The following cases present variations of this condition. After familiarizing yourself with the possible common pattern presentations and appropriate formulas for treatment, use the following exercises to test your overall understanding of the condition.

1. A male patient, age 28, sufered from dryness and a slight pain in his lef eye, with recurrent granular blisters on the conjunctiva surrounded by light red vessels. Other signs and symptoms included dry mouth and throat, a red tongue with a thin coating, a thready and rapid pulse.

Select the best formula for this disease presentation:

A. Xiè Fèi Tāng (Lung-Draining Decoction)

B. Qīng Zào Jiù Fèi Tāng (Dryness-Clearing Lung-Rescuing Decoction)

C. Yăng Yīn Qīng Fèi Tāng (Yin-Nourishing and Lung-Clearing Decoction)

D. Zhī Băi Dì Huáng Wán (Anemarrhena, Phellodendron and Rehmannia Pill)

E. Shēn Líng Bái Zhú Săn (Ginseng, Poria and Atractylodes Macrocephalae Powder)

2. A female patient, age 16, sufered from dryness and photophobia in her right eye for two months, with granular blisters on the conjunctiva surrounded by bright red vessels. Other signs and symptoms included lack of energy, lassitude, poor appetite, abdominal distention. The tongue was light red with a thin white coating, and the pulse was thready and weak.

What is the preferred formula for this disease?

A. Shēng Mài Yĭn (Pulse-Engendering Beverage)

B. Shēn Líng Bái Zhú Săn (Ginseng, Poria and Atractylodes Macrocephalae Powder)

C . Sāng Bái Pí Tāng (Mulberry Root-Bark Decoction)

D. Xiè Fèi Tāng (Lung-Draining Decoction)

E. Yăng Yīn Qīng Fèi Tāng (Yin-Nourishing and Lung-Clearing Decoction)

3. A female patient, age 21, suffered from dryness, pain and tearing and photophobia in her right eye for one week, with granular blisters on the conjunctiva surrounded by bright red vessels. Other signs and symptoms included dry mouth and nose, yellow and dark urine, a red tongue with a thin yellow coating, and a rapid pulse.

What is the preferred formula for this disease?

A . Huáng Lián Jiĕ Dú Tāng (Coptis Toxin-Resolving Decoction)

B. Lóng Dăn Xiè Gān Tāng (Gentian Liver-Draining Decoction)

C. Xiè Fèi Tāng (Lung-Draining Decoction)

D. Dăo Chì Săn (Red-Guiding Powder)

E. Yăng Yīn Qīng Fèi Tāng (Yin-Nourishing and Lung-Clearing Decoction)

1. C

2. B

3. C

In this chapter’s primary case history, the diagnosis was lung heat. The patients symptoms included tortuous bright red vessels, dark urine, and dry stools. Further her tongue had a thin yellow coating, indicating the presence of an excessive pathogen.

In comparison, the frst case scenario is a presentation of lung yin defciency. Here, the signs of heat are milder: the patients’ eyes have light red vessels, his tongue is red with a thin coating, and his pulse is thready and rapid. The formula is modifed YăngYīn Qīng Fèi Tāng (Yin-Nourishing and Lung-Clearing Decoction).

[养阴清肺汤]

Originally from the Qing Dynasty text Jade Key to the Secluded Chamber ( Chóng LóuYù Yào, 重楼玉钥), the formula nourishes the yin, clears the lungs, resolves toxins and improves the condition of the throat. ³ It was used to treat diphtheria. The structure of the formula integrates heavy yin-nourishing medicinals combined with light and acrid bò he. In contrast, Xiè Fèi Tāng uses sweet and biter, downbearing medicinals to clear lung heat.

Seen in the context of ophthalmological disorders, Yăng Yīn Qīng Fèi Tāng might be modifed with light, heat clearing medicinals such as lián qiào (Fructus Forsythiae) and xià kū căo (Spica Prunellae)