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Scald and Fire Burns

Shen Douyuan stated: The nature of fire is the most fierce; all things turn to ashes in an instant. How much more so human skin and flesh? After being scorched and burned, the skin becomes dry and curled, and the muscles contract. The pain is unbearable. Light injuries result in sores, while severe ones can be fatal. Various methods cannot alleviate this suffering. Therefore, I have specially selected miraculous prescriptions to relieve the suffering of those injured by boiling water or fire. (From *Qixuan*)

He also said: Accidental spills of boiling water, boiling oil, or hot porridge often cause such harm, leading to the rotting of skin and flesh.

He further said: I frequently observe poor people warming themselves by fires. The intense heat allows fire qi to penetrate the muscles, causing sores, pain, and discharge of fluid. It is appropriate to prepare Ba San (Cypress Powder) mixed with powder of Perilla Herba (Zisu, 紫苏) and Menthae Haplocalycis (Bohe, 薄荷) for topical application.

Chen Shigong stated: For injuries caused by fire or water, one must distinguish the pathogenic trend and guide it appropriately. One must absolutely avoid suddenly pouring cold liquids over the injury or applying cooling medicines. When heat-toxin encounters cold, it penetrates deeper into the bones and becomes difficult to heal. If forced inward by cold, the fire-toxin returns to the Heart, killing even faster. (From *Zhengzong*)

He also said: This condition originally has no internal manifestations; it arises from external causes. In cases where scalding heat is extreme, forcing toxins to attack internally, or where external cold stimulation drives toxins deeply, resulting in damage and rotting of the outer skin, apply cooling ointments such as Qingliang Gao (Cooling Ointment). If toxic vapors enter the interior, causing restlessness, dry mouth, and constipation or dysuria, use purgative methods and apply Pozhenzhu San (Broken Pearl Powder) topically. (From *Zhengzong*)

Qian Qinglun stated: Those who drink cold water to treat scalds or fire burns will certainly die. Immersing in cold water to survive will inevitably lead to rot extending to the bone. (From *Danfang*)

Gu Shicheng stated: For those rendered unconscious by fire injuries, urgently administer Huilun Jiu (Reincarnation Wine) or children's urine (Tongbian, 童便), or administer warm water mixed with honey. In severe cases, heat wine and place the patient in a bathtub filled with the hot wine, allowing them to soak in it; even extremely severe injuries may not prove fatal. If fever and thirst occur, accompanied by red, scanty, or painful urination, use Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) added with Forsythiae Fructus (Lianqiao, 连翘), Gardenia Fruit (Zhizi, 栀子), and Licorice Root (Gancao, 甘草) to nourish yin and blood, thereby eliminating toxins. If the necrotic tissue at the wound site does not hurt, use Sijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) added with Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui, 当归), Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizome (Chuanxiong, 川芎), and Forsythiae Fructus (Lianqiao, 连翘) to strengthen the Spleen and Stomach, thereby eliminating toxins. If the necrotic tissue does not ulcerate and drain pus, use Bazhen Tang (Eight Treasures Decoction) added with Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Baizhi, 白芷) to tonify qi and expel pus. If there is no response, add Cinnamon Bark (Rougui, 肉桂); if the wound fails to close, use Sijunzi Tang added with Danggui, Chuanxiong, and Astragali Radix (Huangqi, 黄芪) to strengthen the Spleen and Stomach and generate flesh. If there is still no response, add Prepared Ginger (Paojiang, 炮姜). If a child suffers a burn and exhibits twitching of the eyelids or shaking of the head, use Sijunzi Tang added with Danggui, Chuanxiong, and Gardenia Fruit (Zhizi) to strengthen the Spleen and Stomach and clear Liver fire. If injured after eating, presenting with abdominal distension and pain, use Sijunzi Tang added with Gardenia Fruit (Zhizi), Medicated Leaven (Shenqu, 神曲), and Hawthorn Fruit (Shanzha, 山楂) to strengthen the Spleen and Stomach and resolve stagnation. These are standard principles that must not be altered to avoid error.

*Yijian* (Medical Mirror) stated: For those killed by smoke inhalation from fire, administering juice extracted from crushed white radish (Raphani Radix, 萝卜) will restore consciousness, because its pungent nature can disperse qi.

Gu Shicheng stated: For anyone injured by fire, it is appropriate to decoct and administer Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix, 羌活) in a dosage of one liang, so that fire-toxin is released outward through sweating, thus preventing internal invasion.