夫痘由中而达外,用药因期而变通,以常而言之,则发热三日,而后见标出齐,三日而后起胀
蒸长,三日而后灌脓浆满,三日而后收靥,其发热三日当托里解表,使其易出,亦有气弱而不能出者,
当微补其气,气和则出快矣。但初不可用 ,恐腠理一密,其痘难出也。四五六日以清凉解毒为主,清
凉则无血热枯肠之患,解毒则无壅滞黑陷之危,惟有气虚症候者,当清凉解毒,又所当忌,以杜泻泄
毒伏之虞,七八九日以灌脓为主,治法当温补气血,气血流行而成浆自易,若有不能行浆者,是必气
弱血枯,或气涩血滞,腠理固密,故即精气虽盛,不易疏通,所以有是患也,宜外用水杨汤法,而内
以宣血补血行气补气之药可也。然凡灌脓,固宜温补,以助其浆,惟症原由血热脚地,势虽稍得清解,
苟遽大用参 温补之法,则又恐依然血热,而非所治矣。此仅可于催浆之品剂中略与清凉解毒之味,
则血热之势自清,囊房之脓且可得而灌也。但太凉则冰血而毒凝滞,故曰中病即止,无过其制。则于
十一二日以收敛为主,大和气血,补脾利水,则自然结靥矣。此特语其常也。然长者可必,当随候参
详。安可执一应无穷之变哉!如见红点之时,痘势轻少、不可过表在后,恐成斑烂,倘遇干红紫色,
宜急疏利,不然在后必成黑陷,四五日内,痘出至足下为齐,苟未尽出,则于解毒药中,宜兼发
表,若专于寒凉,则痘迟滞不出,七八日之间,毒未尽解,则于温补之中,又兼解毒,
若偏于温益,则毒愈盛,不能化浆,十一二日之间,浆未满足,必大补气血,略兼解余
毒,否则恐有痈毒疤痕之患,然凡用寒宜远寒,用热宜远热,毋太过毋不及,此治之
要,理之常也。但发表不远热,攻里不远寒。盖热则行而寒则凝,苦则泻而甘则缓,
此治之权,理之变也,变通之妙,要在随时制宜,如《经》曰∶“春夏养阳,秋冬养
阴”,此皆因时寒暖也。又有曰∶时在春夏,天气主之。治在心肺,心肺之药宜多芩连荆
防之属;时在秋冬,地气主之,治在肝肾,肝肾之药,宜多丁桂姜附之属,是虽不可尽
准,实亦弗犯天和之意也。
Smallpox erupts from the interior to the exterior, and medication must be adjusted according to the stage of the disease. Generally speaking, after three days of fever, the rash should fully emerge; after another three days, the pustules begin to swell and rise; after another three days, the pus fills completely; and after another three days, the scabs contract and fall off. During the initial three days of fever, treatment should focus on supporting the interior and releasing the exterior (Tuo Li Jie Biao) to facilitate eruption. There are cases where Qi deficiency prevents eruption; in such instances, slight tonification of Qi is required, so that harmonized Qi leads to rapid eruption. However, astringent agents should not be used excessively in the early stage, lest the interstices (Cou Li) become closed, making eruption difficult. From the fourth to sixth day, the primary approach is cooling and detoxifying (Qing Liang Jie Du). Cooling prevents complications such as intestinal dryness due to blood heat, while detoxifying avoids dangers like toxin stagnation and black depression (Hei Xian). For patients presenting with Qi deficiency symptoms, cooling and detoxifying methods should be avoided to prevent diarrhea and internal retention of toxins. From the seventh to ninth day, the focus is on filling the pustules with pus. The treatment method should involve warming and tonifying Qi and Blood. When Qi and Blood circulate freely, the formation of pus becomes easy. If pus fails to form, it is necessarily due to weak Qi and depleted Blood, or stagnant Qi and sluggish Blood, combined with tight interstices. Thus, even if Essence and Qi are abundant, they cannot circulate smoothly, leading to this condition. External application of "Shuiyang Decoction" (Water Willow Soup) is appropriate, along with internal administration of herbs that promote blood circulation, nourish blood, move Qi, and tonify Qi. However, although warming and tonifying are suitable during the pus-filling stage to assist pus formation, if the underlying pathology originates from blood heat, and although the condition may have slightly improved with clearing and resolving, sudden heavy use of warming tonics like Ginseng (Renshen) may exacerbate blood heat, which is incorrect therapy. In such cases, only slight additions of cooling and detoxifying herbs to the pus-promoting formula can clear the blood heat trend, allowing the pustule sacs to fill with pus. However, excessive coldness will freeze the blood and cause toxin stagnation; therefore, one must stop when the disease is addressed and not exceed the proper limits. By the eleventh and twelfth days, the focus shifts to contraction and healing. Harmonizing Qi and Blood, tonifying the Spleen, and promoting water metabolism will naturally lead to scabbing. This describes the general rule. However, variations exist based on age and constitution, requiring detailed analysis of specific signs. One cannot rigidly apply a single method to infinite variations! When red spots appear, if the smallpox severity is mild, excessive external-releasing measures later should be avoided to prevent ulceration. If dry, red-purple rashes are encountered, urgent purgation and unblocking are necessary; otherwise, black depression will occur later. Within four to five days, eruption reaching the soles indicates completion. If not fully erupted, external-releasing herbs should be added to detoxifying formulas. Relying solely on cold-natured herbs causes delayed eruption. Between the seventh and eighth days, if toxins are not fully resolved, detoxifying herbs should be added to warming tonics. Bias towards warming tonics may intensify toxins, preventing pus formation. Between the eleventh and twelfth days, if pus is insufficient, strong tonification of Qi and Blood with slight residual detoxification is required; otherwise, abscesses and scars may result. Generally, when using cold herbs, avoid extreme cold; when using hot herbs, avoid extreme heat. Neither excess nor deficiency is desired. This is the essential principle and constant law. However, for releasing the exterior, warmth should not be far removed; for attacking the interior, coldness should not be far removed. Heat promotes circulation while cold causes stagnation; bitter flavors purge while sweet flavors moderate. These represent therapeutic flexibility and variable principles. The subtlety of adaptation lies in adjusting to circumstances. As stated in the *Classic* (*Jing*): "Nourish Yang in Spring and Summer, Nourish Yin in Autumn and Winter," adapting to seasonal temperature changes. It is also said: In Spring and Summer, Heaven's Qi dominates; treatment targets the Heart and Lungs, utilizing herbs like Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin), Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian), Schizonepetae Herba (Jingjie), and Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fangfeng). In Autumn and Winter, Earth's Qi dominates; treatment targets the Liver and Kidneys, utilizing herbs like Caryophylli Flos (Dingxiang), Cinnamomi Cortex (Guirou), Zingiberis Rhizoma (Shengjiang), and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Fuzi). While these guidelines are not absolute, they align with the intent of preserving Heavenly Harmony.