典藏书目

The method of cowpox vaccination relies entirely on nurturing the "seed" (referring to the cowpox lymph/vaccine material). This seed originated from overseas and was subsequently transmitted from person to person, with the key being its continuous and unbroken propagation. I established a clinic at the foreign trade firm's guild hall. In summer, each cycle lasted eight days; in spring, autumn, and winter, each cycle lasted nine days. These cycles repeated continuously, and appointments for vaccination were not changed due to wind or rain. Furthermore, the benevolent gentlemen of the foreign trade firms pooled funds to generate interest. From April to September, those coming for vaccination were given fruit allowances for the persons collecting the lymph. The reason for establishing this allowance was that during the intense heat of midsummer, even those who firmly believed in the practice often hesitated and refused to come. If no vaccination was performed, no lymph could be collected; if no lymph was collected, the seed could not be continued. Now that the fruit allowance has been established, children who come receive safety guarantees, and the poor receive some financial relief. Consequently, people seeking vaccination came in a steady stream, and excellent seeds were propagated without interruption. After the practice had been carried out for some time, everyone became aware of the cowpox method, and even in the height of summer, it posed no hindrance.

The love parents have for their children is universal. In eastern Guangdong, the terrain is low and damp, making it prone to madness diseases (such as rabies or certain infectious dermatological conditions). Those coming for vaccination might mix together, risking the accidental collection of lymph from those suffering from madness, which would then be transmitted to healthy children, causing significant harm. Therefore, I informed the gentlemen of the foreign trade firms and petitioned the authorities to dispatch personnel from the Charity Hospital (Yangji Yuan) who were skilled in recognizing symptoms of madness. These personnel were required to submit written guarantees and be on standby at the clinic during scheduled periods. All applicants were first examined by these specialists before lymph was collected, ensuring no errors occurred.

This method can be applied at any time regardless of the season, without selecting auspicious weather or favorable dates, avoiding wind, or observing taboos. It applies to both males and females of all ages. As long as the child is over one hundred days old and currently free from sores, leprosy-like conditions, scrofula (Luo Li, 瘰疬), congenital toxins, skin blood-heat, malnutrition syndromes (Gan Ji, 疳积), and other diseases, vaccination can be performed at any time.

Cowpox pustules typically reach full maturity around the eighth or ninth day. Therefore, the timing for vaccination generally follows this eight-to-nine-day standard. Vaccinating too early results in weak lymph; vaccinating too late renders the seed ineffective due to aging. On the appointed day, select children from the previous cycle whose pustules are fully filled with lymph. Choose those whose pustule tops are not pointed, bases are not slanted, and who show no wrinkling, yellowing, dullness, or rupture. The ideal pustule should resemble a tight red thread encircling it, gathered firmly, with a luster like precious pearls or gems. Additionally, ensure the child currently has no sores, scrofula, congenital toxins, skin issues, blood-heat, Gan Ji, or other diseases. This is considered an excellent seed. If the pustule color is pale white, dull without luster, the top is flat but the base is loose, and there is no hard, scorched center, it should not be used.

Once the seed is selected, when collecting the lymph, gently scrape the perimeter of the pustule surface with the tip of a knife. Slightly lift the small, hard scab in the center of the pustule. Lymph that is clear and bright is usable. If the lymph appears turbid, white, or yellow, use the knife tip to remove the turbid lymph two or three times until clear lymph flows out like round beads, distinct and not dispersing. This is considered high-quality; one good drop of lymph can vaccinate several people.

During vaccination, roll up the child's sleeves and tie them tightly against the upper arms with a small string to expose the forearms, even in cold weather. For boys, start with the left arm; for girls, start with the right. With the left hand, hold the child's arm steady to prevent movement. With the right hand, use the knife tip to collect the excellent seed and inoculate it into the Xiaoshuo (Xiaoshuo acupoint) and Qinglengyuan (Qinglengyuan acupoint) on both arms. One pustule is inoculated per acupoint per arm. If the child is eight or nine years old or older and consumes a diet rich in fish, meat, greasy foods, and strong flavors, potentially accumulating post-natal toxins, inoculate an additional pustule in the middle between the two upper and lower connected points. However, do not exceed four pustules total; six or more is inappropriate.

The puncturing technique requires the knife not to be held vertically but handled lightly. Gently pierce the skin membrane horizontally with the knife tip, as thin as a sheet of paper. The wound width should be about one fen (approx. 3.3 mm), stopping when slight bleeding occurs. Roll the knife tip to wipe the lymph, mixing it with the slight blood and injecting it into the punctured acupoint. This allows the lymph and blood to harmonize, and the qi reaches the Sanjiao (Triple Burner) meridians, naturally producing efficacy. Do not apply heavy pressure; deep puncturing into the muscle may cause excessive bleeding, which could expel the vaccine material and prevent success.

Let the clothes hang down freely; do not wrap or bind them with silk, as this may obstruct the flow of qi and blood. Undergarments should be made of soft silk. If clothes are stiffened by starch or coarse washing, they may rub against and damage the wounds.