Treatment Based on Syndrome Differentiation:
1. Yang-Deficiency and Phlegm-Accumulation Syndrome
Main Symptoms； Initially, there is no redness, heat sensation and no tumefaction in the external appearance, and only insidious aching pain is felt in the infected areas. Progressively there can be motor impairment in the joints, aggravated by motion and relieved by rest, accompanied by chills, aversion to cold, tow spirit, slightly red tongue, thin and whitish coating, deep and thready pulse.
Therapeutic Methods: Tonify the kidney, warm yang, disperse cold and dissipate phlegm.

2. Yin-Deficiency and Internal-Heat Syndrome
Main Symptoms: Several months after the onset,the tumefaction elevates gradually, with slightly red skin color and slightly hot sensation, and gradual formation of abscess, accompanied by tidal fever in the afternoon,flushed cheeks, night sweating, dry mouth and throat,slightly red tongue, scanty coating, thready and rapid pulse.
Therapeutic Methods   Nourish yin, clear away heat, and promote discharge of toxins.

3. Liver and Kidney Deficiency Syndrome
Main Symptoms: After rupture, the discharged pus is thin and mixed with bad cotton-like substance, or with formation of sinus, accompanied by emaciated figure,soreness and weakness in the knee and leg, slight fever, lassitude, insomnia, palpitation, slightly red tongue, thin and whitish coating, and weak rapid pulse.
Therapeutic Method: Nourish the liver and kidney.

Cautions:
Flowing phlegm is a chronic suppurative disease and can easily cause deformity and even endanger the life when it ruptures after suppuration. Therefore, the earlydiagnosis is a key importance for the treatment of this disease. Moreover, because this disease is a chronic consumptive disease, it is necessary to emphasize a good rest and nutrition during the treatments. For those sick with flowing phlegm in the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae and hip joint, it is necessary for the patients to sleep on the wooden beds. For those sick with flowing phlegm in the elbow, knee, wrist and ankle, it is necessary to apply certain fixation to limit motion. If the general symptoms have not been controlled yet, it is necessary for the patients to rest in beds. After the diagnosis is confirmed, it is necessary to combine with antituberculotic treatment of Western medicine.