INFANTILE PARALYSIS TREATED BY ACUPUNCTURE

Qin Ningtai, Xie Xiliang.

(Xiangjen County Hospital, Shanx'i)

The traditional Chinese medicine considers that infantile paralysis belongs to the category of cripple. It results from wetness and heat, weakness of the stomach, imbalance of the meridians, and obstruction of the blood. The modern medicine regards it as an acute infectious disease caused by filterable virus, especially in infancy.

Our hospital has made use of the method of acupuncture on infantile paralysis and other paralysis since 1958. During this period we have treated 4967 infants and have got good results. According to 1581 of all the cases we have the effective rate as 98.7% and complete recovered rate 25.95%. (P<0.01).

Treatment of acute case:

For decrease of heat and wetness and invigoration of the circulation of blood, the following points were selected: Dazhui, Quchi, Zusanli etc. We take these to decrease the heat, to keep calm and to build up his resistance to disease. If the paralysis appears, with temperature is still and high feeling unwell, the neck is rigid or soft, with nervous maniacal excitation, take mainly acupuncture the following points: Fengfu, Dazhui, Taodao, Ming-men, Yaoyangguan etc. in order to prevent the paralysis from going on, and decrease heat and nerve. According to the place of paralysis, take the points with paralysis of musculi to improve the function of the extremities.

Treatment in the recovered period and the period of sequelae;

In this period the temperature was normal. Paralysis of arms and legs were obvious. So at the places of paralysis, the method of selecting points according to the course of the meridians was used. Each time usually 4-12 points were selected and the methods of acupuncture or moxibustion were applied. In general the treatment was given a day for the first three days, then every other day. The course of treatment was one month. After taking a rest for 20 days should be given again which would cause him overtired and influence its therapeutic effect.

Treatment of the disease should be earlier. In the acute period, the use of acupuncture should be either to prevent him from paralysis or to improve the recovery

Those patients who have a long history of disease, with muscular atrophy and joint deformity should have full confidence, and persistence on treatment for a long time in order to get good results.

The reinforcing method was usually used in treatment. The needle must be thin, and manipulate mildly. Selection of points should be concise in order to decrease unnecessary stimulation.

If the disease is with long duration, it is better to use the method of moxibustion. Treating the muscular atrophy, improve the blood circulation and raise the temperature are beneficial for the recovery of the tension of muscles.