瘟疫，急性传染病也。自《内经》以下，无书不载，可谓详且尽矣。然瘟疫之来，以时代而异，以风土为移，故古
今方药不同，南北治疗迥异。且变生顷刻，祸不旋踵，非斩关夺隘之将，不克获除暴安良之功。兹将其专书，略论于下∶
吴又可之《温疫论》，实为治瘟疫专书之嚆矢。其辨证论治，有功千古。且发明瘟疫邪自口鼻而入，伏于膜原，又
有九传之变，尤为卓识。惟其因遇崇祯辛已大疫流行之时，所见者为瘟疫而非温病，乃凭一孔之见，而作正名之篇，悉
将温病误为瘟疫；又作《伤寒例正误》，力诋冬伤于寒、春夏成温成暑之理，遂令温病混入瘟疫，淆然莫辨，则又仲景
之罪人也。
羽翼又可者，则有清·郑重光之《温疫论补注》，孔以立之《评注温疫论》，洪吉人之《补注瘟疫论》，皆无甚阐发，
但洪注较胜。陈锡三之《二分晰义》，及杨栗山之《寒温条辨》，所辨虽详，仍援又可瘟温同病之误。杨书乃窃取陈素中
之《伤寒辨证》，而扩充其义者也。吕心斋之《瘟疫条辨摘要》，则又摘取陈、杨二家而成者也。
刘松峰之《说疫》与《瘟疫论类编》、蔡乃庵之《伤寒温疫抉要》、杨尧章之《温疫论辨义》、韩凌霄之《瘟痧要编》、
洪教燧之《温疫条辨》，虽皆瘟温不分，而间有增补，尚不无发挥者也。
熊立品之《治疫全书》，李炳之《辨疫 言》，朱兰台之《疫证治例》，皆略有发明，可备治疫之参考者也。
时人余伯陶之《疫证集说》，曹彝卿之《防疫刍言》，徐相宸之《急性险疫证治》，曹炳章之《秋瘟证治要略》，绍兴
医学会之《湿温时疫治疗法》，杨志一之《四季传染病》，时逸人之《中国急性传染病学》等书，或辑旧说，或抒心得，
或参西学，则皆切于实用者也。
至于郑奠一之《温疫明辨》，即戴麟郊《广温疫论》之张冠李戴，则名为瘟疫，而所论实属温热也。
其瘟温统治之书，则有清·周禹载之《温热暑疫全书》，分别温病瘟疫尚清，惜其属性太简，有负全书之名耳。
至分症论治者，则有清·余师愚之《疫疹一得》。师愚即《阅微草堂笔记》所载之桐城医士也。于乾隆癸丑，京师
大疫，用大剂石膏，所治应手而痊，踵其法者，活人无算。时人刘民叔之《时疫解惑论》，所用方剂，亦推重石膏。但
石膏虽为治热疫要药，究亦不专恃石膏。民国壬申岁，故都烂喉丹痧（倭名猩红热，北平亦呼疫疹）流行，夭横无算。
其重症坏症，人所不治者，经（松如）全活者颇多。其所用药，轻者日用数两，重者多至八九斤，均不专重石膏。其临
证验案，他日当刊以问世。此则又非余、刘之所知也。
清·陈耕道之《疫痧草》，顾玉峰之《痧喉经验阐解》，金德鉴之《烂喉丹痧辑要》，夏春农之《疫喉浅论》，张筱衫
之《痧喉正义》，曹心怡之《喉痧正的》，时人丁甘仁之《喉痧症治概要》，曹炳章之《喉痧证治要略》，皆治烂喉丹痧之
专书也。
清·黄维翰之《白喉辨证》，张善吾之《时疫白喉捷要》，李伦青之《白喉全生集》，陈葆善之《白喉条辨》，耐修子
之《白喉治法忌表抉微》，张采田之《白喉证治通考》，皆治白喉之专书也。
夫白喉，咽喉腐也；喉痧，亦咽喉腐也。其所以异者，白喉多由肾虚火旺，里证也，咽喉虽腐，有汗发热，自下焦
而至上焦，其势缓；喉痧则纯为疠疫之邪，由于口鼻传入，表证也，咽喉肿腐，发热无汗，自上焦而至下焦，其势急。
一属阴虚，一属阳邪。阴虚即仲景所云少阴病，咽痛胸满心烦，猪肤汤主之者也；阳邪即仲景所云阳毒之为病，面赤斑
斑如锦纹，咽喉痛，升麻鳖甲汤主之者也。此又不可以不辨也。
清·王孟英之《随息居霍乱论》，陆九芝之《霍乱论摘要》，赵海仙之《赵氏霍乱论》，许起之《霍乱燃犀说》，姚训
恭之《霍乱新论》，陈蛰庐之《瘟疫霍乱答问》，连文冲之《霍乱审证举要》，时人凌禹声之《霍乱平议》，翟冷仙之《霍
乱指南》，皆治霍乱之专书也。
霍乱之发也暴，其退速，脉忌微细。而类似寒霍乱之伏阴症，其发缓，而退不易，脉恒细或伏，先利而后呕，惟不
若霍乱之心腹绞痛，其发专在夏秋，病则远近一律。清·田云槎之《时行伏阴刍言》，辨之极明。倘误认伏阴为霍乱，
则其为害不可胜言矣。
清·郭右陶之《痧胀玉衡》，随万宁之《羊毛瘟证论》，徐子默之《吊脚痧方论》，林药樵之《痧症全书》，高亭午之
《治痧全编》，党因道人之《急救异痧奇方》，费友棠之《急救痧证全集》，费养庄之《痧疫指迷》，时人陈景岐之《七十
二种痧症救治法》，皆治痧症（痧症即杂疫，一名干霍乱，又名痧胀）之专书也。
清·孔以立之《痢疾论》，吴本立之《痢证汇参》，吴士瑛之《痢疾明辨》，唐容川之《痢症三字诀》，时人丁子良之
