Library

Tianhuo Dan (Sky Fire Erysipelas) manifests as a sudden redness in the flesh and skin, resembling the color of cinnabar applied to the surface, with unpredictable pain and itching, and in severe cases, it may cover the entire body. Bai Dan (White Erysipelas) presents as swelling and elevation within the flesh, with itching and pain resembling the sensation of being blown upon. Jiguan Dan (Chicken Comb Erysipelas), also known as Zhuyu Dan (Cornel Erysipelas), features grain-like elevations on the skin resembling a chicken comb. Shuidan (Water Erysipelas) is characterized by generalized heat and yellowish eruptions, giving the sensation of water trapped beneath the skin. Wuse You Dan (Five-Color Oil Erysipelas), also named Youzhong (Oil Swelling) or Chisuliu Dan (Red Sulfur Erysipelas), involves swelling and heat, with redness spreading into the four limbs. For all the aforementioned conditions, regardless of severity, such as Tianhuo Dan, Guhu Dan (Bone Fire Erysipelas), Yanghuo Dan (Calamity Fire Erysipelas), Nizaodan (Urine Spot Erysipelas), Zhutian Dan (Vermilion Field Erysipelas), Yehuo Dan (Wild Fire Erysipelas), etc., they mostly occur in infants and children. If the eruption originates from the interior of the abdomen and spreads to the four limbs, it is easy to cure; if it originates from the four limbs and penetrates into the abdomen, it is difficult to treat.

To treat various types of erysipelas occurring on the four limbs, back, abdomen, head, and face, presenting with redness or whiteness, itching or pain, cold or heat sensations:
Xiangluan Pi (Citrus Reticulata Peel, 1 liang)
Decoct with one large bowl of water until half a bowl remains. Apply to the affected area using a feather brush for miraculous efficacy.

To treat various types of erysipelas in infants and children:
Fulonggan (Dragon's House Earth, quantity不拘/unrestricted)
Grind into powder. Mix with egg white (Jizi Bai) and apply to the affected area three times daily.

To treat all kinds of erysipelas:
Yujin (Curcuma Aromatica Rhizome), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Shanzhi (Gardeniae Fructus), Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma), Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Nuomi (Oryza Sativa Glutinosa Semen)
Take seven ingredients, each 1 liang, raw, and grind into powder. Mix with honey and cold water to form a paste, and apply to the affected area using a goose feather.

There are many formulas for treating erysipelas in *Qianjin Fang* and *Waitai Miyao*, none exceeding the use of extremely cold substances. Among extremely cold substances, algae (Zaocai) is the most suitable. For patients with erysipelas, hot swelling, etc., take algae from ditches, finely chop, cook thoroughly, and mash. Apply thickly (about 3 fen) onto the erysipelas. Replace when dry; this is the best method.

Physicians of later generations discuss Yin Zhen (Urticaria/Hives), invariably attributing it to wind pathogen in the skin. Since it is divided into cold and heat types, these correspond to cold and summerheat syndromes. Furthermore, some contract it after bathing due to exposure to wind-cold, which implies dampness. Thus, it is understood that all four qi (wind, cold, summerheat, dampness) are involved. The *Classic* states: "All pain, itching, and sores belong to the Heart." Excess heat in the Heart causes pain, while deficiency cold causes itching. Moreover, the Yangming channel governs the muscles and belongs to the Stomach and Large Intestine; there are also distinctions between pain and itching based on cold and heat, which must be carefully examined. Common people refer to the white type as "Pomo" and the red type as "Xuefeng" (Blood Wind), causing confusion in nomenclature, which should be clarified through medical principles. Internally, examine the deficiency or excess of the Zang-Fu organs; externally, differentiate cold, summerheat, wind, and dampness. Adjust treatment according to the syndrome, and recovery will surely follow.