The practice of Chinese medicine has continued for more than 2,000 years, based on its long record of effectiveness. In this regard, Kampo medicine has also been used successfully for these many years, and it is still equally effective today, reflecting the fact that humans have changed little during that duration. In fact, it is said that humans have not undergone much evolutionary change in the last four million years. In contrast to this, however, are the ongoing changes in our environment and surroundings, which are giving rise to a host of new diseases, including many that are allergy-related.In the Japanese system of Kampo medicine, the pathophysiological diagnosis (Sho) and treatment are decided on the basis of two venerable texts, Shokanron and Kinkiyoryaku. There is, as a matter of fact, a prevailing, and possibly too extreme, opinion among Kampo practitioners that Kampo methods and medications not found in these two manuals are not to be applied. However, it is thought that changes had already been made to these texts in 1065-1066 by Rinoku et al., and possibly also by others earlier during the Song Dynasty (960-1279). Furthermore, two other texts, Ishimpo and Taiheiseikeiho, present many points that differ from those found in Shokanron. Thus, it is highly likely that Sho is also based on other revisions possibly carried out on these texts (originally authored by Cho Chukei) before Rinoku et al., if not on their own revised versions. From this, it must be realized that revision itself is not a bad process, and rather that the changes for which Rinoku et al. were responsible are quite in harmony with the present age.We must not be afraid to break with an old style. From the early days of Kampo medicine, Sho was assessed on the basis of the four available examination methods (visual examination, examination according to hearing and smell, questions and answers, and palpation). The field of medicine has since undergone some remarkable transitions, and its current state is one of tremendous development. As part of these newly acquired abilities, elevated levels of leucocytes and CRP as reflecting the state of the disease, for example, can be incorporated into the assessment of Sho. In this sense, Kampo practitioners should adopt and apply useful methods also originating from Western medicine. As a matter of fact, this is in line with the preface of Shokanron, which states that useful medications and methods should be gathered as broadly as possible ( ?? ).
Medicine, Kampo ; Medicine ; Diagnostic ; Classical ; New

We report four patients suffering from dumping syndrome treated effectively with Keishito and its additional prescription. Case1was a 57-year old male who received subtotal gastrectomy 30 years ago. After the operation he felt shaking sensations and eyes flickering after meals for10minutes to 4 hours. These symptoms tended to occur along with hunger. After taking Keishito, these symptoms improved. Case 2 was a 63-year old male who received subtotal gastrectomy 7 years ago. In recent years, he has had noticeable sweat and fatigability 20-30 minutes after meals. After taking Keishito, these dumping syndrome symptoms disappear. Case 3 was a 71-year old female who received subtotal gastrectomy 9 years ago. Thereafter, cold sweats and dizziness came to appear regardless of what she ate. After taking keishikashakuyakuto or shokenchuto the aforementioned symptoms disappeared. Case 4 was a 72-year old female who received subtotal gastrectomy 2 years ago. Sweats and hot flushes began to occur after meals for 30 minutes to 3 hours, from last July. These symptoms were improved simply by licking candy. After taking Keishito, these symptoms also disappeared.
symptoms <1> ; Gastrectomy ; Dumping Syndrome ; Cases ; Hour

We prescribed ninjinto for 3 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or interstitial pneumonia.Markers for assessing the efficacy of this formulation included dull sensations in the stomach and diarrhea.These markers rapidly improved following the administration of ninjinto. The 3 patients experienced 2 com mon features, including an obstructive and a cold feeling in the pit of the stomach. Moreover, a cessation or significant decrease in cough and sputum was observed following ninjinto administration. Ninjinto is usually used to treat digestive disorders. However, these findings suggest that ninjinto may also be used for the treat ment of respiratory disorders.

Aconitum carmichaeli debeaux is an essential herbal medicine that possess anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and cardiotonic effects. Five hundred ninety-three subjects were treated with Shuchi-bushi (a powder type of this aconiti tuber that has been autoclaved) added to Kampo extract granules, between the years 1996 and 2002. The patient population consisted of 153 men and 440 women with an average age of 54.5 years. Four patients showed adverse reactions such as hypertension, nausea and hot flashes with Shuchi-bushi. There were no serious adverse effects, and the toxic symptoms disappeared quickly by reducing the Shuchi-bushi dosage, or cessation.
Shuchi-bushi has been used in small quantities because of its highly toxic alkaloids. However, this study indicates that Shuchi-bushi can be used more actively.

We prescribed Hyakugokokinto for four patients suffering from dryness in the throat. Dry throat improvements were observed in all patients, while improvements in insomnia were observed as well. Thus, insomnia may be a further indication for the use of Hyakugokokinto.

