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Rapid pulse

数脉 〔數脈〕shuò mài

A rapid pulse has six beats per respiration. The rapid pulse is usually associated with heatbut may also be an indication of vacuity. A forceful rapid pulse indicates repletion heat and is most commonly seen in external febrile disease. A fine weak rapid pulse indicates yīn vacuity with effulgent fire. A large weak rapid pulse generally indicates qì vacuity. A rapid pulse is normal in infants, and a slippery rapid pulse is normal in pregnancy.

Similar pulses: The rapid pulse is usually quite smooth-flowing, so it is often confused with a slippery pulse. However, the term rapid refers exclusively to the pace, whereas slippery denotes a quality. The Bīn-Hú Sphygmology (濒湖脉学 bīn hú mài xué) (1564) clearly points out, Rapid and slippery should not be considered as being the same; rapid refers to the pace only. A pulse having seven or more beats per respiration is known as a racing pulse. Its significance is the same as that of the rapid pulse, though the possibility of vacuity is higher.

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