I Can Hear the Heart's Voice of Traditional Chinese Medicine-Chapter 184 - 85: Do You Think Everyone Is a Prodigy Like You?

"We have to talk about another method here."

"Is there another method?"

Ji Xiuwen searched his memory carefully, but found nothing, and was a bit puzzled by Lu Xuan's words.

On the other hand, Su Kenan, showing a serious expression, softly said, "Index Finger Meridian Diagnosis Method?"

Lu Xuan turned around in surprise to look at Su Kenan: "You know it?"

Su Kenan nodded slightly: "I've heard of it, but I don't know much."

Knowing that Su Kenan had only heard of it, Lu Xuan didn't ask further and turned his attention to Ji Xiuwen, only to find Ji Xiuwen staring at the ceiling in a daze.

When Lu Xuan resumed speaking, Ji Xiuwen finally turned his gaze back from the ceiling.

"I just mentioned that a child's pulse is relatively easy to handle, but why?"

Lu Xuan asked and answered himself: "Because a child is initially Yin, with pure and clear organs, their pulse at this stage is generally simple, with few complex cases, making it particularly suitable for beginners to feel the characteristics of floating, sinking, slow, rapid, and other pulse conditions at their fingertips; this is a very good learning method for beginners.

The Index Finger Meridian Diagnosis Method, which Su Kenan just mentioned, is also known as the Pulse Observation Method. It evolved from the 'Spiritual Pivot' Index Finger Meridian Diagnosis Method and was first introduced in the Tang Dynasty by Wang Chao in 'Water Mirror Diagram.' Later doctors developed the basis for using pulse lines to differentiate diseases from this method.

We also know that the meridians are branches of the hand's Taiyin Lung meridian, and since a child's skin is delicate, the meridians are easy to observe, so observing these meridians is analogous to observing the wrist's inch-opening pulse, and can similarly tell a child's internal and external condition, hot or cold, deficiency, or excess."

After saying this, he started explaining with a child's finger: "This method divides a child's index finger into three sections: 'Wind,' 'Qi,' and 'Life.' Counting from the base towards the fingertip: the first section near the base is the Wind Section, the second is the Qi Section, and the third is the Life Section."

Ji Xiuwen leaned in to observe carefully, afraid to miss anything, as this was valuable knowledge not easily learned outside, and he dared not be careless.

Su Kenan also appeared curious but was seated on Lu Xuan's right side, farther away.

Lu Xuan then moved over slightly to allow her to get closer.

"Thank you," Su Kenan whispered her thanks.

Lu Xuan smiled slightly and continued to explain 'Wind Qi Life' to the two of them: "During diagnosis, hold the child's finger with your left hand and use your right thumb to gently push along the Life Section, Qi Section, and Wind Section. After a few pushes, the meridian lines will become more apparent, allowing for observation. Note that this method follows the rule of using the left hand for boys and the right for girls, observing the left hand for boys, and the right for girls."

The two nodded constantly upon hearing this.

Previously curious about why Su Kenan hadn't touched her phone since arriving, Ji Xiuwen suddenly understood upon seeing the recording interface on her phone. He hurriedly took out his phone and opened the recording software.

With so much content, there was no way he could remember it all without recording it for later study.

If he had that kind of brain, he wouldn't be stuck dispensing at the County Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Listening to this, Ji Xiuwen couldn't help but ask: "Dr. Lu... Lu Xuan, this is the method you mentioned, but how does this Pulse Observation Method accurately differentiate?"

Honestly, calling Lu Xuan 'Dr. Lu' felt awkward for Ji Xiuwen in such a formal setting.

They were too familiar with each other, having "shared bed and pillow" for so many years, making it uncomfortable to call him Dr. Lu.

But Ji Xiuwen wasn't a fresh graduate; he knew what to say and when.

In ordinary times, goofing around with Lu Xuan was fine, but in a work setting, titles were necessary.

Ji Xiuwen positioned himself properly.

Lu Xuan is now the person in charge of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Department, so Ji Xiuwen must treat him as such, not just as a classmate.

