Principle syndrome

Angina is the principle syndrome caused by ischemic heart disease. The three variants are classic, Prinzmetal, and unstable. 

HIV is neuroinvasive, neurovirulent, but is not especially neurotrophic (Manji and Miller 2004). It can potentially affect all areas of the neuroaxis, either directly, producing distinct neurological syndromes, or indirectly, by causing immunodeficiency with resultant susceptibility to opportunistic infections. General principles... 

Malabsorption Syndrome, with Special Reference to the Effects of Wheat Gluten (Frazer), 5, 69 Mellituria, Nonglucose (Sidbury), 4, 29 Microbiological Assay Methods for Vitamins (Baker and Sobotka), 5, 173 Organic Acids in Blood and Urine (Nordmann and Nordmann), 4, 53 Paper Electrophoresis Principles and Techniques (Peeters), 2, 1 Paper Electrophoresis of Proteins and Protein-Bound Substances in Clinical Investigations (Owen), I, 238 Parathyroid Function and Hyperparathyroidism, Biochemical Aspects of (Nordin), 4, 275... 

Marfan syndrome is an excelient example of pleiotropy (choice E), but this principle refers to the fact that a single mutation can affect multiple aspects of the phenotype, so it would not explain the pattern observed in this pedigree. 

In the sections Associated disorders in western medicine, some disease names are mentioned. However, it should be borne in mind that a disease in western medicine may involve more than one syndrome in traditional Chinese medicine. As such, the diseases mentioned here are only intended to help the reader to understand the syndrome and to have some corresponding orientation in western medicine. The principles, methods and strategies introduced in each chapter of this book are abstracted from a large number of formulas, integrating the knowledge of single herbs, herbal combinations, syndrome differentiation, treatment methods and treatment sequence. They are the essential part of this book. 

Composing a formula is a process where several conditions must be fulfilled. First, one must make a clear syndrome differentiation, establish the treatment principles, select treatment methods and figure out the most suitable strategies. One should then follow the model of formula structure, selecting appropriate herbs to play specific roles in the formula and ensuring that treatment strategies are fully expressed. 

Following the treatment principle, which is established in accordance with the syndrome differentiation, a formula can be composed. A formula is neither a group of herbs that treat all symptoms nor a combination that only treats the main syndrome. It has a structure where herbs are organized in order to meet the needs of the treatment. The structure of a formula contains four parts, namely the chief, the deputy, the assistant(s) and the envoy. Each of these has specific functions in the formula. 

Next, an appropriate treatment principle to treat the presenting syndrome is established. For example, to treat an excess heat syndrome in the Lung, the treatment principle is to reduce the heat, nourish the Yin, regulate the Lung-Qi and, at a later stage, strengthen the Lung-Qi. 

As soon as a treatment principle is established, the composition plan and treatment strategies can be arranged. For instance, to treat the syndrome of excess heat in the Lung and Stomach, one would first prescribe herbs that have sweet-cold, bitter-cold or salty-cold properties, and which have the functions of clearing heat and reducing fire in the Lung and Stomach. Second, herbs that are sweet and cold and that can nourish body fluids and protect the Yin, which has been severely consumed by the excess heat, should be selected. Herbs that can tonify the Qi should be selected if the Qi is weakened severely by the heat. Herbs that moderate the actions of the harsh herbs in the formula, and reduce their side effects, should also be added. 

Herbal pills, tablets or capsules should generally be taken with warm water. However, an exception is made to these two principles if the patient suffers from an excess heat syndrome in which the heat is so strong that it is impossible to accept any warm drinks. In this case, since the administration of warm fluids may cause vomiting, herbal medicines can be taken cool. 

Formulas that drain downwards are, in principle, not suitable for patients who suffer from exterior syndromes. It is better first to treat the exterior condition and then to drain downwards. Otherwise, the treatment may lead the exogenous factors into the deeper regions of the body. 

This chapter introduces the principles, methods and strategies for the composition of formulas that stimulate the Qi in the superficial region, expel the exogenous pathogenic factors, and treat the exterior syndrome and other disorders that appear in this pathological process. 

This syndrome is the initial stage of a warm-febrile disease and is equal to exterior wind-heat syndrome in Eight Principle Differentiation. The pathogenic factors are wind and heat. Their pathway of invasion is the nose and throat to the Lung. The wind-heat disturbs the function of the Lung and its related regions, the superficial parts of the body. In the differentiation of warm-febrile diseases, the term Wei syndrome indicates that the pathogenic factor is at the Wei level. 

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