In this report, we describe a case of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) which responded to Ohi-chu-zai, a new Chinese OTC antirheumatic remedy. A 53-year-old man developed RA in 1989. Various antirheumatic agents were ineffective, and RA remained highly active. A corticosteroid, immunosuppresant, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and heat-processed aconite tuber were used, but failed to exhibit sufficient effect. When ohi-chu-zai was added, the activity of RA was reduced markedly, accompanied by a gradual improvement in anemia. The man's appetite increased, his general conditions improved and he could eventually go back to work. Preparations with ephedra herd and aconite tuber have been widely used in Japan, and their effects have been reported. However, there has been no report on Ohi-chu-zai, a new Chinese OTC antirheumatic medicine. This report is the first one in Japan which describes the effect of this preparation as an antirheumatic agent.

The authors developed an innovative apparatus for analyzing pulse waves which uses a new type of pulse sensor. Based on the principles of Oriental medicine, this pulse wave machine takes measurements from the radial artery to determine the subject's state of health. Three sensors were used in place of the fingers to assess changes in the pulse wave pattern induced by reducing pressure in a cuff. A cuff with sliding components proved to be the most suitable in that it was less likely to be affected by the subject's movements. Using this type of cuff, the authors were able to observe the pulse-wave amplitude as cuff pressure was reduced after the blood flow had been stopped. The signal in each channel changed according to the degree of pressure reduction, and a characteristic pulse wave pattern was produced. This pattern enabled the authors to observe how the pulse behaved under each sensor and how the pulse wave changed. The authors were also able to observe and measure the condition velocity as the artery opened as well as assess the condition of the palmer arterial arch.

Twelve normal female adults were studied using a new model of infrared thermography on the thermographic patterns, the average and the maximum skin temperature of the selected areas, the change of the skin temperature in menstrual cycle and the change of the skin temperature after immersion of the right hand in ice water. The new thermoviewer (JTG-500M) has a computer and can calculate the average and maximum temperature in any rectangular area we draw. It made us possible to detect slight change of the skin temperature precisely. The results were as follows:
1) The average temperature of the trunk was higher than those of the lower extremities and the dorsal surface of the hand.
2) Among the maximum temperatures of the selected areas, the highest was of the trunk, the second was of the dorsal surface of the hand and the last was of the lower extremities.
3) Of the change in menstrual cycle, a significant positive correlation between the basal body temperature and the skin temperature was found. The skin temperature in the progestational phase was significantly higher, by 0.5°C to 0.7°C, than that in the estrogenic phase.
4) The change of the skin temperature after immertion of the right hand in ice water for one minute was surveied at the chest, the abdomen, the back, the dorsal surface of the left hand and the left lower extremity during five minutes. While the skin temperature at the chest and the back dropped, the dorsal surface of the left hand got higher clearly. No change was found at the abdomen and the lower extremity.

We report the effect of electrical acupuncture therapy (Tsukuba method) on 10 patients with primary osteoarthritis of the knees.
We applied acupuncture to the sites of muscle induration and tenderness determined by physical examination and palpation. Pains during walking and when standing -up were releaved in all patients who received the treatment. Activities in daily life showed various responses to our treatment. No improvement in symptoms was found in three patients when they were going up and down staircases or sitting on tatami with their knees fully flexed. We consider that these differences in response are related to the degree of myatrophy, contracture, and stenosis of the joint space.