典藏书目

In the manifestation of measles, during the initial fever stage, from the first day until the rooster crowing time on the second day, the fever ceases, leaving only slight heat in the five centers (palms, soles, and chest). Coughing and clear nasal discharge gradually appear, or abdominal pain occurs, and food intake gradually decreases. Between Shen and You hours (3:00 PM to 7:00 PM), the fever returns. Such a condition persists for four days; touching the area near the hairline feels very hot, while the heat on the face decreases slightly by two or three parts. The cough is continuous, the face is dry with red cheeks, eyes are teary, sneezing is frequent, or sudden epistaxis occurs. By the fifth day, the fever continues without distinction between day and night. On the morning of the sixth day, rashes appear below the cheeks as fine red spots; by noon, dense red spots cover both backs of the hands, below the waist, and the entire body. On the seventh day, the rash erupts universally. At this point, clear nasal discharge stops, and sneezing ceases. By the evening of the seventh day, the color of the cheeks gradually fades. This is a key method for verifying the progression of measles.

It is a fixed rule that measles manifest after six days of fever. If physicians lack insight and administer medication too early, depleting Yuan Qi (Primordial Qi), when the rash finally emerges, numerous complications may arise. These include cough transforming into asthma, the rash disappearing after one or two days, severe diarrhea, or panting with closed eyes. These are harms caused by inappropriate medication. Our family's treatment method strictly avoids medication within the first five days. We wait until the rash points are visible before using gentle methods to raise and release the exterior. However, there is an order to medication administration. Each decoction must be administered in more than ten small doses. Since the rash is located in the skin and interstices, administering it all at once causes the medicinal properties to act too urgently, often leading to delirium and irritability. Therefore, caution is required.

Zhang Jingyue stated: According to Wan's method, it is believed that physicians administering medication too early may deplete Yuan Qi; thus, treatment should only begin after the rash points appear. There is also concern that single-dose administration might cause the medicinal properties to act too urgently. These concerns stem from the fear that treatment might be ineffective and harmful, representing his empirical insights. However, from my humble perspective, physicians vary in skill, and medications vary in suitability. Provided the diagnosis is accurate and the eruption is handled appropriately, pre-eruption treatment—whether via releasing the exterior or tonification—can prevent complications and secretly eliminate toxins. Post-eruption, there must be appropriate formulas for regulation without causing excessive urgency. This depends on the physician's competence and whether they disregard the timing of early intervention. I have observed many cases of misdiagnosis and mistreatment by mediocre practitioners, suggesting that "not taking medicine" can sometimes be the most moderate approach. This explains why Wan's theory must be followed.

Measles typically manifest after five to six days of fever. Physicians may find their medications ineffective in dispersing the pathogen; parents may see no improvement; doctors may fail to resolve the fever and cough. They might treat other concurrent conditions instead, and families may change physicians repeatedly. This is why misdiagnosis and mistreatment are common in the world.