《治痢捷要新书》，罗振湘之《治痢南针》，皆治痢疾之专书也。
近时所谓疫痉，亦名痉瘟，又名伏瘟，于小儿俗呼为惊风，即西医之流行性脑脊髓膜炎也。明方中行之《痉书》，
时人蒋璧山之《伏瘟证治实验谈》，沈朗清之《脑膜炎新书》，刘裁吾之《痉病与脑膜炎全书》（此书尚末出版，序文曾
经披露）皆治此症之专书也。《金匮》有刚痉柔痉之分，犹惊风之有急慢也。《说文》∶痉，疆急也。《广韵》∶痉，风强
病也。夫痉之为病，脊强而厥，即《难经》所谓督之为病，脊强而厥。盖同病而异名者也。脊髓上贯于脑，乃督脉之所
司。《脉要精微论》曰∶头者，精明之府。李时珍曰∶脑为元神之府。金正希曰∶人之记性皆在脑中。王清任曰∶灵机
在脑。则脑之为物可知。夫心之官则思。《说文》思字从心从囟。囟即 ，顶门也。盖谓心有所思，则神注于脑也。《韵
会》曰∶自囟至心，如丝相贯不绝。盖谓脑神经也。夫脑阴质也，心阳火也，以阳火上灼阴质，则神光毕照，事物洞明。
此以脑之灵机，而为心主之所司者也。西说之脑膜炎，炎者火也，但火极生风，风火相乘，则筋膜燥，脊髓枯，神经为
之紧张，故头痛脊疼，颈项弯曲，手指抽挛，神识昏迷，目赤直视，口噤谵语。《灵枢·热病》曰∶髓热者死，热而痉
者死，热病数惊，螈 而狂，风痉身反折。《素问·气厥论》曰∶肺移热于肾，传为柔痉。又《骨空论》曰∶督脉为病，
脊强反折。皆此症之见证也。叶天士所谓温邪上受，逆传心包，亦此证之一也。心包即心主之宫城，盖脑之灵根下在于
肾，脑之灵机上发自心。心通于脑，故泻心火即清脑法也。然其症不独有刚柔之分，且有有疫无疫之异。施治之法，又
不可执一无权也。
清·罗芝园之《鼠疫约编》，沈敦和之《鼠疫良方汇编》，刘肇隅之《鼠疫备考》，时人余伯陶之《鼠疫抉微》，李健
颐之《鼠疫治疗全书》，徐相宸之《订正鼠疫良方》，皆治鼠疫之专书也。
他如痘疮、麻疹，乃本先天之遗毒，蕴藏于骨髓之间。痘为阴毒，发于五脏；麻为阳毒，发于六腑。虽皆由感触疫
邪而发，究非其主因也。古者隶于小儿科，今则另立专门，故不列入。
瘟疫，是急性传染病。自《黄帝内经》以下，没有哪本书不记载的，可以说详尽且完备了。然而瘟疫的发生，随着时代不同而变化，随地理风土差异而转移，所以古今的方药不同，南北的治疗方法迥然相异。况且病情变化发生在顷刻之间，灾祸转瞬即至，如果不是像斩关夺隘那样的猛将，就不能获得铲除暴虐、安抚良善的功效。现在将其专门著作，简要论述如下：
吴又可的《温疫论》，实际上是治疗瘟疫专门著作的先驱。其辨证论治的方法，功在千秋。并且他阐明了瘟疫邪气从口鼻而入，潜伏于膜原（半表半里之部位），又有九种传变的方式，尤为卓见。只是因为他恰逢崇祯辛巳年大疫流行之时，所见的是瘟疫而非温病（以发热为主、易化燥伤阴的外感热病），便凭借一孔之见，撰写了正名篇章，完全将温病误认为是瘟疫；又撰写《伤寒例正误》，极力诋毁冬季感受寒邪、春夏形成温病或暑病的理论，于是导致温病混入瘟疫之中，混淆不清，难以分辨，这又是张仲景的罪人。
辅佐吴又可观点的人，有清代的郑重光的《温疫论补注》，孔以立的《评注温疫论》，洪吉人的《补注瘟疫论》，都没有什么深刻的阐发，只有洪吉人的注解相对较好。陈锡三的《二分晰义》，以及杨栗山的《寒温条辨》，虽然辨析详细，但仍沿袭吴又可认为瘟病与温病同属一病的错误。杨栗山的书乃是窃取陈素中的《伤寒辨证》，并扩充其义理而成的。吕心斋的《瘟疫条辨摘要》，则是摘取陈、杨两家的内容而成的。
刘松峰的《说疫》与《瘟疫论类编》、蔡乃庵的《伤寒温疫抉要》、杨尧章的《温疫论辨义》、韩凌霄的《瘟痧要编》、洪教燧的《温疫条辨》，虽然都不分瘟病与温病，但间或有增补，尚有一些发挥之处。
熊立品的《治疫全书》、李炳的《辨疫言》、朱兰台的《疫证治例》，都略有发明，可以作为治疗瘟疫的参考资料。
当时人余伯陶的《疫证集说》、曹彝卿的《防疫刍言》、徐相宸的《急性险疫证治》、曹炳章的《秋瘟证治要略》、绍兴医学会的《湿温时疫治疗法》、杨志一的《四季传染病》、时逸人的《中国急性传染病学》等书，有的辑录旧说，有的抒发心得，有的参考西学，都是切合实用的。
至于郑奠一的《温疫明辨》，就是戴麟郊《广温疫论》中张冠李戴的内容，名为讨论瘟疫，但所论述的实际上属于温热病。
那些瘟病与温病统筹治疗的书籍，有清代的周禹载的《温热暑疫全书》，分别温病和瘟疫还算清晰，可惜其属性分类太简单，辜负了全书之名。
