Intermittent dysentery

From The Origin and Indicators of Disease (诸病源候论 zhū bìng yuán hòu lùn). Dysentery that goes on for months and years, continually starting and stopping; hence the name. Intermittent dysentery usually arises from inappropriate treatment or stems from such factors as qì-blood vacuity or insufficiency of the spleen and kidney, causing right vacuity and lingering evil, whereby damp-heat lies latent in the stomach and intestines. During periods of remission, the only signs that remain are lassitude of spirit and lack of strength, poor appetite, emaciation, and lack of warmth in the extremities.

Episodes

Medicinal therapy: Treat by clearing heat and transforming dampness; if necessary, complement with supplementing qì and blood or warming the spleen and kidney. Use formulas such as Costusroot and Coptis Pill (香连丸 xiāng lián wán) or Carriage-Halting Pill (驻车丸 zhù chē wán) and variations.

Acumoxatherapy: Base treatment on ST and LI. Needle with drainage at LI-4 (Union Valley, 合谷 hé gǔ), ST-25 (Celestial Pivot, 天枢 tiān shū), ST-37 (Upper Great Hollow, 上巨虚 shàng jù xū), and ST-44 (Inner Court, 内庭 nèi tíng), and with supplementation at BL-20 (Spleen Transport, 脾俞 pí shù), BL-21 (Stomach Transport, 胃俞 wèi shù), and CV-4 (Pass Head, 关元 guān yuán).

Remission

Medicinal therapy: Fortify the spleen and stomach; supplement qì and blood. Use Center-Supplementing Qì-Boosting Decoction (补中益气汤 bǔ zhōng yì qì tāng) or Eight-Gem Decoction (八珍汤 bā zhēn tāng) and variations. For kidney vacuity, use Four Spirits Pill (四神丸 sì shén wán).

Acumoxatherapy: Base treatment on CV, ST, and back transport points. Select CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct, 中脘 zhōng wǎn), CV-4 (Pass Head, 关元 guān yuán), ST-36 (Leg Three Lǐ, 足三里 zú sān lǐ), LR-13 (Camphorwood Gate, 章门 zhāng mén), BL-20 (Spleen Transport, 脾俞 pí shù), and BL-21 (Stomach Transport, 胃俞 wèi shù). Needle with supplementation and add moxa. For kidney vacuity, add BL-23 (Kidney Transport, 肾俞 shèn shù), KI-3 (Great Ravine, 太溪 tài xī), and GV-4 (Life Gate, 命门 mìng mén).

See dysentery.