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Frequently treating sequelae of smallpox. The swelling of the eyelids in children, approximately one cun above the lower eyelid, with the lids ulcerating into sores. The reason for failure to heal after long-term treatment lies in not knowing that internal damp-heat in the Yangming Stomach Meridian (Yangming Wei Jing) should be purged. Only then will the swelling gradually subside, tearing cease naturally, and pain disappear. Formulas such as Huanglian Jiedu Tang (Coptis Decoction for Resolving Toxicity) and Sanhuang Wan (Three Yellows Pill) may be used. If there is a nebula on the eyeball, Zhugan San (Boiled Liver Powder) should be used to resolve the nebula. These should be taken regularly. One must strictly avoid consuming eggs, duck eggs, lettuce, scallions, and Chinese chives.

Smallpox, also known as Tianhua or Shengchuang (Holy Sore), presents a critical prognosis within fourteen to fifteen days from onset. Parents worry deeply, cherishing their children like treasures. Incompetent physicians who mismanage the condition lead to severe consequences. Ancient sages strongly warned against this. The saying "sweating and purging are contraindicated throughout the course of smallpox" has caused later generations to adhere rigidly, preventing flexible application of treatment methods, leaving patients helpless until death. Is this truly in accordance with propriety? Suppose smallpox arises due to Cold Damage (Shanghan), with pathogenic factors in the Taiyang Meridian (Taiyang Jing), stirring up smallpox toxin. With two types of heat attacking each other, if sweating is induced, how will the cold pathogen be resolved? How will the smallpox toxin dissipate? This causes heat pathogens and smallpox toxins to stagnate internally and become intense, potentially transforming into complicated smallpox sores. However, potent herbs like Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang, 麻黄) should not be used; instead, mild resolving agents such as Perillae Caulis (Suge) and Cimicifugae Rhizoma (Shengma) are appropriate. If heat-toxin attacks inward, causing internal excess and stagnation, with constipation of both bowels and urine, failure to unblock and purge will cause the smallpox lesions to crust over prematurely, presenting complicated syndromes. Would this not constitute mismanagement? If one adheres to ancient words, how can such cases be saved? It can be said that adding Rheum Radix et Rhizoma (Dahuang, 大黄) to the formula is acceptable, but one must not act rashly. Another view states that administering Zhang's Yigong San (Heterogeneous Attack Powder) to smallpox patients is like carrying firewood to save a fire or pouring oil onto flames; this statement is also too extreme. For instance, when a child's smallpox reaches the seventh or eighth day, during the stage of pustule formation, if the child mistakenly consumes cold substances or plays with water, yin-cold accumulates internally, presenting symptoms such as cold limbs, cyanotic lips, and abdominal pain. Without using warming medicines, how will the yin-cold recede? Generally, clinical prescription requires flexible application and accurate symptom verification. If Qi deficiency is present, Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) with modifications is suitable; if Blood deficiency exists, Si Wu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) with modifications is used, adding small amounts of Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (Jiang, 生姜) and Cinnamomi Ramulus (Guizhi, 桂枝) to counteract cold. Smallpox benefits from warmth to erupt easily and avoids becoming complicated sores. As the saying goes, medicine has no fixed form; it should be applied according to circumstances. This is precisely what is meant.