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Whenever there is an abnormal warmth in winter, it is a sign of great misfortune. The people are prone to epidemics and sores/ulcers. If measles, which is contagious, occurs, decoctions or pills can be used for preemptive detoxification with good results.

The toxic pathogen of measles should always be resolved in the early stage. Once the rash is fully erupted, the toxin is cleared, and worries can be dispelled. If there is abdominal distension and pain, it indicates that the evil pathogen is still latent; if there is panting, shortness of breath, and lethargy/coma, death is inevitable.

Spring warmth, summer heat, autumn coolness, and winter cold are the normal qi of the four seasons. If winter should be cold but instead becomes warm, it is due to the sudden leakage of yang qi and the premature arrival of the fire command. Those who contract this will inevitably develop carbuncles and sores by the following spring. Those who have not yet developed smallpox or measles will certainly manifest them upon infection. Although measles stem from fetal toxins, none erupt without being triggered by seasonal epidemic influences. Therefore, within a specific time frame, infections are similar, affecting everyone regardless of distance or age. Fathers and elders, seeing that smallpox or measles are circulating in their vicinity, should first use *Xiaodu Baoying Dan* (Detoxifying Infant-Protecting Pill) or *Daitian Xuanhua Wan* (Heaven-Replacing Transformation Pill) for preemptive resolution. This allows the toxin to be thoroughly expelled without becoming excessive. Although this reflects the compassionate heart of past sages to save lives, one must understand that in measles cases, the primary concern is the failure to erupt within a timely manner. If fully erupted, the toxin is completely resolved. When treating measles, during the initial fever before eruption, one should use *Xuandu Fabiao Tang* (Toxin-Releasing and Exterior-Resolving Decoction), removing Shengma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae), Jiegeng (Radix Platycodonis), and Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae); or use *Gegen Jiemo Tang* (Pueraria Muscle-Relieving Decoction) (see Article 5), removing Chishao (Radix Paeoniae Rubra) and Gancao; or use *Gegen Shuxie Tang* (Pueraria Pathogen-Dispersing Decoction) (see Article 33), removing Gupi (Cortex Lycii); or use *Fangfeng Baidu San* (Saposhnikovia Toxin-Clearing Powder) (see Article 5), removing Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum), Zhimu (Radix Anemarrhenae), Danyezhu (Herba Phyllostachidis Nigrae), Jiegeng, and Gancao, adding Qianhu (Radix Peucedani) and Gegen (Radix Puerariae), etc., according to the syndrome to promote eruption. As long as the measles erupt, the toxin resolves, and there will be no danger throughout the process. If one dose fails to produce the rash, administer another dose. Externally, spray boiled Huixi (Coriandrum sativum) wine onto bedding and cover the patient. Crucially, keep the head and face uncovered. Alternatively, dip Ramie (Boehmeria nivea) in Huixi wine and rub it over the entire body to open the pores, allowing the measles to emerge. Do not rigidly adhere to annual climate rules or seasonal temperature variations to prescribe acrid-warm or cold-cooling agents, which would exacerbate the inflammatory nature and obstruct the eruption mechanism, leading to complicated syndromes. If after three or four attempts the rash still does not appear, accompanied by abdominal fullness, panting, dizziness, mental confusion, restlessness, and delirious speech, death is certain. Some claim that taking Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis), Zicaorong (Radix Arnebiae/Lithospermi), Honghua (Flos Carthami), and Niubangzi (Fructus Arctii) will make the rash appear immediately; this is absolutely ineffective.

Zhu commented: Jiegeng and Gancao constitute Zhang Zhongjing's Jiegeng Gancao Tang. Jiegeng lifts and opens lung qi, while raw Gancao clears heat and detoxifies. Xie Yuqiong regarded Gan and Jie together as a "vessel and oar" agent (guiding herbs upward), stating that other herbs cannot sink with this ingredient. Although this stems from Zhao Xikan's (Shiweng) theory, it ultimately contradicts the original intent of the *Shennong Bencao Jing*. We may still boldly use them when indicated, without being constrained by such views.

**Formula: Xiaodu Baoying Dan (Detoxifying Infant-Protecting Pill)**
Chandouteng (Stems of beans wrapped around fine red silk vines, harvested on auspicious days in the eighth lunar month, dried in shade, 1 liang 5 qian). Note: Does not distinguish between soybeans or mung beans.
Daheidou (Large black soybeans, 30 grains)
Chixiaodou (Adzuki beans, 70 grains)
Niubangzi (Arctii Fructus, stir-fried)
Chensha (Cinnabar, water-purified)
Shengdihuang (Rehmanniae Radix Recens)
Shanzharou (Pericarpium Crataegi, 1 liang each)
Jingjiesui (Schizonepetae Spica)
Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix)
Duhuo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix)
Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix)
Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma)
Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix)
Shenggancao (Raw Glycyrrhizae Radix, 5 qian each)
Laosigua (Old loofah, aged through frost, two pieces including vine and stem, burned to ash, 5 cun)
Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma)
Chishao (Paeoniae Radix Rubra, 7 qian 5 fen each)
Grind into fine powder. Mix with rock sugar to form pills the size of a plum pit. Take with strong decoction of Gancao.

When preparing this pill, choose the Spring Equinox, Autumn Equinox, or the 15th day of the 1st, 7th, or 10th lunar months. Clean a quiet room, burn incense, and prepare with sincere devotion. Do not allow monks, nuns, Taoist priests, women, mourners in mourning clothes, or livestock to see the process. After preparation, at sunrise, burn incense, click teeth, face east, inhale once, blow onto the pills, and recite the mantra towards the sun: "Divine true medicine, harmonizing with nature; infants swallowing it, sharing years with heaven and earth. I now invoke the Supreme Lord Laojun, swiftly as law commands." (Recite silently seven times in one breath.) [Note: This preparation method is not credible and is retained only as a document. March 1957.]

**Formula: Daitian Xuanhua Wan (Heaven-Replacing Transformation Pill)**
(This is the Wuwen Dan recorded in Han Shi Yi Tong.)
Gancao (Licorice Root): In years ending in Jia or Ji (Earth element), Gancao is the Sovereign herb.
Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix): In years ending in Yi or Geng (Metal element), Huangqin is the Sovereign herb.
Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex): In years ending in Bing or Xin (Water element), Huangbai is the Sovereign herb.
Zhiren (Gardeniae Semen): In years ending in Ding or Ren (Wood element), Zhiren is the Sovereign herb.
Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma): In years ending in Wu or Gui (Fire element), Huanglian is the Sovereign herb.
Lianqiao (Forsythiae Fructus): Assistant herb.
Shandougen (Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix): Assistant herb.
In Jiazi or Jisi years, Gancao is Sovereign; Huangqin, Huangbai, Zhiren, and Huanglian are Ministers; Lianqiao, Dougen, and Niubang are Assistants. For Yi-Geng and other years, follow this pattern. Sovereign herb: 1 liang; Minister herbs: 5 qian; Assistant herbs: 2 qian 5 fen. Grind into fine powder. On the Winter Solstice, boil Shengma in snow water to extract juice, mix with flour paste to form pills, coat with Cinnabar, and take with decoction of Danyezhu.