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Jaundice
'When the Gall [Bile] is obstructed it causes the Yellow Jaundice,
when the Spleen, the Black Jaundice'. (Salmon, Synopsis Medicinae, 1681)
when the Spleen, the Black Jaundice'. (Salmon, Synopsis Medicinae, 1681)
Jaundice has been divided into 'Yellow' and 'Black' in the Western trdition, and into 'Yin' and 'Yang' in TCM. These two differentiations are fairly similar. The Yellow or Yang type Jaundice is associated with Damp-Heat obstruction of the Liver and Gall Bladder, and is most typically seen. The skin and eyes and yellow, there is a red tongue with yellow coat and other signs of heat obstructing. General treatment involves clear Bile or Damp-Heat with Bitter medicines.
The Black or Yin type manifests with a darker complexion of a dusky yellowish complexion, no signs of Heat, loss of appetite and a heavy and melancholic nature, and is associated with Damp or Melancholy obstruction. In the Black Jaundice, the person gradually wastes as in a consumption. Avicenna said Black Jaundice can be caused by obstruction of weakness of the Spleen, excess Liver heat burning the Blood humor, or excessive coldness of the Liver. Primary treatment is to open the Spleen and purge Damp and Melancholy.
The Black or Yin type manifests with a darker complexion of a dusky yellowish complexion, no signs of Heat, loss of appetite and a heavy and melancholic nature, and is associated with Damp or Melancholy obstruction. In the Black Jaundice, the person gradually wastes as in a consumption. Avicenna said Black Jaundice can be caused by obstruction of weakness of the Spleen, excess Liver heat burning the Blood humor, or excessive coldness of the Liver. Primary treatment is to open the Spleen and purge Damp and Melancholy.