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The *Classic* states: When deficient pathogens invade the human body, if they remain and do not depart, they transmit and lodge in the intestines and stomach. If there is excessive cold, it manifests as borborygmus (intestinal rumbling), stool with undigested food, and indigestion; if there is excessive heat, it manifests as urgent diarrhea. In fact, diarrhea and loose stools are invariably rooted in the Spleen and Stomach. The Stomach is the sea of water and grain. The Spleen governs transportation and transformation. When the Spleen is robust, the Stomach harmonizes, allowing water and grain to be decomposed and transformed into Qi and Blood to circulate Ying and Wei (Defensive and Nutritive Qi). If dietary habits are irregular, or cold and warmth are not regulated properly, causing injury to the Spleen and Stomach, then water turns into dampness, and grain turns into stagnation. The essence of Qi cannot be transported and transformed, leading to a mixture of filth descending, thus giving rise to diarrhea and loose stools.

If there is borborygmus without abdominal pain, this is due to dampness; it is appropriate to use methods that dry dampness and promote diuresis.
If food entering the stomach cannot stay, or if undigested food particles are passed in the stool, this is due to Qi deficiency; it is appropriate to use warming and tonifying methods.
If there is abdominal pain accompanied by borborygmus with sounds like water, where pain occurs in bursts followed by diarrhea, this is due to fire; it is appropriate to use clearing and draining methods.
If diarrhea comes and goes intermittently, varying in amount, this is due to pathological accumulation (Ji); it is appropriate to use methods that resolve and expel accumulations.
If abdominal pain is severe before diarrhea, and pain decreases after defecation, it is appropriate to use resolving methods; for those with strong constitution, purgative methods are appropriate.
For chronic Spleen-deficiency diarrhea where the Large Intestine fails to maintain control, it is appropriate to use astringent methods; for cases where Yuan Qi (Original Qi) sinks, lifting and raising methods are appropriate.

Pediatric diarrhea often results from the Spleen being soaked by dampness, where Earth fails to overcome Water. However, the origins of disease differ: some are due to milk and food stagnation, some from contracting cold or summerheat, some from external contact with fright pathogens, some from internal organs receiving cold, and some from Spleen deficiency causing diarrhea. There are also syndromes of stool with undigested food and watery diarrhea. All must be carefully distinguished, hence this chapter on analyzing diarrhea.

When children suffer from overeating milk and food, damaging the Spleen and Stomach, and failing to digest the intake, they frequently pass acidic, pus-like stools. Symptoms include belching with an offensive odor, abdominal heat, distension and pain, thirst, aversion to eating, and red, scanty, or painful urination. Ancient methods advocate using Bao'an Wan (Security Pill) to eliminate stagnation (Formula: Vinegar-fried Cyperi Rhizoma [Xiangfu], Amomi Fructus Rotundus [Suosharen], Prepared Zingiberis Rhizoma [Baishengjiang], Vinegar-fried Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride [Qingpi], Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium [Chenpi], Sparganii Rhizoma [Sanleng], Curcumae Longae Rhizoma [Ezhu], and Honey-fried Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma [Zhigancao]. Grind all into fine powder, make pills with wheat paste, administer according to the child's age/size, dissolve in warm water).
Subsequently, use Pingwei Tang (Peaceful Stomach Decoction) to harmonize the Spleen (Formula: Fried Atractylodis Rhizoma [Cangzhu], Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium [Chenpi], Ginger-fried Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex [Houpo], Honey-fried Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma [Zhigancao], Fried Hordeii Fructus Germinatus [Maiya], Amomi Fructus [Sharen], with fresh ginger as a guide).
[True's Note]: For pediatric diarrhea caused by milk injury, simply use Fried Hordei Fructus Germinatus [Maiya] 8 fen, Scorched Coicis Semen [Guyajia] 8 fen, Guangju Hong (Broad Orange Peel) 5 fen, Poria Cocos [Fuling] Kuai 2 qian, Red Poria [Chifuling] 1 qian, Fried Alismatis Rhizoma [Zexie] 1 qian, Charred Crataegi Fructus [Shanzhutan] 1.5 qian, Honey-fried Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma [Zhigancao] 5 fen.
If diarrhea is caused by food injury, then use Fried Aurantii Fructus [Zhike] 8 fen, Fried Massae Fermentatae Medicamentosa [Shenqu] 1 qian, Guang Chenpi 1 qian, Wugu Chong (Dung Beetle) 8 fen, Fried Maiya 1 qian, Dolichoris Lablab Album [Bian Douyi] 1 qian, Magnoliae Officinalis Flos [Chuanpuhua] 1 flower, Red Poria 1.5 qian, Honey-fried Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma [Zhigancao] 5 fen, with one slice of fresh ginger as a guide.