Maijing 脈經

Maijing 脈經 is a book on pulse diagnostics compiled during the Jin period 晉 (265-420) by Wang Shuhe 王叔和 (210?-258).

A statement in the Huangdi neijing 黃帝內經, part Suwen 素問 (ch. Shi congrong lun 示從容論) points at a text called Maijing in two parts, which means that there existed texts on pulse diagnostics in ancient times already. The bibliographical chapters in the official dynastic histories Suishu 隋書 and Xintangshu 新唐書, and the catalogue Chongwen zongmu 崇文總目 list books called Maijing written by Qin Chengzu 秦承祖 (5th cent.), Huang Gongxing 黃公興 (6th cent.), Kang Pusi 康普思, Wang Ziyong 王子顒, Zhen Quan 甄權 (541-643), and Li Ji 李勣 (594-669). All oft hem are lost. Another Maijiing, compiled by Cai Xichu 蔡西出, is mentioned in the books Binhu maixue 瀕湖脈學, and Maijue huibian 脈訣彙辨.

The transmitted Maijing is a comprehensive compilation of pulse study from before the Han period 漢 (206 BCE-220 CE). It selects and categorizes relevant discussions from Huangdi neijing, Nanjing 難經, Shanghanlun 傷寒論, and Jingui yaolüe 金匱要略, as well as the works of Zhang Zhongjing 張仲景 (150–219), Hua Tuo 華佗 (d. 208 CE), and others. Based on a clear explanation of the principles of pulse theory, it connects these to clinical practice.

The first fascicle contains 15 medical treatises, beginning with the "Secret formulas of pulse shapes and characteristics under the fingers" (Mai xingzhuang zhi xia mi jue 脈形狀指下秘訣), which categorizes the human pulse into 24 types, namely floating (fu 浮), hollow (kou 芤), surging (hong 洪), slippery (hua 滑), rapid (shu 數), abrupt (cu 促), wiry (xian 弦), tight jin 緊), deep (chen 沉), hidden (fu 伏), changing (ge 革), full (shi 實), faint (wei 微), rough (se 澀), fine (xi 細), soft (ruan 軟), weak (ruo 弱), deficient (xu 虛), scattered (san 散), moderate (huan 緩), slow (chi 遲), knotted (jie 結), intermittent (dai 代), and moving (dong 動). Each pulse type is clearly described in terms of its specific characteristics. Similar pulses are grouped into eight comparative sets for ease of differentiation.

The subsequent essays in this volume further explain the principles and techniques of pulse diagnosis, detailing the appropriate times and positions for taking the pulse, the overarching methods for distinguishing Yin and Yang through the pulse, and the pulse indicators that suggest whether a disease is likely to be cured or difficult to treat.

Juan 2 and 3 contain a total of 9 medical treatises. They discuss the pulse changes at the "Three passes" (sanguan 三關), namely in front of the pass (guanqian 關前), behind the pass (guanhou 關後), and on top of the pass (guanshang 關上), as well as at other locations such as renying 人迎 (stomach pulse on the neck), shenmen 神門 ("spirit gate"), and >qikou 氣口 ("ethereal opening"). These discussions cover how changes in the pulse at each location reflect pathological changes in the internal organs and meridians. They further elaborate on the pulse characteristics at the cun 寸, guan 關, and chi 尺 positions on both wrists, the diseases they correspond to, and their treatment approaches. The texts also examine the pulse patterns associated with the "eight extraordinary vessels" (qijing bamai 奇經八脈), the normal or balanced pulses of the organs (zangfu pingmai 臟腑平脈), pathological pulses (bingmai 病脈), and pulses indicative of death (simiao 死脈).

Part 4 contains 8 medical treatises, covering pulse patterns of the "Three sections and nine indicators" (sanbu jiuhou 三部九候) and the pulse signs associated with over 40 miscellaneous diseases. It also discusses pulse patterns that contradict seasonal norms, and pulse indicators related to life or death in various illnesses. Juan 5 includes 5 treatises on diagnostic methods attributed to Bian Que 扁鵲 (c. 500 BCE), Zhang Zhongjing, and Hua Tuo. Volume 6 is dedicated to disease patterns of the the five viscera and six bowels (wuzang liufu 五臟六腑), comprising a total of 11 treatises.

Volumes 7 to 9 comprise 49 treatises discussing pulse patterns (maizheng 脈證) and their corresponding treatments. These include conditions related to cold damage (shanghan 傷), miscellaneous diseases, as well as gynecological and pediatric disorders. Volume 10, of which 7 treatises are extant, discusses the pulses of the Three Yang channels (san yang mai 三陽脈) of the right leg, the Three Yin channels (san yin mai 三陰脈) of the right hand and foot, and the Eight Extraordinary Vessels (qijing bamai) on the right side of the body. The original text also included the illustrated section "Hand examination charts of the thirty-one sections' (shoujian tu sanshi bu 手檢圖三十一部), but this has since been lost.

The Maijing is one of the earliest surviving specialised texts on pulse diagnosis in China. It was the first to systematically categorize 24 types of pulse patterns and to provide specific descriptions of their characteristics. It also preliminarily established diagnostic positioning of the "three sections" (sanbu 三部) on the pulse: the left hand's cun ("inch") position corresponds to the Heart and Small Intestine; the guan ( 關部) position to the Liver and Gallbladder; the right hand's cun position to the Lung and Large Intestine; the guan position to the Spleen and Stomach; and the chi (cubital 尺部) positions on both hands to the Kidneys and Bladder. This foundational framework laid the groundwork for the later development of pulse studies and holds significant clinical value.

The Maijing preserves a wealth of ancient Chinese medical literature. The quotations from the Huangdi neijing, and Nanjing, and Zhang Zhongjing's works appear in relatively early textual forms. Thus, the Maijing serves as an important reference for later scholars when annotating and editing these classical texts. However, the overall structure and organization of the book have certain flaws, and there are some descriptions that do not align with practical clinical reality. For example, statements such as, if one finds the pulse of a king, it must be obtained from a royal household, and if one finds the pulse of a prisoner, it must be obtained from a prisoner’s household, are unrealistic. During the Northern Song period 北宋 (960-1126), Lin Yi 林億 and others made revisions, altering the arrangement and content of some sections. Numerous editions were printed over the centuries. The earliest extant edition dates to 1330.