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The *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) states: The Spleen and Stomach belong to Earth; they are the solitary Zang organ that irrigates and nourishes the four directions. When functioning well, this is not visible; when malfunctioning, it becomes visible. If the pulse comes like flowing water, this is termed "Excess" (Tai Guo), indicating disease in the exterior; if it comes like a bird pecking, this is termed "Deficiency" (Bu Ji), indicating disease in the interior. Excess causes the limbs to be unable to move, while Deficiency causes the Nine Orifices to be obstructed.

If the pulse lacks Stomach Qi, the Liver pulse will not present as Wiry (Xian) and the Kidney pulse will not present as Stone-like (Shi).

The normal Qi of a healthy person is derived from the Stomach. The Stomach is the source of normal Qi for a healthy person. A person without Stomach Qi is said to have "Reversal" (Ni), which indicates death. If there is a pulse at the upper part but none at the lower part, it is due to food blocking the chest; emesis (inducing vomiting) is indicated. If the Cun Kou (radial artery at the wrist) pulse is Surging (Hong Da) but feels Choppy (Se) upon deep pressure, and the Chi pulse is also faint and Choppy, or if the Cun Kou pulse is Tight (Jin) like a turning rope with no consistency between left and right, or if it is Slippery (Hua) and Rapid (Shu), purgation (downward draining) is indicated. If the pulse is Floating (Fu) and Slippery, in cases of pulse Deep (Chen) resembling Taiyang Cold Damage (Shang Han) or due to accumulated alcohol, purgation is indicated. A Short (Duan) and Rapid pulse that is Slippery indicates disease from alcohol. A Floating, Fine (Xi), and Slippery pulse indicates injury from drinking fluids. A Tight and full pulse at the Qi Kou (radial pulse position), or one that is Floating, Fine, and Rapid, all indicate dietary injury.

A Chen (Deep) and Slippery pulse at the Guan position indicates indigestion. A Chen and Chi (Slow) pulse at the upper Guan indicates deficiency-cold of the Spleen and Stomach. A Tight and full pulse on the right hand indicates food stagnation. Wiry (Xian) and large pulses at both Guan positions indicate Spleen and Stomach fullness and distension. Abdominal fullness with a Fine pulse is critical; fullness with a Floating and Large pulse is treatable.

The upper Guan position is governed by the Spleen and Stomach. A Huan (Relaxed) and Da (Large) pulse indicates harmonious Earth Qi, preventing various diseases. However, if variations such as Floating, Deep, Surging, Fine, Long, Short, Slippery, or Choppy appear, each corresponds to specific pathologies, requiring treatment based on pulse diagnosis and symptom differentiation. For instance, if the Spleen-Stomach pulse is Wiry and Tight, it indicates Wood evil attacking Earth, with accumulation in the Spleen/Stomach causing pain or distension. (It is appropriate to add Chai Hu [Bupleuri Radix], Chuan Xiong [Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma], and Mu Dan Pi [Moutan Cortex] to Bao He Wan to restrain Liver Wood.) A Surging and Large pulse indicates Fire in the Stomach. (Treatment should use formulas like Xie Huang San or Cheng Qi Tang.) A Slippery and Large pulse indicates Phlegm-Fluid retention. (Formulas like Er Chen Tang or Ju Ban Zhi Zhu Wan are appropriate; if Qi obstruction is urgent in the upper jiao, emesis may be used.) A Chopse pulse indicates dual deficiency of Qi and Blood. (Formulas like Ba Zhen Tang or Yi Gong San added with Dang Gui [Angelicae Sinensis Radix] and Sheng Di Huang [Rehmanniae Radix] are appropriate.) A Short and Choppy pulse, if located at the front (Cun), relates to the exterior and observes the Stomach, indicating Stomach weakness disease (such as lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or aversion to the smell of food). If located at the rear (Chi), it relates to the interior and observes the Spleen, indicating Spleen disease (such as chest and diaphragm distension, postprandial indigestion leading to diarrhea).