至于按症状分类论治的，有清代的余师愚的《疫疹一得》。余师愚就是《阅微草堂笔记》中所记载的桐城医生。在乾隆癸丑年，京城发生大瘟疫，他用大剂量的石膏，所治之症应手而愈，跟随他这种方法救治的人，救活无数。当时人刘民叔的《时疫解惑论》，所使用的方剂，也推崇重用石膏。但是石膏虽然是治疗热疫的重要药物，终究不能专门依赖石膏。民国壬申年，故都北京烂喉丹痧（日本名称为猩红热，北平也称疫疹）流行，死亡无数。其中重症、坏症，别人无法治疗的，经（作者自称松如）全部救活的很多。他所用的药物，轻者每天用数两，重者多至八九斤，都不专门重视石膏。他的临证验案，将来应当刊印问世。这又不是余、刘二人所知道的。
清代的陈耕道的《疫痧草》、顾玉峰的《痧喉经验阐解》、金德鉴的《烂喉丹痧辑要》、夏春农的《疫喉浅论》、张筱衫的《痧喉正义》、曹心怡的《喉痧正的》、当时人丁甘仁的《喉痧症治概要》、曹炳章的《喉痧证治要略》，都是治疗烂喉丹痧的专门书籍。
清代的黄维翰的《白喉辨证》、张善吾的《时疫白喉捷要》、李伦青的《白喉全生集》、陈葆善的《白喉条辨》、耐修子的《白喉治法忌表抉微》、张采田的《白喉证治通考》，都是治疗白喉的专门书籍。
所谓白喉，是咽喉腐烂；喉痧，也是咽喉腐烂。它们之所以不同，在于白喉多由肾虚火旺引起，属于里证，咽喉虽然腐烂，但有汗、发热，病势自下焦向上焦发展，其势缓慢；喉痧则纯粹是疠疫邪气，从口鼻传入，属于表证，咽喉肿胀腐烂，发热无汗，病势自上焦向下焦发展，其势急迫。一个属于阴虚，一个属于阳邪。阴虚即是张仲景所说的少阴病，咽痛胸满心烦，用猪肤汤主治；阳邪即是张仲景所说的阳毒之为病，面色赤红斑纹如锦缎花纹，咽喉痛，用升麻鳖甲汤主治。这又不可以不辨别清楚。
清代的王孟英的《随息居霍乱论》、陆九芝的《霍乱论摘要》、赵海仙的《赵氏霍乱论》、许起的《霍乱燃犀说》、姚训恭的《霍乱新论》、陈蛰庐的《瘟疫霍乱答问》、连文冲的《霍乱审证举要》、当时人凌禹声的《霍乱平议》、翟冷仙的《霍乱指南》，都是治疗霍乱的专门书籍。
霍乱发作迅猛，消退也快，脉象忌讳微细。而类似寒霍乱的伏阴症，发作缓慢，消退不易，脉象常细或伏，先腹泻后呕吐，只是不像霍乱那样有心腹绞痛，其发病专在夏秋季节，患病后远近地区情况一致。清代的田云槎的《时行伏阴刍言》，辨析得非常明白。如果误认伏阴症为霍乱，那么其危害不可胜言。
清代的郭右陶的《痧胀玉衡》、随万宁的《羊毛瘟证论》、徐子默的《吊脚痧方论》、林药樵的《痧症全书》、高亭午的《治痧全编》、党因道人的《急救异痧奇方》、费友棠的《急救痧证全集》、费养庄的《痧疫指迷》、当时人陈景岐的《七十二种痧症救治法》，都是治疗痧症（痧症即杂疫，一名干霍乱，又名痧胀）的专门书籍。
清代的孔以立的《痢疾论》、吴本立的《痢证汇参》、吴士瑛的《痢疾明辨》、唐容川的《痢症三字诀》、当时人丁子良的《治痢捷要新书》、罗振湘的《治痢南针》，都是治疗痢疾的专门书籍。
近时所谓的疫痉，也叫痉瘟，也叫伏瘟，在小儿俗称为惊风，即西医的流行性脑脊髓膜炎。明代的方中行的《痉书》、当时人蒋璧山的《伏瘟证治实验谈》、沈朗清的《脑膜炎新书》、刘裁吾的《痉病与脑膜炎全书》（此书尚未出版，序文曾经披露）都是治疗此症的专门书籍。《金匮要略》有刚痉、柔痉之分，就像惊风有急惊风、慢惊风一样。《说文解字》说：痉，是强直紧急。《广韵》说：痉，是风强病。夫痉这种病，脊背强直且厥逆，即《难经》所说的督脉为病，脊背强直且厥逆。大概是同一种病而异名的关系。脊髓上贯于脑，是督脉所主管的。《素问·脉要精微论》说：头，是精明之府。李时珍说：脑是元神之府。金正希说：人的记性都在脑中。王清任说：灵机在脑。那么脑这种器官就可以知道了。心的功能是思考。《说文解字》“思”字从心从囟。囟即囟门，头顶骨未合处。大概是指心有所思，则神注于脑。《韵会》说：从囟到心，如丝相连不绝。大概是指脑神经。脑是阴质，心是阳火，以阳火上灼阴质，则神光毕照，事物洞明。这是以脑的灵机，作为心主所主管的。西医说的脑膜炎，炎就是火，但火极生风，风火相乘，则筋膜干燥，脊髓枯涸，神经为之紧张，所以头痛脊疼，颈项弯曲，手指抽搐挛急，神识昏迷，目赤直视，牙关紧闭胡言乱语。《灵枢·热病》说：髓热者死，热而发痉者死，热病多次惊恐，抽搐而狂，风痉身体反折。《素问·气厥论》说：肺移热于肾，传变为柔痉。又《骨空论》说：督脉为病，脊背强直反折。都是此症的见证。叶天士所说的温邪上受，逆传心包，也是此证的一种。心包即心主的宫城，大概脑的灵根下在于肾，脑的灵机上发自心。心通于脑，所以泻心火就是清脑法。然而此症不仅有刚柔之分，还有是否有疫的区别。施治的方法，又不可固执一端不知权变。
