IDENTIFICATION OF PATTERNS ACCORDING TO THE FOUR LEVELS

Chapter 104


imageIDENTIFICATION OF PATTERNS ACCORDING TO THE FOUR LEVELS




INTRODUCTION


The identification of patterns according to the Four Levels was devised by Ye Tian Shi in his book ‘A Study of Warm Diseases’ (Wen Bing Xue, 1746). The identification of patterns according to the Four Levels is clinically the most useful tool to interpret the pathology and establish the treatment of infectious diseases deriving from invasion of Wind-Heat. Examples of ‘Warm Diseases’ are influenza, measles, German measles, chickenpox, mononucleosis, mumps, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and meningitis. However, this method of identification of patterns can be used to diagnose and treat any invasion of Wind-Heat and its consequences, whether it is a ‘Warm Disease’ or not. For example, if a patient suffers an acute respiratory infection from invasion of Wind-Heat and subsequently develops a chest infection, the identification of patterns according to the Four Levels provides the perfect tool to diagnose and treat this problem. In this particular example, the initial stage of the acute respiratory infection corresponds to invasion of Wind-Heat at the Defensive-Qi level; when the disease progresses and the patient suffers from a chest infection, this corresponds to internal Heat at the Qi level and specifically the pattern of Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs.


Many warm diseases often manifest with a rash; examples of exanthematous (i.e. manifesting with rash) diseases are measles, German measles and chickenpox. One must distinguish between vesicles, papules and macules (see Table 104.6). Vesicles are blister-like spots filled with a clear fluid and they always indicate Dampness. Papules are red, solid spots; they generally indicate Heat at the Qi Level (and especially in the Lungs and Stomach). Macules are spots under the skin which, unlike vesicles and papules, cannot be felt on palpation; they always indicate Heat at the Nutritive-Qi or Blood level.




DEFENSIVE-QI LEVEL



Wind-Heat





Prescription


Yin Qiao San Lonicera-Forsythia Decoction


Sang Ju Yin Morus-Chrysanthemum Decoction.


Table 104.1 compares the manifestations of Wind-Heat with those of Wind-Cold (Six Stages).






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Apr 15, 2017 | Posted by in GENERAL & FAMILY MEDICINE | Comments Off on IDENTIFICATION OF PATTERNS ACCORDING TO THE FOUR LEVELS

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