Abstract: Objective To study the rules of medication in the treatment of pediatric eczema in ancient medical books. Methods The prescriptions for treating pediatric eczema in the Chinese Medical Classics were collected and sorted.The frequency,and the properties,flavor,and meridian tropism of the medicines were analyzed.The methods such as the association rules analysis and cluster analysis were also used.Results High-frequency drugs for external use included Qingfen(Calomelas),Baifan(Alumen),Huanglian(Rhizomacoptidis),etc.,and Gancao(Radix et Rhizomaglycyrrhizae),Fuling(Poria),Chaihu(Radix bupleuri),etc.,for internal use.The statistical analysis showed that spicy drugs were mostly used for external use,bitter for internal use,and hepatic meridian for external use,lung meridian for internal use.Drugs with cold properties were used most frequently.Toxic drugs for external use accounted for 32.49%.The strong correlation among external drugs was Baifan-Shechuangzi(Fructuscnidii) and Huanglian-Huangbo(Cortex phellodendrichinensis).For internal use strong correlation existed in Jingjie(Herbaschizonepetae)-Fangfeng(Radix saposhnikoviae) and Zhiqiao(Fructusaurantii)-Jiegeng(Radix platycodonis).Conclusion In ancient medical books,the external treatment for pediatric eczema is mainly to remove rotten ecrotic muscle and promote the growth of granulation,attack poison and kill insects,and clear heat and dry dampness,while the internal treatment is mainly to remove wind and heat,dry dampness and relieve itching.Drugs for external use are mainly spicy and cold,mainly functioning through the hepatic meridian;drugs for internal use are mainly bitter and cold,mainly functioning through the lung meridian.

Key words:

Pediatric eczema, Data mining, Medication rule