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If residing in the countryside or in an official residence, where no physician is available, and suddenly suffering from smallpox (Tianhuang) or chickenpox/rash diseases (Zhen), it is most appropriate that the rooms be tightly sealed to carefully avoid wind-cold invasion. The bedding and clothing should be warm and thick, and parents holding the child must maintain warmth. Parents and wet nurses should sleep naked with the infant, making the child feel as warm as spring, which greatly assists the force of eruption and development. One must not use fierce fire to smoke and steam, so as not to assist the fire-toxin. The Classics state: "Cold governs contraction and pulling." When a person's Couli (skin pores and interstices) are warm, they are unobstructed and smooth; for smallpox, this facilitates eruption, allowing for proper swelling, suppuration, scabbing, and shedding without stagnation; for rash diseases, it ensures timely eruption and resolution, with toxins exhausted within three days, leading to the dissipation of rashes and fading of macules. If cold invades, the Couli become blocked and obstructed; for smallpox, eruption will be incomplete, leading to conditions such as sinking (Xianfu), internal attack (Neigong), and inverted scabs (Daoye); for rash diseases, eruption will be impure, leading to conditions such as panting urgency (Zhuanji), abdominal distension (Fuzhang), and confusion (Hunluan). Generally, although the internal root of smallpox and rash diseases may differ in severity and cold-heat nature, external care requires knowing what is suitable and contraindicated, with principles remaining consistent from start to finish. If encountering cold weather, keeping warm is the most urgent task; if encountering warm days, cooling is the essential principle. Careful regulation can ensure safety. Those whose conditions deteriorate nowadays either originally suffered from adverse patterns (Nizheng) or often died due to wind-cold invasion, which is deeply regrettable. Generally, children over ten years old have robust Qi and Blood, know how to protect themselves from dietary extremes and temperature changes, obey instructions, and are easier to save. Therefore, when infants encounter epidemic smallpox or rash diseases, they should not go outside to avoid contagion and disaster. They should avoid wind-cold, regulate diet, remain joyful, and avoid anxiety, frustration, anger, or crying, which could stir up Heart-Liver Fire, as well as prevent falls and fright, thus delaying or avoiding harm.

Smooth Pattern (Shun): Body heat is mild and moderate, occasional startles (sudden jumping) occur, spirit and complexion are clear, breathing is peaceful, sleep and lying down are tranquil, food intake is unchanged, and urination and defecation are normal. No medicine is needed. If differentiation is difficult, administer one dose of the General Treatment Formula to induce slight sweating, facilitating easy eruption of smallpox. If caused by wind-cold, recovery occurs upon sweating (ensure feet are warm, with slight sweating and slight vomiting/diarrhea, stopping once smallpox erupts).

Dangerous Pattern (Xian): Body has high fever, fluctuating between intense and mild, accompanied by mental confusion, sweating, thirst, vomiting, and diarrhea, with reduced food intake. Or constipation of both urine and stool; suitable to take herbs that disperse pathogens and release the exterior. If convulsions and tremors occur, suitable to take formulas that pacify Liver Wood and promote urination. Do not take Heart-cooling medicines, lest cold block the Couli.

Main Formula: Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Gange (Puerariae Radix), Qianhu (Peucedani Radix), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), Shanzha (Crataegi Fructus), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Zhiqiao (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix) in equal parts; Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) halved. Decoct in water and take orally.

If heat is severe, add Mutong (Akebiae Caulis) and Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix). If voice changes suddenly, double the dosage of Gancao and Jiegeng, add Xuanshen (Scrophulariae Radix), Niubangzi (Arctii Fructus), and Jingjie (Schizonepetae Herba), or add Qingfei Yin (Lung-Clearing Decoction). If heat is excessive, combine with Daochi San (Guide Out Red Powder) or Xiaodu Yin (Toxin-Dispersing Decoction) (formulas see later).

Adverse Pattern (Ni): Body develops high fever, complete refusal to eat (only suitable to clear toxin-fire, do not mistakenly use stomach-nourishing or appetite-stimulating hot medicines which kill), abdominal distension, crying, panting urgency, and mental restlessness. Or food vomited immediately upon entering the mouth (this is because toxin-fire cannot vent outward, attacking the stomach gate, hence hot medicines are contraindicated). Or diarrhea (only suitable to lift and release the exterior, also contraindicated to use anti-diarrheal hot medicines). Or lower back pain and abdominal pain, inability to stand (this is because Mingmen Fire-Toxin is excessive and cannot transmit outward, hence extremely ominous. If able to eat and recover, strongly suitable to use cooling and detoxifying methods; pain stops after smallpox erupts). A face covered in redness like rouge, or red patches visible under the skin of the chest/heart area or all over the body indicates death. Warm head but cold feet, mental confusion resembling dementia, indicates ominous prognosis.