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Dietary intake is the primary physiological function of the Stomach (Wei). When Stomach Qi descends to the right, the upper Jiao remains clear and empty, facilitating reception and containment; thus, one is able to eat. Yang Qi is most vigorous in the Yangming channel. When Yang is abundant, Earth becomes dry, allowing Stomach Qi to descend smoothly and accept food well. Conversely, when Yang is deficient, Earth becomes damp, causing Stomach Qi to rebel upward, resulting in an inability to eat. The inability to eat stems from dampness in Stomach Earth and cold in Kidney Water. In Five Phase theory, Earth controls Water. If Earth is damp and Water is cold, abundant Yang causes dry Earth to control Water, while abundant Yin causes cold Water to insult Earth. Transferring the cold from the Kidney home to the Earth position results in "Zhong Han" (Interior Cold Syndrome). "Zhong Han" signifies that Water overcomes and Earth yields; Stomach function fails and Qi rebels, hence the inability to eat. The Stomach governs receiving and storing, while the Spleen governs digestion and transformation. Failure to digest food indicates weakness in the Spleen home, while total loss of appetite indicates deficiency in the Stomach home. Whenever a disease presents with an inability to eat, blame is placed on Yangming (Stomach) rather than Taiyin (Spleen), due to the failure of its receiving function.

In Yangming disease, if the patient can eat, it is named "Zhong Feng" (Wind Strike); if they cannot eat, it is named "Zhong Han" (Cold Strike).

The hallmark of Yangming disease is "Wei Jia Shi" (Fullness/Excess in the Stomach Home). Fullness implies the ability to eat. If one can eat, it is called "Zhong Feng," indicating wind pathogen attacking the exterior. If one cannot eat, it is called "Zhong Han," indicating cold pathogen arising from within. Yangming Chengqi Decoction patterns often originate from Zhong Feng; such patients usually can eat, and their vigorous Fu-organ Yang becomes the root for future dryness-heat in the Stomach home. Those who cannot eat suffer from Yang deficiency and interior cold; Stomach Yang is no longer functional, and Spleen Yin is about to take charge. This condition cannot be discussed alongside the "Zhong Feng" of excess patterns. The "Stomach Middle Cold Deficiency" described in the Lower Section contrasts with the "Stomach Home Excess" in the Upper Section. Excess is the foundational basis of Yangming disease, while deficiency is the initial Qi state of Taiyin disease.

If Yangming disease involves Zhong Han, leading to an inability to eat, difficulty in urination, and continuous sweating from the hands and feet, this indicates the impending formation of "Gu Xia" (Solidified Mass). The stool will initially be hard and later loose. This occurs because cold water in the Stomun prevents the separation of grain and fluids.

If Yangming disease involves Zhong Han, leading to an inability to eat, dampness of Earth causes difficulty in urination, and leakage of Yang Qi from the hands and feet causes continuous sweating. This indicates congealed cold Qi intending to form a solid mass. The stool must be initially hard and later loose. This is because cold in the Stomach prevents the steaming and transformation of grain and fluids; without separation, both enter the Large and Small Intestines, resulting in diarrhea. Generally, hard masses formed by the condensation of Yin Qi due to cold-water and damp-earth are accompanied by loose stools. After administering formulas that warm water and dry earth, Yang returns, diarrhea stops, cold dissipates, and the mass dissolves. It subsequently passes out through the stool, appearing as slippery, white, viscous clumps resembling phlegm or mucus. This is the dissolution and subsequent passage of the "Gu Xia." What the *Nan Jing* (Classic of Difficult Issues), Chapter 57, refers to as "Da Xia Xie" (Great Mass Diarrhea) is precisely this condition.