Formulary Studies Exam Essentials

Author: Chief Editor: Chen Rong et al
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1998-03-01
Features:
Fragment:
Bufa (Reinforcing Method) is a therapeutic approach that nourishes and replenishes the body's qi, blood, yin, and yang, and is applicable to one or several zang-fu organs, or to any one of qi, blood, yin, or yang, or to all being deficient. Xiaofa (Dissolving Method) is a method that promotes the dissolution of solid accumulations caused by the stagnation of qi, blood, food, phlegm, water, or parasites, gradually resolving them.
[Key Points Explanation]
1. What is the relationship between formulas and therapeutic methods?
Answer: Formulas are a part of the "theory, method, formula, and medicine" framework and are composed of herbs selected and combined based on syndrome differentiation and establishment of treatment methods. Therefore, therapeutic methods are the guiding principles for selecting and combining herbs, while formulas are the primary means to embody and achieve therapeutic methods. "Formulas derive from methods, and methods are established based on syndromes," highlighting that the relationship between formulas and therapeutic methods is mutually supportive and inseparable.
2. Both Xiaofa and Xiaofa can treat accumulated solid pathogens, but how do they differ in clinical application?
Answer: Xiaofa is used for conditions with urgent and severe symptoms, where the syndrome is predominantly (excess) and the pathogen is located between zang-fu organs, requiring rapid elimination and expulsion through lower orifices. Xiaofa is primarily used for conditions where the pathogen is deeply entrenched in zang-fu organs, meridians, or muscles, with slower progression and often mixed patterns of excess and deficiency. In particular, solid masses formed by the accumulation of qi and blood cannot be rapidly resolved and must be gradually dissolved. Xiaofa is often combined with Xiaofa, but the primary goal remains dissolution.
[Basic Training]
I. Fill-in-the-Blanks
1. Therapeutic methods are the guiding principles for selecting and combining herbs, while formulas are the primary means to achieve therapeutic methods.
2. The commonly used "Eight Therapeutic Methods" in treatment methods are:
3. The occurrence of cold syndromes is often accompanied by both (external cold) and (internal cold), hence Wenfā (Warming Method) is frequently combined with Bufā (Reinforcing Method).
4. In the later stages of warm diseases, when heat consumes yin or prolonged illness leads to internal heat hidden due to yin deficiency, both Wenfā (Warming Method) and Xiaofā (Dissolving Method) should be used, avoiding the sole use of bitter and cold herbs for direct suppression.
II. True or False
1. The purpose of Hanfā (Sweating Method) is to induce sweating. ( )
2. Formulas for treating yin deficiency with internal heat often combine Bufā (Reinforcing Method) and Qingfā (Clearing Method). ( )
3. For certain conditions where residual pathogens remain after sweating, vomiting, purgation, or spontaneous vomiting and diarrhea, mild or potent herbs should be administered in small doses to eliminate residual pathogens without excessively harming the body. This is also referred to as Héfā (Harmonizing Method) in the Treatise on Cold Damage. ( )
4. For complex conditions, it is often inappropriate to combine two or more therapeutic methods. ( )
III. Multiple Choice
1. The earliest medical text to discuss the "Eight Therapeutic Methods" is:
A. The Fifty-two Disease Formulas
B. The Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon
C. Collected Formulas for Medicine
D. The Heart of Medical Insight
2. The physician who summarized the "Eight Therapeutic Methods in Medicine" is:
A. Xu Zhichai
B. Cheng Zhongling
C. Zhang Jingyue
D. Cheng Wujih
3. Xiaofā (Purgation Method) is not suitable for:
A. Edema and abdominal distension
B. Superficial syndrome with internal excess
C. Spleen deficiency with abdominal fullness
D. Cold accumulation with internal excess
4. Which formula does not belong to Xiaofā (Dissolving Method)?
A. Pingwei San (Poria and Gentian Decoction)
B. Wenchan Tang (Warming Earth Decoction)
C. Qingshu Yiqi Tang (Clearing Summer and Restoring Qi Decoction)
D. Buyang Huanshi Tang (Restoring Yang and Moving Blood Decoction)
5. Which condition does not fall within the scope of Hanfā (Sweating Method) treatment?
A. Initial stage of measles with hidden rashes
B. Edema with severe swelling above the waist
C. Initial stage of sores with chills and fever
D. Cold damage with unresolved residual pathogens after sweating