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(One Treatise, Thirty-Eight Prescriptions)

The treatise states: Dan Du (Erysipelas), also known as Tian Huo (Heavenly Fire), is characterized by a sudden appearance of redness in the skin and flesh resembling applied cinnabar. The lesions may be as large as a palm; in severe cases, they cover the whole body with itching and swelling, and the color is not fixed. There is Bai Dan (White Erysipelas), where swelling rises in the flesh, starting with itching followed by pain, accompanied by slight deficiency, swelling resembling inflation, and the eruption of urticaria. There is Ji Guan Dan (Rooster Comb Erysipelas), which appears as raised red patches, large ones resembling connected coins, small ones resembling hemp or bean grains, with granular elevations on the skin like the texture of a rooster comb; it is also called Zhu Yu Dan (Cornel Erysipelas). There is Shui Dan (Water Erysipelas), caused by systemic heat interacting with dampness to form the lesion, presenting with a shimmering yellow-red color as if water were trapped under the skin, commonly occurring on the thighs and genital area. Although this is a minor ailment, failure to treat it can lead to death.

Sheng Ma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Bai Wei (Cynanchi Atrati Radix [Zhou Hou] uses Bai Lian (Ampelopsis Radix)), Lou Lu (Euphorbiae Humifusae Herba), Lian Qiao (Forsythiae Fructus), Mang Xiao (Natrii Sulfas), Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix) (each 2 liang), She Xian (Ophiopogonis Radix? Note: Context suggests a specific herb, likely Ophiopogon or similar, kept as She Xian), Zhi Shi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus) (each 3 liang), Shuo Di (Polygoni Multiflori Caulis? Or Achyranthis Bidentatae Caulis? Kept as Shuo Di), Zhi Zi (Gardeniae Fructus) (40 seeds).
Crush the above ten ingredients slightly, soak in 3 sheng of water for half a day, then decoct with 5 sheng of pig fat until all moisture evaporates. Strain the dregs. Apply the resulting ointment to the affected area. This prescription is used for all types of Dan Du, as well as hot sores and swellings, three times daily. (Jing Xin Lu omits Zhi Shi, using it for various toxic swellings).

Prescription for treating Dan Du.
Sheng Ma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Lou Lu (Euphorbiae Humifusae Herba), Mang Xiao (Natrii Sulfas) (each 2 liang), Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix) (3 liang), Shuo Di (4 liang), Zhi Zi (Gardeniae Fructus) (20 seeds).
Crush the above six ingredients, soak in 1 dou of water for a long time, decoct to obtain 7 sheng, and cool. Soak old cloth in the juice and apply compresses to all Dan Du lesions, keeping them constantly moist. After application, one must take oral decoctions; refer to the Lou Lu Tang prescription mentioned earlier in the abscess and swelling section. Immediate recovery follows administration. (Duan Ju Fang uses this for Dan Zhen [erysipelas-like rash] and red toxic swellings).

Single-herb prescriptions for Dan Du:
Shui Tai (Aquatic Moss), Sheng She Xian (Fresh Ophiopogon/Herb), Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix), Sheng Song Cai (Fresh Brassica Chinensis/Turnip Greens), Shuo Di Cai (Vegetable part of Shuo Di), Shen Huo Cao (Artemisiae Annuae Herba?), Wu Ye Teng (Five-leaf Vine), Dou Ye (Bean Leaves), Fu Ping (Moscus Moschatellae).
Select any one of the above, crush alone, and apply externally.

Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma), Zhi Zi (Gardeniae Fructus), Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix), Mang Xiao (Natrii Sulfas).
Select any one of the above, mix with water and use.
Of the above thirteen herbs, whether crushed into powder or used singly, immediate recovery occurs.

Another prescription: Among all extremely cold substances in the world, none is colder than algae/seaweed. For patients suffering from hot toxic swellings and Dan Du, take algae from ditches, cut finely, cook thoroughly, crush, and apply. Apply at a thickness of 3 fen; replace when dry.

Divine and effective prescription for all Dan Du:
Cook and crush You Mai (Brassica Juncea/Rape Seeds), apply thickly. The swelling subsides immediately. If residual heat remains, continue applying for three days until cured. Even if it dries, continue applying without cessation to eradicate the root cause. In the seventh year of Zhenguan, on March 8th, after drinking excessively in Neijiang County, I felt pain in my limbs and bones during sleep at night. By dawn, I suffered from headache and dizziness. A swelling like a bullet appeared on the left corner of my forehead, too painful to touch. By noon, it moved to the right corner. By night, it spread everywhere, causing my eyes to close tightly, nearly leading to death. Prefect Zhou Gong failed to cure me with various medicines. After more than seven days, I used this prescription myself, and its efficacy was miraculous. Thus, I record it for posterity.

Prescription for Five-Color You Dan (Vernacular: You Zhong/Swelling Oil). Those who contract this often die; do not underestimate it.
Tie a sow to use as a pillow for sleeping; this is very effective.

Another prescription: Apply cow dung; replace when dry.