清代的罗芝园的《鼠疫约编》、沈敦和的《鼠疫良方汇编》、刘肇隅的《鼠疫备考》、当时人余伯陶的《鼠疫抉微》、李健颐的《鼠疫治疗全书》、徐相宸的《订正鼠疫良方》，都是治疗鼠疫的专门书籍。
其他如痘疮、麻疹，乃是先天遗留的毒邪，蕴藏在骨髓之间。痘为阴毒，发于五脏；麻为阳毒，发于六腑。虽然都是由感触疫邪而发，终究不是其主要原因。古代隶属于小儿科，现在则另立专门学科，所以不列入。
Plague (Yiwen) refers to acute infectious diseases. Since the *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon), no book has failed to record it; it can be said to be detailed and comprehensive. However, the occurrence of plague varies with different eras and shifts according to local climates and geographies. Therefore, ancient and modern prescriptions differ, and treatment methods in the north and south are vastly distinct. Moreover, changes occur in an instant, and disasters follow swiftly. Only a general capable of breaking through enemy lines can achieve the merit of eliminating violence and pacifying the good. Herein, I briefly discuss its specialized books:
Wu Youke's *Wenyi Lun* (Treatise on Warm Epidemics) is indeed the pioneer of specialized books on treating plague. Its method of syndrome differentiation and treatment merits praise for millennia. Furthermore, he elucidated that the pathogenic factor of plague enters through the mouth and nose and lies dormant in the Membrane Source (Moyuan, a location between the exterior and interior). He also described nine modes of transmission, which was particularly insightful. However, because he lived during the great epidemic of the Xinsi year of the Chongzhen reign, what he observed was plague rather than warm disease (a type of exogenous febrile disease characterized by fever and a tendency to dryness and yin injury). Relying on this limited perspective, he wrote a piece on correct nomenclature, mistakenly