The pulse is soft and weak; the weakness is particularly evident at the guan position, and the softness is particularly evident at the top. The string-like quality is particularly evident above, and the faintness is particularly evident below. The string-like quality indicates yang movement, and the faintness indicates pudendal coldness. There is excess above and deficiency below, with a desire for warmth. Faint and string-like pulses indicate deficiency, and deficiency should not be treated with purgation.

bubble_chart Note

• This also refers to the previous principle that one should not induce sweating.
• It is said that the guan pulse is floating and soft when pressed lightly, and weak when pressed deeply; the cun pulse is string-like, and the chi pulse is faint. This is the diagnosis of excess above and deficiency below.
• Faint and string-like pulses indicate deficiency, and one should not induce sweating or purgation, as there is deficiency below.

bubble_chart Collected Annotations

Cheng Wu-ji said: "Purgation in cases of deficiency leads to further deficiency."