Clinical Experience in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Author: Shang Xianmin et al
Publisher:
Publishing Time: 1998-01-01
Features: IntroductionClinicalExperiences, the fifth volume in the series "Practical Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacology" joins with two others, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Formulae, in providing practical applications of Chinese medicine. As such, it will be most useful if the reader has a working knowledge of the theories and principles of traditional Chinese medicine and pharmacology as presented in the first volume of this series. An understanding of the physiology and pathology of the human body, disease etiology, diagnosis, and differentiation of symptom-complexes, including the theories of Yin-Yang, Five Elements, zang-ju, channels-collaterals, qi, blood, and body fluid, will enable one to make the most efficient use of the information contained here. The contents of this volume are arranged according to the characteristics and therapeutic methods of treating common diseases, both internal and external. Each section begins with a brief description of the disease. This is followed by a discussion of the disease's Etiology and Pathogenesis. The next section includes two parts: (a) Syndrome Differentiation, which identifies the characteristics of the disease; and (b) Therapeutic Principles, which outlines the recommended therapies for the various syndromes. The Classification and Treatment section which follows is most practical in that it includes detailed descriptions of the manifestations of each syndrome, the therapeutic principles involved, and the prescriptions recommended for treatment. These prescriptions list the Latin name of each component as well as the quantity required in the formula. In many cases, a Remarks section specifies slight alterations which can be made to the formula to make it more effective in treating a syndrome with unusual manifestations, and a section called Experimental Prescriptions lists additional formulae. The presentation of the material in this well-organized, step-by-step manner makes this volume especially useful for self-study. Finally, Clinical Experiences is unique. It brings together for the first time the clinical experiences of ancient practitioners as well as those of the finest doctors practicing throughout China today. Use of this volume, with its practical applications, will enable readers and users of this material to join in the long tradition of Chinese medicine and pharmacology and thus help promote the development and dissemination of this ancient art and science.
Excerpt:
Chapter 1 INTERNAL MEDICINE COMMON COLD
The common cold is a disorder with nasal obstruction and discharge, sneezing, headache, cough, fever, chilliness, and malaise as its chief manifestations. It usually occurs in winter and spring, but may also be seen throughout the year. Influenza is also grouped under this category in traditional Chinese medicine and treated according to the principles mentioned below.
Etiology and Pathogenesis
This disease is mainly due to the invasion of exogenous wind and usually occurs during a sudden change of weather with unexpected cold or warmth. Inappropriate clothing, being drenched by rain, and fatigue may decrease one's body resistance and predispose one to catch a cold. The pathogenic factors usually are different in the four seasons. For example, wind-cold is the factor in winter, wind-heat in spring, associated with summer-heat and dampness in summer, with dryness in autumn, and with dampness in the rainy season. Hence, according to the variations of the climate, the pathogenic factor and the patient's constitution, the disease may manifest as a wind-heat syndrome or a disorder associated with summer-heat or dampness syndrome, which may change or complicate each other during the course of this disease. However, no matter what kind of pathogenic factors are involved, they impair the descending and dispersing functions of the lungs, leading to the blockage of the sweat pores. In the case of a malady caused by seasonal pestilence, such as influenza, the general symptoms are remarkable and severe and may be complicated by other diseases.
Syndrome Differentiation and Therapeutic Principles
A. Syndrome differentiation
(a) When the pathogenic factor is located in the lungs and body surface, the disorder is usually attributed to superficial-thenia syndrome.
(b) To identify the nature of pathogenic factors, so as to distinguish the wind-cold syndrome, wind-heat syndrome, and complication of summer-heat syndrome and dampness syndrome.
B. Therapeutic principles
Eliminating wind, releasing stagnated lung-qi, and expelling superficialevils are the main therapeutic principles.
Classification and Treatment
A. Wind-cold syndrome
Manifestations: Severe chilliness with mild fever, anhidrosis, headache, soreness and pain of the limbs, nasal obstruction or discharge, itching of the throat, cough with thin sputum, no thirst or thirst with desire for hot drink, thin-white and moist tongue coating, and superficial or superficial-tense pulse.
Therapeutic principles: Expel superficialevils with drugs of acrid taste and warm nature, release the stagnated lung-qi, and dispel cold.
Prescription:
(1) The Modified Decoction of Allii Fistulosi and Sojae Praeparatum for mild cases
Bulbus Allii Fistulosi
Semen Sojae Praeparatum
Herba Schizonepetae
Radix Ledebouriellae
Folium Perillae
Semen Armeniacae Amarum