The Research About The Pulse-theory And Technology Of Feels The Pulse In "Huangdi Neijing"

Huangdi Neijing, the first classic on TCM extant in China, was compiled in the Han Dynasty (hereafter referred to as Neijing). It has summarized the medical experience accumulated by generations of doctors before the Han Dynasty, which lays the foundation for the theoretical system of TCM and provides valuable literature for the clinical practice of TCM.Neijing contains the earliest and the most classic literature on pulse-theory. Since it embraces theories of various schools, the volume of elucidation on pulse-theory is considerable. The pulse-theory in Neijing has not only been served as the foundation for pulse-theory studying and clinical application by later generations, but also has led to a variety of branches, which greatly enriches the system of pulse-theory.The pulse-theory of Neijing is separately discussed in the chapters of Ling Shu and Su Wen. Thus this paper aims to provide a systematic discussion on it by reorganizing, abstracting and analyzing the original text from such aspects of pulse-theory thoughts, diagnostic methods, technical application and studies of later generations.Firstly, with concept of holism as the guiding principle, theories of zang-fu and channel as the foundation, and theory of yin and yang as the outline,the pulse-theory system was formed on the basis of Neijing. These theories permeate through Neijing and have become the source of development on pulse-theory.Secondly, one of the main achievements of the pulse-theory in Neijing is that it standardized the diagnosing methods by confining the diagnostic location to the arteries. In this period, the pulse-diagnostic methods are various and each has their own advantages; therefore, the methods should be selected flexibly according to the nature and location of a particular disease. The co-existence of different pulse-diagnostic methods has enriched the pulse-theory system of TCM.Thirdly, in Neijing, the application of diagnostic methods has been expounded, including pulse conditions, indications, and cautions. It has pointed out that there are different pulse conditions such as normal pulse, abnormal pulse and abnormal visceral pulse, each has their own indications. On the basis of the pulse diagnostic methods in Neijing, it is further pointed out that pulse condition is one of the most important indicators for judging the nature and prognosis of diseases.Finally, the development on pulse theory by later generations of physicians is virtually the inheriting and development of the pulse theory in Neijing; for example, the viewpoints of"selecting only cunkou as the pulse diagnostic location"in Nanjing,"with yin-yang as outline during pulse-diagnosing"in Shanghan Zabing Lun and other viewpoints in Maijing and Binhu Maixue, have supplemented and enriched the pulse-theory system of TCM.This paper has provided a relatively systematic study on the pulse theory in Neijing and has summarized the achievement on pulse theory made before the Han Dynasty. By summarizing the pulse-theory thoughts and diagnostic methods, the paper aims to make the study on the pulse theory in Neijing more systematic and thus to provide a reference for learning systematic and holistic pulse theories in Neijing.