Library

The lamp-fire therapy is frequently used by people in Chu. Select a thick, white rush core (dengxin), cut it to a length of three or four cun, dip it slightly in sesame oil, dry it, and ignite it. Hold the tail end of the rush core horizontally with the right hand, allowing it to hang down vertically. Press it onto the acupoint; as soon as the flame approaches the skin, lift it immediately, producing a snapping sound. This technique requires dexterity and agility to avoid burning the muscles. Xia Yuzhu described this method as follows:

1. Umbilical wind (Neonatal tetanus). Seven days after birth, if umbilical wind initially manifests, the infant will suckle less, and yellow discoloration appears at the corners of the eyes and between the eyebrows. Immediately use lamp-fire therapy on the fontanelle, between the eyebrows, Renzhong (GV26), Chengjiang (CV24), and Shaoshang (LU11) on both thumbs, applying one application each. Apply six applications around the four sides of the navel. If the umbilical cord has not yet fallen off, apply once at the base of the cord; if it has already fallen off, apply once at the site of detachment. In total, eleven applications are made, after which the wind pathogen subsides and the yellow discoloration fades. If the yellow color spreads to the nose, it is still easy to treat; if both Renzhong and Chengjiang are yellow, the condition is severe. However, if the lips are tight and the tongue is stiff, it is incurable. (Zhou Yufan)

When this syndrome occurs, a green vein appears on the abdomen. If it branches upward toward the epigastrium, the condition is critical. It is advisable to use lamp-fire therapy at the end of the green vein, applying one treatment each, and three treatments at the main bifurcation point. If the green vein recedes downward, it is an auspicious sign. (Zhou Yufan)

If the family fears fire therapy for the infant, use a thick, white rush core, cut to about one cun in length. Do not dip it in oil; instead, moisten it slightly with saliva and attach it to the acupoints. Ignite it; it will extinguish upon approaching the flesh, serving as a substitute for lamp-fire therapy. However, its efficacy is weaker. For areas where one lamp-fire application would normally be used, triple the number of applications. (Zhou Yufan)

2. Fetal cold. Within one or two days after birth, if the infant presents with a cyanotic face and white lips, refuses to suckle or cry, has cold limbs curled into fists, or suffers from abdominal pain and incessant crying, these are all signs of fetal cold. Use lamp-fire therapy on the fontanelle, between the eyebrows, and the center of the navel, applying one treatment each. Apply six treatments around the four sides of the navel, and one treatment on each side of the heels, totaling fifteen applications. For infants unable to produce sound, apply two treatments to Feishu (BL13) and one treatment to each Shaoshang (LU11) acupoint. (Zhou Yufan)

3. Huoluan (Cholera-like acute gastrointestinal disorder). When the Ying and Wei Qi (nutritive and defensive energies) of the body are obstructed by pathogenic factors and cannot circulate freely, it results in cold extremities, abdominal pain, and faint red spots on the body. This is called Ban Sha (Spot Sha) or Fan Sha. The common belief that cold extremities indicate Yin Sha is incorrect. Using a rush core dipped slightly in oil and ignited for lamp-fire therapy will alleviate the illness. (Wang Mengying)