Chinese/Japanese Pulse Image chart: Short Pulse (duanmai)

Illustration of Short Pulse (duanmai) from Renyuan maiying guizhi tushuo (Pictorial Handbook of Pulse Images Based on the Person). This is a specialist text on pulse diagnosis attributed to the third-century master Shuhe, edited and revised by Shen Jifen in the Ming period (1368-1644). It discusses various pulse images and the medical conditions to which they relate, and contains 48 pulse image diagrams. This undated edition was engraved and published in Japan.

The text states: The pulse image of Short Pulse is as follows. The pulse does not rise to the usual extent. It feels like a grain of rice. It is felt only at the cun (Inch) guan (Pass) and chi (Foot) pulse sectors of the wrist. This pulse is not frequently found. Short Pulse relates to depleted Qi and blood, malign cold (e han) in the limbs, and production of intestinal gas (Qi) causing thunderous rumbling sounds in the abdomen.