痘癞者,是热毒拂郁,气血虚弱,而肌肉败坏也。《经》曰∶热胜则肉腐。《正理
论》曰∶脉浮而大,大为气强,浮为气虚,风火相搏,必成瘾疹,身体为痒。痒者,名
为泄风,久久为大癞,故凡气血充实者,则自外无虚风,内无强邪,必无是病。惟气血
素虚者,则不能荣卫于身,而易感天地肃杀之气,是以皮肉之内,虚风居之,兼以痘疹
秽毒疫疠恶气,击搏燔灼,流散四布,随空而出,所以疮本稠密,身无完肤,瘙痒难
任,肌肉溃烂,而痘癞成矣。宜急内用大补气血清热解毒之法,外用减瘢救苦散涂之,
庶可保全。若至败面堕鼻,唇崩目盲,肢体残伤者,纵得苟全,终为废人矣。
夫痘有五不治者何?凡痒塌而寒战切牙及渴不止者,一也。痘紫黑色而喘渴不宁
者,二也。灰白色而顶陷腹胀喘渴者,三也。头温足冷闷乱饮水者,四也。切牙气促
而泄泻烦渴者,五也。是皆不治。
初出项陷连肉红,限至九日一场空。假如血热带紫斑,斯症死在六日中。发斑黑者
在朝夕,斑青顷刻去匆匆。无脓痒弱十二日,不治腰疼及挺胸。势如汤泡及火烧,舌
掷囊缩死之终。紫泡刺破出黑血,饮食挫喉症俱凶。难疗面肿痘不肿,青紫黑陷及无
脓。二便流利下肠垢,更有吐泻与蛔虫。头温足冷好饮水,此皆死症命将终。
Doulai (Severe Pox Scarring) is caused by the stagnation of heat-toxin and deficiency of Qi and Blood, leading to the decay of muscles. The *Classic* states: "When heat prevails, flesh rots." The *Zheng Lilun* states: "A pulse that is floating and large indicates strong Qi for the large aspect, but deficient Qi for the floating aspect. When wind and fire contend with each other, urticaria (hives) must form, causing itching in the body. This itching is named 'Xiefeng' (Wind Leakage). Over time, it becomes severe Doulai. Therefore, those whose Qi and Blood are ample will have no external deficiency-wind and no internal strong pathogen, and thus will not suffer from this disease. Only those who are constitutionally deficient in Qi and Blood cannot nourish the body with Ying and Wei Qi, making them susceptible to the killing energy of heaven and earth. Thus, deficiency-wind resides within the skin and flesh. Combined with the filth-toxin of pox, epidemic pestilence, and evil qi, which strike, contend, burn, and scorch, flowing and spreading everywhere, exiting through the pores, the sores were originally dense, leaving no intact skin on the body. The itching is unbearable, muscles ulcerate, and Doulai forms. One should urgently employ internal methods to greatly tonify Qi and Blood and clear heat-toxin, and externally apply Jiancan Jiuku San (Scar-Reducing Bitterness-Saving Powder) to preserve life. If it progresses to facial necrosis, nasal collapse, lip rupture, blindness, and limb injury, even if one survives, they will ultimately become a disabled person.
Why are there five types of pox that are untreatable? First, when there is itching, sinking, chills with teeth-chattering, and unquenchable thirst. Second, when the pox are purple-black accompanied by panting, thirst, and restlessness. Third, when the pox are grayish-white with sunken tops, abdominal distension, panting, and thirst. Fourth, when the head is warm, feet are cold, accompanied by mental confusion and desire to drink water. Fifth, when there is teeth-chattering, rapid breathing, diarrhea, irritability, and thirst. All these are untreatable.
When pox first appear with depression at the neck extending into red flesh, if by the ninth day the condition collapses entirely. If blood-heat accompanies purple macules, death occurs within six days. If black spots appear, death comes within morning or evening; if green spots appear, death follows instantly. Without pus, with itching and weakness, persisting twelve days, or accompanied by lower back pain and chest protrusion, these are untreatable. Conditions resembling hot water blisters or burns, with tongue retraction and scrotal contraction, mark the end of death. If purple blisters are punctured and black blood flows out, and food/drink obstructs the throat, all symptoms are ominous. Difficult to treat: facial swelling without pox swelling, green-purple-black sunken pox without pus. Free urination and defecation yet excreting intestinal sludge, along with vomiting, diarrhea, and roundworm expulsion. Warm head, cold feet, and preference for drinking water—all these are fatal signs indicating imminent death.