痘后有面目虚浮,渐至一身皆肿者,此由表气不足,见风太早,是以风邪乘虚而
入,宜五皮散,加桂枝微汗之。若遍身皆肿者,则以胃苓汤主之。若腹肿胀满,气粗脉
实者,此有宿垢在里,不问余毒食积蓄水,并宜以塌气丸先利之,次以胃苓汤,去甘草
加参 ,腹皮调之。如因新食作胀而不肿者,只以木香大安丸消之。然痘后气血脾
元,莫不大虚。倘稍兼虚症,便从虚治,宁可以不足之法治有余,不可以有余之法治不足。
痂既落,有因中气暴虚而不能食者,宜人参白术散调养之。如素不能食而痂后倍
食者,是因津液暴亡,邪火杀谷,其人必便难,口渴烦燥不宁,治宜利之,否则,胃热
不去,郁为口臭齿烂,或流散四肢,为痈疽肿毒矣。惟脾胃素壮能食者,纵有便难之
后,不可概论,即倍食而安静,无他苦者,慎勿轻为利下。每见大病之后,肠胃脂膏消
耗,是以多食,亦饥虚者,此其常也。倘虑变而利之,是速其变矣。
痘后邪气尽退,正气将复,则脾胃应舒,饮食宜进。若原不食,近因喜食太过而
不食者,或原能食,近因骤加,以致恶食不食者,此皆内伤有余症也,并宜木香大安丸
主之。如向未食,今犹不喜食者,此脾胃中气不足,宜人参白术散主之。更有脾胃大
困,恶食恶药,今忽逢食恣吞,逢药便饮而不知苦味者,是不可以能食,肯药喜之,盖
脾主味,开窍于口,《经》曰∶口和则知五味。今不知者,是脾败而邪火杀谷也。多致
变症不治,宜邪脉候未之。
After the resolution of smallpox/variolae, if there is puffy swelling of the face and eyes that gradually extends to the whole body, this is due to insufficiency of the Wei Qi (Defensive Qi), exposure to wind too early, allowing Wind Pathogen to enter through the deficiency. It is suitable to use Wupi San (Five-Bark Powder) with added Guizhi Twig Decoction to induce slight sweating. If the entire body is swollen, Weiling Tang (Stomach-Purging Cinnamon Decoction) should be used as the primary treatment. If the abdomen is swollen and full, with coarse breathing and a forceful pulse, this indicates retained fecal matter inside; regardless of whether it is residual toxin, food accumulation, or water retention, it is appropriate to first use Taqi Wan (Qi-Settling Pill) to purge, followed by Weiling Tang, removing Gancao Licorice Root and adding Renshen Ginseng Root and Fupi (Bark of the Big Fruit) to regulate. If the distension is caused by recent overeating without swelling, only Muxiang Da'an Wan (Aucklandia Peace-Pill) should be used to resolve stagnation. However, after smallpox/variolae, both Qi and Blood, as well as Spleen and Stomach Yuan Qi, are invariably greatly deficient. If there is even a slight presentation of deficiency symptoms, one must treat according to deficiency. One should not treat an excess condition with methods for insufficiency, nor treat an insufficiency condition with methods for excess.
After the scabs fall off, some individuals cannot eat due to a sudden deficiency of Middle Qi; they are suitable for regulation with Renshen Baizhu San (Ginseng and Atractylodes Macrocephala Powder). If one who usually cannot eat suddenly eats double the amount after the scabs fall, this is because Body Fluids have been suddenly depleted, and Pathogenic Fire is digesting grain excessively. Such a person will inevitably suffer from difficult defecation, thirst, irritability, and restlessness. The treatment should involve purging; otherwise, Stomach Heat will not dissipate, leading to halitosis and dental caries due to stagnation, or spreading to the four limbs, causing carbuncles, sores, and toxic swellings. Only those whose Spleen and Stomach are inherently strong and capable of eating can be exempted from generalization; even if they eat heavily and remain quiet without other distress, one must not lightly employ purgative methods. It is often seen that after severe illness, the intestinal and gastric essence and fat are consumed; thus, increased appetite is also a sign of hunger and deficiency, which is normal. If one worries about complications and uses purgatives, it accelerates the deterioration.
When pathogenic factors have completely retreated after smallpox/variolae and Zheng Qi (Upright Qi) is recovering, the Spleen and Stomach should relax, and dietary intake should advance. If one who originally could not eat now cannot eat because of excessive indulgence in food, or one who originally could eat now cannot eat due to a sudden increase in intake, these are all internal injury conditions characterized by excess, and Muxiang Da'an Wan (Aucklandia Peace-Pill) is suitable as the primary treatment. If one who never ate still does not desire food now, this is due to insufficiency of Middle Qi in the Spleen and Stomach, and Renshen Baizhu San (Ginseng and Atractylodes Macrocephala Powder) is suitable as the primary treatment. Furthermore, if the Spleen and Stomach are extremely distressed, rejecting food and medicine, but suddenly devouring food greedily and drinking medicine without perceiving its bitter taste, this cannot be interpreted as a sign of recovery based on the ability to eat and take medicine. The Spleen governs taste and opens into the mouth; as stated in the Classic: "When the mouth is harmonious, the five flavors are perceived." Not perceiving taste now indicates Spleen failure and Pathogenic Fire digesting grain excessively. This often leads to complicated conditions that are untreatable; it is advisable to verify this through pulse diagnosis.