The nature of the liver is rigid and firm. According to the theory of the Five Evolutive Phases[1], it corresponds to wood and stores the ministerial fire (versus the king fire from the heart). It favors moistness but is intolerant of dryness. It avoids or abstains from pathogenic heat and scorching hot. If the pathogenic heat already hides in the liver, it will be difficult to get rid of. The deficiency syndrome of the kidney would mean a deficiency of yin (vital essence) and yang (vital function) of the kidney and is caused by the consumption of fluid and the essence of the kidney in chronic diseases. This results in the deficiency of yang in the liver and flaming-up of the liver fire. The exuberance of yang (vital function) of the liver would lead to the deficiency of yin (vital essence) of liver and kidney, the exuberance of yang due to deficiency of yin and deficiency of both yin and yang.
The clinical symptoms of this form vary and it depends on the damages of the internal organs caused by the hepatitis viruses. In fact, as the symptoms are interchangeable at different stages, it is difficult to diagnose exactly the pathogensis of the disease. But as the principles of treatment for the deficiency of yin and exuberance of yang and the deficiency of yin and yang are basically the same, therefore, it is necessary to observe the reaction result of treatment in order to determine the ways of recuperation.
The exuberance of yang (vital function) of the liver is a morbid condition due to hyperactivity of the liver. It is further manifested by dizziness, distending pain in the head, headache, sudden break out migraine, fidgety, mental irritability, weakening of memory, dislike heat and like cold, insomnia, dreamfulness. Patients may have difficulties in getting asleep, easily awake, scarlet red sides of the tongue with yellow or little coating, flushed face, blood-shot eyes, high blood pressure, spider nevus, liver palm, taut and rapid pulse, with scanty dark urine and dry stools. When the patients approach the age of 55-65 for male and 45-55 for female, the above symptoms would be more severe.
(translated by QC in February 2002)