Acute fright wind

Febrile disease in infants and children characterized by clenched jaw and by convulsions of the limbs. The appearance of clenched jaw and convulsions in high fever with vexation and agitation, red face and limbs, and hasty breathing due to phlegm congestion marks the development of an acute fright wind pattern. Clenched jaw is the first fright wind sign to appear. This is often followed by convulsions of the limbs, and in more severe cases by rigidity of the nape and neck or arched-back rigidity (opisthotonos) with clouded spirit. Spasm may come in intermittent bouts. Fright wind is a manifestation of extreme heat engendering wind, occurring when intense internal heat is depressed and blocked by externally contracted wind (see block pattern) and exacerbated by congealing phlegm and stagnant qì. See fright wind. Compare child visiting hostility.

Medicinal therapy: Acupuncture or acupressure is the best emergency treatment. Subsequent treatment involves settling the liver and extinguishing wind, clearing the heart and flushing phlegm, using Fright-Disinhibiting Pill (利惊丸 lì jīng wán), Green-Blue–Draining Pill (泻青丸 xiè qīng wán), or Dragon-Embracing Pill (抱龙丸 bào lóng wán).

Acumoxatherapy: For emergency treatment, do not stretch contracted limbs; apply finger pressure at GV-26 (Human Center, 人中 rén zhōng) at the philtrum and LI-4 (Union Valley, 合谷 hé gǔ) or at Hall of Impression (印堂 yìn táng) and KI-1 (Gushing Spring, 湧泉 yǒng quán). If needles are available, base emergency treatment on GV and LR. Select GV-26 (Water Trough, 水沟 shuǐ gōu), GV-14 (Great Hammer, 大椎 dà zhuī), LI-4 (Union Valley, 合谷 hé gǔ), LR-3 (Supreme Surge, 太冲 tài chōng), and GB-34 (Yáng Mound Spring, 阳陵泉 yáng líng quán) as main points; needle with drainage and prick the Ten Diffusing Points (十宣 shí xuān) to bleed. Further points may be selected according to cause: For external contractions, add LI-11 (Pool at the Bend, 曲池 qū chí). For phlegm-heat, add CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct, 中脘 zhōng wǎn), ST-40 (Bountiful Bulge, 丰隆 fēng lóng), and HT-7 (Spirit Gate, 神门 shén mén). For fright and fear, add Hall of Impression (印堂 yìn táng), HT-7 (Spirit Gate, 神门 shén mén), and KI-1 (Gushing Spring, 湧泉 yǒng quán).