Prescription for Chi Liu Zhong Dan Du (Red Flowing Swelling Erysipelas):
Take the white inner bark of Elm root, grind into powder, and mix with egg white for external application. (Yi Fang also uses egg white mixed with ash from rush mats).

Another prescription: Crush hemp seeds, mix with water, and apply.

Another prescription: Melt sheep fat and massage the area; green sheep fat is best. (Ji Yan Fang states: Treats sudden onset of red-black erysipelas on face, head, and body, resembling scabies. Without treatment, it worsens daily, spreads over the body, and causes death).

Prescription for pediatric Dan Du:
Crush a handful of Ma Chi Xian (Portulacae Herba), extract the juice for oral consumption, and apply the dregs externally.

Another prescription: Crush Chi Xiao Dou (Adzuki Beans) 5 he, mix with water, extract juice, and drink 1 he. Apply the dregs to the five centers (palms, soles, and chest).

Another prescription: Decoct Da Dou (Soybeans) strongly and apply the juice. It is effective and leaves no scars after recovery.

Another prescription: Mix pig fat from the twelfth lunar month with soil from under the cooking pot and apply; replace when dry.

Prescription for pediatric Five-Color Dan:
Apply rotten mud from under the pig trough; replace when dry. (Ji Yan Fang treats sudden red-black Dan).

Another prescription: Apply crushed Shuo Di leaves.

Another prescription: Take 2 he of Huang Long Tang orally, and apply topically to the affected area for best results.

Prescription for pediatric Bai Dan (White Erysipelas):
Burn pig feces to ash, mix with egg white, and apply. This is effective.

Prescription for pediatric Chi Dan (Red Erysipelas):
Crush You Mai leaves, take 3 he of the juice orally. Apply the dregs externally. (Yi Fang states: Mix You Mai powder with egg white and apply).

Prescription for pediatric Chi Dan with mottled patterns:
Mix Tu Fen (Lead Carbonate) with saliva and apply from the outside inward.

Another prescription: Mix copper/iron rust with pig fat and apply.

Another prescription: Mix house dust with pig fat from the twelfth lunar month and apply.

Prescription for pediatric Huo Dan (Fire Erysipelas) red as vermilion, migrating across the skin:
Mix Cu (Vinegar) with Chi Dou (Fermented Soybeans), grind, and apply.

Another prescription: Apply carp blood; this is effective.

Another prescription: Crush Ren Zi (Perilla Seeds) and apply.

Another prescription: Mix pig feces with water, squeeze out the juice, and take a small amount orally.

Prescription for pediatric Tian Huo Dan (Heavenly Fire Erysipelas), where flesh shows redness like cinnabar, large as a hand, severe cases covering the whole body, with pain, itching, or swelling:
Grind 2 sheng of Chi Xiao Dou (Adzuki Beans) into powder, mix with egg white to a thin paste, and apply. Replace when dry; recovery follows. This prescription is effective for all types of Dan Du.

Another prescription: Apply raw sesame oil.

Prescription for pediatric Gu Huo Dan (Bone Fire Erysipelas), where the sore exposes bone:
Crush large and small garlic, apply thickly. This applies to lesions on the ankles.

Prescription for pediatric Yang Huo Dan Du affecting both flanks and axillae:
Use Fu Long Gan (Dragon's House Earth/Cooked Soil) as powder, mix with oil, and apply; replace when dry. If the pathogen enters the abdomen or genitals, use Shen Huo Cao juice.

Prescription for pediatric Niao Zao Dan (Urine Stove Erysipelas), starting from both thighs and umbilicus, spreading to the glans penis, all red:
Cut 2 sheng of Sang Bai Pi (Morus Alba Root Bark), decoct in 2 sheng of water, and bathe the affected area. This is effective.

Another prescription: Burn Li Gen (Plum Root) to ash, mix with flowing water from fields, and apply. This is effective.

Prescription for pediatric Zhu Tian Huo Dan. The disease forms sores within one day and night, starting from the back and spreading to the whole body, red as dates:
Decoct Ji Gen (Pyracantha Root) strongly and wash the area. For formed sores, apply Chi Xiao Dou powder. For unformed sores, mix Chi Xiao Dou powder with egg white and apply.

Prescription for pediatric Tian Zao Huo Dan, starting from the thigh region, in infants under 100 days old, with red, swollen, bleeding prepuce:
Grind Fu Long Gan (Dragon's House Earth) into powder, mix with egg white, and apply three times daily. This is effective.

Another prescription: Carp meat (chopped 5 he) and Chi Xiao Dou powder (3 he).
Crush and mix the above two ingredients with a little water and apply. This is effective.

Prescription for pediatric Ye Huo Dan (Wild Fire Erysipelas), where the whole body is red:
Apply oil.

Prescription for pediatric Zhu Yu Dan (Cornel Erysipelas), starting from the back, spreading over the body with fine network-like patterns, forming sores overnight:
Use Chi Xiao Dou powder to dust the area. If sores have not formed, mix with egg white and apply.

Prescription for pediatric Fei Zao Huo Dan (Abandoned Stove Fire Erysipelas), starting from the dorsum of the foot, bright red:
Decoct Zao Gen (Jujube Root) and bathe 5-6 times. This is effective.