Library

When a person is first born, they receive the harmonious Qi (vital energy), uniformly inheriting the Five Elements and Yin-Yang, with their physical form and constitution undergoing transformation. This is largely due to the fluctuations in maternal Qi and Blood during fetal development, where deficiency or excess manifests in the child. These conditions are acquired from the mother's womb; thus, knowing that accumulated filth exists, sores and rashes appear after birth, with each of the five Zang organs presenting a specific syndrome. Frequent yawning and a feeling of stuffiness indicate the Liver syndrome; frequent palpitations and fright indicate the Heart syndrome; sudden fright, fever, and cold hands and feet indicate the Spleen syndrome; redness of the face, cheeks, coughing, and frequent sneezing indicate the Lung syndrome. The Kidney resides in the lower Jiao and does not accept filth; however, black sores belong to the Kidney, caused by exposure to wind-cold and internal deficiency.

Furthermore, when an infant is first born, if the lochia (postpartum blood) has not been swallowed, the oral cavity should be wiped with cotton fat. If the infant swallows the lochia accumulated in the chest and diaphragm, it should be vomited out using Gancao Decoction (Licorice Decoction). If the lochia enters the abdomen, it should be purged using Huanglian and Mung Bean Powder. Both methods aim to eliminate evil filth. This is the common method used in the world to protect infants. Observing that the infant has been born and emerged from the womb, the mother's deficiency, excess, evil, and righteous states affect the child. Moreover, while in the womb, the infant shares the mother's Qi, Blood, and respiration; is this not how accumulated filth forms? Qian Yi (Qian Shi) discussed this appropriately.

After three days of heat toxin steaming, the heat circulates to the muscles and skin, generating erythema (red spots). Only when the erythema reaches the feet is it considered fully erupted. One should not be rigid about the number of spots; severe cases cover the whole body, while mild cases have only a few. Erythema generates blood blisters (vesicles/pustules); when these rise like beans on the skin, they are named "dou" (pox). When the blood blisters coagulate into pus, and the pus coagulates into scabs, healing is achieved. For emerging red spots, use Zicao Yinzi (Purple Perilla Drink); to accelerate eruption, use Huisu Wine (Coriander Wine). After the red spots are fully erupted and form blood blisters, which should turn into pustular pits around the seventh day, these are general statements. Patients vary in deficiency and excess; one should not be bound by days but adapt flexibly to the symptoms and signs corresponding to the disease stage. Ancients said heat becomes spots in three days, but some take five to seven days, or even ten-plus days. As long as spots reach the feet, it is considered complete; do not be bound by days. From spots reaching the feet being complete, after completion, blood blisters grow, and after seven days, pustular pits should form. If red spots still intermingle within the blood blisters, do not be bound by days; wait until all become blood blisters. Once blood blisters form, they should create pustular scabs. If after seven days no pustular scabs form, there is a risk of toxin penetrating internally and externally leading to involution (inward collapse of lesions). Urgently administer Zhuwei Gao (Pig Tail Ointment) to facilitate scabbing at any time. Thus, seven days for blood blisters is the standard. If after seven days, pustules and blisters are complete but no scabs form, balance is lost. Generally, if children have prolonged fever, physicians should prevent progression to pox syndromes. Because unresolved heat transforms into toxin circulating in the skin, causing sores and rashes, prevention is essential. If erythema erupts completely forming blood blisters, which form pustular pits on the seventh day, this indicates harmonious Ying and Wei (nutritive and defensive) Qi, with no external pathogenic invasion, allowing timely completion. However, if weather changes in cold, heat, dryness, or dampness occur while blood blisters are forming, and climate adaptation is neglected, the timeline may shift irregularly; do not be rigid about days. Consider the day when all erythema turns to blood blisters as complete. If after seven days of blood blisters, the patient is Qi-deficient and red spots remain unconverted to blood blisters, the toxin is not fully exhausted. At this time, use warming muscle and promoting Ying-Wei circulation herbs to support expulsion. Set the deadline at seven days for blood blisters; pustular pits should scab on schedule. If pustular pits should form but do not, it is because toxin is rampant and failing to consolidate. Use Zhuwei Gao to resolve this; this is an emergency. Zhuwei Gao treats rampant toxin, distended blood blisters failing to form pustular scabs, and intense blood-heat/toxin affecting the Heart. It is not suitable for external wind-cold, involution due to internal deficiency, or sinking/collapse from vomiting and diarrhea; these require detailed differentiation.