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The syndrome of seasonal epidemic (Shiyi) is caused by the prevalence of malignant qi from heaven and earth, spreading through neighborhoods and regions. Regardless of age or strength, anyone who comes into contact with it falls ill and transmits it to others. It is entirely different from common seasonal conditions such as Spring Warmth (Chunwen), Summer Heat (Xiare), Autumn Coolness (Qiuliang), or Winter Cold (Donghan). The qi of heaven and earth rises in spring, floats in summer, gathers in autumn, and stores in winter; this is the normal pattern of qi. If spring should be warm but turns cold, summer should be hot but turns cool, autumn should be cool but turns warm, and winter should be cold but turns hot, this is an abnormal variation of qi. Humans exist within the intersection of qi, much like fish in water. When pathogenic irregular qi enters the body through the mouth and nose, one absorbs toxic pathogens and strange qi without realizing it. Once manifested, the disease progresses rapidly like wind and fire. If treatment is delayed or incorrect medicines are used, it becomes incurable. The infection spreads from one to ten, ten to a hundred, and a hundred to a thousand. With repeated errors in diagnosis and treatment, those with insight cannot help but sigh with chest-beating regret. Moreover, children have long been referred to as the "mute department" (Yake) because they cannot verbalize their symptoms. Pediatric texts detail diseases such as smallpox/rubella (Douzhen), convulsions (Jing), malnutrition syndromes (Gan), vomiting and diarrhea (Tuxie), and various miscellaneous disorders, yet they lack descriptions of seasonal epidemics. To claim that children do not suffer from seasonal epidemics—that while adults are easily infected by local epidemic toxins, children alone remain unaffected—is logically untenable. Although the toxic pathogen received may be the same, because children's qi and blood are insufficient and their sinews and bones are soft and fragile, the symptoms presented differ. People only know that children have fever; how can they know the child suffers from headache and body pain? They only know the child refuses milk and food, with a distended chest and abdomen, suspecting food stagnation (Shangshi); how can they know the epidemic pathogen has transmitted to the Stomach? They only see vomiting, nausea, thirst, and diarrhea, assuming these are common occurrences in children; how can they know these result from the pressure of epidemic toxic pathogens causing vomiting and diarrhea? Once a child contracts a seasonal epidemic, if left untreated or treated late, eyes will roll upward, frequent convulsions and spasms will occur, limbs will become cold, tetany will develop, fingers will curl, and in severe cases, opisthotonos (Jiaogongfanzhang) may appear. Pediatric practitioners often misdiagnose cases without vomiting or diarrhea as acute convulsion (Ji Jingfeng), and cases with vomiting and diarrhea as chronic convulsion (Man Jingfeng). The extent of this disaster prompted the writing of "Explanation of Seasonal Epidemics."

When children contract this disease during an epidemic toxin outbreak (symptoms detailed in "Explanation of Seasonal Epidemics," not repeated here), ancient methods for dispersing toxic pathogens recommend Jingfang Baidu San (Cinnamon Twig and Saposhnikovia Decoction, containing 11 herbs such as Schizonepetae Herba [Jingjie], Saposhnikoviae Radix [Fangfeng], Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix [Qianghuo], and Angelicae Pubescentis Radix [Duhuo], decocted with Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens [Shengjiang]). For clearing toxic pathogens, Puji Xiaodu Yin (Great Relief Detoxification Decoction, containing 14 herbs such as Isatidis Radix [Banlangen], Cimicifugae Rhizoma [Shengma], Scutellariae Radix [Huangqin], and Coptidis Rhizoma [Lian], decocted with Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma [Dengxin]) is used. For attacking toxic pathogens, Ersheng Jiuku Dan (Two Sages' Saving Kindness Pill, containing Da Huang and Gleditsiae Sinensis Fructus [Zaojiao] in water pills) is prescribed, taken dissolved in wugen shui (water without roots/source).
[True's Commentary] Epidemic toxins must be differentiated as being in the exterior, interior, yin, or yang; misidentification must be avoided. One must also observe the variations of qi across the four seasons, the severity of symptoms, and the strength of the constitution to tailor treatment appropriately, which ensures safety and efficacy. Here, only one emergency rescue formula is listed: Tianzhu Huang (Calamina) 3 qian, Renzhonghuang (Human excrement processed with bamboo) 3 qian, Zhijiangcan (Bombyx Batryticatus [straight form, male]) 1 qian, Quanxie (Scorpio) 1 qian, Jingjie Sui (Schizonepetae Spica) 1 qian, Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix) 1 qian. Decoct in water, add Dangmenshen (Moschus [Musk]) 1 fen, mix well, and administer.