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The symptom of loose stools does not require specific treatment. When measles presents with this condition, it indicates that the pathogenic toxins are being relieved. If the stools remain yellowish-brown throughout the course, even if other complicated symptoms arise, there is no cause for alarm.

Stools discharged with foam are termed "water diarrhea" (Shuixie). Seeing this symptom during the initial fever stage when the rash is just beginning to emerge is an auspicious sign. However, prolonged diarrhea leading to sinking of Qi may evolve into dysentery. Red urine and dry mouth/lips are caused by heat in the Spleen and Stomach.

Loose stools accompanying measles are inevitable according to medical principles. This is caused by Fire-Heat in the Lung and Stomach, and no treatment is necessary. Why? When Fire-Heat is extreme, bowel movements become constipated. Measles itself belongs to a Fire-Heat pattern; if constipation occurs additionally, internal Fire-Toxin will become excessively intense. Since measles onset carries inherent risks, loose stools constitute a normal, favorable presentation. Observing this symptom during the initial or eruptive stages means that even severe cases can be saved. During the resolution phase and after resolution, if stools are loose and yellowish-brown, safety can be guaranteed despite potential complications.

If the symptom is water diarrhea, the stool color must be yellow with foam, accompanied by red urine, dry mouth, and dry lips, all resulting from Heat in the Spleen and Stomach. However, diarrhea during measles allows Heat-Evil to vent, which is considered a favorable progression. For water diarrhea occurring before the rash fully emerges (during the initial fever), Sanling San (Three-Ling Decoction) added with Gegen (Puerariae Radix), Lianqiao (Forsythiae Fructus), Mutong (Akebiae Caulis), and Huashi (Talcum) should be used as the main formula. For water diarrhea during the full eruption phase, Sanling San added with Lianqiao and Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix) is also appropriate. In cases with severe tidal fever, Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma) and Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) should be added. (Ancient practitioners sometimes used Renshen Baihu Tang minus Zhimu plus Maidong, but this is actually inappropriate; the formula is retained here for reference.) Regarding measles-related diarrhea, the toxic fire is resolved through evacuation. Although this is a favorable sign, prolonged diarrhea must be prevented. If diarrhea persists for a long time, Righteous Qi will inevitably decline, and Spleen Qi will sink. If water diarrhea existed before fever onset and continues during the eruption phase, the duration has been too long, making it difficult for Measles-Toxin to vent outward, leading to residual toxin and significant harm. Jiawei Sanling San (Modified Three-Ling Decoction) should be used. If one rigidly adheres to the theory that "toxins are resolved via diarrhea" and allows prolonged diarrhea without early intervention, it may lead to dysentery or passage of purple-red blood after the rash resolves, making treatment extremely difficult. For water diarrhea during the resolution phase and after, although toxins are evacuated, diarrhea should ideally occur only three to five times and not excessively. If water diarrhea persists from start to finish, cooling and diuretic herbs should be used, assisted by herbs that lift Qi. Ancient texts mention using Sanling San added with Xiangbaizhi (Bai Zhi) and Da Maidong (Ophiopogon) for treatment; however, clinical judgment and flexible modification are required. For excessive water diarrhea during the resolution phase and after, regulating the Spleen and Stomach is primary; Zhishi Lizhong Tang (Immature Bitter Orange and Ginseng Decoction) should be used with appropriate modifications. Failure to treat urgently often results in edema, hematochezia, or dysentery. Furthermore, post-measles persistent dysentery/diarrhea, dry mouth with closed eyes, cold limbs, vomiting with inability to eat, and profuse watery diarrhea with loss of consciousness are all untreatable conditions.

Jiawei Sanling San (Modified Three-Ling Decoction): Treats severe diarrhea in smallpox/measles with red-yellow urine.
Zhu Ling (Polypori Sclerotium), Mutong (Akebiae Caulis), Chi Ling (Poria cum Rubro), Che Qian Zi (Plantaginis Semen - stir-fried, 0.7 fen each), Ze Xie (Alismatis Rhizoma, 0.8 fen), Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix - wine-fried), Niu Bang Zi (Arctii Fructus, 0.5 fen each), Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma - wine-fried, 0.2 fen), Deng Xin Cao (Junci Medulla, 50 cun as guide). Decoct in water, take before meals.

Renshen Baihu Tang (Ginseng and White Tiger Decoction): Treats febrile disease with dry tongue, extreme thirst, fever with chills on the back.
Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, 1 qian), Zhi Gan Cao (Prepared Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 1 qian), Sheng Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum, 1 qian; another text uses 5 qian), Zhi Mu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma, 3 qian), Nuomi (Glutinous Oryzae Semen, 0.5 he). Decoct in water, divide into three doses, take warm, consume within one day.

Zhishi Lizhong Tang (Immature Bitter Orange and Ginseng Decoction): Treats Stomach with food retention and Jie Xiong (Chest Binding syndrome), in patients with underlying deficiency unable to tolerate purgation.
Gan Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma - charred black, 0.5-1 qian), Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, 1-3 qian), Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma - stir-fried until scorched, 1-2 qian), Zhishi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), Fu Ling (Poria, 1 qian each), Zhi Gan Cao (Prepared Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 0.5-1 qian). Decoct in water and take.