Pulse Diagnosis on the Lake

Author: Li Shizhen
Editor-in-Chief: Lin Lin
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-01-01
Features: Preface Explanation
"" (Pulse Studies of the Shenhua Lake) was compiled by Li Shizhen of the Ming Dynasty to correct the errors in the "Pulse Decree" by Gao Yangsheng of the Five Dynasties period. It draws on the pulse study content from Li Shizhen's father, Li Yanwen's "Four Diagnostic Innovations" (unpublished), incorporates various scholars' theories, and includes Li Shizhen's clinical experience. Li Shizhen is also known as "Shenhua," hence the book's title "Pulse Studies of the Shenhua Lake." The book is divided into two parts. The first half primarily discusses 27 pulse types, including floating, deep, slow, and rapid pulses. The identification of similar but distinct pulses and the main diseases associated with each pulse are compiled into seven-character couplets for easy memorization by readers. The second half was compiled by Li Yanwen based on the "Purple Void Pulse Decree" by Cui Jiayan of the Song Dynasty, supplemented and revised. It comprehensively discusses pulse mechanisms, pulse-taking methods, normal pulse patterns of the five zang organs, key pulse identification principles, various pulse manifestations of diseases, and the diseases associated with different pulse types. The original text is concise, easy to remember, and highly regarded by medical practitioners. However, due to the abundance of ancient terms and technical language, some content may be difficult for modern readers, especially those new to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Therefore, annotations are provided for the more challenging terms. The translation section largely retains the original translation by the Diagnostic Teaching and Research Group of the former Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. At the end of the book, a facsimile of the 1985 edition of "Pulse Studies of the Shenhua Lake" (published by Zhang Shaotang of Weigu Zhai) from the China Bookstore is included for reference. During the annotation process, references were made to some published materials, including "Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnostics" edited by Deng Tietao, "Traditional Chinese Medicine Pulse Diagnosis" edited by Zhao Enjian, and "Dictionary of Traditional Chinese Medicine" edited by Li Jingwei and Qu Yongxin, among others. The authors express their gratitude to the original compilers. Due to the authors' limited expertise, there may be shortcomings in the compilation, and we sincerely welcome readers' feedback for future revisions.
Author's Fragment:
"Body Shape Poem"
"Short pulse" (shortened at both ends) is called "duan";
"Sticky short, slow, fine and difficult.
Short and sticky, floating in autumn is auspicious;
In spring, it is an invasion of evil."
[Translation]
A short pulse is when the pulse is shortened at the cun or liu positions. A sticky pulse is slow and fine. Short and sticky, floating in autumn is normal and auspicious. In spring, a floating short and sticky pulse indicates an invasion of pathogenic factors.
"Main Disease Poem"
"Short pulse" is found in the cun or liu positions;
Short and slippery, rapid—alcohol harms the spirit;
Floating short—blood stasis;
Deep short—obstruction.
Cun short—headache;
Liu short—abdominal pain.
[Translation]
When diagnosing a short pulse, check the cun or liu positions. If the pulse is too short in either position, it indicates a problem. A short, slippery, and rapid pulse is often due to alcohol toxicity. A floating short pulse is caused by blood stasis. A deep short pulse indicates internal obstruction. A short pulse in the cun position indicates a headache, while a short pulse in the liu position indicates abdominal pain. These are all related to insufficient vital energy and poor blood flow.
Note:
① Short pulse: A short pulse can be compared to a long or normal pulse and feels different. The pulse is short from beginning to end and does not fill the entire position.
Hong (Yang) Pulse ①:
"Extremely large under the fingers, strong coming and weak going; large coming and long going."
[Translation]
The pulse feels extremely large under the fingers. It rises quickly and powerfully but falls weakly. The pulse form is large when rising but takes longer to fall as it gradually descends.
"Body Shape Poem"
"Strong coming, weak going—summer time;
If in spring, autumn, or winter—lift yang, dispel fire, no doubt."
[Translation]
The hong pulse is large and strong when coming and large but weak when going. In summary, the hong pulse is characterized by a wide pulse vessel and extremely strong flow. The hong pulse is caused by excessive yang qi, making it common in summer. If a hong pulse is detected in spring, autumn, or winter, it indicates the need to use yang-lifting and fire-dispelling herbs without excessive doubt.
"Similar Pulse Poem"
"Hong pulse comes with a thumping sound,
Weak going, strong coming like waves.
To distinguish from a real pulse, look at the differences—
Pressing and lifting, long and firm."
[Translation]
The hong pulse comes with a thumping sensation and is strong; it weakens when going. The rise and fall are like waves. The main difference between the hong pulse and the real pulse is that the real pulse is long and firm whether pressed lightly or heavily.
"Causes of Illness Poem"
"Hong pulse—yang excessive, blood should be weak;
Excess fire—heat disease is likely.
Bloating or stomach flipping—treat early;
Yin deficiency—diarrhea—consider carefully.
Cun hong—heart fire, upper heat;
Lung hong—lung heat excessive, metal weakened—lung pain.
Liver fire or stomach deficiency—check the guan;
Kidney deficiency or yin fire—check the liu."
[Translation]
The hong pulse is due to excessive yang qi, which may deplete body fluids and weaken blood. Most hong pulse cases are associated with heat diseases caused by excessive liver and gallbladder fire. Bloating or stomach flipping may lead to yin deficiency and fire excess, requiring early treatment. Yin deficiency diseases, such as diarrhea or dysentery, with a hong pulse also require careful consideration. A hong pulse in the cun position indicates excessive heart fire and upper heat. A hong pulse in the lung position indicates severe lung heat, where metal is weakened by fire, causing lung pain. A hong pulse in the guan position may indicate excessive liver fire or stomach deficiency. A hong pulse in the liu position may indicate kidney deficiency or yin fire excess.
Note:
① Hong pulse: A large, forceful pulse that is soft in texture. Illnesses associated with the hong pulse are often due to excess yang or yin deficiency with fire excess.