Measles - Ma Zhen

Definition

An acute eruptive infectious disease of the lung system caused by seasonal “Ma Du” (measles toxin).

There are “routine” and adverse courses.

Routine Syndromes - Early Heat Stage (from beginning of fever to first showing of rashes, about 3 days)

Symptoms: Sudden onset, fever, cough, runny nose, sneeze, red eyes full of tear and aversion to light, slight aversion to cold, scanty and dark urine, loose feces, in the 2nd and third day enanthemas on buccal mucosa can be seen.
Tongue: Red tongue with thin white or slightly yellow coating
Pulse: Floating and Rapid or red Finger Vein reaching between Wind Pass and Qi Pass
Treatment strategy: Relieve the exterior with pungent and cool, clear away heat and disperse the lung
Formula: Yin Qiao San or Sang Ju Yin plus Sheng Ma Gu Gen Tang
Acupoints:

Routine Syndromes - Showing Stage (from first showing of rashes to completion of showing, about 3 days)

Symptoms: Fever, more severe cough, rashes erupt first behind the ears and hair edge, then head and face, chest, upper back, abdomen, the four limbs and last middle of palms and soles and the tip of the nose – completion. At the beginning rashes are small and sparse, but they gradually become more dense. They are red at the beginning and become dull red later. They can be felt by hand. Vexation and irritable, sleepy, thirsty, dark yellow urine and loose feces.
Tongue: Red tongue with yellow coating
Pulse: Surging and Rapid or red and purple Finger Vein reaching Qi Pass
Treatment strategy: Clear away heat and toxin with assistance to lift out
Formula: Bai Hu Tang plus Yin Qiao San
Acupoints:

Recovery Stage – (from completion of showing to completion of fading, about 3 days)

Symptoms: Fever receding, cough easing, appetite recovering, happier face, rashes fading in order, wheat bran like desquamation with skin discolour.
Tongue: Red tongue with thin and clear coating
Pulse: Thready or Finger Vein returning to within Wind Pass
Treatment strategy: Nourish yin and generate fluid with assistance to clear away remaining heat and toxin
Formula: Sha Shen Mai Dong Tang
Acupoints:

Adverse Syndromes - Measles Toxin Closing the Lung

Symptoms: High fever, vexation, cough and breathing difficulties, nasal flaring, rale in the throat, dull and purple rashes or even hiding rashes, blue face, purple and blue lips.
Tongue: Red tongue with thin yellow or yellow and greasy coating
Pulse: Rapid or Finger Vein reaching Qi Pass or further
Treatment strategy: Clear away heat and toxin, disperse lung and resolve phlegm
Formula: Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang
Acupoints:

Adverse Syndromes - Fire-Toxin Attacking the Throat

Symptoms: Persistent fever, swelling and painful throat, heavy cough resembling dog barks, rale in the throat, breathing difficulties, blue and purple face and vexation.
Tongue: Red tongue with yellow and greasy coating
Pulse: Slippery and Rapid
Treatment strategy: Clear away heat and toxin, soothe the throat and remove swelling
Formula: Qing Wen Bai Du Yin
Acupoints:

Adverse Syndromes - Fire-Toxin Collapsing into the Heart and Liver

Symptoms: Persistent high fever, vexation and delirium, rashes are dense and in big patches and dull purple in colour, unconsciousness and convulsions.
Tongue: Red and crimson tongue with pricks and rough yellow coating
Pulse: Rapid or Finger Vein reaching Life Pass
Treatment strategy: Clear away fire and toxin, stop wind and open the orifice
Formula: Qing Ying Tang plus Zi Xue Dan
Acupoints: