CHAPTER 7

LISTENING AND SMELLING EXAMINATION, AND PULSE DIAGNOSIS

闻诊和脉诊

Upon completion of this chapter, you are required to:

  1. Master the words that form the TCM terms associated with this chapter.
  2. Understand the meaning of new TCM terms formed by these words.
  3. Make new TCM terms in English with these words.
  4. Explain the basic techniques of pulse taking.
  5. Discuss the common morbid* pulses.

Listening and smelling examination is one of the four diagnostic examinations. Listening refers to listening to various sounds made by patients and smelling refers to smelling the odor of the patient and the odor of the patient's excretions* including sweat, urine and stool*. Since various sounds and odors are generated from the activities of the viscera and bowels, listening to sounds and smelling odors can help medical practitioners collect necessary clinical data and give the proper diagnosis.

Pulse diagnosis* refers to examining the pulse for making a diagnosis. Pulse diagnosis is a type of body palpation*, which refers to the examination of the body by touching and pressing with the hand or fingers. In this chapter, only pulse taking and some smelling will be discussed. For more information on palpation, please find the following websites, or search for "body palpation and diagnosis", "palpation", and "palpation TCM" on the internet.