Mainly Treated Diseases
Swelling of the Head and Face

Rhyming Formula
Swelling of the head and face is called “Big Head Pestilence”,
Dry mouth, sore throat, wind-heat and fainting.
One should prick Taiyang (EX-HN5) and all the Jing-well points,
And use the plum-blossom needle on the affected area.

Special Efficacy in Treatment
Swelling of the head and face

Special Efficacy Acupoints
Taiyang (EX-HN5), the ten Jing-well points, and prick the affected area with the plum-blossom needle

Introduction of Acupoints
Taiyang: In the depression behind the eyebrow, and there are purple veins of Taiyang on the legs.
All the Jing-well points: Located on the ten fingers of the hand, including Shaoshang (LU11), Shangyang (LI1), Zhongchong (PC9), Guanchong (SJ1), etc.

Analysis of Etiology and Pathogenesis
[Analysis 1]: Big Head Pestilence: In this condition, the head and face are greatly swollen, from the neck to the top of the head, swelling into a barrel shape, and there may be cases of blocked throat. (See the effective prescription)
[Analysis 2]: Regarding the symptoms of Big Head Pestilence: It is mostly caused by the wind-heat pathogenic factors attacking the three Yang collaterals. It initially starts from the nose and forehead and spreads to the face, with redness and swelling as if being burned, and the face has a shiny appearance. Or there may be high fever and rapid breathing, dry mouth and tongue, swelling and pain in the throat with discomfort, or alternating chills and fever. In severe cases, there may be constipation. If not treated promptly, the swollen area will surely fester and turn into pus, and there is also a possibility of infection. “Toad Pestilence” is characterized by swelling in the neck area, also caused by wind-heat. The accompanying symptoms are similar to those of Big Head Pestilence, and it can also be contagious. To treat these two conditions, quickly prick the purple veins at Taiyang (EX-HN5) with a triangular needle to remove the stinky blood, mainly aiming at bleeding from the veins, or simply prick the affected area with a triangular needle. In both cases, bleeding is preferred. (See Acupuncture and Moxibustion Science)

Physiological Analysis

Ancient People’s Treatment Experience

Sun Peirong’s Clinical Experience
[Experience 1]: I once diagnosed and treated a patient with this disease. The patient had swelling of the head and face, difficulty in opening the eyes, rapid and labored breathing, physical fatigue, and mental confusion. I pricked the twelve Jing-well points, Weizhong (BL40), and Quze (PC3), and used a triangular needle to prick and let out blood on the swollen area. I pricked again every other day. After continuous treatment, the swelling gradually subsided and the patient recovered.

Medical Cases
[Case 1]: In the autumn of 1945 (the 34th year of the Republic of China), when I lived in Lianyungang, there was Mrs. Wang from Caozhou Prefecture, Shandong Province, living at No. 40, Xinshi Street, Xinpu, Haizhou, in Mr. Qi’s home. Her son, Xiaocheng, 8 years old, suffered from Big Head Pestilence, with swelling of the head and face, difficulty in opening the eyes, slight swelling of the body, and was in a coma state. He came to me for diagnosis and treatment. After applying acupuncture, I used a needle to prick and let out blood on the affected area, and also on the twelve Jing-well points, Quze (PC3), and Weizhong (BL40). After the acupuncture, the patient passed a large amount of yellowish water in the stool. After about five treatments, the swelling subsided and the patient gradually recovered.

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