Abstract: The objective was to investigate the character of Traditional Chinese Medical(TCM)symptoms,its rule of evolvement and the correlation between character of tongue and chest X-rays in SARS patients.The significance of tongue observation in SARS treatment was discussed as well.Methods:The clinical menifestations,the characteristics of tongue and chest X-rays in 92 cases of SARS patients were collected.Four phases of pneumonia were defined as progression,fastigium,absorb and recovery phase.Different characteristics of tongue in different phase of pneumonia,and their correlations were analyzed by statistical methods.Results:Positive correlations were found between the appearance of prickled tongue surface and progression,fastigium phase,and more significant in fastigium P<0.05;positive correlation existed between swollen tongue,tongue with teeth prints and recovery phase,P<0.01,and P<0.05 respectively;positive correlations also existed between shedding of fur and absorb phase,recovery phase and days of illness,and were significant between absorb phase and days of illness,P<0.05.Conclusion:Significant correlation exists between characteristies of tongue and thest X-rays in SARS patients.Observation of tongue helps to detect the variety of patient's condition in the early stage.Traditional Chinese medical observation of tongue is important in SARStreatment.

Key words: SARS, TCM observation of tongue, chest X-rays