五脏六腑，皆有津液。若脏腑因虚实而生热者，热气在内，则津液竭少，故渴也。夫渴
数饮，其人必眩，背寒而呕者，因利虚故也。
诊其脉，心脉滑甚为善渴。其久病变，或发痈疽，或成水疾。
夫人渴病者，皆由脏腑不和，经络虚竭所为。故病虽瘥，血气未复，仍虚乏也。
渴利者，随饮小便故也。由少时服乳石，石热盛时，房室过度，致令肾气虚耗，下焦生
热，热则肾燥，燥则渴，然肾虚又不得传制水液，故随饮小便。以其病变，多发痈疽。以其
内热，小便利故也，小便利则津液竭，津液竭则经络涩，经络涩则荣卫不行，荣卫不行，则
热气留滞，故成痈疽脓。
渴利之病，随饮小便也。此谓服石药之人，房室过度，肾气虚耗故也。下焦生热，热则
肾燥，肾燥则渴。然肾虚又不能制水，故小便利。其渴利虽瘥，热犹未尽，发于皮肤，皮肤
先有风湿，湿热相搏，所以生疮。
内消病者，不渴而小便多是也。由少服五石，石热结于肾，内热之所作也。所以服石之
人，小便利者，石性归肾，肾得石则实，实则消水浆，故利。利多不得润养五脏，脏衰则生
诸病。由肾盛之时，不惜其气，恣意快情，致使虚耗，石热孤盛，则作消利，故不渴而小便
五脏六腑，都产生津液。如果脏腑因为虚证或实证而产生内热，热气蕴结在体内，就会导致津液枯竭减少，从而引起口渴。凡是口渴且频繁饮水的人，必然会出现头晕目眩；如果伴有背部发冷和呕吐症状，这是因为腹泻导致正气虚弱所致。
诊察脉象时，心脉滑利而有力（滑甚）的人，容易患严重口渴的病。这种病如果迁延日久发生病变，可能会引发痈疽（皮肤肌肉化脓性感染），或者形成水气病（水肿等水液代谢障碍疾病）。
大凡患有渴病的人，都是由于脏腑功能失调、经络气血极度虚弱所导致的。因此，即使病情暂时痊愈，气血尚未恢复，身体仍然处于虚弱乏力的状态。
所谓“渴利”，是指患者喝多少水就排多少小便。这是由于早年服用过石药（如五石散等矿物药），在石药热力旺盛之时，房事过度，导致肾气虚损耗竭，下焦产生内热。热盛则肾脏干燥，干燥则口渴；然而肾虚又无法控制和输布水液，所以喝进去的水直接变成小便排出。由于这种病变，患者容易并发痈疽。这是因为内部有热，小便频多，小便频多则津液枯竭，津液枯竭则经络运行涩滞，经络涩滞则营卫之气不能正常运行，营卫不行则热气留滞积聚，最终形成痈疽脓疡。
在渴利病之后，营卫之气虚损，脏腑之气尚未调和，因此需要分别宣通畅达（调理气机）。
渴利的病症表现就是随饮随尿。这通常是指服用石药的人，因房事过度，导致肾气虚损耗竭。下焦产生内热，热盛则肾燥，肾燥则口渴。然而肾虚又不能制约水液，所以小便频多。即使渴利的症状暂时缓解，余热仍未清除，若邪热发于皮肤，加上皮肤原本就有风湿之邪，湿热相互搏结，所以会生出疮疡。
所谓“内消病”，是指不感到口渴但小便量多的病症。这是由于长期服用五石散，石药的燥热之邪结聚于肾脏，由内热所致。所以服用石药的人，小便频多，是因为石药的特性归于肾脏，肾脏受到石药影响变得“实”（指邪气盛而非正气足），“实”则消耗水浆，所以小便频多。小便过多则无法滋润滋养五脏，五脏衰败则产生各种疾病。如果在肾气尚盛的时候，不知爱惜精气，放纵情欲，致使肾气虚耗，石药的燥热之势孤立亢盛，就会引发消渴和小便频数，表现为不口渴但小便多。
The Five Zang and Six Fu organs all generate Jin-Ye (body fluids). If the Zang and Fu organs develop internal heat due to deficiency or excess patterns, the accumulation of heat within depletes and reduces the Jin-Ye, resulting in thirst. Individuals who are thirsty and drink frequently will inevitably experience dizziness; if accompanied by coldness in the back and vomiting, it is due to Qi deficiency caused by diarrhea.
Upon pulse diagnosis, a Heart pulse that is slippery and excessive (Hua Shen) indicates a predisposition to severe thirst. If this condition persists for a long time and evolves, it may manifest as carbuncles and sores (Yong Ju), or transform into water disorders (Shui Ji).
Generally, diseases of thirst arise from disharmony among the Zang and Fu organs and exhaustion of the meridians and collaterals. Therefore, even if the illness appears to have subsided, the Blood and Qi have not yet recovered, leaving the body still weak and deficient.
"Ke Li" (Thirst with Polyuria) refers to the condition where urine output matches fluid intake. This results from having taken mineral drugs (such as Wushi San) in the past, engaging in excessive sexual activity while the heat of these minerals was potent, thereby depleting Kidney Qi. This leads to heat generation in the Lower Jiao. Heat causes Kidney dryness, which induces thirst. However, due to Kidney deficiency, the ability to control and distribute fluids is impaired, causing ingested fluids to pass directly through as urine. Due to these pathological changes, carbuncles and sores often develop. The internal heat combined with frequent urination depletes Jin-Ye; depletion of Jin-Ye causes stagnation in the meridians; stagnation in the meridians impedes the circulation of Ying (Nutritive) and Wei (Defensive) Qi; when Ying and Wei Qi fail to circulate, heat lingers and accumulates, ultimately forming pus in carbuncles and sores.
After Ke Li disease, Ying and Wei Qi are damaged, and the Qi of the Zang and Fu organs is not yet harmonized; thus, each requires promotion of free flow and unblocking (Xuan Chang).
The symptom of Ke Li is drinking followed immediately by urination. This occurs in individuals who took mineral drugs and engaged in excessive sexual activity, leading to Kidney Qi depletion. Heat arises in the Lower Jiao, causing Kidney dryness and thirst. However, Kidney deficiency fails to regulate water, resulting in frequent urination. Even if the symptoms of Ke Li subside, residual heat remains. If this heat manifests on the skin, especially where wind-dampness already exists, damp-heat combats and combines, leading to the formation of sores.
Nei Xiao (Internal Consumption) is characterized by polyuria without thirst. It is caused by long-term consumption of Wushi San, where the heat of the minerals accumulates in the Kidneys, generating internal heat. In those who take mineral drugs, frequent urination occurs because the nature of the minerals directs them to the Kidneys. When the Kidneys are affected by these minerals, they become "excess" (in terms of pathogenic factor), which consumes fluids, leading to frequent urination. Excessive urination prevents the nourishment of the Five Zang organs; organ decline leads to various diseases. If one does not cherish their Jing-Qi during times of robust Kidney Qi and indulges in desires, causing depletion, the isolated and rampant heat of the minerals triggers Xiao (Consumption) and Li (Polyuria), resulting in no thirst but abundant urination.