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The Spleen and Stomach are the sea of water and grain, relying on acquired Qi for their function. Why is this? The origin of human life lies fundamentally in the source of Essence and Blood (Jingxue), while survival after birth depends on nourishment from water and grain. Without Essence and Blood, there can be no foundation for the physical form; without water and grain, the physical form cannot become robust. The regulation of Essence and Blood resides in the Gate of Vitality (Mingmen), while the transformation of water and grain resides in the Spleen and Stomach. Thus, the Gate of Vitality receives congenital Qi, and the Spleen and Stomach receive acquired Qi. Therefore, the Sea of Water and Grain (Spleen and Stomach) originally relies on congenital Qi as its master, while the Sea of Essence and Blood (Gate of Vitality) must rely on acquired Qi as its resource. Hence, from birth to old age, if one has congenital insufficiency, obtaining the strengthening power of acquired nourishment can achieve half of the merit in supplementing heaven. This indicates that the Qi of the Spleen and Stomach has a significant impact on human life. Moreover, congenital Qi is like the imperial court, while acquired Qi is like local administration; governance lies in the congenital, while policy implementation lies in the acquired. Thus, since birth, humans rely entirely on acquired Qi for function, and the body's form, color, movement, and stillness are all impossible without Stomach Qi (Wei Qi). As stated in the classics: "The normal Qi of a healthy person is derived from the Stomach; the Stomach is the normal Qi of a healthy person. If a person lacks Stomach Qi, it is called 'Ni' (reversal), and those with 'Ni' die." It also states: "Humans take water and grain as their root; if humans cut off water and grain, they die. If the pulse lacks Stomach Qi, death occurs." Precisely because human Stomach Qi is Earth Qi, and nothing can survive without Earth, Earth occupies the center of the Five Elements and governs the four seasons, which is the meaning here.

From this, we can deduce that wherever Stomach Qi affects humans, it is omnipresent. Even within the Zang-Fu organs, voice and complexion, pulse diagnosis, and physical form, Stomach Qi is present everywhere. If Stomach Qi is lost, it indicates an ominous prognosis. For example, in diseases of Stomach Qi failure in the five Zang organs: shortness of breath, loss of vitality, hoarseness, and rapid panting indicate the failure of Stomach Qi in the Lung. Loss of spirit and soul retention, increasing confusion, and extreme aversion to cold indicate the failure of Stomach Qi in the Heart. Restlessness, severe agitation, retraction of the scrotum, spastic rigidity, and endless fear indicate the failure of Stomach Qi in the Liver and Gallbladder. Abdominal distension and inability to transport, inability to eat, emaciation, phlegm obstruction, and ineffectiveness of medication indicate the failure of Stomach Qi in the Spleen. Inability to control the orifices, inability to transform urine, unresolvable steaming heat, and unbearable bone pain indicate the failure of Stomach Qi in the Kidney. Regarding the five colors, those with Stomach Qi should, regardless of being green, red, black, or white, exhibit a pale yellow brightness and luster. If the complexion is red like hematite or coagulated blood; green like indigo or dead grass; white like salt or dry bones; yellow like immature orange or yellow earth; black like coal or dark earth, especially when accompanied by dullness and obscurity, these are signs of Stomach Qi failure in the five colors. Regarding pulse qualities, the classics state: "A weak and slippery pulse indicates the presence of Stomach Qi; a solid and hard pulse indicates worsening condition; a pulse contrary to the four seasons is untreatable." Thus, whether floating, deep, slow, or rapid, the pulse should ideally show slowness and slipperiness to possess Stomach Qi. If only a pure wiry, hook, hair, stone, or choppy pulse is seen, or if the wiry pulse is extremely forceful without any harmonious Qi, or if the pulse is extremely faint without any spiritual Qi, these are collectively referred to as the appearance of True Viscera Pulses, indicating Stomach Qi failure in the five pulses. Furthermore, even temperament and constitution are related to Stomach Qi. Earth nature is heavy and substantial, so those who are frivolous lack Stomach Qi; Earth color is firm and solid, so those who appear prematurely aged or delicate lack Stomach Qi. This shows that Earth Qi is the source of all things, and Stomach Qi is the master of health preservation. Strong Stomach Qi leads to strength, weak Stomach Qi leads to decline; with Stomach Qi there is life, without Stomach Qi there is death.

Therefore, health preservers must prioritize the Spleen and Stomach, and carefully examine how the Spleen and Stomach are injured. Externally, fatigue and overwork most easily injure the Spleen; once the Spleen is injured, the interior and exterior communicate, causing severe distress to the Stomach. Internally, excessive thinking, worry, anger, and resentment most easily injure the Heart; once the Heart is injured, the mother-child relationship is affected, severing the source of transformation. Such injuries to the Spleen and Stomach due to fatigue and emotional factors are more common than those due to diet, cold, or heat. As the classics say: "Diseases of the Yangming channel originate in the Spleen, manifesting as hidden grievances and amenorrhea in women. If it transmits to Feng Xiao (wasting away) or Xi Ben (accumulation in the chest), it is incurable and fatal." Additionally, the Spleen and Stomach belong to Earth, which is generated by Fire. Thus, their nature dislikes cold and prefers warmth. Unless there is genuine pathogenic fire, cold-natured substances should be used with extreme caution to prevent minor injuries. If treatment is delayed until injury occurs, will it not be too late? This refers to injuries caused by cold, raw, and uncooked foods, which are the most common dietary habits. In the past, Liu Gongdu was skilled in health preservation. When asked about his longevity secret, he said: "I have no other method; I simply do not use my Qi Hai (lower Dantian) to warm cooked food or hot cold food, nor do I use my Yuan Qi (Original Qi) to fuel anger or joy." This is the way to properly nourish the Spleen and Stomach, allowing him to achieve longevity. Therefore, anyone wishing to diagnose illness must first observe Stomach Qi; anyone wishing to treat illness must always protect Stomach Qi. If Stomach Qi remains undamaged, there is little to worry about. However, modern physicians are accustomed to neglecting this, unaware of what Original Qi and Stomach Qi are. They often focus solely on attacking pathogens, claiming there is always "Fire," thereby damaging patients' Stomach Qi and cutting off their grain intake, a phenomenon too numerous to count. They fail to realize: which is heavier, disease or life? Which is more urgent, righteous Qi or pathogenic Qi? Moreover, regarding the precise application of treatment, what should be done first and what later follows the fixed principles of root and branch. It is certainly not something that can be guessed or improvised. There are mediocre practitioners in the world who steal a few idioms, drag them together arbitrarily, pass off semblance as truth, act with bias and confusion, deceiving and misleading others. If one不幸 encounters them and cannot discern their authenticity, it may be considered fate. How sad! How sad!