Dry fall

A disease pattern arising when a headed flat-abscess (jū) fails to suppurate and attributed to the failure of right qì to overcome the evil. In such patterns, the flat-abscess (jū) has a dark dull appearance and is associated with mild or distending pain. The base of the sore is flat and purple in color, and the head is dry and ulcerated. Other signs include heat effusion and slight aversion to cold, spontaneous sweating, lassitude of spirit, rapid vacuous pulse, and, in severe cases, cold of the limbs and a faint pulse.

Medicinal therapy: Treat by supplementing qì and nourishing the blood and by drawing toxin and outthrusting the evil, assisted by clearing the heart and quieting the spirit. Internal Expression Toxin-Dispersing Powder (托里消毒散 tuō lǐ xiāo dú sǎn) plus bovine bezoar (Bovis Calculus, 牛黄 niú huáng) and amber (Succinum, 琥珀 hǔ pò) is an appropriate formula.

Biomedical correspondence: toxemia.

See fall pattern; headed flat-abscess.