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After the eruption of smallpox in children, diaphoresis (inducing sweating to release the exterior) must not be used. This is because at the initial stage of eruption, fetal toxins are retained internally while pathogenic heat is contracted externally. Therefore, herbs that disperse and release the exterior should be used to open the hair follicles, allowing the pathogenic factors on the surface to dissipate and the internal toxins to emerge easily. If the pustules have already erupted on the surface, they rely on the coordination between the interior and exterior to facilitate suppuration and scabbing. If diaphoresis is applied again, the defensive Qi will become deficient, making it easy for wind pathogens to invade and sink inward, leading to ulceration and rotting of the lesions.

1. From the time of eruption until scabbing, even if constipation occurs, only honey-soap pills (a laxative made of honey and pig bile) should be used to guide evacuation; reckless purgation must be avoided. Purgation is permissible only after scabbing has formed. Before scabbing, although the toxin is on the surface, it relies on a solid interior to nourish it, enabling the surface lesions to suppurate and scab. This is like planting beans: if the soil is fertile and roots firm, flowering and fruiting occur easily. Reckless purgation weakens the Spleen and Stomach, causing Qi and Blood to deplete, which leads to sinking and hidden toxin syndromes, making suppuration and scabbing impossible. After scabbing, the external toxins have been exhausted. If symptoms such as excess heat, abdominal distension, or fecal impaction persist, purgatives can be used to unblock the Zang-Fu organs, curing the disease without leaving sequelae.

1. Throughout the entire course, foods with hot and toxic properties must be avoided, such as spicy, dry, and fried foods, green onions, garlic, and strong wine, which stimulate Qi and activate toxins. Unless there is a deficiency-cold syndrome, hot-natured medicines must not be used recklessly, as adding fire to fire may cause excessive heat toxicity, leading to the erosion of Qi and Blood and significant harm.

1. Throughout the entire course, cold and raw foods must be avoided, such as cold water, persimmons, melons, and honey. Unless there is a heat-toxin syndrome, cold-natured medicines must not be used recklessly. Warmth and harmony allow the smallpox to erupt; cold damages the Stomach and stagnates Qi, causing significant harm.

1. During the period from fever onset to scabbing, meat and blood products should generally be avoided, as they tend to assist fire pathogens, leading to heat-toxin congestion, lesion ulceration, or recurrent convulsions after scabbing that may last for months. Especially during the swelling and suppuration stages, when toxin Qi is abundant, consuming even a little fatty pork can immediately cause rapid breathing and phlegm accumulation. For those with weak Spleen and Stomach who cannot eat much, dried fish (Xiangyu) or lean meat boiled in small amounts may be consumed to enhance flavor.

1. Diet should be regulated carefully. Starvation damages the Spleen and Stomach, preventing Qi and Blood from being sufficient; overeating blocks Stomach Qi and hinders the smooth flow of Ying (Nutritive) and Wei (Defensive) Qi. Only moderation ensures safety.

1. Wind and cold must be strictly avoided. Since smallpox generates internal and external heat steaming, all pores are open. Children’s skin is tender and susceptible to invasion; once exposed, various syndromes may arise. After scabs fall off, Qi and Blood are greatly depleted, and flesh is tender, requiring extra caution against exposure.

1. Sexual intercourse must be strictly prohibited from beginning to end. Also avoid menstrual women, outsiders, drunkenness, foul-smelling fish, realgar, mosquito coils, green onions, garlic, leeks, wild leeks, ash from ditches, excrement, body odor from killing animals, and other filthy odors; these must be diligently avoided.