identifying warm diseases as plague. He also wrote *Shanghan Li Zhengwu* (Correcting Errors in the Examples of Cold Damage), vigorously denouncing the theory that cold contracted in winter leads to warm or summerheat diseases in spring and summer. Consequently, warm diseases were confused with plague, making them indistinguishable. In this regard, he became a sinner to Zhang Zhongjing.
Those who supported Wu Youke include Zheng Zhongguang's *Wenyi Lun Buzhu* (Supplementary Notes on Treatise on Warm Epidemics), Kong Yili's *Pingzhu Wenyi Lun* (Commented Treatise on Warm Epidemics), and Hong Jiren's *Buzhu Wenyi Lun* (Supplementary Notes on Plague Treatise). None offered profound elaborations, though Hong's notes were relatively superior. Chen Xisan's *Erfen Xiyi* (Clarifying Meanings in Two Parts) and Yang Lishan's *Hanwen Tiaobian* (Differentiating Cold and Warm Diseases), although detailed in their distinctions, still followed Wu Youke's error of equating plague and warm diseases. Yang's book plagiarized Chen Suzhong's *Shanghan Bianzheng* (Differentiation of Cold Damage Syndromes) and expanded upon its principles. Lv Xinzhai's *Wenyi Tiaobian Yaoyao* (Summary of Plague Differentiation) was compiled by excerpting from Chen and Yang.
Liu Songfeng's *Shuo Yi* (Discourse on Epidemics) and *Wenyi Lun Leibian* (Classified Compilation of Treatise on Warm Epidemics), Cai Naian's *Shanghan Wenyi Jueyao* (Essentials of Cold Damage and Warm Epidemic Differentiation), Yang Yaozhang's *Wenyi Lun Bianyi* (Differentiated Meanings of Treatise on Warm Epidemics), Han Lingxiao's *Wensha Yaobian* (Essential Compilation of Plague Sha), and Hong Jiasui's *Wenyi Tiaobian* (Differentiation of Warm Epidemics), although failing to distinguish between plague and warm diseases, had some additions and developments.
