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Eke (hiccup or belching with upward rushing qi) refers to a pathological condition where rebellious qi rushes upward from below the umbilicus, exits through the mouth, and produces sound. The *Book of Documents* states: "Fire flares upward." The *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) states: "All rebellious and upward-rushing conditions belong to Fire."

Li Dongyuan stated: "Fire and Yuan Qi (Original Qi) cannot coexist." He also stated: "Fire is the thief of Qi." Ancient prescriptions all attributed this condition to weak Stomach Qi without mentioning Fire, and treated it with formulas containing Dingxiang (Clove), Shidi (Persimmon Calyx), Zhuru (Bamboo Shavings), and Chenpi (Aged Tangerine Peel). It was not examined which agents were for descending Fire and which were for tonifying deficiency. Human Yin Qi relies on the Stomach Earth for nourishment. If Stomach Earth is damaged, Wood Qi will insult it; this is "Earth failing and Wood attacking." When Yin is overwhelmed by Fire, it cannot remain within and guard itself. Wood carries Ministerial Fire to attack, causing the qi to rush directly up the clear pathways. To say the Stomach is weak actually means Yin is weak, representing extreme deficiency. Patients presenting with this appear to have a fatal syndrome, yet there are also excess cases; this must be known. I dare to present my theory.

Zhao Lidao, nearly fifty years old, had a weak constitution and was prone to anger. In the intense heat of July, he was extremely hungry and demanded food. His family could not prepare it quickly, leading to great anger. Two days later, he developed dysentery (Lixia). He felt thirsty and drank raw honey mixed with cold water, feeling very refreshed; his dysentery symptoms gradually eased. This continued for five to seven days, when he summoned me. His pulse was slightly large but not rapid. I ordered him to stop drinking honey water. When thirsty, he was given Yiyuan San (Benefit Prime Powder) mixed with decoctions of Renshen (Ginseng) and Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome). His dysentery gradually resolved. Seven or eight days later, he felt extremely fatigued and developed Eke. I knew this was due to Yin deficiency caused by prolonged diarrhea, so I instructed him to continue the previous medication. However, the dysentery had not completely stopped, and he drank refined honey water again for three days, yet the Eke persisted. Everyone blamed the prescription as inappropriate and intended to use Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) and Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root). I said: "Tonics do not work instantly; Fuzi does not tonify Yin. Taking it will surely cause death." They asked: "Drinking cold water and rice—could it not cause Cold?" I replied: "In such hot weather, drinking cool substances is not Cold. Do not doubt. Wait a few days; when strength returns, it will stop naturally." Four days later, the Eke ceased, and the dysentery also settled.

Chen Zeren, nearly seventy years old, was accustomed to rich and heavy flavors. He suffered from chronic asthma with irregular episodes. In early autumn, he contracted dysentery, his appetite decreased significantly, and after five to seven days, Eke began. I examined him. His pulses were all large and hollow. Everyone considered it difficult to treat. I said: "Since his form is emaciated, it can still be treated. Administer Dabu Wan (Great Tonification Pill) with Ren Shen Bai Zhu Tang (Ginseng and Atractylodes Decoction) to nourish Blood. By the seventh day, he was stable."

These two individuals suffered from deficiency.

Another woman, over fifteen years old (Ji age), had an irritable temperament and liked rich foods. In summer, she developed Eke due to sudden rage. Each episode involved whole-body tremors and unconsciousness. Inquiry revealed it was an acute onset. Her physical appearance and Qi both indicated Excess. I prescribed a decoction of Renshen Lu (Ginseng Stem). After drinking one bowl, she vomited several bowls of stubborn phlegm, sweated profusely, fell into a deep sleep, and recovered in one day. Renshen enters the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian and tonifies the Yin within Yang. Renshen Lu acts oppositely, greatly draining the Yang of Taiyin. The woman's violent anger caused Qi to rebel upward. The Liver governs anger; the Lung governs Qi. The Classics state: "Anger causes Qi to rebel." Due to anger, Qi rebelled upward; Liver Wood attacked and insulted Lung Metal. Thus, Eke became severe and consciousness was lost. Renshen Lu induces vomiting; once phlegm is expelled, Qi descends, Fire declines, Lung Metal Qi returns to its proper position, Stomach Qi harmonizes, and the disease resolves. Mahuang (Ephedra Herb) induces sweating; Jingjie (Schizonepeta Spike) stops sweating. Grains belong to Metal; bran is hot in nature. Wheat belongs to Yang; chaff is cool in nature. Former Confucians stated that all things possess the Supreme Ultimate (Taiji). Scholars should not fail to draw analogies and extend their understanding!