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[Xue Ji] Dan toxin eruption (Erysipelas caused by fetal toxin) arises from fetal toxin latent within, or due to frequent bathing in hot water, wearing garments heated by drying, or maternal internal heat generated by diet and the seven emotions (joy, anger, worry, thought, sadness, fear, shock), which aids the pathogen to cause disease. It erupts on the head, face, and limbs, extending to the chest and abdomen; the skin is red and migratory. The ancients stated that cases starting from the limbs and entering the abdomen are incurable. One should immediately have someone suck the toxic blood around the affected area, gather it to one spot, and pierce it with a Bian stone (stone needle). Then urgently administer Huoming Yin (Life-Saving Decoction). Only infants under 100 days old are contraindicated for Bian therapy, as their muscles cannot withstand it. If dispersing agents are overdosed, leading to deficient exterior heat and persistent redness, use Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) plus Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia Root) and Baizhi (Angelica Dahurica). If cold-cooling agents are overdosed, damaging Stomach Qi and causing persistent heat and redness, use Yigong San (Extraordinary Efficacy Powder) plus Chaihu (Bupleurum Root) and Shengma (Cimicifuga Rhizome). If accompanied by convulsions, use Sijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction), Shengma, Danggui (Angelica Sinensis), and Gouteng (Uncaria Ramulus cum Uncis). If poison-expelling drugs are used again, death is inevitable. For lesions on the forehead, the lying sickle Bian method should be used.

A child suffered from erysipelas, with red halos spreading over the entire body, making it difficult to pierce all areas. Someone was instructed to suck the toxic blood at several points on the limbs, chest, and back, allowing the toxic blood to coagulate locally before piercing. First, two doses of Huoming Yin powder were taken mixed with wine. Then, Jinyinhua (Lonicerae Japonicae Flos) and Gancaojie (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma joint) were powdered and taken mixed with human breast milk, leading to gradual recovery. Over a month later, both feet swelled; Bian therapy was applied again, and the previous medicine cured him. A few days later, the feet turned red again. Someone used Xijiao Jiedu Wan (Rhinoceros Horn Detoxification Pills), causing loss of appetite and abdominal distension. This was due to further injury to the Spleen and Stomach. Shengong San (Divine Efficacy Powder) was applied externally, and Buzhong Yiqi Tang plus Fuling (Poria) was administered internally, resulting in recovery.

Another child had leg lesions resembling cloud patches, migratory in nature. Sesame oil was first applied to the affected area, and evil blood was pierced out, dispersing the toxin. Jiwei Jiedu San (Nine-Ingredient Detoxification Powder) was used to settle the condition. Another child had arm lesions; after piercing out toxic blood, he recovered. However, influenced by others' words, he took Huxin San (Heart-Protecting Powder) to prevent future recurrence. After taking it, he experienced vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal distension; the lesion turned red again, and his hands and feet became cold. I reasoned this was due to Spleen and Stomach deficiency and further injury from previous medicines. One dose of Liujunzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) brought immediate cure, followed by Yigong San plus Shengma and Chaihu for full recovery.

Another child had leg lesions but maintained normal mental state and feeding habits. I reasoned the toxin erupted on the muscle surface. I ordered urgent Bian therapy to pierce out toxic blood for self-healing. The family did not believe me, applied cold-cooling herbs externally, and administered harsh medicines internally, leading to abdominal distension, refusal to nurse, and death.

Another child suffered from this condition with difficulty in urination and defecation, and swelling/urgency in the scrotum and abdomen. Bian therapy was used, followed by Huoming Yin plus Loulu (Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix), Mutong (Akebiae Caulis), and Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) powdered and taken intermittently with warm wine. After consuming about one tael, urination and defecation became smooth, and all symptoms receded. The three ingredients were then removed, and the remaining formula was continued to achieve recovery.

Another child suffered from this with difficulty in urination and defecation, abdominal distension, and cough. Huoming Yin plus Loulu, Mutong, and Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) was powdered and taken intermittently with warm wine. Urination and defecation soon became smooth, the whole body sweated, and all symptoms receded. Nasal breathing seemed absent, there was no energy to move, and occasional restlessness occurred. This indicated the pathogenic qi had left but the healthy qi was deficient. Urgent administration of Danggui Buxue Tang (Angelica Tonifying Blood Decoction) resulted in recovery.

Regarding Bian therapy: For treating erysipelas with migratory redness, allow the mouth to suck the toxic blood until it gathers in one place. Crush fine porcelain, take the sharp fragments, split them with the end of a chopstick, bind them with thread, hold the chopstick ends lightly with two fingers, position the porcelain shard against the gathered toxic blood, and strike frequently with another chopstick to pierce out the toxic blood. For mild cases, only sucking out the toxic blood and applying medicine is sufficient. If the lesion is on the head, Bian therapy is not used; instead, a needle should be laid horizontally to pick/stab the affected area to release toxic blood. Delay may cause the toxic blood to enter the abdomen, becoming hard to treat.

Shengong San is most effective for treating erysipelas. It should be used if the toxin is severe after Bian therapy. If the toxin is mild, it should not be used after Bian therapy, as the broken skin at the puncture site combined with Caowu (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) may cause pain. (Formula seen in the previous section.)