Ancient Wisdom: Seasonal Pulse Diagnosis
The Yellow Emperor inquired, “During spring, the pulse is said to be ‘stringy.’ What exactly does this mean?”
Qibo responded, “The spring pulse primarily reflects the liver, associated with the wood element in the east. During this season, all things begin to grow. Thus, the pulse arrives soft, light, and slippery, straight and long, hence the term ‘stringy.’ If the pulse deviates from this, it indicates illness.”
The Emperor asked, “What constitutes deviation?”
Qibo explained, “If the pulse arrives with a solid and forceful feeling, this is known as ‘excessive,’ indicating external illness. Conversely, if the pulse is not solid but weak, this is known as ‘deficient,’ indicating internal illness.”
The Emperor queried, “What are the implications of excess and deficiency in the spring pulse?”
Qibo elucidated, “Excess can lead to memory decline, mental confusion, dizziness, and vertigo, manifesting in ailments at the head. Deficiency can cause chest pain radiating to the back and flanks, causing fullness in the ribs.”
The Emperor nodded, “Right! How about the summer pulse, described as ‘hooked?’ What does this mean?”
Qibo replied, “The summer pulse reflects the heart, linked with the fire element in the south. In this season, growth is luxuriant. Thus, the pulse arrives full and departs gently, resembling the shape of a hook. If the pulse deviates from this, it indicates illness.”
The Emperor asked, “What constitutes deviation?”
Qibo responded, “If the pulse arrives and departs with equal strength, this is known as ‘excessive,’ indicating external illness. If the pulse arrives weakly but departs excessively, this is ‘deficient,’ indicating internal illness.”
The Emperor questioned, “What are the implications of excess and deficiency in the summer pulse?”
Qibo explained, “Excess leads to body heat, skin pain, and ulceration from heat invasion. Deficiency results in heart palpitations, coughs with saliva expectoration above, and gas below.”
The Emperor continued, “Correct! How about the autumn pulse, described as ‘floating?’ What does this mean?”
Qibo answered, “The autumn pulse reflects the lungs, associated with the metal element in the west. During this season, all things harvest. Thus, the pulse arrives light and floating, arriving quickly and scattering away, hence ‘floating.’ If the pulse deviates from this, it indicates illness.”
The Emperor asked, “What constitutes deviation?”
Qibo replied, “If the pulse arrives floating and soft with a firm center and hollow sides, this is ‘excessive,’ indicating external illness. If the pulse arrives floating, soft, and weak, this is ‘deficient,’ indicating internal illness.”
The Emperor inquired, “What are the implications of excess and deficiency in the autumn pulse?”
Qibo expounded, “Excess causes reversed energy, back pain, depression, and unease. Deficiency leads to shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, bleeding from reversed energy, and a wheezing sound in the throat.”
The Emperor remarked, “Correct! How about the winter pulse, described as ‘rock-like?’ What does this mean?”
Qibo stated, “The winter pulse reflects the kidneys, linked with the water element in the north. During this season, all things retreat internally. Thus, the pulse arrives deep and forceful, hence ‘rock-like.’ If the pulse deviates from this, it indicates illness.”
The Emperor asked, “What constitutes deviation?”
Qibo answered, “If the pulse arrives hard like a stone, this is ‘excessive,’ indicating external illness. If the pulse is faint and rapid, this is ‘deficient,’ indicating internal illness.”
The Emperor queried, “What are the implications of excess and deficiency in the winter pulse?”
Qibo explained, “Excess causes lethargy, body aches, shortness of breath, and reluctance to speak. Deficiency results in anxiety, coldness in the ribs, back pain, abdominal fullness, and abnormal urination.”
The Emperor continued, “Correct! The pulse characteristics of spring, summer, autumn, and winter vary and follow certain rules. However, what about the spleen pulse?”
Qibo responded, “The spleen pulse belongs to earth, central and solitary, nourishing the surroundings.”
The Emperor asked, “Can the normal and abnormal spleen pulse be observed?”
Qibo replied, “A normal spleen pulse cannot be seen, but an abnormal spleen pulse can. If it arrives like scattered water, this is ‘excessive,’ indicating external illness. If it arrives sharp like a bird’s beak, this is ‘deficient,’ indicating internal illness.”
The Emperor inquired, “What are the implications of excess and deficiency in the spleen pulse?”
Qibo explained, “Excess causes immobility of the limbs, while deficiency results in obstruction of the body’s orifices, known as ‘stiffness.'”
The Emperor stood in awe, “I understand the essentials of pulse diagnosis. This is paramount knowledge. The principles outlined in the books ‘Five Colors,’ ‘Pulse Variations,’ ‘Measurements,’ and ‘Extraordinary Vessels’ all align, emphasizing the importance of ‘shen’ (spirit). The spirit’s function is perpetual motion forward. If it reverses, vitality is lost. This profound principle, often subtle, is recorded on jade tablets and stored in the imperial library, recited daily as ‘The Jade Mechanism.'”