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In infants shortly after birth, within several months to one or two years of age, sores and crusts suddenly appear on the head, face, and around the lips. These lesions are as small as millet seeds; when the white purulent heads rupture, they merge into patches. The affected areas feel hot, swollen, painful, and itchy, with pale yellow, fishy-smelling pus oozing out from time to time. Healthy skin nearby, once contaminated by this yellow pus, quickly develops new sores. Initially, there is ulceration, redness, and swelling on the surface of the skin. If untreated, the condition gradually spreads to the superficial muscle layer, also presenting with pale redness, swelling, and ulceration. If treated improperly, over time it can spread from the head and face all over the body. This is what is referred to as Tai Du (Fetal Toxin). One should apply Qingxue Jiedu Tang (Clear Blood and Resolve Toxin Decoction) using methods of anti-inflammatory detoxification, clearing blood, and unblocking collaterals, seeking medical attention urgently. This allows the fetal toxin that has emerged outside the skin to dissipate from the skin's surface, naturally leading to clear blood, reduced inflammation, unblocked collaterals, resolved toxins, dried sores, and eventual recovery. Otherwise, if caregivers lack physiological knowledge and fail to assess the disease's nature, mistaking these sores for fire-toxin accumulations, they may attempt to rapidly reduce heat, swelling, and toxins using purgative bitter-cold herbs. Not only will the sores not heal, but the heat-toxin will instead drive inward, leading to unimaginable consequences. Therefore, in clinical practice, one must understand the components and progression of the syndrome, and how it formed. By observing phenomena related to physiological and pathological functions, treating according to symptoms ensures recovery. Otherwise, acting rashly to expel toxins may cause heat to sink inward借助 the medicinal power. This phenomenon is known in medical texts as "Tai Du Zou Huang" (Fetal toxin rushing yellow/internalizing into the heart pericardium or nutrient level). The external ulcers may suddenly appear dry and form scabs, looking like minor improvement, but this is a false sign. Within one or two days, the infant must exhibit dry retching, high fever, incessant crying, refusal to nurse, loose mouth corners, cyanotic face, cold limbs, dazed sleepiness, unconsciousness, and other adverse signs. At this stage, the symptoms reach an emergency state. If caregivers remain indifferent, believing there is no major danger, and delay treatment further, the infant's tears and nasal secretions will dry up, bodily fluids will be completely exhausted, nerves will become tense, the whole body will convulse, and life will end. Regarding fetal toxin, if treated correctly, it could have been cured. How did it evolve into this result? Who is at fault? For external treatment of fetal toxin, use egg yolk oil mixed with fine Sophora flavescens powder (Kushen), applied fully to red, swollen, wet, and ulcerated areas to disinfect, drain dampness, and reduce swelling. Applying multiple times day and night reduces inflammation and swelling, and the sores dry out. Then internally administer Qingxue Jiedu Tang, treating both internally and externally based on symptoms, resulting in full recovery within a few days. The method for obtaining egg yolk oil and the prescription for the decoction are listed below:

Qingxue Jiedu Tang Prescription
Moutan Cortex (Dan Pi) (1 qian), Red Peony Root (Chi Shao Yao) (1 qian), Forsythia Fruit (Lian Qiao) (1 qian), Viola Yedoensis (Zi Di Ding) (1.5 qian), Akebia Stem (Mu Tong) (0.8 qian), Licorice Root Tip (Gan Cao Shao) (0.5 qian), Platycodon Root (Jie Geng) (1 qian), Mulberry Leaf (Dong Sang Ye) (1 qian), Gardenia Fruit (Shan Zhi Zi) (0.7 qian), Rush Pith (Deng Xin) (10 cun), Bamboo Leaves (Zhu Ye) (6 leaves, as guide). Decoct in water and take warm.

Method for Obtaining Egg Yolk Oil:
Take two or three large oily eggs, boil them hard, remove the outer shell, then remove the albumen, keeping only the yolks. Add a clump of human hair roughly the size of an egg yolk. Place together in an iron spoon and fry over charcoal fire. Initially, it becomes very dry, possibly emitting a burnt smell and smoke; do not rush, as this is normal regardless of who cooks it. Ignore the charring and smoke, calmly and continuously stir. Soon the hair turns to carbonized ash, and the egg yolk follows suit, becoming dark black crumbs. Once the egg yolk is fully carbonized, the egg oil is fully extracted. Remove the hair carbon and egg yolk carbon, store the pure egg oil separately, and cool it in cold water to remove fire toxicity. Once the oil is thoroughly cooled, mix with Sophora flavescens powder. Egg yolk oil is a sacred medicine for external treatment of fetal toxin; do not neglect it, though extraction is difficult. Another prescription, Zilu San (Purple Reed Powder), is particularly miraculous for treating pediatric fetal toxin. However, this is a closely guarded secret formula, never previously published. Due to my relationship with you students, I cannot keep it secret forever. I publish it openly, hoping you treasure it. Do not casually pass it on; reserve it for your future clinical needs. Applying this powder to red, swollen, and ulcerated fetal toxin lesions guarantees healing in two applications. Even in severe cases, repeated applications resolve swelling and scabbing, leading to cure.

Zilu San Secret Formula
This prescription specifically treats pediatric fetal toxin damp-sores, where the body's flesh is red and skinless, with dripping pus and blood, or congenital syphilis inherited from the fetal origin. It also treats women obstructed by syphilis, leading to gradual swelling, hardness, and ulceration of the vulva and anus, with non-drying pus and ceaseless pain. Applying this powder stops pain and forms scabs immediately, truly miraculous. If urination washes away the powder, reapply. Frequent application leads to gradual healing. If the toxin burden is too heavy,务必 add 0.7 qian of Pearl Powder (Zhenzhu Fen) and 0.3 qian of Buffalo Calculus (Xi Niuhuang) to the powder mixture. These amounts are calculated based on the total powder volume. If adding during use, calculate proportionally.

Calcined Gypsum (Qing Bai Lu Gan Shi) (1 liang, calcined once each), soaked in Coptis Chinensis juice (repeatedly calcined), then soaked in child's urine (three times, totaling three calcinations).
Cinnamon Bark (Chuan Nong Bai) (7 qian, brushed with pig bile and roasted seven times until thoroughly roasted).
Purple Sugarcane Peel (Zi Gan Zhe Pi) (5 qian, burned to retain nature, taken as clean powder).
Camellia Seed Cake (Er Cha) (5 qian).
Small Mung Bean (Xiao Lv Dou) (7 qian, finely ground).
Red Halloysite (Chi Shi Zhi) (5 qian).
Borneol (Bing Pian) (0.5 fen).
Grind all above medicines into extremely fine powder. Separately, take 2 liang of true sesame oil, add one cooked egg yolk, fry until charred, remove residue, let cool for one day. Mix with this powder and apply. It naturally stops pain, reduces swelling, and heals. If the oil is not cold, applying it causes pain.