4. On Visceral Pathogenesis

4. On Visceral Pathogenesis

In terms of visceral pathogenesis, Tang Zonghai, based on his own clinical experience, made a series of correct elucidations, some of which are of great significance for enriching and developing traditional Chinese medicine. For example, regarding the heart, he stated: "The heart is a fire organ that illuminates all things, thus governing the mind and spirit. The mind and spirit are intangible, existing only as the fire energy within the heart." This links the function of "mind and spirit" with the "fire energy within the heart," and clarifies that this "fire energy" is "intangible yet real," thereby making the concept of "mind and spirit" more precise and, to some extent, dispelling idealistic interpretations of "mind and spirit." Regarding the liver, he connects the liver's function of regulating qi and ensuring smooth circulation of blood throughout the body with the phenomenon of liver qi stagnation turning into fire and blood heat running rampant. This further clarifies the relationship between the liver and blood syndromes, providing an effective approach for differential diagnosis and treatment of blood syndromes. When discussing the spleen and stomach, he said: "The stomach earth absorbs dry substances, while the spleen earth transforms wet substances into qi. If the spleen qi is not distributed, the stomach becomes dry and unable to digest food, leading to poor appetite and inability to metabolize food—just like a pot without water cannot cook anything." This provides an appropriate description of the mutual relationship between the spleen and stomach, making the clinical significance of nourishing spleen yin clearer.

---

III. Tang Zonghai's Insights on the Treatment of Blood Syndromes

The treatment of blood syndromes is the focus of this book. Through long-term clinical practice, the author has accumulated extremely rich experience in this area, enriching and systematizing the content of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of blood syndromes.