Theory of yangming syndromes treated with cheng qi tang

Woodcut illustration from an edition of 1833 (13th year of Daoguang reign period of Qing dynasty). The image and text give an account of the principles of yangming syndromes treated with Qi Supporting Decoction (cheng qi tang), and the therapeutic effects of the individual ingredients of this remedy. Yangming fu-organ syndrome involves internal accumulation, leading to abdominal pain and distension with constipation; fire and heat cause the bodily fluids to overflow, making the patient sweat. Because the Qi of the yangming channel flourishes in the shenyou time period, tidal fever (chaore) appears at that time. The yangming channel connects with the eye, so firey Qi, rising upwards as steam, causes visual disturbances. As stomach fire ascends, it attacks and perturbs the spirit, causing confusion, delirium and raving. Thus Major or Minor Qi Supporting Decoction is used to flush out the intestine, purge away accumulated heat, and get rid of the various symptoms.

PICTURE TITLE: Illustration of yangming syndromes treated with Qi supporting decoction. OTHER LETTERING: Lung; heart; stomach; spleen; small intestine; large intestine; there is excess in the stomach and the spleen is under siege, so the abdomen is distended and painful; there is profuse sweating, the stomach is dry, the intestine is dry too; there is inevitably constipation, therefore sodium sulphate should be given; stomach fire rushes to the lungs, so there is difficulty in breathing; there is excess fire in the stomach, forcing heat to escape outwards; yangming flourishes in the shenyou time period, so tidal fever (chaore) appears at that time. The stomach governs the muscles; when firey Qi steams within, even the hands and feet sweat. The yangming channel runs to the eye, so when internal fire overflows, hot Qi obscures the eyes, so that the eyes cannot recognise things, the eyes are in disharmony; stomach fire suffocates the heart making it impossible to lie down; consciousness is clouded; [the patient] raves deliriously, and acts as though s/he were seeing ghosts.