Xiong Lipin's *Zhi Yi Quan Shu* (Complete Book on Treating Epidemics), Li Bing's *Bi Yan* (Words on Differentiating Epidemics), and Zhu Lantai's *Yizheng Zhili* (Treatment Examples of Epidemic Syndromes) all had slight innovations and can serve as references for treating epidemics.
Contemporary figures' works such as Yu Botao's *Yizheng Jishuo* (Collected Sayings on Epidemic Syndromes), Cao Yiqing's *Fangyu Chu Yan* (Primitive Words on Epidemic Prevention), Xu Xiangchen's *Jixing Xianyizheng Zhi* (Treatment of Acute Dangerous Epidemic Syndromes), Cao Bingzhang's *Qiuwen Zhengzhi Yaolüe* (Brief Essentials of Autumn Plague Treatment), the Shaoxing Medical Association's *Shiwen Shi Yi Zhiliaofa* (Treatment Methods for Damp-Warmth and Seasonal Epidemics), Yang Zhiyi's *Siji Chuanranbing* (Seasonal Infectious Diseases), and Shi Yiren's *Zhongguo Jixing Chuanranbingxue* (Chinese Science of Acute Infectious Diseases), either compile old theories, express personal insights, or incorporate Western learning; all are practical.
As for Zheng Dianyi's *Wenyi Mingbian* (Clear Differentiation of Warm Epidemics), it is a case of misattribution from Dai Linjiao's *Guang Wenyi Lun* (Expanded Treatise on Warm Epidemics). Although named "plague," the discussion actually pertains to warm-heat diseases.
Books that treat both plague and warm diseases together include Zhou Yuzai's *Wenre Shuyi Quan Shu* (Complete Book on Warmth, Heat, Summerheat, and Epidemics) from the Qing Dynasty. It distinguishes between warm diseases and plague reasonably well, but its categorization is too simplistic, failing to live up to its title.
Regarding books that treat based on specific symptoms, there is Yu Shiyu's *Yizhen Yide* (One Gain from Epidemic Rash) from the Qing Dynasty. Yu Shiyu was the Tongcheng physician mentioned in *Yuewei Caotang Biji* (Notes from the Yuewei Grass Cottage). During the Gui Chou year of the Qianlong reign, a great epidemic struck the capital. Using large doses of Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao), he achieved immediate cures, and those following his method saved countless lives. Liu Minsu, a contemporary, in his *Shiyi Huojie Lun* (Discussion on Resolving Doubts about Seasonal Epidemics), also highly valued Gypsum Fibrosum. However, although Gypsum Fibrosum is a key herb for treating heat plague, it cannot be relied upon exclusively. In the Ren Shen year of the Republic of China, Lanshou Dansha (Japanese name: Scarlet Fever; Beiping name: Epidemic Rash) prevailed in the former capital, causing countless deaths. For severe and critical cases that others could not treat, many were saved by the author (Songru). His herbal prescriptions ranged from several taels daily for mild cases to eight or nine jin for severe ones, without focusing solely on Gypsum Fibrosum. His clinical case records will be published in the future. This knowledge was unknown to Yu and Liu.
Specialized books on treating Lanshou Dansha include Chen Gengdao's *Yisha Cao* (Grass on Epidemic Sha), Gu Yufeng's *Shahou Jingyan Chanjie* (Elucidation of Clinical Experience in Sha Throat), Jin Dejian's *Lanshou Dansha Jiyao* (Essentials of Lanshou Dansha), Xia Chunrong's *Yihou Qianlun* (Light Discussion on Epidemic Throat), Zhang Xiaoshan's *Shahou Zhengyi* (Righteousness of Sha Throat), Cao Xinyi's *Housha Zhengdi* (True Grounds of Throat Sha), Ding Ganren's *Housha Zhengzhi Gaoyao* (Outline of Throat Sha Treatment), and Cao Bingzhang's *Housha Zhengzhi Yaolüe* (Brief Essentials of Throat Sha Treatment).
Specialized books on treating Diphtheria (Baihou) include Huang Weihuan's *Baihou Bianzheng* (Differentiation of Diphtheria), Zhang Shanwu's *Shiyi Baihou Jiayao* (Quick Essentials for Seasonal Epidemic Diphtheria), Li Lunqing's *Baihou Quanshengji* (Complete Collection for Saving Lives in Diphtheria), Chen Baoshan's *Baihou Tiaobian* (Differentiation of Diphtheria), Naixiu Zi's *Baihou Zhifa Jibiao Weiwei* (Subtle Distinctions on Avoiding Diaphoresis in Diphtheria Treatment), and Zhang Caitian's *Baihou Zhengzhi Tongkao* (Comprehensive Study of Diphtheria Syndrome and Treatment).
