Library

The *Classic* states: The Lung opens into the nose. Therefore, when pox (smallpox) initially presents with fever and sneezing, it is because Fire pathogenic factors invade the Lung from above, manifesting externally on the nose. The heat burns and causes itching, leading to sneezing. If the nostrils are dry, black, and cracked, this indicates Fire punishing Metal (Lung). Since Metal inherently possesses dryness, the condition worsens upon receiving heat. Epistaxis (nosebleed) occurs due to extreme heat in the Yangming channel; blood moves recklessly under the influence of heat and overflows upward into the brain, thus exiting through the nose. Clear nasal discharge indicates measles (rash diseases). This is because rashes originate in the Heart; the Heart and Lung are connected. Fire controls Metal, but when heat reaches its extreme, it transforms into water. Nasal congestion without passage is not caused by Wind-Cold obstruction, but rather by Fire damaging clear Qi, preventing it from ascending. If a few red spots appear and cluster on the Shangen (root of the nose), it signifies excessive toxin and deficient Qi, where the toxin attacks upward taking advantage of the deficiency. However, the collaterals of the Spleen connect to the nose, corresponding to the position of Kun Earth. Therefore, regardless of the stage, one must avoid the nose becoming blurred into patches or drying and crusting too early. If the pustules are forming pus but the nose turns yellow first, this indicates the impending failure of Spleen Earth and the appearance of the True Zang color. If the tips of the nose become dry before any sores have formed pus, the prognosis is ominous. The *Classic* states: Among the Zang organs, the Lung is the highest, responsible for circulating Ying and Wei Qi and Yin and Yang. If evil Fire disturbs the Lung, the Lung fails to transmit essence to the skin and hair, causing the skin and hair to become scorched and sticky, first appearing at the nose. Gradually, Ying and Wei circulation will cease, and Yin and Yang will disconnect, leading to death from total body dryness. Furthermore, in deteriorating conditions of sores, epistaxis, spontaneous nasal discharge, open nostrils with rapid breathing, all belong to Lung channel pathology and are incurable.

The *Classic* states: The Kidney opens into the ears. The ears are the external manifestation of the Kidney. The Kidney is a Water organ, generated by Tian Yi (Heaven One), and during conception, the two kidneys form first, harboring a Yin essence. Additionally, Ministerial Fire resides within the Mingmen gate. Therefore, if fever occurs but the ears remain cool, it is a favorable sign. This is because rash diseases belong to Fire, and the Kidney does not accept the pathogen, relying on its Water nature to control the Solar fire. If the ears become hot instead, it indicates Fire blazing and Water drying up, true Yin failing, and Water being unable to overcome Fire, suggesting a shift of the disease to the Kidney. Regarding the eruption of smallpox, one must examine the ear area for red threads. The Sanjiao (Triple Burner) meridian of Hand-Shaoyang ascends from the Danzhong point, emerges above the Keyan (Clavicle), connects behind the ear, and goes straight to the ear apex. Redness here represents the color of Fire. This shows that the fire of the sores originates from the Shaoyang meridian and manifests in its own channel. If sores appear first from the ear, or if the ear skin collapses before pus forms, it gradually indicates a trend of the disease returning to the Kidney. With both Sovereign and Ministerial Fires in action, their burning intensity is hard to extinguish, inevitably leading to an untreatable state.

Smallpox arises from Ministerial Fire, and the ear is the aperture of the Kidney. Thus, the patterns behind the ear serve as omens: fine, straight, red, and moist lines are superior; coarse, slanted, purple, and bright lines are medium; curved, mixed, purple, and dark lines are inferior. Judging by duration: red lines going straight up but not bright indicate one year of age; red lines slanting and hidden between membranes indicate eight to nine months; red lines crossing horizontally and reflecting in muscle layers indicate half a year; straight blue-purple lines with fish-bone-like projections indicate two months; slanting blue-purple lines indicate forty days; horizontal blue-purple lines indicate one month; knotted purple lines indicate a few days. Within these few days, there are ten further signs: 1. Cold earlobes; 2. Cold [ears/limbs]; 3. Cold fingertips; 4. Blurred vision and darkness; 5. Frowning brows with a sullen expression and yellow-bright complexion; 6. Fever with red face and lips; 7. Body pain alternating with hot and cold sensations; 8. Yawning and difficult breathing; 9. Moaning during sleep; 10. Startling or jerking in dreams. If four or five of these ten signs appear, smallpox will certainly erupt.