Acute, Epidemic and Infectious Diseases

Due to the fact that the TCM system of Acute and Infectious Diseases (Wen-Re Bing) is so well organised, we will give special attention here. TCM regards acute diseases as an attack from an external pathogen, usually Heat or Cold, which is moved into the body by Wind; therefore, Wind-Heat or Wind-Cold. In the beginning, the surface of the body is attacked, there is an aversion to Wind and Cold or Heat. The body surface aches, there maybe mild fever and chills, and light sweating. The Throat will be itchy and the pulse is superficial (felt on the surface but not down deep).
As the pathogen penetrates, symptoms are more severe. Sore Throat, Cough, Headache and Fever. This is seen in Colds, Flus, and the beginning stages of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections. If the pathogen penetrates deeper, High Fever, Convulsions, Bleeding and Rashes may occur. At this stage, the pathogen has penetrated the Blood level. This may be seen in Pneumonia, Measles, Meningitis etc.

Cold, Influenza, Acute Fever, Beginning of Infectious Diseases

Because the beginning of External Diseases is initiated by Wind, these are classed as Acute Wind diseases in TCM and is divided into 2 broad categories, Wind-Heat and Wind-Cold. Both types may have fever, headache, body aches, sore throat etc. Differentiation:

1. Wind-Cold: aversion to cold (prefers warmth), runny nose with clear mucus, pale face, clear urine
2. Wind-Heat: aversion to heat, yellow mucus, red, swollen, sore throat, higher fever, red face, fast pulse, irritable or restless, high colored urine.

In all Traditions, acute diseases are “thrown off” by sweat-promoting medicines. Any method that promotes sweating is useful at the beginning of an acute disease.

To Treat Infection

Simples

Compounds

Meningitis & Encephalitis

Simples

Formulas

Acute Gastroenteritis

To Protect the Heart in Fever

Common to both Western and Chinese Medicine is the concept of the Heart being attacked by Epidemic Poison, as well as other types of Poison if they penetrate deeply into the body. This may lead to high fever, delirium, loss of consciousness and other serious symptoms.

Therefore, it was common to use medicines to protect the Heart in Fevers. Sometimes small silk bags with precious stones were worn over the Heart.

Special Formulas

PLAGUE WATER
    Rosemary
    Celandine
    Sage
    Balm
    Mugwort
    Rue
    Wormwood
    Scabious
    Dragons
    Pimpernel
    Angelica
    Betony                     equal parts
Put in a large pot, cover with White wine, leaves for 3 days then distil.
At the first signs of infection give 10 spoonfuls blood-warm, fasting one hour after and walking if possible. Taken before sleep is good too.
This, and many similar, were regarded as useful if taken as early as possible after infection.