Syndrome differentiation and treatment
Clinically, the case is mainly classified into the syndromes of pathogenic dryness-heat of lung meridian, deficiency of lung yin and asthenia of both the lung and spleen. The principle of treatment should focus on the lung because it is the crucial organ involved in this disease. At the beginning of the disease, the treatment method is to purge lung heat to promote the circulation of qi while, in the repeated and lingering cases without recovery, the treatment method is mainly to nourish the lung and spleen to reduce deficient fire and restore the normal function of the lung.
1. Syndrome of Pathogenic Dryness-heat of Lung Meridian
Main Symptoms and Signs: Astringing pain, photophobia, dacryorrhea with profuse secretion, protrusion of phlyctenular granules surrounded by congested capillaries on the bulbar conjunctiva, dryness in the mouth and throat, cough with scanty sputum, constipation and brownish urine; reddish tongue with thin yellowish coating and rapid pulse.
Therapeutic Methods: Removing lung heat and resolving mass.
2. Syndrome of Deficiency of Lung Yin
Main Symptoms and Signs: Slight pain with a faint astringing sensation, a few tears and secretion, small granules of the bulbar conjunctiva with light red capillaries around, lingering and repeated history, dryness in the mouth and throat, dry cough, feverish sensation in chest, palms and soles; red tongue with thin coating and rapid pulse .
Therapeutic Methods: Nourishing yin, moistening the lung and dissipating stagnation.
3. Syndrome of Asthenia of Both Lung and Spleen
Main Symptoms and Signs: Slight astringing and uncomfortable sensation in the eye, repeated occurrence of bulbar conjunctiva nodules surrounded by mild capillaries, mental tiredness and fatigue, shortness of breath and no desire to speak, anorexia, cough with sputum, abdominal distension, loose stool or constipation; whitish tongue with thin coating and weak-thready pulse.
Therapeutic Methods: Nourishing the spleen and benefiting the lung.