Cold dysentery

Dysentery attributed to damage to spleen yáng by congealing stagnation of cold qì after excessive consumption of raw, cold, or unclean foods in hot weather. The stool is largely pure white (i.e., a high content of pus-like substance) or white with a little red (blood), and either thin in consistency with a fishy smell or gluey. The pulse is slow and the tongue fur is white.

Medicinal therapy: Use Center-Rectifying Decoction (理中汤 lǐ zhōng tāng) plus chebule (Chebulae Fructus, 诃子 hē zǐ), nutmeg (Myristicae Semen, 肉豆蔻 ròu dòu kòu), costusroot (Aucklandiae Radix, 木香 mù xiāng), and amomum (Amomi Fructus, 砂仁 shā rén). If the stool has the appearance of duck’s droppings, and the sagging sensation in the abdomen is not pronounced, it can be treated with Priceless Qì-Righting Powder (不换金正气散 bù huàn jīn zhèng qì sǎn) plus mume (Mume Fructus, 乌梅 wū méi), and tangerine peel (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, 陈皮 chén pí). If the stool is clear (i.e., clean) and the limbs are cold Center-Rectifying Decoction (理中汤 lǐ zhōng tāng) or Ginger and Aconite Decoction (姜附汤 jiāng fù tāng) may be used.

Acumoxatherapy: Base treatment on ST, LI, and CV, select 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), CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct, 中脘 zhōng wǎn), and CV-6 (Sea of Qì, 气海 qì hǎi) and needle with drainage with moxa.

Point selection according to sign: For stool bearing the appearance of duck’s droppings, add ST-36 (Leg Three Lǐ, 足三里 zú sān lǐ) and SP-4 (Yellow Emperor, 公孙 gōng sūn). For cold limbs and clear stool, add BL-20 (Spleen Transport, 脾俞 pí shù) and BL-23 (Kidney Transport, 肾俞 shèn shù), applying moxa in large amounts. For persistent conditions needle with supplementation with moxa at ST-36 (Leg Three Lǐ, 足三里 zú sān lǐ), CV-4 (Pass Head, 关元 guān yuán), and BL-20 (Spleen Transport, 脾俞 pí shù).