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The eyes are the instruments of the Heart-Shen (Spirit) and the abode where Shen resides. When fever first appears and the eyes are weary and unable to open, this indicates that the rash is about to erupt. If the eyes appear watery, as if filled with water, it signifies measles (Ma Zhen). Redness of the eyes indicates excessive heat. Frequent blinking or squinting indicates Liver Wind stirring internally. Fixed staring indicates Liver Heat. Convulsions accompanied by upward deviation of the eyes indicate a struggle between Wind and Fire. If the pustules have not yet formed pus but the swelling subsides and the eyes open, it indicates that the toxin has turned inward to attack the interior. If the eyes remain closed and cannot open after the scabs have fallen off, it indicates that the toxin is stagnant in the Heart and Kidney. If the scabs fall off unevenly and opacities form at the corners of the eyes, it indicates that the toxin has flowed into the eyes. If the eyes stare fixedly without rotation after the scabs have fallen off, it indicates the exhaustion of Kidney Qi. Upward deviation of the eyes indicates the exhaustion of Heart Qi. Tears flowing spontaneously without crying indicate the exhaustion of Liver Qi. Slight closing of the eyes indicates the depletion of Qi. Blood vessels filling the pupil indicates that Fire is excessive while Water (Kidney Yin) is exhausted. In various diseases, if the patient closes their eyes and shakes their head, this indicates that the Yang meridians cannot be regulated, termed "Heart Exhaustion," and all such cases are untreatable.

The neck and nape are the root of vital energy (Sheng Qi). The Classic states: "Heavenly Qi connects with the Lungs; Earthly Qi connects with the throat." Heaven nourishes humans with the Five Qi; the larynx (Hou) is the passage for Qi, thus the larynx governs Heavenly Qi. Earth nourishes humans with the Five Flavors; the pharynx (Yan) is the passage for flavors, thus the pharynx governs Earthly Qi. Therefore, the neck and nape are the Shu points of the Liver, the constriction of the throat, and the pathway for Yin and Yang. The Three Yang meridians ascend from the neck; the Three Yin meridians descend away from the neck. Thus, in the manifestations of smallpox/rash diseases, the rash on the neck should be sparse. If the rash on the neck is entangled and excessively dense, it is called "Locking the Neck" (Suo Xiang). This disables its constricting function and blocks its pathway, preventing Qi from descending above and ascending below, trapping internal pathogens and excluding external healthy Qi. The Classic states: "If entry and exit cease, the Spirit mechanism perishes; if ascent and descent stop, the Qi foundation stands alone in danger." Furthermore, if the disease is deep-seated and the neck becomes flaccid, it indicates bone failure, which is a death sentence and untreatable.

The Classic states: "When needling the chest and abdomen, one must avoid the five Zang organs. The chest and abdomen are the outer walls of the Zang organs." It also states: "Above the diaphragm and blind area, there are Father and Mother," referring here to the Heart and Lung, which correspond to the location known as the "Three Granaries." Therefore, in mild cases of rash diseases, there are no rashes on the chest. If the rashes on the chest and abdomen are too heavy, it is definitely a ominous sign. Furthermore, if the disease is deep-seated with restlessness and urgency, and the sternum moves like a fan, this indicates scorched and distended Lungs. If the arterial pulse under the left breast protrudes, this indicates the exhaustion of the Zong Mai (Gathering Vessel). Both conditions are untreatable.