Analysis of the Theoretical Frameworks for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Wind Stroke Throughout History

ZHENG Qi; LI Yan; DU Song; YU Zheng

Abstract：The study suggests that during the historical development of the diagnostic and therapeutic theories of wind stroke(apoplexy),four theoretical frameworks for syndrome differentiation and treatment have emerged.These include:the five Zang-organ wind stroke syndrome differentiation theory,the syndrome differentiation theory of apoplexy involving channels and collaterals versus apoplexy involving Zang-organs and Fu-organs,the true wind stroke versus apoplectoid stroke syndrome differentiation theory,and the non-wind versus internal wind syndrome differentiation theory.The five Zang-organs wind stroke syndrome differentiation theory is based on the external wind theory of wind stroke and the Zang-Fu syndrome differentiation theory,using the five Zang-organs syndromes as its theoretical framework and employing the pattern-disease correspondence model to explain its diagnostic and therapeutic principles.The apoplexy involving channels and collaterals versus apoplexy involving Zang-organs and Fu-organs theory reflects the understanding of the progression of wind stroke from the exterior to the interior.It uses"exterior and interior"as the main classification and"deficiency and excess"as the secondary criteria,with the interaction between exterior/interior and deficiency/excess forming the theoretical framework.The true wind stroke versus apoplectoid stroke theory was developed by integrating and refining different diagnostic theories at the time,but it is not a syndrome differentiation theory specifically targeting a single disease,nor is it a continuous line of etiology,mechanism,syndrome,and treatment.The non-wind versus internal wind theory redefines the pathogenesis of wind stroke from the perspective of internal organ pathology,thereby establishing a syndrome differentiation framework that integrates etiology,mechanism,syndrome,and treatment.These four theoretical frameworks have had a significant impact on the construction of wind stroke syndrome differentiation theories after the founding of the People's Republic of China.