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Zhu Danxi stated: For dry sores, fire should be reduced; for damp sores, dampness should be drained. Reducing fire requires only mild agents, such as Jingjie (Schizonepetae Spica), Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix), and Lianqiao (Forsythiae Fructus). Draining dampness refers to dampness in the muscle and skin layers, which is suitable for wind-dispelling herbs such as Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix) and Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix). When smallpox first appears, spontaneous sweating is not an obstacle, as it arises from the steaming of damp-heat.

Things that are moist are nourishing and lustrous, while those that are dry become withered and desiccated. The distinction between "Rong" (nourishment/vitality) and "Ku" (withering/depletion) is governed by blood. Therefore, blood serves to nourish Yin and Yang, moisten the skin and hair, and flow through the joints. If sores are originally sparse, blood does not need to be abundant to be sufficient; if sores are originally dense, it is crucial that blood is in excess. If blood is sufficient, meridians circulate freely, permeating the skin and muscles, reaching the hair and skin, irrigating and moistening, allowing the sores to grow plump and lustrous. Naturally, their color and form will be bright and vivid, with red and active bases. Conversely, if blood is insufficient, meridians become obstructed, sore pockets become empty, appearing black, dry, and dull, withered rather than plump and lustrous, and the skin becomes wrinkled, peeling, and cracked. The Classics state: "All cases of astringency, withering, drying, hardness, and peeling belong to Dryness." It also states: "Excess Dryness leads to dryness." This occurs because the patient's blood is chronically deficient, compounded by toxic fire scorching, which induces the transformation of Metal (associated with Dryness). With the exhaustion of essence and blood, this syndrome manifests. The treatment method should involve invigorating blood and nourishing fluids, dissipating heat and detoxifying, clearing the Lung and moistening dryness. In this way, dryness can be reversed. Observing the vitality or withering of sores reveals the principle of nourishing blood.

If dampness is excessive, and sores are originally oozing, breaking upon contact, and rotting without healing, this indicates extreme Fire combined with Water transformation. If Spleen Qi is strong, life is preserved; if weak, death ensues.

Diseases have a Biao (Branch/Symptom) and Ben (Root/Etiology); treatments have a sequence. Some treat the Branch, some treat the Root, some treat the Branch first then the Root, some treat the Root first then the Branch, and some treat both simultaneously. One must judge based on urgency and cannot play the zither with fixed bridges (be rigid). Regarding smallpox manifestations: from the perspective of the whole person, Qi and Blood are the Root, and the rash is the Branch; from the perspective of the rash itself, the rash is the Root, and accompanying symptoms are the Branch. For example, dense pustules are a Branch condition. By observing whether Qi is even and Blood is circulating fully, one regulates Qi and invigorates Blood, while simultaneously detoxifying; this is treating both Root and Branch. If the rash has erupted but Qi is deficient, tonify Qi; if Blood is deficient, tonify Blood; this is "treating the Root when the condition is slow." If Qi and Blood are sufficient but the rash remains obstructed, use solely formulas for supporting interior Qi and detoxifying; this is "treating the Branch when the condition is urgent." If the disease is severe with swollen and painful throat, treat the throat primarily; this is "treating the Branch when urgent." If the disease is severe with persistent diarrhea, treat the diarrhea primarily; this is "treating the Branch when urgent." If diarrhea persists for a long time, gradually forming a critical syndrome, rescue the Interior and release the Exterior simultaneously; this is also treating both Root and Branch. Rescuing the Interior first, then attacking the Exterior, is "treating the Branch first, then the Root." If there is constipation of both large and small intestines accompanied by irritability and wheezing, urgently promote bowel movement; this is "treating the Branch when urgent." If the disease is severe with persistent irritability and thirst, prioritize detoxification while addressing thirst; this is "treating the Root first, then the Branch." Expanding upon these principles exhaustively ensures orderly treatment.