Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs.
Chronic Bronchitis
This is usually the consequence of repeated bouts of acute bronchitis. It is more frequent in
smokers over 40.
The cough is productive of white, yellow or blood-flecked sputum.
From a Chinese perspective, this corresponds to either Damp-Phlegm or Phlegm-Heat in the
Lungs on a background of Spleen deficiency.
Whooping Cough
This occurs in children, mostly under 5. It starts like an ordinary cold with a cough. After a
week, the characteristic "whoop" appears. The cough comes in bouts which are worse at night
and are very distressing. The coughing bouts often end in vomiting. The child is flushed or
cyanosed and looks frightened.
Chinese medicine can alleviate the symptoms and shorten the course of this disease, but it
requires very many treatments given every day.
In the beginning stage it corresponds to invasion of Wind-Heat, in the middle stage to
Lung-Heat, and in the recovery stage to Stomach- and Lung-Yin deficiency possibly with some
residual Heat.
Pleurisy
This consists in inflammation of the pleura, usually occurring after an upper respiratory
infection. The cough is unproductive and distressingly painful. There is also chest pain and the
temperature is raised.
From the point of view of Chinese medicine it corresponds to Lung Phlegm-Heat at the Qi level.
Pneumonia
This consists in inflammation of the lung alveoli. It may begin abruptly with shivering, a
headache, a high temperature and breathlessness. The cough is short and unproductive at first. It
then develops scanty sputum which is viscid, rust-coloured and blood-flecked. Pneumonia is
nearly always accompanied by pleurisy which causes chest pain. The temperature is high, the
patient is flushed, the pulse and the breathing are rapid. There may also be moving of the alae