Library

On the day of inoculation (inserting the variola vaccine), one must select a "Cheng" (Completion) day, a "Kai Kou Zai Zhong" (Opening Mouth and Planting) day, or days blessed by the Heavenly Virtue (Tiande) and Monthly Virtue (Yuede). This is auspicious. If these three conditions cannot be met simultaneously, selecting a "Cheng" or "Kai" (Opening) day is acceptable. However, if the day corresponds to the location of the "Ren Shen" (Human Spirit), it is taboo and inoculation must not be performed.

Auspicious days for smallpox inoculation include: Cheng days, Kai days, Zai Zhong days, and Tiande/Yuede days.
Calculation of Tiande/Yuede days: In the 1st, 5th, and 9th months, it falls on Bing days; in the 2nd, 6th, and 10th months, on Jia days; in the 3rd, 7th, and 11th months, on Ren days; in the 4th, 8th, and 12th months, on Geng days.
Rules for Ren Shen locations: On the 11th day, it is located at the nasal bridge; on the 15th day, it is located on the lateral side of the body.

Care and nursing during smallpox inoculation are of utmost importance and must not be neglected from start to finish, such as avoiding wind and cold, and being cautious with diet. When the weather is severely cold, clothing and coverings should be warm to prevent exposure to cold, lest the pathogenic cold interfere with the eruption of pustules. However, one should not use excessively thick cotton or mattresses, which may cause heat stagnation and obstruct the ventilation and eruption of the rash. When the weather is warm, coverings should be moderate to prevent external warmth from combining with internal toxins, leading to increased irritability and heat. Yet, one should not dress too thinly or expose the body, allowing cold pathogens to invade externally and hinder the generation and development of vital energy. Thus, balancing cold and warmth is crucial. Human Qi and Blood rely on food and drink for transformation and nourishment. The entire course of smallpox depends entirely on this. If dietary intake is insufficient, where will Qi and Blood find support? However, excess is also harmful. Overdrinking leads to fluid retention that fails to transform into Jin Ye (Body Fluids); overeating causes food stagnation, generating Phlegm-Heat. Therefore, for infants breastfeeding, milk should not be given in excessive nor insufficient amounts. For children who can eat solid food, they should avoid pungent, hot, roasted, and fried foods; sticky, hard, raw, and cold foods; excessive tea consumption; and cold beverages. Food intake should not lead to fullness nor hunger. Thus, balancing diet is essential. Beyond temperature control and diet, regarding behavior and movement, children should not be indulged arbitrarily, nor should their wills be overly frustrated. It is up to the caregiver to tolerate the child's temperament, act with diligence and caution, and provide proper protection. Precautions are necessary not only after inoculation but also before; not only when the rash first appears but especially after scabs fall off. The inoculator should earnestly instruct and warn in detail, ensuring that parents understand the gravity of the situation, remain cautious, and follow proper care methods to ensure complete safety. If negligence occurs, causing the child to be invaded by wind-cold/heat or injured by improper diet, who will bear the responsibility? This is why those who do not understand the importance of nursing care should absolutely not undergo inoculation.