A disease characterized by brief episodes (fits) of temporary loss of spirit, white complexion, fixity of the eyes, or sudden clouding collapse, foaming at the mouth, upward-staring eyes, clenched jaw, and convulsions of the limbs, and in some cases, squealing like a goat or pig. After an episode, the patient experiences fatigue and then returns to normal. Epilepsy is attributed to fear and fright or emotional imbalance, dietary intemperance, causing taxation damage to the liver, spleen, and kidney channels and causing wind-phlegm to be carried upward by qì. The congenital aspect of the disease was understood early since in The Inner Classic (内经 nèi jīng) it is also referred to as fetal diseasetāi bìng.
Medicinal therapy: Epilepsy is usually a repletion pattern, but repeated episodes can lead to vacuity of right. Treatment at the time of episodes takes the form of sweeping phlegm and diffusing the orifices, extinguishing wind and settling epilepsy, using formulas such as Fit-Settling Pill (定痫丸dìng xián wán). Treatment between episode (remission period) takes the form of supplementing the spleen and kidney, using Four Gentlemen Decoction (四君子汤sì jūn zǐ tāng), Major Origin-Supplementing Brew (大补元煎dà bǔ yuán jiān), or Placenta Pill (河车丸hé chē wán).