跳动。这是无胃气，就是真脾脉。青为肝色，黄为脾色，是肝乘脾，所以黄色不泽。平按：色上《素问》、《甲乙经》无“然其”二字。）
所有真脏脉出现的，都是死证，不可治疗。
（脏脉独见，因为无胃气，死故不疗。平按：《素问》、《甲乙经》“脏”下有“脉”字。又按《素问》此节下，新校正引用杨玄操注非常详细。）
[Ping An]: This section, from the beginning to the end, is found in Chapter 19 of Volume 6, "Yu Ji Zhen Zang Lun" (Discourse on the Jade Machine and True Viscera) of *Su Wen* (Basic Questions), and also in Chapter 1 of Volume 8, "Wu Zang Chuan Bing Fa Han Re" (Transmission of Five Viscera Diseases Causing Cold and Fever) of *Jia Yi Jing* (Classified Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion).
When the large bones are withered and emaciated, and the large muscles are sunken and collapsed, accompanied by fullness of qi in the chest, difficult and labored breathing, and respiratory movements disturbing the body shape, death is expected within six months. If the **Zhen Zang Mai** (True Visceral Pulse, a pulse devoid of Stomach Qi) appears, a specific date of death is given.
(The bone is the main structure of the body. When a person is near death, muscles do not adhere to the bones, causing even the large bones to lose their luster; this is called withering, indicating the bone dies first. The small muscles of the body all detach, leading to the sinking of the large muscles, indicating the flesh dies first. Lung qi is deficient and scanty, while pathogenic qi fills the chest, causing restless breathing and panting. Due to urgent panting, the shoulders and anterior chest move, hence it is called "disturbing the body shape." Lung disease transmits sequentially; when the lung is injured again, death occurs in six months; this does not constitute the severe seven-transmission cycle. With the aforementioned symptoms but without the appearance of the Zhen Zang pulse, death is expected in six months. Once the Zhen Zang pulse appears, the date of death is given immediately, less than six months. Ancient texts sometimes write "Zheng Zang" (Correct Viscera); this was likely changed to "Zhen" (True) due to the naming taboo of Qin Shi Huang (named Zheng). "Zhen" and "Zheng" share the same meaning. Ping An: In *Su Wen*, the character "Mai" (Pulse) follows "Zhen Zang".)
When the large bones are withered and emaciated, and the large muscles are sunken and collapsed, accompanied by fullness of qi in the chest, difficult and labored breathing, internal pain radiating to the shoulders and neck, death is expected within one month. If the **Zhen Zang Mai** (True Visceral Pulse) appears, a specific date of death is given.
("Internal pain" refers to pain within the heart. The Hand-Taiyang meridian of the Heart-Fu connects from the shoulder to the heart, so internal pain radiates to the shoulders and neck. The heart does not typically suffer from pain; if diseased, death occurs within one month. If the Zhen Zang pulse appears, death will occur sooner than one month, and the date can be given immediately. Ping An: In *Jia Yi Jing*, the character "Mai" (Pulse) follows "Zhen Zang".)
When the large bones are withered and emaciated, and the large muscles are sunken and collapsed, accompanied by fullness of qi in the chest, difficult and labored breathing, internal pain radiating to the shoulders and neck, feverish body, loss of muscle mass, and the appearance of the **Zhen Zang Mai** (True Visceral Pulse), death will occur within ten months.
(This internal pain refers to Spleen-Stomach pain. The Hand-Shaoyang meridian corresponds to the San Jiao; the Spleen and Stomach belong to the Middle Jiao, ascending to emerge at the Clavicular Fossa and neck, hence mid-abdominal pain radiates to the shoulders and neck. The Spleen governs the muscles of the body; thus, Spleen-Stomach disease causes fever and muscle wasting. [Textual variant/missing character], its meaning is opposite. With previous symptoms but no Zhen Zang pulse, death occurs after ten months. With the Zhen Zang pulse, death occurs within ten months, largely because the Spleen-Stomach receives grain qi, allowing survival up to ten months. Ping An: In *Jia Yi Jing*, "Shen Re" (Body Heat) is written as "Tong Re" (Painful Heat); "Zhen Zang" has "Mai" (Pulse) following it. Note: Yuan edition mistakenly writes "Juan". The above section in Yuan edition is titled "Yi Shang".)
When the large bones are withered and emaciated, and the large muscles are sunken and collapsed, with the shoulders wasting away internally, movements becoming increasingly feeble, and the **Zhen Zang Mai** (True Visceral Pulse) not yet appearing, death is expected within one year. If the Zhen Zang pulse appears, a specific date of death is given.
