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Xinyang Zi stated: The eruption of smallpox is caused by the influence of epidemic qi (seasonal infectious pathogens), originating from fetal toxins inherited from parents, and is fundamentally a congenital condition rooted in the five zang organs. As for measles, its eruption is also due to the influence of epidemic qi, with symptoms similar to shaoyin cold damage (Shanghan), which is referred to as "macule-emitting cold damage." After human formation, if the stomach fu organ is scorched by rich, sweet, roasted, and fried foods, a clean stomach fu results in mild eruption, while a greasy and stagnant stomach fu results in severe eruption; this constitutes an acquired condition. During the eruptive phase, the body is hot, the face is red, there is coughing, and the tendons behind the ears are red; if they appear cyanotic or purplish, the condition is severe, and the eyes are watery. The treatment principle is primarily to release the exterior and promote dispersion. Measles originates in the stomach fu and transmits to the lung zang, having no direct involvement with the liver and kidney. There are cases where using Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma) yields effective results, because all fire pathogens are governed by the heart.

For initial dispersing formulas, Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Gange (Puerariae Radix), Qianhu (Peucedani Radix), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), Bohe (Menthae Haplocalycis Herba), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Jingjie (Schizonepetae Spica), Chantui (Cicadae Periostracum), Nianzi (Arctii Fructus), Lianqiao (Forsythiae Fructus), and Zisu (Perillae Folium) should be used. Guoya (Oryzae Germ) can be used to resolve food stagnation. If the rash fails to emerge smoothly and appears blurred, Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) must be used. Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix) must absolutely not be used due to its drying nature, and Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix) must absolutely not be used because it acts on the Shaoyang gallbladder meridian. Measles involves only the lung and stomach meridians and has no connection with the liver and gallbladder meridians. If Chaihu is used, stomach fire will be drawn into the Shaoyang meridian, inevitably leading to eye diseases later, which is termed "leading the pathogen into the house" (introducing evil into the interior).

Among ShanZha (Crataegi Fructus), Zhike (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), and Maiya (Hordei Fructus Germinatus), these three herbs are essential in treating measles. However, Zhike and ShanZha are typically used to treat pediatric milk accumulation (Ru Gan). In the first one or two days after spots appear, they are not urgently employed because their sour taste causes astringency, whereas the main principle of measles treatment is exterior release and emergence. Once the rash reaches the ankles, these two herbs become indispensable.

Texts state that excessive use of cold-natured herbs may cause "ice-stagnation" (freezing of pathogens inside), so Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) is not used at the initial appearance of spots but rather when the rash is about to fully emerge. Classics state: if stomach fire is not cleared and Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum) is not used, conditions such as gangrenous gums, oral ulcers, eye pain, and redness of the eyes will develop. If lung fire is not cleared and Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) is not used, heat will enter the large intestine, flowing downward to cause diarrhea and dysentery. These post-eruption conditions of measles are all due to improper treatment during the pre-eruption stage.