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Regarding non-stroke (Fei Feng, 非风) and similar syndromes, ancient medical texts all state that when the body's constitution is weak and Ying-Wei Qi (Nutritive and Defensive Qi) are disordered, the True Qi dissipates, and the Cou Li (skin pores and interstitial spaces) become lax. Consequently, pathogenic factors enter due to deficiency. This explanation of how pathogens invade is indeed sound; however, one must distinguish between cases with pathogens and those without. "With pathogens" refers to conditions such as Shang Han (Cold Damage), malaria, and Bi syndrome (painful obstruction); "without pathogens" refers to conditions characterized by stroke-like decline and failure. In cases with pathogens, there must be alternating chills and fever, wandering pain, or swelling, pain, and hemiplegia, while the patient's consciousness remains intact. In cases without pathogens, there is originally no pain or chills/fever, but limb joints suddenly lose function, and spirit and speech abruptly change. Diseases with pathogens originate in the meridians, caused by external invasion of Wind, Cold, and Dampness; diseases without pathogens originate from the Zang organs, where essence deficiency leads to Qi dispersion, resulting in dizziness and sudden collapse; Qi dispersion leads to Spirit loss, resulting in coma and unconsciousness. In cases with pathogens, since pathogens enter via deficiency, treatment should first support the Righteous Qi, although drugs that unblock meridians and expel pathogens cannot be omitted as auxiliaries. In cases without pathogens, saving the root is already urgent enough; how can one use miscellaneous drugs again to damage the Righteous Qi?

All five Zang organs can cause disease, so why are syndromes like Wind Jue (Feng Jue, 风厥) specifically emphasized regarding Liver Pathogen (Gan Xie, 肝邪), and why is the onset so acute and violent? The basis of human life lies solely in Stomach Qi (Wei Qi, 胃气), as the Stomach is the root of water and grain. Thus, the *Jing* (Classic) states: "If a person lacks Stomach Qi, they die; if the pulse lacks Stomach Qi, they also die." The Liver Pathogen is the thief of Stomach Qi; one wins while the other loses, and they cannot coexist. For these non-stroke syndromes, symptoms such as rigidity, tremors, and dizziness are transformations of Liver Pathogen and Wind-Wood Qi. Cases presenting with inability to use the limbs and excessive phlegm-saliva are signs of Stomach failure and Spleen deficiency. Although it is said to be an excess of the East (Liver belongs to Wood, corresponding to the East), is it truly an excess of Liver Qi? It is precisely because the Yang Qi of the five Zang organs have all failed, causing the Liver to lose nourishment and transform according to pathology, which is termed Liver Pathogen. Therefore, in the *Yin Yang Lei Lun* chapter of the *Su Wen*, the Liver is considered the lowest, precisely referring to the fact that Wood can invade Earth, and Liver can invade the Stomach. However, the appearance of Liver Pathogen stems from Spleen and Kidney deficiency. If the Spleen and Stomach were not deficient, even if Liver Wood were strong, there would be no risk of it overacting on the Spleen; if Kidney Water were not deficient, Liver Wood would be nourished, and what fear of rigidity would there be? The term "Stomach Qi" refers to the Twenty-Five Yang Qi, not merely speaking of the Yangming Meridian. The term "Kidney Water" refers to the essence of the five Zang and six Fu organs, not merely speaking of the Shaoyin. When True Yang fails, the True Zang pulse appears; when True Yin fails, the True Zang pulse also appears. Any pulse and syndrome manifesting True Zang signs are omens of critical decline. The so-called True Zang is the Liver Pathogen, which is the absence of Stomach Qi. This is the fundamental basis of non-stroke and wind-like diseases.