Aim: To explore the effective recipes and Chinese drugs for external treatment of epigastralgia.

Methods: 92 cases of stomachache patients including 59 males and 31 females were subjected into this study. The oldest was 72 years and the youngest 6 years. The shortest duration of disease was 2 weeks and the longest 40 years. They were randomly divided into treatment group (n=74 cases) and control group (n=18). Patients of treatment group were treated by external application of Weitongtie (Pain-relieving Number l) to Zhongwan (RN 12) acupoint, once daily. Three sessions formed a therapeutic course. One to two courses of treatment were observed in every patient. Weitongtie was made up of Juju (Semen Citri Reticulars), Bibo (Fructus Piperis Longi), Ding-xiang (Flos Careophylli), Dahuang (Radix at Rhizoma Rhei), peper, Zhangnao (Camphora), Boheyou (Oleum Menthae), etc. Patients of control group were treated by oral administration of 654-2 (scopolamine, pain-relieving No II) 5 - 10mg for adults and 0.3 -2mg/kg for children, 3 times a day. The therapeutic course was same to that of treatment group.

Results: After treatment, of the 74 cases in treatment group, 15 were cured, constituting 20.3%; 50 cases experienced improvement, constituting 67.6%; 9 cases had no any evident changes, constituting 12.l%. The total effective rate was 87.8%. In control group, of the 18 cases, 3 cases were cured, constituting 16.7%; 11 cases had improvement, constituting 61.l%; and 4 cases had no any clear improvement, constituting 22.2%. The total effective rate was 77.7%. Statistical analysis showed no significant
　　difference between the two groups in the effective rate (P>0.05).

Conclusions Weitongtie external application to the acupoint had a certain therapeutic effect in stopping epigastric pain.

By Zhang Jin