(The Foot-Taiyang meridian of the Kidney-Fu runs through the interior of the shoulder; thus, Kidney disease leads to internal wasting of the shoulders. Additionally, drooping shoulders are referred to as "Sui". The Moving Qi between the kidneys is the source of the Twelve Meridians of the Five Zang and Six Fu organs; therefore, Kidney disease causes decline in all movements. If the Moving Qi between the kidneys is strong, and the Zhen Zang pulse has not appeared, Kidney qi is not yet extremely depleted, so death is expected in one year. If Kidney qi is severely depleted and the Zhen Zang pulse appears, the date of death is given. Ping An: In *Su Wen*, "Jian Sui" (Shoulder Marrow) is written instead of "Jian Sui"; "Wei Jian" (Not Yet Seen) is written as "Lai Jian" (Coming to See); Xin Zheng Xiao says: it should be a mistake for "Wei". "Qi Ri" (Date of Death) in Yuan edition is "Ri Qi". Note: "Dong Yun" (Movement Operation) in Yuan edition is "Yun Dong" (Exercise/Movement).)
When the large bones are withered and emaciated, and the large muscles are sunken and collapsed, accompanied by fullness of qi in the chest, abdominal internal pain and discomfort, feverish shoulders, neck and body, broken and wasted muscles, sunken eye sockets, and the appearance of the **Zhen Zang Mai** (True Visceral Pulse), if the eyes cannot see people, death is immediate; if they can still see people, death will occur during the time element that overcomes the patient's element.
(When the Zhen Zang pulse appears, the Shaoyang pulse is severed, the essence of the two eyes is destroyed, the eyes cannot see people, and the Original Qi is exhausted, leading to immediate death. Although the Zhen pulse appears, if the eyes can still see people, death will occur when the Earth element is prosperous. Ping An: "Rou Tong" (Flesh Pain) in *Su Wen* and *Jia Yi Jing* is written as "Fu Nei Tong" (Abdominal Internal Pain). Note: "Tu Shi" (Earth Time) is unclear; Wang Bing's commentary in *Su Wen* states "Time of non-conquest refers to Geng-Xin months," explaining Metal overcoming Wood.)
In cases of sudden collapse due to acute deficiency, where the Five Zang organs are closed and severed, meridians are blocked, and qi does not circulate, resembling the danger of falling or drowning, a prognosis for death cannot be fixed. Deficiency pathogens of the four seasons are named "Jing Xu" (Meridian Deficiency). When the Eight Winds come from deficient directions, causing sudden illness and death, it is named "Ji Xu Shen" (Acute Deficiency Body). "Bi Yu Sui Ni" (Resembling Falling/Drowning) (Bi, pronounced Bei Zhi Fan, meaning removal/exclusion) refers to the inability to urinate freely or control bodily functions. Such acute deficiency diseases may have survivors; therefore, a death date cannot be assigned. Ping An: In *Su Wen*, there is a "Zhong" (Middle) character after "Shen" (Body); in *Jia Yi Jing*, there is a "Zhong" character after "Shen". "Bi Yu Sui Ni" in *Su Wen* is written as "Pi Yu Duo Ni" (Like Falling/Drowning); in *Jia Yi Jing* as "Pi Zhi Duo Ni" (Like Falling/Drowning).)
If the pulse is absent and does not return, but if in one breath cycle the pulse beats five or six times, and although the form and flesh have not wasted away and the Zhen Zang pulse has not appeared, it is still a fatal condition.
(Affected by acute deficiency, the pulse is absent and does not return. If it returns with five or six beats per breath cycle, without waiting for muscle wasting or Zhen Zang pulse appearance, death is certain. Ping An: In *Jia Yi Jing*, there is no "Ren" (Person) character after "Ruo" (If). *Su Wen* Xin Zheng Xiao states: "According to one breath cycle having five to six beats, how can this be death? It must be that 'Xi' (Breath) is a mistake and should be 'Hu' (Exhale)." Ping An: "One breath cycle five to six beats" connects to the preceding text "pulse absent and does not return." Because the pulse is absent, or returns once with five to six beats then stops again, this is what the classic calls "less than ten beats with one intermittent beat," indicating the Five Zang have no qi, giving a short-term death prognosis; thus, even without the Zhen Zang pulse, it is fatal.)
