Library

The medical classics state: "Tightness of the two Yin meridians leads to epilepsy and syncope." This refers to the counterflow of Shaoyin (Kidney) Qi ascending through the meridians, causing throat obstruction and aphonia, thereby triggering an epileptic seizure. The syndrome arises from deficiency and timidity of the Heart and Kidney, with Liver Wind stirring internally and Gallbladder Fire rebelling upwards. Phlegm-saliva surges and obstructs, blocking the meridians and collaterals of the Pericardium. The patient suddenly faints and falls, with twitching and pulling of the mouth and eyes, opisthotonos (backward arching of the back), convulsions of the hands and feet, and cries resembling animal sounds. Due to their similarities, they are classified into five types of epilepsy, corresponding internally to the Five Zang organs. Epilepsy is more common in children, though adults may also suffer from it. If left unregulated for a long time, it becomes a chronic, stubborn disease. Once triggered by rebellious Qi stirring wind, phlegm-saliva surges uncontrollably. If phlegm remains between the diaphragm, dizziness is mild and the patient does not fall; if phlegm overflows above the diaphragm, dizziness is severe and the patient collapses. One must wait for the Qi to return to normal and for the patient to vomit out frightful saliva and accumulated phlegm before recovery occurs. Internal treatment primarily focuses on clearing phlegm and fire.

Manual therapy procedures include: Dividing Yin and Yang (200 repetitions), pushing San Guan (Three Passages) (100 repetitions), retreating Liu Fu (Six Bowels) (100 repetitions), pushing Lung Meridian (100 repetitions), pushing and tonifying Pi Tu (Spleen Earth) (200 repetitions), Tian Men Ru Hu Kou (Heaven's Gate entering Tiger's Mouth) (80 repetitions), moving Ba Gua (Eight Trigrams) (100 repetitions), Chi Feng Yao Tou (Red Phoenix Shaking Head) (50 repetitions), An Xian Cuo Mo (Pressing Strings and Rubbing) (24 repetitions), pinching Wei Ling acupoint (24 repetitions), kneading Zhong Zhi (Middle Finger) (100 repetitions), pinching Zong Jin (General Tendon) (24 repetitions). Additionally, moxibustion is applied: seven moxa cones at Kunlun (BL60). Sweating and vomiting methods should be employed first. All pushing techniques use Ginger and Scallion Decoction as a medium. Use the method of guiding phlegm (see Volume 2, page 40), the method of unblocking meridians (see Volume 2, page 43), the method of opening closure (see Volume 2, page 39), and moxibustion. For daytime onset, moxa the Yang Qiao Mai (Yang Heel Vessel); for nighttime onset, moxa the Yin Qiao Mai (Yin Heel Vessel) (see Volume 2, page 26).

Commentary: Shi Wan stated that treating epilepsy should take tonifying the Kidney as the root and resolving phlegm as the branch. Its origin lies not outside the upward rushing of Long Lei (Dragon Thunder/Fire) from the Liver and Kidney. Dan Xi held that epilepsy is primarily caused by phlegm-heat, treated with Nan Xing (Arisaematis Rhizoma Preparatum), Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix), and Lian Zi (Coptidis Rhizoma). For those with excess heat, Liang Ge San (Cool the Diaphragm Powder) is used with added Chuan Lian Zi (Coptidis Rhizoma) and Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix). For those with excess phlegm, Dai Ren's San Sheng San (Three Holy Powders) is used to induce vomiting. For cases caused by fright, Dong Yuan's An Shen Wan (Calming the Spirit Pill) is used to pacify. In summary, epilepsy has Yin and Yang types. If preceded by body heat, convulsions, and frightful crying, with a floating and surging pulse, it is Yang Epilepsy; the disease is in the Fu organs and is easy to treat. If preceded by cold body, absence of convulsions or crying, with a deep and minute pulse, it is Yin Epilepsy; the disease is in the Zang organs and is difficult to treat. Staring blankly without blinking indicates an untreatable condition. Pulses that are deep, solid, wiry, rapid, or deficient and scattered are also untreatable. These are matters physicians must deeply understand. (Ti Li Zi)