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Li Dongyuan stated: Excessive pathogenic heat in the Yangming channel enriches and solidifies the Ministerial Fire of Shaoyang, thereby causing this disease. Damp-heat causes swelling, while excessive heat toxin causes pain. This pathogen manifests on the head, mostly appearing as swelling in front of and behind both ears; this is the characteristic of the disease. Treatment should not be rushed. If one seeks speed, the medicinal force may exceed the pathological site. As it is said, "If the heat above has not been eliminated, cold in the middle will arise again," which will surely harm human life. Therefore, mild medicines should be used, taken slowly, administered in small amounts frequently. One should treat according to the affected channel based on where the swelling is located.

Zhu Danxi stated: Da Tou Bing (Big Head Disease) is caused by damp-heat invading the highest part of the body (the head and face). It is appropriate to use herbs such as Qiang Huo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix), Jiu Qin (Scutellariae Radix prepared with wine), and Zheng Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma steamed).

If the pathogen is in the Yangming channel, the swelling must start from the forehead. It is appropriate to use Xiong Zhi Ge Gen Tang (Ligusticum Chuanxiong, Angelica Dahurica, and Pueraria Decoction) combined with San Huang Tang (Three Yellows Decoction) and Xiao Du San (Detoxification Powder).

If the pathogen is in the Shaoyang channel, the swelling must start from the areas in front of and behind both ears. It is appropriate to use Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) with modifications, adding Jiu Qin (Scutellariae Radix prepared with wine) and Niu Bang Zi (Arctii Fructus).

If the pathogen affects both channels and the swelling is severe, it is appropriate to use Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin Zi (Universal Benefit Detoxification Decoction).

If the pathogen affects the three Yang channels, resulting in swelling of the entire head and face accompanied by fever, it is appropriate to use Jing Fang Bai Du San (Schizonepeta and Saposhnikovia Powder to Overcome Toxicity) with added Jiu Qin (Scutellariae Radix prepared with wine) and Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma).

If the pathogen starts from the jaw and chin area, causing swelling, pain, and fever, it is called Lu Cha Wen (Cranial Gate Plague - *Note: 'HT' in original text likely a typo for 'Cha' or similar*). It is appropriate to use Wei Rui San (Asparagi Powder).

If the plague disease presents with swollen throat and nasal congestion, the condition is very severe. It is appropriate to use Yi Zi San (One Character Powder) blown into the nose to promote patency, or use Tong Tian San (Reaching Heaven Powder). If there is no airflow through the nose and no secretion of saliva or tears, it is considered incurable. A leaking method (*Lou*) should still be employed.

If it is a Winter Warmth disease, occurring when it is not the proper season, where the air is extremely cold in winter but unusually warm, causing human Qi to vent outward, it is appropriate to use Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) with modifications.

Hamster Plague (When the pathogen causes swelling starting from the roots of both ears and below the cheeks, it is called Hamster Plague).

Zhu Danxi stated: Hamster Plague belongs to Wind-Heat syndrome. It is appropriate to use Fang Feng Tong Sheng San (Saposhnikovia Powder to Unblock the Interior and Exterior) with modifications, or alternatively, Jing Fang Bai Du San (Schizonepeta and Saposhnikovia Powder to Overcome Toxicity).

For swelling caused by Hamster Plague, boiling fish dan (*Yu Dan* - *likely referring to a specific fish or part, literally 'Fish Light/Dan'*) and consuming the soup leads to recovery.

Treatment for Plague Toxin causing swelling of the head and face, and Lu Cha Wen (Cranial Gate Plague):
Wei Rui (Asparagi Radix), Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum), Ma Huang (Ephedrae Herba), Bai Wei (Cynanchi Atrati Radix), Qiang Huo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix), Xing Ren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Mu Xiang (Aucklandiae Radix), Chuan Xiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Gan Ju Hua (Chrysanthemi Flos).
Decoct in water.

Treatment for Epidemic Malignancy causing aversion to cold with high fever, swelling of the head and face, and difficulty in the throat:
Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix), Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix), Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Lian Qiao (Forsythiae Fructus), Xuan Shen (Scrophulariae Radix), Bai Jiang Can (Bombyx Batryticatus), Sheng Ma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix), Jie Geng (Platycodonis Radix), Ma Bo (Toadstool/Ma Bo), Ban Lan Gen (Isatidis Radix), Niu Bang Zi (Arctii Fructus).
Decoct in water.