Library

The variola virus (smallpox pathogen) is implanted during the infant's third to fifth month due to excessive evil qi, and lies dormant in the "kidney cavity" of the primordial origin. The Kidney governs the bone marrow. The toxin lies hidden there and manifests upon external stimulation. Its form resembles the sharpness of medicinal herbs; at this stage, Fire has not yet arrived. It remains silent and still; when Fire arrives, it suddenly shakes the universe. This is like using a bronze mirror to catch fire from the sun: although the fire is within, without the pure light of the sun shining upon it, it cannot ignite. Therefore, before the eruption of smallpox or measles, all around is silent; once erupted, all around burns like fire. However, is this similar to epidemic pestilence? No. It is acceptable to say that smallpox and measles are induced by seasonal climate changes, but it is incorrect to say they are no different from epidemic pestilence. Epidemic pestilence is a malignant condition where pathogens enter from the exterior to the interior; heat is the transmission of evil fire, and the qi of epidemic toxins spreads widely. In contrast, smallpox and measles are proper diseases; the intense heat radiates from the interior to the exterior, which is called "Proper Fire." Transmission through meridians is called "Proper Transmission." However, the mechanism of its induction is fundamentally rooted in the movement of Fire in the Six Qi movements. Generally speaking, sores and ulcers do not erupt without Fire, nor do they heal without Metal (the element of收敛/consolidation). The *Classic* states: "All pain, itching, sores, and ulcers belong to Fire." The *Book of Documents* states: "If winter is warm, smallpox will erupt in spring." All these statements refer to the activation by Fire. This aligns with the principle that "clouds follow the dragon, wind follows fire." But why does the eruption of smallpox reach a peak only every three to five years? The *Classic* states: "It generates five, its qi is three." This means that the existence of forms relies on the operation of the Five Phases; tracing back to the origin, generation occurs through the Three Qi. It also says: "Three constitutes Heaven, three constitutes Earth, and three constitutes Humanity." Thus, the hexagrams of Qian and Kun all use the number three. Humans exist within the intersection of Qi, moving according to seasons and sensing Qi. The number three is the count of the generation of all things, and also represents accumulating surplus to form leap years, correcting deviations and remedying flaws. Although the toxin is stored internally in the Kidney, externally it must rely on circulating Qi to sprout. This Qi varies in excess or deficiency in annual movements, and the Heavenly Dao may exhibit aberrant and abnormal changes. After such aberrant Qi circulates, the Qi connecting Heaven and Humanity dissipates. It takes three to five years for these deviations and flaws to accumulate, allowing aberrant Qi to re-induce corresponding locations. This reflects the meaning of spring generation and autumn killing, and the imagery of Tai (Peace) and Pi (Standstill) hexagrams. Therefore, sages established laws, accumulating surplus to create leap months, to correct celestial degrees, all centered on the numbers three and five. Yet, why might an entire family suffer while one or two individuals remain unaffected? Since the smallpox toxin arises from external seasonal infections, those unaffected likely maintained good self-care or possessed robust Yuan Qi (Primordial Qi), preventing infection. Hence it is said: "Children with deficient congenital Qi erupt early; those with substantial Qi erupt late." What is the significance of winter warmth causing smallpox eruption? Winter is governed by the Taiyang Cold Water phase. If winter is warm, the virtue of Water is not manifest, causing the Wood and Fire Qi of Jueyin and Shaoyin to counter-attack. This leads to premature Yang Qi activation. The toxin of smallpox hides beneath the Extreme Yin and erupts via the Taiyang Meridian. When the season triggers its Qi, the induction of the toxin results in eruption in spring. Therefore, whenever winter warmth occurs, prevention is necessary. For those taking detoxifying herbs, or those with weak congenital Qi or chronic illnesses, preemptive treatment is advisable.