Hidden Evils & Chronic Infectious Diseases

November 9, 2005

I know some people on this list are interested in the concept of

hidden or deep-lying evils in relationship to chronic infectious( read

viral) diseases. So, in issue #9, 2005 of Zhong Yi Yan Jiu (Chinese

Medical Research), the lead article is titled exactly that: " On the

Treatment of Chronic Infectious Diseases Based on the Theory of Hidden

Evils. " However, before anyone gets too excited, there isn't a whole

lot new here. The author (born in 1972) goes over the origins of the

theory in the Nei Jing, Shang Han Lun, Nan Jing, and Wen Re Jing Shu.

Nothing new there. He then talks about the importance of strengthening

the body's righteous qi, meaning, practically speaking, the spleen and

kidneys. The last section of the article, however, is on dispelling

evils from the mo yuan or membrane source. In this case, he says it is

prohibited to either sweat or precipitate. Instead, one should

out-thrust the heat of damp warmth, open damp warm depression, and

effuse damp warmth from the exterior, and, to do exactly this, he

recommends three medicinals originally recommended by Wu You-ke: Bing

Lang, Hou Po, and Cao Guo. These three ingredients are found in Master

Wu's Da Yuan Yin (Reach/Extend the Membrane Beverage), Wiseman and

Feng's Open the Source Membrane Beverage) typically indicated for half

inside-half outside condition. Viz. Bensky & Barolet, p. 142-143. The

author quotes Master Wu's explanation of his formula. In this

explanation, Master Wu says that Bing Lang and Cao Guo " eliminate

hidden evils. " In the author's conclusion, he suggests that, in

attempting to treat chronic infectious diseases, one should try using

meds which supplement and boost the spleen, kidneys, essence, and qi

on top of which one can add the above three meds. Unfortunately, this

young doctor does not give any case histories showing that this

approach works, nor is this theoretical discussion part of an RCT.

Nevertheless, someone thought enough of the article to make it the

lead article in the issue.

Anyone want to run with this?

Bob

November 10, 2005

Bob,

An interesting article, indeed. In the past few years, I've

become interested in a similar prescription, San Ren Tang/Three

Kernel Decoction, in the use of damp-warmth conditions, which is

based around bai dou kou (instead of cao guo), xing ren, and yi yi

ren (the three kernels). And, yes, in some cases of chronic

infectious diseases, damp heat may need to be out-thrust from the mo

yuan/membrane source.

The problem with this approach to chronic infectious disease is

that it ignores the essential complexity of these diseases and their

transmutations over time. While a combination technique of

supplementation of kidney, spleen, essence and qi with out-thrusting

damp heat may be useful in certain circumstances, chronic diseases go

through many stages and require different approaches, whether it be

methods such as precipitation, or strategies such as supplementing

spleen and stomach, four aspect or six channel pattern differentiation.

In other words, the method championed by this author is limited

in scope, and he doesn't list any cases to illustrate his theory,

even though it has a reasonable theoretical foundation.

On Nov 9, 2005, at 11:58 AM, Bob Flaws wrote:

> I know some people on this list are interested in the concept of

> hidden or deep-lying evils in relationship to chronic infectious( read

> viral) diseases. So, in issue #9, 2005 of Zhong Yi Yan Jiu (Chinese

> Medical Research), the lead article is titled exactly that: " On the

> Treatment of Chronic Infectious Diseases Based on the Theory of Hidden

> Evils. " However, before anyone gets too excited, there isn't a whole

> lot new here. The author (born in 1972) goes over the origins of the

> theory in the Nei Jing, Shang Han Lun, Nan Jing, and Wen Re Jing Shu.

> Nothing new there. He then talks about the importance of strengthening

> the body's righteous qi, meaning, practically speaking, the spleen and

> kidneys. The last section of the article, however, is on dispelling

> evils from the mo yuan or membrane source. In this case, he says it is

> prohibited to either sweat or precipitate. Instead, one should

> out-thrust the heat of damp warmth, open damp warm depression, and

> effuse damp warmth from the exterior, and, to do exactly this, he

> recommends three medicinals originally recommended by Wu You-ke: Bing

> Lang, Hou Po, and Cao Guo. These three ingredients are found in Master

> Wu's Da Yuan Yin (Reach/Extend the Membrane Beverage), Wiseman and

> Feng's Open the Source Membrane Beverage) typically indicated for half

> inside-half outside condition. Viz. Bensky & Barolet, p. 142-143. The

> author quotes Master Wu's explanation of his formula. In this

> explanation, Master Wu says that Bing Lang and Cao Guo " eliminate

> hidden evils. " In the author's conclusion, he suggests that, in

> attempting to treat chronic infectious diseases, one should try using

> meds which supplement and boost the spleen, kidneys, essence, and qi

> on top of which one can add the above three meds. Unfortunately, this

> young doctor does not give any case histories showing that this

> approach works, nor is this theoretical discussion part of an RCT.

> Nevertheless, someone thought enough of the article to make it the

> lead article in the issue.

>

> Anyone want to run with this?

>

> Bob

>

November 10, 2005

Z'ev-

Could you explain what 'precipitation' is in more detail? I have not heard that

term before.

Thanks-Todd Larlee

<zrosenbe wrote: