Motor-Neurone Disease
This is due to damage of motor neurones in the spinal cord or brain stem. It usually appears
between the ages of 50 and 70. The main symptoms and signs are weakness and wasting of the
muscles. In the bulbar type (when the motor neurones of medulla and pons are affected) the
speech is severely impaired and swallowing is difficult.
Multiple Sclerosis
This disease results in de-myelination of the myelin sheath. See chapter on Multiple Sclerosis
(Chapter 29).
Muscular Dystrophy
This causes progressive degeneration of the muscles without involvement of the nervous system.
The wasting and weakness are symmetrical and there is no sensory loss.
There are different types of this disease but all of them are genetic and they usually start within
the first three years of life.
Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can be very effective in treating the paralysis following an attack
of poliomyelitis but only if the treatment is given as early as possible after its onset. They are
also effective in treating multiple sclerosis (see Chapter 29). Less good results are obtained in
the treatment of myasthenia gravis and usually none at all in motor-neurone disease and
muscular dystrophy.
However, there are many cases of Atrophy Syndrome which do not correspond to any
recognized Western "disease". These cases can usually be helped quite well. For example, the
symptoms and signs of Atrophy Syndrome may appear after any febrile disease, not only
poliomyelitis. The following case history is an example of such a condition.
Case History 28.1
Atrophy Syndrome: Wind-Heat Invading the Lungs-Female, Age 52
A 52-year-old lady fell ill with a sudden viral infection. She had a high temperature, a very stiff
neck and a severe headache. Her symptoms resembled meningitis. After a week in which her
temperature remained constantly high, she developed extreme weakness of both arm and leg on
the left side. At times she could hardly walk. It was at this time that she sought treatment.
Diagnosis This was a very clear case of a Warm disease with invasion of
Wind-Heat turning into interior Heat which injured the Yin fluids. This