Lu Xuan gave Ji Xiuwen an odd look, clearly surprised by the formal address but didn't pay it much mind. After thinking, he responded to Ji Xiuwen's inquiry:

"The general guideline for the Index Finger Meridian Diagnosis Method can be summed up in one phrase: floating and sinking indicate surface or internal issues, red and purple distinguish cold from heat, pale and stagnant define deficiency or excess, and the three sections gauge severity.

To put it in more colloquial terms, if the meridian lines on a child's finger are clear, it indicates the pathogen is external; if the meridian lines are not apparent, the pathogen may be internal, possibly affecting the organs;

Vivid red meridians often indicate an external cold disease, while purple suggests internal heat; pale and white usually indicate deficiency, whereas deep dark stagnation represents excess.

The phrase about gauging severity with the three sections was mentioned in Li Zhongzi's 'True Eye of the Physician': if the Wind Section pulse appears, it signifies a shallow pathogen, easy to treat; if the Qi Section pulse appears, the pathogen has entered the meridians, worsening the illness; if the Life Section pulse appears, it suggests the pathogen has deeply invaded the organs, posing a life threat, hence the ancient saying 'through the gates and penetrating the armor' to describe critical conditions."

Ji Xiuwen, not fully comprehending but slightly nodding nonetheless.

Lu Xuan's explanation of the Index Finger Meridian Diagnosis Method was quite detailed, even considered easy to understand.

However, complete understanding in a short time seemed unlikely.

Seeing this, Lu Xuan added: "Both the One Finger Three Sections method and the Index Finger Meridian Diagnosis Method are very useful, but due to rapid growth and development in children, these methods have time limitations.

The One Finger Three Sections pulse diagnosis and the Meridian Observation Method are generally used for children under 3 years old. As they grow, their wrist sections become more pronounced, and after the age of three, depending on individual conditions, these methods can gradually shift to locating the sections by moving a single finger. By around age 15, children can generally be evaluated using adult pulse diagnosis methods.

So if you aren't skilled in pulse diagnosis or lack experience, and struggle to feel pulse characteristics, try these two methods targeted at children.

Start by practicing on children's pulses, gradually memorizing the feelings of various pulse conditions with floating, sinking, slow, rapid, strong, or weak beats. Let your fingers adapt to these pulse rhythms, persist at it, and you'll undoubtedly make great strides in pulse diagnosis."

"Is that even possible?" Ji Xiuwen's eyes widened like lanterns. It was his first time hearing about practicing pulse diagnosis fingertip feel this way.

To him, a child's pulse seemed most challenging to grasp.

But according to Lu Xuan, it turned out children's pulses were the easiest to understand.

Who wouldn't be puzzled after hearing this?

Even Su Kenan, standing by, was equally confused; both shared the belief that pulse diagnosis for children should be the hardest.

"Why not?"

Seeing Ji Xiuwen's disbelief, Lu Xuan pointed to the child's hand: "Try it and you'll understand, especially for children under three because many organs are still developing, making their pulse simpler and easier to judge compared to adults. Therefore, it's ideal for practice.

If any of you have young children of that age in your family, go home and try it, then you'll see whether I am right or wrong."

Upon hearing this, Ji Xiuwen couldn't help but roll his eyes, "Dr. Lu, you're like a full person who doesn't know the hunger of others. Not everyone is naturally talented like you who understands everything upon hearing. Even if a child under three has an easier pulse to judge, it's useless for us to try if no one can verify our findings."

Lu Xuan smiled noncommittally; while harsh, this statement was true.

Finding a three-year-old child isn't too hard; family relatives might not be an option, but friends or acquaintances would likely have a child of that age, and they probably wouldn't object to trying to feel their pulse.

But whether the pulse can be judged accurately is hard to say.

And even if accurate, one wouldn't be able to verify its correctness.

Similarly, if incorrect, it wouldn't be clear either.

There's little difference from not taking a pulse at all.

It's like asking a student poor in academics to solve a difficult problem; you've explained the method, they may solve it, but whether their process and answer are correct is uncertain.

Without a standard answer, they can't determine if their work is right or wrong, even if correct, they would doubt themselves.

Only a very few achieve success purely through self-study.