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In ancient times, there was a method of variolation (smallpox inoculation), which is said to have been created by a divine person from Mount Emei during the reign of Emperor Zhenzong of Song. It truly possesses the efficacy of hitting the target every time and is indeed a perfect technique. Tracing its principle, natural smallpox often occurs after contracting the disease, whereas variolation must be performed before falling ill. Natural smallpox may be subject to the imbalance of heaven and earth's cold and heat, while variolation must select a favorable period when the climate of heaven and earth is harmonious. With no other diseases interfering internally and good vaccine material guiding externally, transforming danger into safety, why would one not do it?

Some might ask: Smallpox is a major disease for children. During an epidemic, people still try to avoid it at all costs. Now, without cause, exposing infants to this disease—is this acceptable? The answer is: No. It is like catching a thief; capturing him while his wings are not yet grown is very easy. It is also like removing weeds; eliminating them before they spread is also very easy. The poison of smallpox in children originates from the Kidney, then transmits to the Liver, Heart, Lung, and Spleen. Therefore, in the onset of smallpox poison, the Kidney is most severe, and the Spleen is lightest. Even in the ancient method of inserting vaccine material into the nasal cavity, fever can only occur after transmission through the five Zang organs. Since the nose is the external orifice of the Lung, the qi of the material inserted into the nose first transmits to the Lung, then to the Heart, then to the Spleen, then to the Liver, and finally to the Kidney. The Kidney governs the bones, and the smallpox poison hides within the bone marrow. Upon sensing the qi of the vaccine material, the poison is activated. When the poison extends completely from the bone marrow to the sinews, the poison of the Kidney is resolved. When it extends completely from the sinews to the muscles, the poison of the Liver is resolved. When it extends completely from the muscles to the blood vessels, the poison of the Spleen is resolved. When it extends completely from the blood vessels to the skin and hair, the poison of the Heart is resolved. When it extends completely from the skin and hair to the pustules, the poison of the Lung is resolved.

The qi of the vaccine material must enter layer by layer through the five Zang organs, and the internal poison must also exit layer by layer through the five Zang organs; this is the order of transmission. The modern method of cowpox vaccination selects the area between the two arms, specifically near the points Xiaoxiao (Lower Elimination) and Qinglengyuan (Clear Cold Abyss), where upper and lower parts connect, to administer the vaccine. This seems different from the nasal insertion method. However, it is unknown that the two arms belong to the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian (Triple Burner). The Sanjiao is the most crucial Fu organ in the human body, akin to the Three Primes of heaven and earth, commanding the five Zang and six Fu organs, Ying and Wei, meridians, and connecting the qi of the interior, exterior, left, right, upper, and lower. When the Sanjiao is unobstructed, the interior, exterior, left, right, upper, and lower are all unobstructed. By targeting this key point, the vaccine is guided to transmit directly and simultaneously from the skin, blood vessels, muscles, and meridians. Even if fetal poison is deeply hidden in the Kidney, it will naturally be drawn out simultaneously, just like being led on a path. Guiding along smooth roads eliminates the risk of stumbling; drawing out the thread's end eliminates chaos. This is why variolation avoids the dangers of natural smallpox. These points are listed separately below.