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Consumption & Tuberculosis
Consumption is the classic Yin-deficient Heat disease. In traditional theory, long-term heat has damaged the Yin and is now burning the fluids and tissues of the body. The body slowly wastes, becomes emaciated, with Night Sweats and fevers in the Afternoons, a withered look, dull eyes and a parched mouth. This describes the Yin deficient Heat of TCM perfectly, and is also the cause of the Hectic Fever of the Western Tradition.
Treatment requires clearing the Deficient Heat while Nourishing the Yin. Acute and serious cases may require stronger medicines to attack Heat (anti-bacterial medicines), while Chronic cases with marked weakness require a focus on restoring Yin and nourishing the Body.
While TCM has specific herbs for clearing Deficient Heat, in practice Yin tonics with cooling medicines are often used. Medicines such as Pearls can be used to support the Yin while clearing Heat.
Treatment requires clearing the Deficient Heat while Nourishing the Yin. Acute and serious cases may require stronger medicines to attack Heat (anti-bacterial medicines), while Chronic cases with marked weakness require a focus on restoring Yin and nourishing the Body.
While TCM has specific herbs for clearing Deficient Heat, in practice Yin tonics with cooling medicines are often used. Medicines such as Pearls can be used to support the Yin while clearing Heat.
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Western Tradition
Phthisi conferunt–Consumption
1. Take a quart of Snails, break their shells and wash well in water. Then boil in half a gallon of Milk until boiled to half. Take half a pint every morning. (Natura exenterata, Philiatros, 1655) 2. Nothing was praised more than the Confection of Fox Testicles by classical writers. 3. Prepared Fox Lungs were also highly regarded. Sugar of Rose Infusion for Consumption Decoction of a Cock Pectoral Decoction Decoction of River Crayfish Decoction of Snails Decoction Against Lung Ulcers Syrup of Violet Syrup of Hyssop Syrup Against a Consumption Syrup of Snails Syrup of Poppy compound Syrup of Violet Compound Syrup of Sweet Pomegranate Syrup of Comfrey and Plantain (Boyles Syrup) Compound Syrup of Comfrey Gelatin of Deer Horn Lohoch of Fox Lungs Tincture of Honey Confection of Fox Testicles Tragacanth Cooling Powder (Diatragacanth Frigidum) Cooling Pearl Powder (Diamargariton Frigidum Nicolai) Powder for the Lungs (Wirtzung) Diathamaron Magna (Nicholas) Abbots Confect of Rose (Diarrhodon Abbatis) (Nicholas) Powder of Three Sandalwoods (Diatrionsantalum) Philonium Romanum (Nicholas) Troches of Camphor (Nicholas) Sugar Penids (Diapenidium) Electuary of Orchid (Diasatyrion) (Nicholas) A Sound and Experienced Electuary (Mesue) Sweet Almond Oil |
TCM Classification
Acute Stage-Heat and Phlegm
Beginning stages with Cough with yellow Phlegm, Fever and chills; rapid pulse Xiao Chai Hu Tang Qi and Yin Deficiency Fatigue, short of breath worse after little exertion, dry throat, thirst, cough, scanty sputum, spontaneous sweating. Pulse is weak, tongue is pale. Sheng Mai San Bu Fei Tang Jiu Xian San Yin Deficiency Dry cough, chest pain when coughing, tidal fever, Night Sweats, heat of the palms soles, dry skin, dry throat, insomnia, irritability; dry and red tongue, weak pulse. Bai He Gu Jin Tang Liu Wei Di Huang Wan Mai Wei Di Huang Wan Zuo Gui Wan Zuo Gui Yin Yin Deficient Fire As above with more heat symptoms; low grade Fever, stronger Night Sweats, insomnia, maybe blood in the sputum, emaciation; tongue is more red, maybe cracked, with a weak and rapid pulse. Liu Wei Di Huang Wan Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan Da Bu Yin Wan |
Sample formula
1. Oatmeal, 5 cloves of Garlic minced, Currants one handful. Boil in broth and take morning and evening. (Natura exenterata, Philatros, 1655)
2. Prepare a broth with a Rooster, China root, Raisins, Dates, shaved Deer horn, Maidenhair, Thyme, Violet
3. Dates, Raisins, Figs, Maidenhair, Coltsfoot, Aniseed, Coriander seed, decoct down to half
4. Fox Lungs prepared, Licorice, Aniseed, Fennel seed, Maidenhair (equal parts) powdered; prepare a sugar syrup until thick then add the powder to form an Electuary.
5. Syrups of Hyssop, of Coltsfoot, of Licorice (1 oz. each), Flowers of Sulphur (½ scruple)
1. Oatmeal, 5 cloves of Garlic minced, Currants one handful. Boil in broth and take morning and evening. (Natura exenterata, Philatros, 1655)
2. Prepare a broth with a Rooster, China root, Raisins, Dates, shaved Deer horn, Maidenhair, Thyme, Violet
3. Dates, Raisins, Figs, Maidenhair, Coltsfoot, Aniseed, Coriander seed, decoct down to half
4. Fox Lungs prepared, Licorice, Aniseed, Fennel seed, Maidenhair (equal parts) powdered; prepare a sugar syrup until thick then add the powder to form an Electuary.
5. Syrups of Hyssop, of Coltsfoot, of Licorice (1 oz. each), Flowers of Sulphur (½ scruple)