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On the first day of febrile disease, the pathogen is in the Taiyang (Greater Yang) channel. The Taiyang channel governs the exterior, and the exterior refers to the skin. Since the pathogen is between the skin layers, pain occurs in the head, neck, lower back, and spine.

On the second day, the Yangming (Yang Brightness) channel is affected. The pathogen is in the muscles, resulting in muscle heat, dry nose, and insomnia. At this stage, one may apply massage ointments and use moxibustion to induce sweating for recovery.

On the third day, the Shaoyang (Lesser Yang) channel is affected. After the transmission among the Yang channels is complete, the pathogen remains in the exterior and has not entered the Zang organs; thus, there is heat in the chest and hypochondrium accompanied by deafness. Recovery can be achieved through diaphoresis (inducing sweating).

On the fourth day, the Taiyin (Greater Yin) channel is affected. The Taiyin is the head of the three Yin channels. After the transmission among the three Yang channels is complete, the pathogen transmits into the Yin, so the toxic factors have entered the chest and diaphragm. The symptoms include a dry throat and abdominal fullness; recovery can be achieved through emesis (inducing vomiting).

On the fifth day, the Shaoyin (Lesser Yin) channel is affected. The toxic factors enter the abdomen, causing dryness of the mouth and tongue with a desire to drink. Recovery can be achieved through purgation (draining downward).

On the sixth day, the Jueyin (Terminal Yin) channel is affected. The toxic factors enter the intestines and stomach, causing irritability, fullness, and retraction of the genitals. Recovery can be achieved through purgation.

On the seventh day, the transmission among the three Yin and three Yang channels is complete. According to the law of disease, it should resolve; if the disease persists, it indicates a recurrence involving another cycle of transmission ("Zai Jing"). "Zai Jing" means the meridians are affected again.

If the febrile disease persists beyond the eighth or ninth day without resolution, it is because the toxic factors have not been fully eliminated, hence the symptoms remain.

This refers to cases within three days of onset, where the pathogen is theoretically still in the exterior, making diaphoresis appropriate. Alternatively, even if five to six days have passed, if the patient’s throat and mouth are not scorched or dry, the heart and abdomen are not full, and there is no desire to drink, but only headache, high fever, and a flooding pulse, the pathogen remains in the exterior and has not entered the Zang organs. Therefore, even after five or six days, muscle-releasing diaphoresis is still required; one must not mechanically rely on the number of days to arbitrarily employ emesis or purgation.

This condition arises when Yang overcomes Yin, and heat qi dominates alone, becoming obstructed within the Zang organs, thereby isolating the Sanjiao (Triple Burner), resulting in body heat and irritability.

Regarding febrile diseases complicated by sores, this results from deficiency in the exterior and excess in the interior. When heat qi is vigorous, sores erupt; in severe cases, they cover the entire body. If the sores are red with white heads, the toxicity is mild; if purple or black, the toxicity is severe. Their shape resembles beans, hence the name "Dou Chuang" (Bean Sores/Smallpox).

When febrile disease is in the exterior, whether un-sweated or already treated with sweating, emesis, or purgation, if the exterior syndrome remains unresolved and toxic factors do not dissipate, leading to irritability, heat, and thirst that cannot be quenched by drinking, indicating exterior deficiency and interior excess, the body will develop macules resembling brocade patterns.