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Use bamboo paper for calligraphy practice, or straw paper used for burning as offerings. Dry them and roll them into wicks (lamp cores), with a thickness similar to that of a little finger. Dip the wick in sesame oil and roast it over a lamp, moving it back and forth, until the paper strip does not form bubbles or burst. Dip it generously in oil again and continue roasting until no bubbles appear in the oil. Then light the wick. Close the windows and doors of the patient's room to make it dark, and cover any areas where light enters with clothing. Observe the left and right cheekbones (Guanggu) for any colored spots; observe the Zhongting area (tip of the nose) for any colored spots. When observing the two cheekbones, hold the lit wick level with the sides of the ears and the nose. When observing the Zhongting area, hold the lit wick level with the corners of the eyes. Examine the skin closely; the redness or purpleness, whether in patches or dots, should be clearly visible. If it is a rash (Zhen), it floats on the surface of the skin without roots in the flesh. If it is smallpox (Douzhen), its roots are extremely deep within the flesh. If the wick is held directly against the cheekbones or Zhongting, the color will appear dim and invisible. If ash accumulates on the wick and dims the light, pinch off the ash to restore brightness. By examining in this manner, the internal condition can be predicted. Observation under daylight would not yield these results.

First discussion: At the initial stage of fever, it is urgent to induce sweating (Biao Han) to expel the fetal toxins from the Zang-Fu organs and external pathogenic factors. Symptoms such as aversion to cold with high fever, headache, lower back pain, abdominal distension, wheezing with phlegm, and clear nasal discharge, as well as convulsions, opisthotonos, and upward-gazing convulsions caused by fright or falls, should all be resolved through sweating. Consequently, the eruption of smallpox will naturally be sparse. However, severe heat indicates severe toxicity, while mild heat indicates mild toxicity. Therefore, exterior-releasing formulas must be administered before red spots appear. Baidu San (Poison-Resolving Powder): Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Gange (Puerariae Radix), Zisu (Perillae Folium), Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix), Jingjie (Schizonepetae Spica), Qianhu (Peucedani Radix), Bohe (Menthae Haplocalycis Herba), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix, rhizome removed), Zhike (Aurantii Fructus), Niubangzi (Arctii Fructus), Chantui (Cicadae Periostracum), Shanzharen (Crataegi Fructus), Digupi (Lycii Cortex), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix). These herbs are coarsely crushed. Add one slice of fresh ginger and decoct in water. Take before bedtime. Add five spoonfuls of scallion white juice and take hot. Another variation: omit Gange and add Zicao (Arnebiae Radix seu Lithospermi Radix). If heat is severe, add Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix) and Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix). In winter, add Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba). In summer, add Xiangru (Elsholtziae Herba). For diarrhea, add Fuling (Poria) and Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma).

Second discussion: For pediatric smallpox, if administered when fever first begins, it promotes swelling; if administered when spots first appear, it ensures a sparse eruption; if administered when lesions are depressed or hidden, it promotes rising and swelling. Its efficacy is beyond words. Shenxiao Fusheng Wan (Miraculous Efficacy Revitalizing Pill): Transmitted by Fangbo Wang Rushui. Danggui shen (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Gange (Puerariae Radix), Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Huangqi (Astragali Radix), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Chen sha (Cinnabaris, each 1 liang 2 qian), Zicao rong (Arnebiae Radix seu Lithospermi Radix flower bud, 1 liang). Grind all ingredients into fine powder. Form pills using glutinous rice zongzi paste, sized like marbles. Take one pill per dose. Decoct in river water until boiling, add a small amount of yellow wine, and swallow.

Third discussion: For the initial fever of smallpox, a single dose brings immediate relief; it is infallible. Yufu Wanling Dan (Preventive Administration of Myriad Spirits Pill): Zicao rong (Arnebiae Radix seu Lithospermi Radix flower bud, 1 liang), Shandougen (Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix), Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma, smaller size), Gegen (Puerariae Radix), Chantui (Cicadae Periostracum, floating ones), Jiangcan (Bombyx Batryticatus, stir-fried and silk removed), Baifu zi (Fuli Radix), Lianqiao (Forsythiae Fructus, heart removed, each 1 qian), Quanxie (Scorpio, detoxified, 10 pieces), Sheng gancao (Raw Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 5 fen), Xionghuang (Realgar, 1 qian 5 fen), Shexiang (Moschus, 1 qian), Chansu (Toad Venom, 1 qian, stewed in good wine until honey-like consistency). Grind the above twelve ingredients into powder. Use Chansu to form pills the size of soap pods. Take one pill per dose, washed down with Zicao decoction.

Fourth discussion: When smallpox lesions first emerge, apply this medicine to the face first. If applied too early, smallpox will not erupt on the face. If applied too late, although they may erupt, they will be sparse. Yuyan Gao (Jade Face Ointment): Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex, peeled, 1 liang), Lv dou fen (Vigna mungo powder, 4 liang), Sheng gancao (Raw Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 4 liang), Honghua (Carthami Flos, 2 liang). Grind all ingredients into an extremely fine powder. Mix with sesame oil to form an ointment. Apply to the area from the front of the ears, eyes, lips, and face. Apply three to five times daily.