夫饮入于胃，犹海之行云气于天下；谷入于胃，由脾土之转输于四旁。是以水谷之津液，各走其道，
五脏六腑皆以受气，皮肉筋骨，咸以资生，故曰清阳
发腠理，浊阴走五脏，清阳实四支，浊阴归六腑。是止浊中之浊者，归于大肠、小肠、膀胱，而为粪为溺
也。夫劳怯、膈、胀之证，或久嗽而伤肺，或郁怒以伤肝，或不得志意而心脾之气不舒，或过于劳伤而肾
藏之精渐绝，入胃之药食，不能输布于五经，惟走肠胃而为秽浊，故虽久服而毫无效验也。即误服其药
饵，亦不觉其有损，用参、苓之神品，亦不能受其精华，此皆郁逆之为故耳！以致精神日减，肌肉日消，
而渐无生气矣。胀满之病，在于肠胃之外，郛郭之中，如脾不营运，则药食更不能及。知阴阳升降之
理，五行运化之道者，先当理其脾胃焉。土气化而灌溉四旁，坤德浓而资生万物，津液生而阴火伏，地天
泰而否隔消，脾气营运则胀满日减，筋骨濡润则瘫痪可强。此端本澄源之大道也。若不知治本，惟以凉润
之药，欲其降火生津，润下饮食。夫脾喜燥而肺恶寒，脾土湿则不能输运，肺气寒则不能通调，以致津
液不生，痰涎反甚，阴火炎而咳嗽频，上下否而隔胀愈剧矣。（阴火不可扑灭，遇水愈炽，得所生之真精而后能制之。）
When water is ingested into the Stomach, it is like the ocean generating cloud vapor throughout the world; when grain enters the Stomach, it relies on the transport and transformation of the Spleen Earth to distribute to all four directions. Therefore, the fluids derived from food and drink follow their respective pathways, providing Qi to the Five Zang and Six Fu organs, and nourishing the skin, flesh, sinews, and bones. Thus it is said: Clear Yang disperses into the Cou Li (interstices of skin and muscle), while Turbid Yin travels to the Zang organs; Clear Yang fills the four limbs, and Turbid Yin returns to the Fu organs. The most turbid part of the Turbid Yin returns to the Large Intestine, Small Intestine, and Bladder, becoming feces and urine.
Regarding conditions such as Lao Ke (consumptive disease), Ge (diaphragmatic obstruction), and Gu Zhang (abdominal distension), some arise from long-term coughing damaging the Lung, some from depression and anger damaging the Liver, some from frustrated will causing stagnation of Heart and Spleen Qi, and some from excessive labor leading to gradual exhaustion of the Essence stored in the Kidney. In these cases, medicines and foods entering the Stomach cannot be distributed to the five meridians, but only pass through the intestines and stomach becoming filth and turbidity. Hence, even with long-term administration, there is no efficacy. Even if erroneous medications are taken, no harm is felt; even potent herbs like Renshen (Ginseng Radix) and Fuling (Poria) cannot have their essence absorbed. This is all due to the cause of Qi stagnation and rebellion! Consequently, spirit diminishes daily, muscles waste away, and vitality gradually disappears.
The disease of abdominal distension lies outside the intestines and stomach, within the body cavity (Fu Guo). If the Spleen fails to operate and transform, medicines and foods cannot reach the affected area. Those who understand the principles of Yin-Yang ascending and descending, and the laws of Five Elements transformation, should first regulate the Spleen and Stomach. When Spleen Qi transforms and irrigates the four directions, and its virtue thickens to nourish all things, fluids are generated and Yin Fire is subdued. Heaven and Earth achieve harmony (Tai), and blockage (Pi) dissipates. When Spleen Qi operates normally, distension decreases daily; when sinews and bones are moistened, paralysis can strengthen. This is the great way of addressing the root and clearing the source. If one does not know how to treat the root, using only cooling and moistening drugs to descend fire and generate fluids, or to lubricate and move food: The Spleen prefers dryness, while the Lung dislikes cold. If Spleen Earth is damp, it cannot transport and transform; if Lung Qi is cold, it cannot diffuse and descend. This leads to a failure to generate fluids, an increase in phlegm and saliva, flaming Yin Fire, frequent coughing, and worsening of upper and lower blockage, exacerbating Ge and Zhang conditions. (Yin Fire cannot be extinguished by force; it flares up more intensely with water, and can only be controlled by obtaining the true Jing [Essence] that generates it.)