Syndrome differentiation and treatment
The therapeutic principles of hydrocephalus centre upon tonifying the kidney to promote water metabolism, tonifying marrow and the brain. Based on the differences of wind, water and dampness, phlegm and blood stasis, the therapeutic methods may be respectively adopted of strengthening the spleen to promote water metabolism, resolving phlegm and descending qi, calming the liver to stop endogenous wind, clearing away heat and removing toxin, promoting blood circulation to remove blood stasis, etc. Simultaneously, other methods may be cooperatively applied to increase therapeutic effects such as external application of drugs, acupuncture and moxibustion and Chinese massage.

1. Deficiency of the kidney qi
 Main symptoms and signs: Marked enlargement of skull, widened fontanel with separation of sutures, sluggish expression, dimness in the eyes, dropping eyeballs like "the setting sun", large anteverted head with thin neck, strabismus, vomiting and convulsion in severe cases, whitish complexion, poor appetite, loose stools, pale tongue with a little fur, weak pulse and bluish superficial venule of index finger.
Therapeutic method: Tonifying  the kidney and marrow.

2. Hyperactivity of the liver due to asthenia of the kidney
Main symptoms and signs: Separation of skull sutures, large and wide anterior fontanel, dropping eyeballs with more white than black, brightless eyes, dry mouth, dysphoria, feverish palms and soles, muscular twitching and cramp, occasional scream, red tongue, deep, thready and rapid pulse and purplish superficial venule of index finger.
Therapeutic methods: Nourishing the kidney yin, calming the liver yang to stop wind.

3. Water retention due to asthenia of the spleen
Main symptoms and signs: Wide and large fontanel, separation of fontanel sutures, whitish complexion, lassitude, poor appetite, loose stools, epigastric and abdominal distension, pale tongue with whitish and thin or whitish and greasy fur, thready and weak pulse and light red superficial venule of index finger.
Therapeutic method: Warming the spleen to promote water metabolism.

4. Stagnation of preponderant heat and toxin
Main symptoms and signs: Gradual enlargement of skull, prominent and distending fontanel, closure of fontanel sutures with recurrent separation, dropping eyes, fever, short breath, dysphoria with cry and tantrum, flushed complexion with red lips or strabismus, spasm of limbs, dark and scanty and deep yellow urine, constipation, red tongue with yellowish fur, taut and rapid pulse, purple and sluggish superficial venule of index finger.
Therapeutic methods: Clearing away heat and removing toxin, removing blood stasis and dredging collaterals.