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Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) circulates within the vessels, while Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) circulates outside the vessels. They mutually guard and nourish each other internally and externally, adhering to the way of heaven and earth generating life, thus avoiding disaster. However, Ying and Wei are rooted in Yuan Qi (Primary Qi). When Yuan Qi is solid, Ying and Wei complement each other yin-yang inside and outside the vessels without interruption, naturally enabling blood to be constrained and remain in its proper position, thereby completing their functions. If Qi exists internally but fails to reach the exterior, blood carries toxins out, resulting in external ulceration of the pox; if Qi exists externally but fails to connect internally, blood carries toxins inward, resulting in internal attack by pathogens. When the Yang path is deficient, Yin tends to follow it; when the Yin path is deficient, Yang tends to follow it; this is the principle. Therefore, Ying and Wei are the virtue (function/manifestation) of Qi and Blood. Qi and Blood are the dwelling place of Pox Toxin. Pox Toxin is the thief that harms Qi and Blood. When Ying and Wei virtue is strong, they have the power to destroy the thief, keeping the dwelling intact. When Ying and Wei virtue declines, the thief acts recklessly, causing the dwelling to collapse. If blood cannot carry [the eruption], it collapses; if Qi cannot constrain [the eruption], it sinks. Thus, treating pox should involve tonifying Qi and Blood. When blood generates, the interior becomes solid; when Qi increases, the exterior becomes vigorous. Ying Blood can follow the clear aspect of Qi to root itself internally, and Wei Qi can follow the clear aspect of Blood to protect externally.

The entire human body is based on Ying and Wei. Wei Qi is Yang Qi, responsible for opening and closing, and moving the pivot mechanisms (regulating the ascent, descent, exit, and entry of Qi dynamics). Ying Qi is Yin Blood, responsible for filling the Zang-Fu organs and irrigating the limbs. Therefore, Qi deficiency causes the cessation of Shen Ji (Spiritual Mechanism/Life activities), and Blood deficiency causes the extinction of Hua Yuan (Source of Transformation). However, these two cannot prevail over one another. The toxin of pox/rash originates from the fluids of the Five Zang organs, attacking Ying and Wei directly along meridians and specific sites to emerge, with Qi and Blood following suit. Therefore, observing the interior as firm and dense, with full and long pox sacs, indicates sufficient Qi. Observing the root and bud as red and lively, with moist and lustrous color, indicates sufficient Blood. If Qi and Blood are sufficient, the pox will easily erupt and scab over, requiring no treatment, to avoid the error of "treating excess with tonification" (adding fuel to fire). If the pox is flat, sunken, tender, and thin, it is a disease of Qi; if dry, purple, and black, it is a disease of Blood. In such cases, one must blame and treat them, not delaying, to avoid regret. However, Spleen and Stomach are the fathers (source of generation) of Qi and Blood. Heart and Kidney are the mothers (roots) of Qi and Blood. Liver and Lung are the dwellings of Qi and Blood. The Spleen receives water and grain, sending the fierce Qi to the Kidney, storing it in the Lung, forming Wei Qi to warm muscles and fenli (interstices), fill skin and hair, fatten fenli, and control opening and closing. If Wei Qi is deficient, it fails to rise and erupt; the toxin takes advantage of Qi deficiency to enter the Lung. If the Lung is affected, it leads to sinking and伏匿 (concealment), returning to the Kidney. Furthermore, the Spleen receives water and grain, sending its essence to the Heart to form Blood, which returns to the Liver to form Ying Qi, flowing through the nine orifices, pouring into the six channels, and gathering in the hundred vessels. If Ying Blood is deficient, the sores lack luster; the toxin takes advantage of Blood deficiency to enter the Liver. If the Liver is affected, it leads to itching and collapse, returning to the Heart. Therefore, in treating these conditions, treat Qi diseases by addressing Qi, treat Blood diseases by addressing Blood, use warming methods for cold, clearing methods for heat, tonifying methods for deficiency, and draining methods for excess, always prioritizing the Spleen and Stomach, and do not violate this. Medicines that are cold, cooling, detoxifying, damaging stomach Qi, or draining Heart Fire should not be used lightly.

The nourishment of Blood is like the dissolution of water, circulating and irrigating throughout, with creation hiding and floating, never ceasing. The defense of Qi is like the solidity of a territory, firmly encompassed, vast, rigid, and great, nurtured straightly without harm. The entire course of the pox syndrome relies on Ying and Wei. The attack of excessive toxins cannot be exposed outwardly without Qi and Blood; the manifestation of form and color cannot stand tall and prominent without Qi and Blood; the arrangement of pox sacs and outlines cannot be filled and connected without Qi and Blood. Therefore, Qi and Blood cannot be separated, and Yin and Yang cannot offend each other to become excessively prevalent. Blood, being Yin, suits descending; Qi, being Yang, suits ascending; this is the natural principle. If Yin offends Yang in pox, Qi loses its balance, leading to the danger of scorched purple thorn spots. If Yang overwhelms Yin, Blood is driven by pathogens, leading to the crisis of gray-black collapse. Excess in Yang means Heat; Heat damages Qi, and Qi deficiency leads to sinking and concealment. Excess in Yin means Cold; Cold causes Qi and Blood stagnation, preventing growth. Thus, the eruption of pox requires the harmonization of Qi and Blood most. Therefore, during fever, when colors are about to show, one hopes for mild heat and calm Qi, normal urination and defecation, cheeks not too red, and pulses not too surging. With numerous spots, fat roots, and pointed tops, and very red and lively colors, this is the sign of harmonious Qi and Blood. From day 1 to 2-3 days, without foul odor, bright luster, firm and countable upon touch, growing daily, without scattered spots on the body, and roots not dispersing, even if there are coughs, sneezes, yawning, and palpitations, it is still a symptom of harmonious Qi and Blood. From day 4 to 6, resembling peach buds, blooming lovely with dew, muscles not too swollen, and normal diet, this is the sign of abundant and moist Qi and Blood. From day 7 to 9, smooth and lustrous like pearls, full pulp and vigorous spirit, red coiling at top and base, body hot but not irritable, mouth thirsty but not diarrheic, this is the sign of peaceful Qi and Blood. From day 10 to 12, scabbing according to site, waxy color with spirit, normal and solid urination and defecation, this is the sign of solidified Qi and Blood. From day 13 to 16, loud voice, open eyes, complete shedding of scab toxins, and gradual retreat of fever, this is the sign of Qi and Blood returning to original state. If on the day of rising and swelling, the pox is flat, sunken, tender, thin, dry, purple-black, with frequent vomiting/diarrhea, convulsions, irritability, or macules; or on the day of pulp filling, the pulp is clear, top sunken, roots diffuse, diet reduced, extreme heat with coma, gray-white without pus, or scorched dryness with swollen flesh; or on the day of healing, unable to scab, frequent diarrhea, hoarse voice, shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and inability to eat, these are all diseases of Qi and Blood, incomplete Ying and Wei, and disordered Yin and Yang. This will inevitably lead to internal attack of toxins and exhaustion of Zang-Fu organs. Thus, Qi and Blood indeed concern the pox severely; how can they be ignored! If one assumes all sores belong to Heart Fire and focuses on cold-cooling and draining Heart Fire, then Blood will congeal and toxins will stagnate. How can the Heart, as the Monarch, transport the Blood of the whole body to achieve success?