For the treatment of this disease, the theory of Xiao-Chuan can be applied. Late-onset asthma is
characterized more often by Spleen deficiency manifesting with a Swollen tongue.

A New Theory of Asthma

Since, as we have seen, the theory of Xiao-Chuan is not adequate to diagnose and treat allergic
asthma (and eczema), we must attempt to develop a new theory of asthma in Chinese medicine.
It should be stressed here that the following is by no means a definitive new theory of asthma
and that it will need much refining and revising according to clinical experience.

This discussion will concentrate on the diagnosis and treatment of early-onset asthma, also called
extrinsic or atopic asthma. One of the reasons why the theory of Xiao-Chuan does not quite
apply to asthma is simply that atopic asthma probably did not exist in ancient China. Even in
modern times, it is relatively rare in China and the Far East and its incidence is far higher in
Western countries. The development of allergic asthma must obviously be related to Western
life-style as, in Chinese people who live in the West and adopt a Western life-style, the incidence
of allergic asthma is the same as for Westerners.9(116)

Aetiology and Pathology

Two main factors play a role in the pathogenesis of asthma: the first is a deficiency of both Lung
and Kidney's Defensive-Qi systems and the other is Wind. The former accounts for the Root of
the disease, the latter for its Manifestation.

Lung and Kidney's Defensive-Qi Systems Deficiency

The Lungs spread Defensive-Qi to skin and muscles and the Kidneys are the root of the
Defensive-Qi. Defensive-Qi is Yang in nature and it warms skin and muscles. Kidney-Yang is
the source of all Yang energies of the body: it is in this sense that it is the root of Defensive-Qi.
The Kidneys are paired with the Bladder and Kidney-Yang provides Qi to the Bladder for its
transformation of fluids. In the process of this transformation a clear part of the fluids flows
upwards, along the Bladder channel in the back to the skin and muscles where they mingle with
Defensive-Qi. This is another indirect way in which Kidney-Yang is the root of Defensive-Qi.

Besides this, both the Bladder channel and the Governing vessel, which spread Defensive-Qi all
over the back in the Greater Yang area, are connected to the Kidneys. It will be remembered that
the Governing vessel starts from the Kidneys themselves. Furthermore, the "Spiritual Axis" in
chapter 71 says: "The Defensive Qi flows in the Yang in daytime and in the Yin at night-time,
starting from the muscles portion of the Kidney channel, flowing to the 5 Yin and 6 Yang
organs".10(117) Interestingly, the "Correction of Errors in Medicine" (1831) by Wang Qing Ren