CHAPTER 64 Vulvar Sores
) in Chinese medicine, may manifest with vulvar swelling, pain, itching, erosion, lumps, discharge of pus and excessive vaginal discharge. These local manifestations may be accompanied by systemic symptoms and signs such as shivers, fever, lassitude, abdominal distension, dark urine, thirst, constipation, a Slippery or Wiry and Rapid pulse and a Red tongue with a thick, sticky yellow coating.Aetiology
Pathology
The Chinese pathology of Vulvar Sores includes Fire, Damp-Heat and Cold: the first two are by far the most common pathological conditions found in this disease. In addition, the pathology is characterized often by invasion of ‘parasites’. As discussed in Chapter 61 on excessive vaginal discharge, Toxic-Heat or Damp-Heat are often accompanied by infestation of what the ancient Chinese called ‘parasites’ (chong 
); certain types of vaginal discharges and vulvar sores are caused by ‘parasites’. The ancient Chinese doctors were very perceptive because we know from modern medicine that fungal or bacterial infections, spread through sexual contact, may cause vaginal discharges or vulvar sores. In such cases, the treatment principle is to ‘kill parasites’ (sha chong 
), i.e. eliminate bacteria or fungi with herbs that have an anti-bacterial or anti-fungal effect and the majority of which also kill parasites.
