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Sha disease is essentially fire-toxin. If one contracts Sha disease, the pathogen coincides with the Fire of the Heart Master; thus, the Sha toxin rushes upward in rebellion, and the most critical precaution is to prevent the disaster of attacking the Heart. Currently, the Shao Yin Heart Monarch does not accept pathogens but instead rebels against the Jue Yin Liver Wood (note: original text "Liver Mother" is likely a typo for "Liver Wood", referring to the Liver), causing both eyes to become red and swollen like peaches, and in severe cases, the eyeballs protrude, which is extremely perilous. However, eye ailments caused by other diseases are localized to the eyes; if caused by Sha disease, one must first feel mental restlessness and heat, followed by the onset of eye pathology. If early treatment is neglected, the Sha toxin will invade Yang positions (the head and upper body); the intense heat of the fire will, in mild cases, ruin the eyes, and in severe cases, cause death. Treatment should begin by puncturing the Baihui acupoint on the vertex to vent the toxic vapors; perform bloodletting where indicated, and scraping where indicated. Use formulas that clear fire, invigorate blood, and regulate Qi, adding Niuxi (Achyranthes Root) and Shihu (Dendrobium Stem) to guide the fire back to its source. This is indeed an excellent method.

Clinical Case 1:
Jiang Daocheng suffered from mental restlessness and heat, dizziness, and suddenly developed severe redness, swelling, and pain in both eyes. After drinking hot tea or hot wine, his eyeballs protruded, especially the left eye. By evening, he became lethargic and dizzy. Upon my examination, the left pulse was faint, fine, and rootless, indicating harm caused by Sha toxin. Bloodletting alone did not cure him. I prescribed Yinhua (Honeysuckle Flower), Qiancao (Rubia Root), Lianqiao (Forsythia Fruit), Heishanzhi (Gardenia Fruit), Zhike (Bitter Orange), Danpi (Moutan Cortex), Chishao (Red Peony Root), Niuxi (Achyranthes Root), Shihu (Dendrobium Stem), and Caojueming (Cassiae Semen), added with Tongbian (Child's Urine). The mixture was cooled slightly before administration. His eyeballs eventually retracted, and he recovered after conditioning.

Cold Qi stagnates and hides between the skin, flesh, and muscles. When spring arrives, it erupts, transforming into a Plague Disease, known as "Wen Sha" (Plague Sha). Alternatively, Summerheat-Heat injury condenses within the skin, flesh, and muscles, erupting in autumn, also called "Wen Sha." However, few contract Spring Wen Sha toxin; it is not contagious and occurs occasionally. Many contract Autumn Wen Sha toxin; it spreads among old and young, sometimes affecting several members of one family or several people in one locality. Onset is characterized by aversion to cold and fever. There may be abdominal pain or no pain, resembling malaria but not quite, or rapid breathing and wheezing, swelling of the head and face, fullness and oppression in the chest and abdomen, or dysentery with pus and blood. Mild cases drag on for months or years; severe cases are critically urgent. Treatment should primarily focus on bloodletting/scraping (Fang Sha) and resolving food stagnation. Once the Sha toxin is vented, then harmonize and clear, eliminating cold and heat, strengthening the Spleen, nourishing Blood, and tonifying Middle Jiao deficiency.

Clinical Case 2:
In September, Hong Gongzhen experienced aversion to cold and fever, expectoration and cough, chest oppression, thirst, and coated tongue. My examination revealed an intermittent left pulse and a deep, forceful right pulse. Puncturing the Sha veins (superficial collateral vessels) failed to release toxic blood. He subsequently lay bedridden and unconscious, feeling increasingly heavy. This was harm caused by mistakenly drinking hot soup. I administered one bowl of Yin-Yang Water (a mixture of boiled and unboiled water) with two fen of Mingfan (Alum). Additionally, I used herbs to resolve food stagnation, adding one qian of Shu Dahuang (Prepared Rhubarb). Taken cold, he improved slightly. The next day, the Sha veins reappeared. I punctured one point at the elbow crease and twenty-two points on the fingers to expel toxic blood. Using blood-invigorating and detoxifying herbs, his symptoms gradually relaxed, and he recovered after conditioning.

Hong Gongzhen’s wife simultaneously presented with aversion to cold and fever, swelling of the head and face, and chest/heart oppression, resembling Big Head Plague. Her six pulses were all concealed (deep and hidden). This was diagnosed as Wen Sha. Bloodletting alone was ineffective. She first drank slightly cold Alum Water, followed by a formula to open orifices, detoxify, and direct Qi downward, with three qian of Niuxi decocted together. Taken cold, she fully recovered after two doses.

Hong Gongzhen’s second son, in October, presented with chills and fever resembling malaria, severe colicky pain in the heart and abdomen, incessant vomiting and diarrhea, and deep, tight pulses. This was also harm from Wen Sha. I administered Chenxiangawei Wan (Agarwood and Asafoetida Pills), taken with cool green tea, along with Hepixuanhua Yin (Spleen-Harmonizing and Transformation Decoction) with one qian of Dahuang (Rhubarb) decocted together. Taken cold, he took the same prescription again the next day and recovered.