Idiopathic mesenteric phlebosclerosis (IMP) is a rare chronic ischemic intestinal disease, mainly in the right hemicolon, characterized by dark purple mucosa on colonoscopy and calcifications of the intestinal wall and mesenteric veins on abdominal radiography and computed tomography. In recent years, many patients who developed IMP over the long-term administration of Kampo medicines have been reported. However, the present status of IMP in patients under long-term treatment with Kampo medicines in departments specializing in Kampo therapy is unclear. We surveyed whether there were any IMP outpatients followed for 5 years or more at the Department of Oriental Traditional Medical Center, Suwa Central Hospital. We detected 2 of 257 (0.8%) patients having IMP. Both patients had undergone long-term treatment with Gardenia fruit. One of them underwent surgery due to acute abdomen, but the other was asymptomatic. The etiology and pathogenesis of IMP are still unclear. However, in patients undergoing long-term treatment with Kampo medicines, particularly containing Gardenia fruit, the possible presence of IMP should be taken into consideration, and active screening using imaging examinations is necessary even in asymptomatic patients.

Chinese herbal medicine has historically been used for the treatment of renal disease. There are some medi cines such as rhubarb and Ompito that delay the need for dialysis. However, they only attenuate the 1/Cr-time slope but cannot reduce the Cr level. In this study, four chronic renal failure (CRF) patients who had not responded to any Western medicine were treated effectively with Astragali Radix, a traditional herbal medi cine. Serum creatinine (Cr) was clearly improved, and necessity for dialysis was delayed. In two patients, Cr was controlled stably over four years. There were no adverse effects, and no noteworthy changes in the lev els of serum phosphorus, potassium and uric acid between before and after treatment were observed. This study suggests that Astragali Radix is a useful agent in the treatment of CRF.

Saiko-sokan-to has been traditionally used for the amelioration of symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, Shigyaku-san-sho (sho = pattern of symptoms determined by Kampo diagnosis) with left hypochondralgia and Shigyaku-san-sho with a feeling of obstruction in the costal region. However, there are still aspects that remain to be elucidated concerning the indications for this formula.
This study involved 7 cases with stiff shoulders, headaches, abdominal distension, meteorism and flushing which responded to Saiko-sokan-to. The experience of these cases suggests that conditions indicating Saiko-sokan-to have the following features: (1) there is resistance or tenderness upon pressure in the subcostal region (traditionally referred to as Kyokyokuman), (2) there is resistance or tenderness upon pressure in the epigastric region (traditionally referred to as Shinkahiko), (3) there are signs of Ki-depression, (4) for severe “blood stagnation” syndrome (traditionally called oketsu), Ikkando Saiko-sokan-to was found to be more effective than Igakutoshi Saiko-sokan-to.

There have been few studies of the relationship between respiratory function, chest x-rays, electrocardiograms, and the abdominal palpation signs of Kampo medicine. This investigation was designed to elucidate the above points with 489 subjects who had undergone a full physical examination. As a result of this study, we make clear the following features:
1. Abdominal tension (traditionally referred to as “fukuryoku”) was related to vital capacity, lateral distance of the thorax, CTR, counter-clockwised axis deviation of QRS, and negatively related to the intra-vertical thoracic distance.
2. Sound of gurgling fluid in the abdomen (“Shinsuion”) was related to intravertical distance of the thorax, clockwise axis deviation of QRS, negatively related to the lateral distance of the thorax, width of the heart and CTR.
3. Tonus of the rectus abdominis muscles was related to vital capacity and intravertical distance of the thorax and negatively related to the lateral distance of the thorax.
4. Palpitation of the abdominal aorta (traditionally called “Shinkaki”, “seijouki”, and “saikaki”) revealed nega tive correlation to the lateral distance of the thorax and width of the heart.
5. Resistance or tenderness upon pressure in the epigastric resion (“shinkahiko”) was negatively related to the intrathoracic distance.
6. Resistance resembling a string of pearls in the midline of the lower abdomen (“seichushin”) was related to intravertical distance of the thorax, clockwise axis deviation of QRS, and negatively related to SV 1 electro cardiogram voltage.

There have been few studies on the relationship between the body mass index (BMI), complete blood cell count, blood chemistry, fatty liver evidence and Kampo abdominal palpation signs. This study was designed to clarify the above points. It involved 484 subjects who had undergone full physical examinations. The results of this study, can be summarized as follows:
1. Abdominal tension (traditionally referred to as “fukuryoku”) was related to BMI (males and females), TG, TCh/HDL, GPT, RBC, Hb and evidence of fatty liver (males) and corresponded negatively with HDL (males).
2. Tonus of the rectus abdominis muscle (“fukuhikokyu”) was negatively related to BMI (males).
3. The sound of gurgling liquid in the stomach (“shinsuion”) was negatively related to BMI (males and females).
4. Palpitations of the abdominal aorta in the upper abdomen (“shinkaki”) was related toHDL (males) and negatively related to BMI (males and females).
5. Palpitation of the abdominal aorta below the navel (“saikaki”) was negatively related to BMI (males).