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Fangsha (Chaff Rash), also known as Shaowen Zhen, is essentially a name for the disease of Measles (Rubeola). The local dialects originally have different names. However, the treatment principles are the same, and the efficacy should be as miraculous as divine assistance.

The name for Measles varies by region. In the capital, it is called "Wenzhen" (Warm Rash); in Henan, it is referred to as "Chuang" (Sore/Sores); in Shanxi and Shaanxi, it is called "Kuangchuang" (Chaff Sore). In Shandong, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan, it is called "Zhenzi" (Rash). In the Jiangnan region, it is called "Shazhen" (Sha Rash). In Zhejiang, it is called "[Missing Character]zi". In Huguang and Jiangxi, it is called "Mazhen" (Measles), also referred to as "Shaozi". Wen Ren Shi calls it "Fuzhen" (Skin Rash). Although the naming differs across regions, they are all essentially the same disease of Measles. The methods of regulation and treatment are originally identical.

In treating Measles, one must first understand the Suiqi (Annual Climate Influence/Qi of the Year). Do not lightly employ sweating or purging methods, lest it be mistaken for Shanghan (Cold Damage). Observe the patient's deficiency and excess to apply appropriate formulas. Do not violate the harmony of Heaven (natural laws), lest you damage the foundation of longevity.

The initial fever of Measles resembles that of Shanghan. However, in Measles, the face is notably red, accompanied by coughing, sneezing, clear nasal discharge, tearing from the eyes, yawning, drowsiness, vomiting, diarrhea, or scratching the eyebrows, eyes, and nose. These are its distinctive features. It must not be mistakenly treated as Shanghan with reckless sweating or purging. Reckless sweating will increase heat, leading to epistaxis, worsening cough, mouth sores, sore throat, red and painful eyes, restlessness, and obstruction of urination and defecation. Reckless purging will weaken the interior, leading to slippery diarrhea or tenesmus (dysentery-like stagnation). The Classic says: "First understand the Suiqi; do not violate the Harmony of Heaven." This means one must not recklessly use sweating or purging. Therefore, those who treat Measles must first clarify the Suiqi. If the season is warm, use acrid-releasing herbs to disperse the pathogen, such as Fangfeng Baidu San (see Article 5). If the season is hot, use cold-cooling herbs to disperse, such as Baihu Jiedu Tang (see Article 26) or Huanglian Jiedu Tang. If the season is severely cold, use acrid-warm herbs to disperse, such as Guizhi Jiedu Tang or Gegen Guizhi Tang. If the season fluctuates between cold and warm, use acrid-neutral herbs to disperse, such as Jingfang Baidu San or Gegen Jiedu Tang. If there is an epidemic pestilence qi involved, then Renshen Baidu San should be the primary formula. One must also assess the patient's deficiency and excess. If vomiting and diarrhea persist, tonify with herbs like Renshen. If constipation and restlessness occur, slightly purge with Jiuzheng Dahuang (Wine-processed Rhubarb). Do not reinforce the excess (Shi-Shi error) nor deplete the deficiency (Xu-Xu error). If you damage the insufficient and tonify the excessive, you will cause death. This is not fate, but medical malpractice. Only those who know how to reduce the excess and tonify the deficiency can be considered skilled physicians. Zhu stated: The manifestations of Measles include the following eight syndromes. Seeing several of these syndromes is sufficient for diagnosis; it is not necessary for all to be present.

Huanglian Jiedu Tang (Coptis Decoction to Relieve Toxicity)
Ingredients: Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Zhiren (Gardeniae Semen), Jingjie (Schizonepetae Herba), Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma), Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum), Daqingye (Isatidis Folium), Yuan Shen (Scrophulariae Radix), Mutong (Akebiae Caulis), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma). Decoct in water and take orally.

Guizhi Jiedu Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction to Relieve Toxicity)
Ingredients: Jingjie, Fangfeng, Niubangzi (Arctii Fructus), Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba), Jiegeng, Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Chishao (Paeoniae Radix Rubra), Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix), Gancao, Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus). Use Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) as a guide.

Gegen Guizhi Tang (Puerariae Radix and Cinnamon Twig Decoction)
Ingredients: Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix), Fangfeng, Gancao, Guizhi, Chishao, Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma). Use three slices of Shengjiang and one qian of Danshidou (Fermented Soybean) as guides.

Jingfang Baidu San (Schizonepeta and Saposhnikovia Powder to Overcome Pathogenic Factors)
Ingredients: Jingjie, Fangfeng, Fuling (Poria), Zhike (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), Qianhu (Peucedani Radix), Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), Jiegeng, Chuanxiong, Qianghuo, Duhuo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix), Gancao. Use five leaves of Bohe (Menthae Haplocalycis Herba) as a guide. (If Jingjie and Fangfeng are removed and Renshen is added, it is called Renshen Baidu San).

Gegen Jiedu Tang (Puerariae Radix Decoction to Relieve Toxicity)
Ingredients: Gegen, Jingjie, Qianhu, Niubangzi, Fangfeng, Lianqiao (Forsythiae Fructus), Danzhuye (Lophatheri Herba), Renshen, Chaihu, Jiegeng, Chishao Yao, Qianghuo, Shengma, Gancao. Decoct in water and take orally.