(chapter53)Cold Type Malaria

Records from a Chinese Medical Text
In the Dingwei year (a traditional Chinese calendar designation), I was studying at a rural Buddhist temple. According to Chinese medical cosmology, this year was governed by Taiyin (indicating a year with particularly cold and damp climatic conditions). After May, continuous rains lasted over twenty days. The low-lying village became extremely waterlogged, and farmers sleeping outdoors contracted wind-cold pathogens, leading to widespread malaria (alternating chills-fever disease) and dysentery.

I preemptively prepared a jar of Anti-fever Vine (changshan) wine as preventive (used in traditional contexts). By mid-June, malaria indeed erupted violently, affecting 50-60% of villagers. Those seeking the medicinal wine came in continuous streams, with many lives saved. By mid-July, the malaria subsided and the wine was depleted.

A troublesome monk named Changyu, who had restrained his misconduct during my temple stay, later contracted malaria and requested the wine. I explained that preparing new changshan wine required 10+ days of steeping. Suspecting my reluctance, he grew resentful.

I clarified: “Your anger is misplaced. While all have malaria, individual constitutions differ. My wine might not suit everyone. Let me treat you personally.” The monk’s demeanor softened.

Upon diagnosis:

• ​Pulse: Wiry (xian mai, malaria-typical) yet slow (chi mai, indicating cold)
• ​Pattern: Cold-type malaria (han nue) with symptoms sequence: severe chills → mild fever → body pain without sweating

Treatment:
Administered Yuebi Decoction (yuebi tang) – a classical formula from the Chinese medical text Jin Gui Yao Lue primarily used to dispel cold and induce sweating. After two doses, malaria attacks reduced. Complete recovery followed five doses.

Terminology Notes:

• Anti-fever Vine (changshan): Dichroa febrifuga root, historically used against malaria
• Pulse qualities xian (wiry) and chi (slow) remain untranslated as specialized diagnostic terms
• Yuebi Decoction retains original name as a historical formula identifier