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The ancient sages thoroughly investigated the transformation of Yin and Yang, and explored the boundaries of life and death. In their work *Nei Wai Jing* (Classic of Internal and External), they emphasized that human beings rely on Stomach Qi (Stomach Energy) as the foundation. Essentially, humans derive life from the Qi of water and grain. The so-called Clear Qi (Clear Energy), Ying Qi (Nutritive Energy), Yun Qi (Transporting Energy), Wei Qi (Defensive Energy), and Spring-rising Qi are all alternative names for Stomach Qi. The Stomach is the sea of water and grain. When food and drink enter the Stomach, their essence and qi overflow and are transported upward to the Spleen; the Spleen disperses these essences upward to the Lung; the Lung regulates the water passages, transporting them downward to the Bladder; water and essence are distributed throughout the body, and the five meridians function in parallel, conforming to the patterns of the four seasons and the Yin-Yang of the five zang organs, establishing this as the normal state.

If dietary habits are irregular or exposure to cold and heat is inappropriate, the Spleen and Stomach will be injured. Joy, anger, worry, and fear deplete Yuan Qi (Original Energy). Once the Qi of the Spleen and Stomach declines and Yuan Qi becomes insufficient, Heart Fire (Heart Heat) becomes excessively prominent alone. Heart Fire is also known as Yin Fire. It originates in the Lower Jiao (Lower Burner) and its connections are linked to the Heart. Since the Heart does not issue commands, Xiang Fire (Ministerial Fire) takes over. Xiang Fire is the fire of the Bao Luo (Pericardium Collaterals) in the Lower Jiao and is a thief harming Yuan Qi. Fire and Yuan Qi cannot coexist; when one prevails, the other declines. When Spleen and Stomach Qi is deficient, it flows downward into the Kidney, allowing Yin Fire to invade the Earth position (Spleen). Therefore, at the onset of Spleen syndromes, symptoms include rapid breathing and wheezing due to rebellious Qi, feverish sensation and irritability, a flooding and large pulse accompanied by headache, or unquenchable thirst. The skin becomes unable to withstand wind and cold, leading to alternating chills and fever. Generally, when Yin Fire rushes upward, it causes rebellious breathing, wheezing, irritability, heat, headache, thirst, and a flooding pulse. Because Spleen and Stomach Qi flows downward, Grain Qi cannot ascend and float, meaning the command of Spring generation fails. Without Yang to protect Ying and Wei, the body cannot withstand wind and cold, thus generating chills and fever. All these conditions result from the insufficiency of Spleen and Stomach Qi.

However, these symptoms are similar yet fundamentally different from those caused by external contraction of wind and cold. Internal injury to the Spleen and Stomach damages Qi, whereas external contraction of wind and cold damages the Form (body structure). Injury to the exterior constitutes an Excess pattern (Shi), which should be treated with draining methods; injury to the interior constitutes a Deficiency pattern (Xu), which should be treated with tonifying methods. For internal deficiency diseases, if mistakenly diagnosed as external excess diseases and treated with draining methods, it results in further depletion of the already deficient state. This error of "tonifying excess and draining deficiency" leads to death, effectively constituting medical homicide. So, what should be done? One must use acrid, sweet, and warm formulas to tonify the Middle Jiao and raise Yang, and use sweet-cold herbs to clear the fire, thereby achieving recovery. The Classics state: "For exhaustion, use warmth; for loss, use warmth." It is also said: "Warmth can eliminate great heat." Bitter-cold medicines must be strictly avoided as they damage the Spleen and Stomach. Spleen and Stomach disorders initially present as Heat in the Middle (Re Zhong); here, we establish the treatment for these initial manifestations.