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Peach Blossom Red: The redness of peach blossoms is a faint red; seeing this color brings joy. If by the eighth day the pustules are not full of pus, slightly administering herbs to elevate the pustule tops yields miraculous results.

Purple Flower Red: The redness of purple flowers carries a purple hue; this indicates toxin coagulation and blood stasis. Immediately administer Tuizi Zhuanhong Tang (Decoction for Retreating Purple and Turning Red); after ingestion, the stagnant blood will be unblocked within moments.

Candle Red: The bright redness of a candle changes three times a day. This condition clearly shows excess Qi with deficient Blood, where Blood follows Qi in movement like an electrical discharge (unstable).

Cinnabar Red: The redness of cinnabar resembles the crown of a crane, bright and distinct. If the color becomes dull and fails to return to the root, Tuizi Zhuanhong Tang (Decoction for Retreating Purple and Turning Red) can be used.

Rooster Comb Red: The bright red of a rooster comb is crimson like cinnabar, clear and distinct like tortoiseshell patterns, resembling a dragon holding a pearl reflected in water, illuminating the world with spring scenery (indicating excellent coloration).

When pox erupts, there are seven types of halos around the base that must be distinguished early. Pox grains that are pointed and round indicate abundant Qi and solid substance; pox grains that are flat and sunken indicate weak Qi and deficiency. Regarding the halos, there are seven types: Old Red, Red-Purple, Red-Purple Dry, Pale Red, Scorched Red, Spread Red, and Pale White, which correspond to favorable, dangerous, and unfavorable prognoses.

Old Red: The halo color is red and mature, not delicate or flickering, not alternating between red and pale, nor carrying purple. For this Old Red halo, pox buds typically appear only after three days of fever; the body is likely peaceful and not overly hot; appetite is present; bowel and bladder functions are regulated; spirit is sharp. This is a favorable syndrome. Pox eruption is likely sparse; even if there are a hundred or more grains, it remains favorable.

Red-Purple: The pox color is deep red with a purple tint. Pox buds appear after two days of fever. The body is hot with slight irritability. Treat primarily with Baidu Hezhong San (Powder for Resolving Toxin and Harmonizing the Middle). Observe until pox fully erupts, then immediately use Qingdu Huoxue Tang (Decoction for Clearing Toxin and Invigorating Blood) to promote pus formation. Once pus is sufficient, it returns to a favorable state.

Red-Purple Dry: Seeing such a halo at the first appearance of pox buds usually indicates an unfavorable syndrome. Pox buds appear after one day of fever. The eruption is dense. There is high steaming fever, irritability, lethargy, unconsciousness, cracked lips, and thirst. This is a critical condition, often incurable. If stool is dry and constipated for two to three days, and urine is scanty, turbid, and yellow, this indicates internal excess of toxin-fire. Urgently purge to clear the toxin-fire, using Baidu Hezhong San (Powder for Resolving Toxin and Harmonizing the Middle) added with Shu Dahuang (Prepared Rhizoma Rhei) to promote purgation. The toxin-fire will decrease. After pox fully erupts, urgently use Qingdu Huoxue Tang (Decoction for Clearing Toxin and Invigorating Blood) to promote pus. If the previously described Red-Purple Dry condition turns into a vibrant red base with rising pus, it may still be saved. However, if it remains dry, fails to rise or form pus, accompanied by steaming fever, severe irritability and oppression, delirium, lethargy, unconsciousness, loss of appetite, flat pox with black umbilici, it is incurable.

Pale Red: The halo surrounding the base is pale red with a delicate appearance. Under paper lamp light, it appears red but unstable; it will likely turn Pale White later, indicating deficiency of both Qi and Blood. If seen at the initial stage of pox buds, cold-natured herbs must not be administered. If fever persists with slight irritability, use Baidu Hezhong San (Powder for Resolving Toxin and Harmonizing the Middle), removing Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Lianzi (Fructus Loranthi? Note: Text says Lian, likely Huanglian/Coptidis Rhizoma), and Zicao Rong (Arnebiae Radix et Rhizoma), adding Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix), Suye (Perillae Folium), and Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix) to support the pox buds. When pox fully erupts, use Qianjin Neituo San (Powder for Internal Support from the Thousand Golden Formula) to promote pus. If pus is sufficient, it returns to favorable. If cold herbs were mistakenly used earlier, causing the halo to turn Pale White, urgently use Shengui Lurong Tang (Decoction of Ginseng, Angelica, and Deer Antler) to rescue; delay leads to collapse. One must know that Pale Red halos easily transform into Pale White.

Scorched Red: At the first appearance of pox buds, the top scorches first, while the base is red-purple with sharp edges, lacking moisture. The halo is not round and exhibits Red-Purple Dryness. This indicates internal excess of toxin-fire. At the first appearance of pox buds, urgently use Baidu Hezhong San (Powder for Resolving Toxin and Harmonizing the Middle) with doubled amounts of Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma), and Zicao Rong (Arnebiae Radix et Rhizoma) to support. When pox fully erupts, if fever persists, inability to eat, combined with coma and unconsciousness, severe irritability and oppression, and inability to take fluids, it is incurable. If fever decreases slightly, spirit clears somewhat, appetite returns, and irritability is mild, urgently use Qingdu Huoxue Tang (Decoction for Clearing Toxin and Invigorating Blood) to promote pus. If pus is sufficient, it returns to favorable. Success depends on the physician's discernment and skill.

Spread Red: Pox lacks red halos; the grains are pale white, while the entire skin is red, hence named Spread Red. This is caused by internal excess of toxin-fire, where Qi fails to control Blood, causing it to scatter in the skin. If spirit is clear and appetite exists, and pox is sparse, it is treatable. If consciousness is clouded, it is incurable.

Pale White: The area around the pox base has no trace of red, showing only pale white pox without any halo. This is due to deficiency of both Qi and Blood, or following prolonged illness, vomiting and diarrhea, maternal illness leading to lack of milk, internal accumulation, excessive loss of pus and blood from severe toxicity, or damage and depletion of Yuan Qi. At the first appearance of pox buds, use Jiawei Rensu Yin (Modified Decoction of Ginseng and Perilla) to support. When pox fully erupts, use Qianjin Neituo San (Powder for Internal Support from the Thousand Golden Formula) to promote pus. If pus is insufficient, use Shengui Lurong Tang (Decoction of Ginseng, Angelica, and Deer Antler) to promote it further; if insufficient today, try again tomorrow. I once treated cases of Qi and Blood deficiency where pus was not sufficient until the 11th or 12th day. Modern mediocre physicians abandon cases where pus is insufficient and flat by the 8th or 9th day, due to lack of solid knowledge and failure to study Nie Shi's Huoyou Xinfa (New Methods for Pediatric Life Preservation). By respecting the wise and broadening one's knowledge, maintaining firm principles internally and using appropriate medicines externally, one can guide all children out of danger into longevity. Is this not the benevolent heart and art of a gentleman, participating in Heaven and Earth's creative transformation?