Diphtheria involves throat ulceration; Throat Sha also involves throat ulceration. The difference lies in etiology: Diphtheria often stems from Kidney deficiency with hyperactive fire, constituting an Interior Syndrome. Although the throat ulcerates, there is sweating and fever, progressing slowly from the Lower Jiao to the Upper Jiao. Throat Sha, however, is purely caused by pestilential pathogens entering via the mouth and nose, constituting an Exterior Syndrome. The throat swells and ulcerates, with fever but no sweating, progressing rapidly from the Upper Jiao to the Lower Jiao. One belongs to Yin deficiency; the other to Yang pathogen. Yin deficiency corresponds to Zhang Zhongjing's description of Shaoyin Disease: sore throat, chest fullness, restlessness, treated with Pig Skin Decoction (Zhufu Tang). Yang pathogen corresponds to Yang Toxic Disease: red face with rash like brocade patterns, sore throat, treated with Cimicifugae Rhizoma and Tortoise Shell Decoction (Shengma Biejia Tang). These must be distinguished.
Specialized books on treating Cholera include Wang Mengying's *Suixiju Huolu Lun* (Treatise on Cholera at Suixiju Residence), Lu Jiuzhi's *Huolu Lun Yaoyao* (Summary of Cholera Treatise), Zhao Haixian's *Zhao Shi Huolu Lun* (Zhao's Cholera Treatise), Xu Qi's *Huolu Ranxi Shuo* (Discourse on Cholera Illuminated by the Lamp), Yao Xungong's *Huolu Xinlun* (New Theory on Cholera), Chen Zhelu's *Wenyi Huolu Dawen* (Q&A on Plague and Cholera), Lian Wenchong's *Huolu Shenzheng Juyao* (Essentials of Cholera Syndrome Differentiation), Ling Yusheng's *Huolu Pingyi* (Fair Discussion on Cholera), and Zhai Lengxian's *Huolu Zhinan* (Guide to Cholera).
Cholera onset is sudden, and recovery is rapid; the pulse should not be minute and fine. The condition resembling Cold Cholera, known as Fuyin Syndrome (Latent Yin Syndrome), has a slow onset and difficult resolution, with a fine or hidden pulse, diarrhea preceding vomiting. Unlike Cholera, it lacks severe abdominal cramping. It occurs specifically in summer and autumn, affecting areas uniformly. Tian Yuncha's *Shixing Fuyin Chu Yan* (Primitive Words on Seasonal Latent Yin) distinguishes this clearly. Mistaking Fuyin for Cholera would have dire consequences.
Specialized books on treating Sha Syndrome (Sha Zheng, also known as Dry Cholera or Sha Swelling) include Guo Youtao's *Shazhang Yuheng* (Jade Balance of Sha Swelling), Sui Wanning's *Yangmaowen Zhenglun* (Treatise on Wool Plague Syndromes), Xu Zimo's *Diaojiaosha Fanglun* (Formula Discourse on Hanging Leg Sha), Lin Yaoqiao's *Shazheng Quan Shu* (Complete Book on Sha Syndromes), Gao Tingwu's *Zhi Sha Quanbian* (Complete Compilation on Treating Sha), Dang Yindaoren's *Jijiu Yisha Qifang* (Miraculous Formulas for Emergency Rescue of Strange Sha), Fei Youtang's *Jijiu Shazheng Quanjí* (Complete Collection for Emergency Rescue of Sha Syndromes), Fei Yangzhuang's *Shayi Zhimi* (Guiding Confusion on Sha Epidemics), and Chen Jingqi's *Qishierzhang Shazheng Jiuzhi Fa* (Rescue Methods for Seventy-Two Types of Sha Syndromes).
Specialized books on treating Dysentery include Kong Yili's *Liji Lun* (Treatise on Dysentery), Wu Benli's *Lizheng Huican* (Compilation of Dysentery Syndromes), Wu Shiying's *Liji Mingbian* (Clear Differentiation of Dysentery), Tang Rongchuan's *Lizheng Sanzijue* (Three-Character Mantra for Dysentery Syndromes), Ding Ziliang's *Zhi Li Jieyao Xinshu* (New Quick Essentials for Treating Dysentery), and Luo Zhenxiang's *Zhi Li Nanzhen* (Southern Compass for Treating Dysentery).
