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Differentiation of syndromes according to the theory of wei ( defense ) , qi ( vital energy ) , ying ( nutrient ) and xue ( blood ) .This method of differentiation of syndromes employs the theory of qi and blood with flexibility in the analysis of acute febrile diseases. Acute febrile diseases often occur when body resistance is weak and there is invasion of the human body by febrile pathogen or pestilential factors. They are characterized by abrupt onset of symptoms and are liable to injure yin and undergo frequent changes. In the Qing Dynasty, Ye Tianshi attributed the occurrence of febrile diseases to the dysfunction of the wei, qi, ying and xue systems. Basically, he utilized the theory of wei, qi, ying and xue to analyse pathogenesis and differentiate syndromes, to identify the transmission and transformation of febrile diseases, and thus to determine treatment. Wei, qi, ying and xue not only generalize the pathological manifestations of febrile diseases, but also represent four different stages of pathological development in terms of the depth and severity of disease. The most superficial is the wei stage ; the next in depth is the qi stage ; deeper still is the ying stage, and the xue stage occurs when the disease lies deepest. Diseases of the wei and qi stages are mild and superficial, whilst diseases of the ying and xue stages are deep and severe. |
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