Abstract
Objectives : The practices of Wei-qi and Nutritive-qi are generally divided into external Mai and internal Mai. However, they are closely interrelated and practiced together. While taking these aspects into consideration, this paper attempts to make interpretations in relation with Nutritive-qi the disease pathogens that appear in Shanghanlun's disease symptoms. Methods : Using the practice and function of Nutritive-qi described in Huangdineijing, the paper shall make interpretations for the patterns of Mawhangtang, patterns of Gaejitang, and the pathologies of pain, oedema, and nosebleed as described in Shanghanlun. Results & Conclusions : The pain from the patterns of Gaejitang differ from that of the patterns of Mawhangtang. First, the pain from the the patterns of Gaejitang cannot be the main symptom. Even if there is a symptom of pain, it's severity is not serious. Second, the pain from the patterns of Gaejiang takes the form of stiffness, and not general bodily pain. The reason for this stiffness is because of the emptiness of Wei-qi that leads to the congestion of Nutritive-qi which in turn causes the lack of qi and blood flow in muscula area such as abdomins. The symptom of oedema where one's body becomes swollen comes from a number of pathogens. First, the flow of meridian becomes hindered due to external dampness, a character which tends to be adhesive when added with humidty, and this results in the blockage of water qi which then causes the coagulation of nutritive blood. Second, when toxic heat is repressed and blocked within the lesser-yang channel, lesser-yang meridian stops working, which causes nutritive blood to clog at the front and back of ears since lesser-yang channel flows through that portion of body. Third, although oedema is not specifically mentioned in the sentences, but there exists the patterns of Daechungyongtang where water lumps are formed due to the accumulation and blockage of watery dampness. The patterns of Daechungyongtang is cuased when meridian is hindered from externally discharging body fluid due to a problem with meridian that blocks the fumigated internal heat which turns into bodily fluid from being discharged externally.