Recent so-called Epidemic Spasm, also called Spasm Plague or Latent Plague, commonly known as Convulsions in children, corresponds to Western Medicine's Epidemic Cerebrospinal Meningitis. Fang Zhongxing's *Jing Shu* (Book on Spasm) from the Ming Dynasty, Jiang Bishan's *Fuwen Zhengzhi Shiyantán* (Experimental Talk on Treating Latent Plague Syndromes), Shen Langqing's *Naomoyan Xinshu* (New Book on Meningitis), and Liu Caiwu's *Jingbing Yu Naomoyan Quan Shu* (Complete Book on Spasm Disease and Meningitis, unpublished but preface revealed) are specialized books for this condition. *Jingui Yaolue* distinguishes Gang Jing (Stiff Spasm) and Rou Jing (Flaccid Spasm), analogous to Acute and Chronic Convulsions. *Shuowen* defines Jing as stiffness and urgency. *Guangyun* defines it as a wind-strength disease. Spasm manifests as spinal rigidity and厥逆 (cold extremities/fainting), corresponding to the *Nanjing*'s description of Du Meridian disease. The spinal cord connects to the brain, governed by the Du Meridian. *Suwen · Maiyao Jingwei Lun* states: "The head is the mansion of clarity." Li Shizhen stated: "The brain is the mansion of the Primordial Spirit." Zheng Jingxi stated: "Memory resides in the brain." Wang Qingren stated: "Spiritual mechanisms reside in the brain." Thus, the nature of the brain is clear. The heart governs thought. The character "Si" (thought) consists of "Xin" (heart) and "Xin" (fontanelle/top of head). This implies that when the heart thinks, spirit focuses on the brain. *Yunhui* states: "From fontanelle to heart, connected like threads." This refers to brain nerves. The brain is Yin substance; the heart is Yang fire. When Yang fire scorches Yin substance, spiritual light shines brightly, illuminating things clearly. This explains how the brain's spiritual mechanism is governed by the Heart Master. In Western medicine, meningitis ("yan" means fire) involves extreme heat generating wind. Wind and fire interact, drying fascia, withering spinal marrow, and tightening nerves, causing headache, back pain, neck stiffness, finger spasms, coma, red eyes staring straight, locked jaw, and delirium. *Ling Shu · Re Bing* states: "Marrow heat leads to death; heat with spasm leads to death; frequent fright in heat disease, convulsions and mania, wind spasm with body reversal." *Suwen · Qi Jue Lun* states: "Lung transferring heat to Kidney transforms into Rou Jing." *Gukong Lun* states: "Du Meridian disease causes spinal rigidity and reversal." All are manifestations of this syndrome. Ye Tianshi's statement that "Warm pathogens enter from above and reverse-transmit to the Pericardium" is also one form of this syndrome. The Pericardium is the palace city of the Heart Master. The root of the brain's spirit lies in the Kidney; the function of the brain's spirit originates from the Heart. The Heart connects to the Brain; thus, draining Heart Fire clears the Brain. However, this syndrome has distinctions of Gang/Rou and presence/absence of epidemic nature. Treatment methods must not be rigid.
Specialized books on treating Bubonic Plague include Luo Zhiyuan's *Shuyi Yuebian* (Brief Compilation on Plague), Shen Dunhe's *Shuyi Liangfang Huibian* (Compilation of Good Prescriptions for Plague), Liu Zhaoyu's *Shuyi Beikao* (Preliminary Research on Plague), Yu Botao's *Shuyi Juewei* (Unveiling Secrets of Plague), Li Jianyi's *Shuyi Zhiliao Quan Shu* (Complete Book on Plague Treatment), and Xu Xiangchen's *Dingzheng Shuyi Liangfang* (Corrected Good Prescriptions for Plague).
Others, such as Smallpox (Douchuang) and Measles (Mazhen), stem from congenital latent toxins stored in the bone marrow. Smallpox is Yin toxin, emerging from the Five Zang Organs; Measles is Yang toxin, emerging from the Six Fu Organs. Although triggered by epidemic pathogens, they are not primarily caused by them. Historically classified under Pediatrics, they are now separate specialties and thus excluded here.