Library

Chou (convulsion) refers to the spasm and contraction of tendons and vessels. Chi Zong (spasm and relaxation alternating) refers to the flaccidity and relaxation of tendons and vessels. Commonly known as "Chu" in folk medicine. After vomiting and diarrhea in infants, the Spleen and Stomach are damaged and depleted, body fluids are consumed and scattered; thus, the tendons become tight and convulse, which is classified as Slow Convulsion (Man Jing). Laypeople do not understand that "Wind" here is a manifestation of deficiency; mistakenly treating it as an excess syndrome, they administer wind-dispelling medicines such as Niuhuang Wan (Calculus Bovis Pill) or Baolong Wan, leading to premature death, a number too great to count. Generally speaking, after excessive sweating, blood loss, postpartum state, or ulceration of carbuncles and sores, Qi, Blood, and Body Fluids are excessively injured and cannot nourish the tendons, resulting in this condition. It is similar to Jin Ti Rou Run (tendinous twitching and muscle tremors) and Chan Zhen (trembling and shaking). Treatment should differentiate the slackness or urgency of Qi and Blood, and employ tonification and nourishment concurrently to preserve life. If moxibustion is recklessly applied, or diaphoretic formulas are drunk, death will follow swiftly.

The syndrome of Chou mostly involves the Heart, Spleen, and Liver meridians. If there is spontaneous sweating, shortness of breath, and a rapid pulse that becomes smaller upon deep palpation, this indicates Heart Qi Deficiency. Chen Sha Miao Xiang San (Cinnabar Wonderful Fragrance Powder) may be used. If there is abundant Qi, mental confusion, tendon spasms, and a full, large pulse, this indicates Exuberant Heart Fire. Dao Chi San (Guide Out the Red Powder) with added Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix), Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Shan Zhi (Gardeniae Fructus), Fu Shen (Poria Cum Radix), and Xi Jiao (Rhinocerotis Cornu) may be used. If there is physical fatigue, mental confusion, muteness, a slow pulse, and cool limbs, this is Wind generated by Spleen Deficiency. Gui Pi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction) with added Gou Teng (Uncariae Ramulus cum Uncis) and Qiang Huo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix) may be used. If there are alternating chills and fever, upward gaze, head shaking, and a string-tight, urgent pulse, this is Wind generated by Liver Heat. Jia Wei Xiao Yao San (Modified Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) with added Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) may be used. If Heat damages Yuan Qi, causing four-limb fatigue, numbness in fingers, and frequent convulsions, Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) without Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), but with added Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) and Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus) may be used. For convulsions caused by Summer-Heat Wind, resembling infantile convulsion, due to prior Summer-Heat injury where pores open and Wind enters, Ju Fang Xiang Ru Yin (Prescription Bureau Elsholtzia Decoction) with added Qiang Huo, Fang Feng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Xi Xin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma), and Bai Shao may be used. For Wind-Deficiency causing dizziness and confusion, unawareness of surroundings, hand-foot convulsions, mouth and eye deviation/twitching, thirst or spontaneous sweating, Xu Ming Zhu San (Continuing Life Boiled Powder) may be used. For excessive pus from carbuncles/sores, excessive bleeding from metal wounds, or following hematemesis, epistaxis, or lower GI bleeding, or when weak individuals are erroneously treated with sweating or purging methods leading to Qi, Blood, and Body Fluid depletion causing this condition, a large dose of Bao Yuan Tang (Protect the Origin Decoction) with added Chuan Xiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), and Gou Teng may be used to simultaneously tonify Yin Blood, thereby naturally retreating Yang Fire. If ineffective, Liu Jun Zi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) with added Chuan Xiong, Dang Gui, and Gou Teng may be used to tonify Spleen Earth. Thus, after infantile vomiting and diarrhea, Spleen-Stomach depletion often leads to this condition, which is a deficiency manifestation. There is no real Wind to dispel nor real Phlegm to resolve; urgently tonifying Spleen Earth is required. If Yang Qi collapses and sinks, Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang with added Gan Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) and Rou Gui (Cinnamomi Cortex) may be used. If Yang Qi is deficient and failing, Shi Quan Da Bu Tang (Comprehensive Great Tonifying Decoction) with added Gan Jiang and Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata) may be used. Some cases can be saved. However, tendon convulsions and trembling, aversion to cold in limbs, and faint, fine pulses are known by all to be deficiency; this is the true manifestation. Conversely, a large but forceless pulse, fever, irritability, and thirst are false manifestations. One must only secure the Root. If there is forceless convulsion, Dai Yan (eyes fixed upward), Fan Zhe (opisthotonos), and sweat like pearls, these are untreatable. Postpartum excessive loss of Yin Blood often results in convulsions; see the Women's Diseases section for details.

[Diagnosis] The pulse in convulsion: if empty, minute, slow, and weak, it is treatable. If wiry, urgent, and rapid, it is difficult to cure. In acute diseases, its appearance indicates Wind-Phlegm and Liver Fire invading the meridians. Even in chronic diseases, its appearance signals Phlegm-Fire taking advantage of deficiency to run rampant. For new diseases, if the pulse is full, large, rapid, and solid, searching out and cleansing Wind-Phlegm is the most crucial measure. For chronic diseases, incorporating searching/cleansing methods within tonification is necessary. If a chronic disease presents with a full/solid pulse, or an acute disease presents with an empty/minute pulse, there is no mechanism for treatment.