The True Liver Pulse arrives, tense and urgent inside and out, like touching the edge of a blade, or pressing a zither string; the complexion is blue-white and lusterless; when the hair breaks off, death ensues.
([Missing character], meaning cold. Like holding a rope inside a belt, pulling the belt but not the rope, it is external tension; pulling the rope but not the belt, it is internal tension. Pulling both, it is internal and external tension. Now, with the True Liver pulse, both inside and outside are tense, like a hand rubbing a blade, hard and urgent inside and out, causing shivering chills. Like pressing a zither string, urgent and unharmonious, this lacks Stomach Qi and is the True Liver Pulse. Blue is the color of the Liver, white is the color of the Lung; this is Lung overacting on Liver, hence the blue is lusterless. The Lung governs Qi, which is the root of the body; when body Qi declines, skin and hair are not nourished, so when hair breaks, death is imminent. Ping An: In *Su Wen* and *Jia Yi Jing*, [missing character] is written as "Ze Ze". Note: "You Mo" (Still Rubbing), the character "You" is likely a transcription error for "Xun" (Trace/Touch).)
The True Heart Pulse arrives, firm and beating against the finger, like touching clusters of coix seeds; the complexion is red-black and lusterless; when the hair breaks off, death ensues.
(Coix, pronounced Yu Ji Fan. KT, meaning similar to Yi, i.e., ten beads. Firm and beating against the finger is likened to touching clusters of coix seeds, hard and hooked without the softness of Stomach Qi, thus the True Heart Pulse. Red is the color of the Heart, black is the color of the Kidney; this is Kidney overacting on Heart, hence the red is lusterless. Ping An: "Chuai" (Beating/Pounding) in *Su Wen* is written as "Bo" (Pulse/Beat). In *Jia Yi Jing*, "Jian" (Firm) is written as "Jin" (Tight), "Chuai" as "Bo". Coix KT in *Su Wen* is written as "Yi Yi"; in *Jia Yi Jing* as "Yi Yi Zi".)
The True Lung Pulse arrives, large and empty, like feathers brushing against human skin; the complexion is red-white and lusterless; when the hair breaks off, death ensues.
(The True Lung pulse is like feathers thrown, brushing against human skin, large and floating-empty; lacking Stomach Qi, it is the Mao (Hair) pulse, thus the True Lung Pulse. Red is the color of the Heart, white is the color of the Lung; this is Heart overacting on Lung, hence it is described as lusterless. Ping An: In *Su Wen* and *Jia Yi Jing*, there is a "Yi" (With) character below; below "Fu" (Skin), there are no characters "Ran Qi".)
The True Kidney Pulse arrives, pounding and intermittent, like touching an elastic stone making a bi-bi sound; the complexion is yellow-black and lusterless; when the hair breaks off, death ensues.
("Chuai", pronounced Chu Wei Fan, meaning movement. The True Kidney pulse arrives like a stone striking the finger with a bi-bi sound; Ying (Nutritive) Qi lacks Stomach Qi, thus the True Kidney Pulse. Yellow is the color of the Spleen, black is the color of the Kidney; this is Spleen overacting on Kidney, hence the black is lusterless. Ping An: In *Su Wen* and *Jia Yi Jing*, "Chuai" is written as "Bo", "Xun" (Touch) as "Zhi" (Finger). In *Jia Yi Jing*, this section is placed after the True Spleen Pulse section. Note: Yellow is the color of the Spleen; Yuan edition writes "Wei" as "Se".)
The True Spleen Pulse arrives, weak and alternating between slow and rapid; the complexion is green-yellow and lusterless; when the hair breaks off, death ensues.
(The True Spleen pulse arrives, alternating between slow and rapid. "Shu" (Slow) means infrequent beats. "Shu" (Rapid) means continuous beats. This lacks Stomach Qi and is the True Spleen Pulse. Green is the color of the Liver, yellow is the color of the Spleen; this is Liver overacting on Spleen, hence the yellow is lusterless. Ping An: Above "Se" (Color), *Su Wen* and *Jia Yi Jing* lack the characters "Ran Qi".)
All appearances of the True Visceral Pulses indicate fatal conditions that cannot be treated.
(The Visceral pulse appears alone because there is no Stomach Qi; since it is fatal, it is not treated. Ping An: In *Su Wen* and *Jia Yi Jing*, the character "Mai" (Pulse) follows "Zang" (Viscera). Also, regarding the section below in *Su Wen*, Xin Zheng Xiao cites Yang Xuancao's commentary in great detail.)