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To treat plague diseases presenting with swollen and painful throat, nasal congestion, obstructed qi flow, and absence of saliva and tears:
Ludou (Rhizoma Euphorbiae Humifusae), Shengma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae), Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei), Huangqin (Radix Scutellariae), Lanye (Folium Isatidis), Xuanshen (Radix Scrophulariae).
Decoct in plain water.

To treat "Big Head Plague" (an acute infectious disease characterized by swelling and redness of the head and face):
Huangqin (Radix Scutellariae, stir-fried), Huanglian (Rhizoma Coptidis, wine-stir-fried), Sheng Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae uralensis, raw), Shi Niu Zi (Fructus Arctii), Gualou Gen (Radix Trichosanthis).
Decoct in plain water.

External application for treating "Hamster Plague" (mumps, characterized by parotid swelling resembling a toad):
Crush Ce Bai Ye (Cacumen Platycladi) to extract juice, mix with Earthworm excrement (Qiuyin Fen), and apply externally; it will subside immediately.
Ren Zhong Huang (Human waste processed through specific methods), specifically used to treat severe epidemics.

A unique prescription for epidemic diseases causing massive swelling and obstruction of the throat:
Bai Jiang Can (Bombyx Batryticatus, 1 liang), Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, 2 liang).
Grind into fine powder, form pills using Ginger Juice (Shengjiang Zhi), size of a bullet. Take with Jinghua Water (clear well water) mixed with Honey (Fengmi).

See previous section "Treating Hamster Plague".

See previous section "Treating as above".

See section on "Cold Pathogens", add Fangfeng (Radix Saposhnikoviae) and Jingjie (Herba Schizonepetae).

Regarding injuries caused by drinking, eating, fatigue/labor, and internal injury complicated by external contraction.

The Classic states: "The cold and heat of food and drink, when contracted, harm the Six Fu-organs." It also says: "If food and drink exceed normal amounts by double, the intestines and stomach are injured." By "drinking," we refer to fluids; excessive drinking causes qi to rebel upward. If the body is chilled or cold drinks are consumed, the Lung is injured, resulting in asthma, edema, and distension. Treatment should employ "opening the ghost gate" (diaphoresis/sweating method) and "purifying the residence" (diuresis), allowing the pathogen to be eliminated from above and below. By "eating," we refer to solid food; overeating leads to flaccidity of sinews and vessels, and intestinal malfunction resulting in hemorrhoids. If food stagnates and fails to transform, it causes nausea, belching with acid reflux, vomiting, chest stuffiness and pain, and anorexia; this is "food injury." Treatment should focus on digestion and guidance (promoting digestion and moving stagnation). If there is excessive labor, unregulated emotions of joy and anger, and irregular daily routines, the body's qi is damaged. When qi declines, ministerial fire becomes hyperactive; hyperactive fire attacks Spleen earth. Since the Spleen governs the four limbs, symptoms include heaviness and heat in the limbs, weakness, reluctance to speak, panting and fatigue upon movement, fever, spontaneous sweating, and restlessness. This is "fatigue injury" damaging qi. During illness, one should calm the heart and sit quietly to nourish qi. Medicinals should be sweet-cold to clear fire and sweet-warm to tonify qi. The Classic states: "For exhaustion, use warming methods; for deficiency, use tonification methods." This is precisely what is meant. Some cases involve internal injury complicated by external contraction: initially, internal damage occurs due to emotional turmoil, improper diet, or overwork; subsequently, external wind-cold contracts, leading to bodily stiffness and fatigue, bitter taste in the mouth, dizziness, and nasal congestion. This is termed "internal injury with external contraction." One should use Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction), modified according to symptoms. Generally, humans rely on the flavors of food and drink for nourishment; if not regulated, the Spleen and Stomach become deficient. In such cases, tonification is indicated, not purgation. Many mistakenly identify deficiencies of the middle jiao caused by diet and labor as excess conditions of external wind-cold, applying Zhang Zhongjing's methods of heavy purgation and strong release of the exterior. This renders Ying and Wei (nutritive and defensive qi) both deficient, potentially leading to death within a day or night. Thus, a slight error leads to a great deviation. When facing illness, careful differentiation is essential.