Vomitus

The contents of the stomach expelled through the act of vomiting. Vomitus containing phlegm and water indicates stomach phlegm-rheum, and generally forms part of a cold pattern. Vomitus containing food without sour taste or malodor indicates vacuity cold or invasion of the stomach by liver qì. Vomitus with a sour taste and malodor indicates food accumulation, stomach heat, or liver-gallbladder damp-heat. Bitter, yellow vomitus generally indicates liver-gallbladder damp-heat. Vomiting of purplish black blood can only be diagnosed by taking account of other signs. See vomiting (and retching).