Mumps refers to the swelling, heat, and pain in the cheeks caused by the seasonal pathogen epidemic toxin. It is also known as "cheek swelling," "mumps," "mumps," or "eel plague."

In mild cases of mumps, the symptoms include soreness and swelling on one side of the cheek below the ear, or on both sides simultaneously. The affected area feels soft to the touch, and chewing food becomes inconvenient. In severe cases, it is often accompanied by systemic symptoms such as fever, fear of cold, dysphoria, thirst, poor appetite, and low spirits. However, "this condition never forms pus and naturally dissipates after a period of time."

Suppurative parotitis also involves swelling of the cheek, but it is usually limited to one side. If the condition is deficient, it may develop into pus. Cervical and ear scrofula typically presents with masses located mostly under the jaw or in front of the ear. These masses have clear edges, are relatively hard, and are movable. They are often accompanied by throat swelling and pain, and ear discharge. Neither of these conditions falls within the scope of this discussion.

bubble_chart Pattern Analysis

1. Wind-heat Invading Upward︰The main clinical manifestations include fear of cold and fever, headache, mild cough, aching pain in the parotid region below the ears, difficulty in opening the mouth and chewing, followed by swelling and pain on one or both sides of the parotid region with indistinct margins, a thin and yellow tongue coating, and a floating and rapid pulse. In severe cases, besides diffuse swelling, burning pain in the parotid region, high fever, headache, dysphoria, thirst, red and swollen throat, dry stool, and scanty dark urine may also occur, along with a thin and greasy yellow tongue coating and a slippery, rapid pulse, indicating an excess heat pattern in the qi aspect due to intense heat toxin. Treatment should focus on clearing heat and removing toxin, subduing swelling and softening hardness. The recommended formula is Universal Relief Decoction for Eliminating Toxin with modifications, and external application of As Wish Golden Yellow Powder or Indigo Powder.
2. Exuberance of Heat Toxin︰The main clinical manifestations include aversion to cold, high fever, headache, dysphoria, thirst, loss of appetite, or accompanied by vomiting, diffuse swelling of the cheeks, burning pain, hardness and tenderness, red and swollen throat, difficulty in swallowing and chewing, dry stool, scanty dark urine, red tongue with thin greasy yellow coating, and slippery rapid pulse.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Yizong Jinjian Waike Xinfa Key points. Face: "Mumps stomach heat is its origin, initially with burning pain and alternating heat and cold; high swelling with red heat indicates wind and heat, while flat swelling with pale color indicates damp-heat."
2. 《Yimen Buyao．Mumps》: "Seasonal epidemic pestilent qi is obstructed in the gallbladder and stomach meridians, causing swelling under the ear that is not firm. It may spread from left to right or from right to left. Externally, apply cooling plaster, and internally administer Universal Relief Decoction for Eliminating Toxin. If it transforms into heat and pus, treat according to the method for carbuncle and gangrene... If there is phlegm swelling at the root of the ear, after several days, it often becomes firm and large and cannot spread from side to side."