典藏书目

In the administration of medicines for treating carbuncles and sores (suppurative infections of skin and subcutaneous tissues), care should primarily be taken to protect the Spleen and Stomach. If it is unavoidable to use cooling herbs, one should aim only at curing the disease and must not overdose. The general principle is: in the early stage, if there is an accompaniment of Wind-Cold pathogenic factors, Xiong Zhi Xiang Su San (Ligusticum, Chrysanthemum, Perilla, and Schizonepeta Powder) should be administered first to disperse them. After dispersion, if the swelling has not subsided, Honeysuckle Flower (Jinyinhua, Lonicerae Japonicae Flos) and Licorice Root (Gancao, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) should be used to harmonize and resolve toxicity. If the swelling is severe and painful, accompanied by constipation and extreme internal heat, Weisheng Tang (Health Preservation Decoction) with added Rhubarb (Dahuang, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) should be used to promote drainage and purgation. If the pathological condition is vigorous but the Yuan Qi (Original Qi) is gradually deficient, tonifying and expelling agents must be combined with clearing herbs; Tou Nong San (Suppurating Pus Powder) is the primary formula. Once the pus has drained, the treatment must focus on expelling toxins and tonifying Yuan Qi, using Shen Qi Nei Tuo San (Ginseng and Astragalus Internal Expulsion Powder) as the primary formula. If the Yuan Qi is deficient and cold, acrid-hot substances must be added as assistants to the tonifying and expelling medicines. For Spleen deficiency, Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) or Shen Ling Bai Zhu San (Ginseng, Poria, and Atractylodes Macrocephala Powder) are used. For Qi deficiency with sinking, Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) is used. For Cold invasion of the Stomach channel with food stagnation, Huoxiang Zhengqi San (Patchouli and Magnolia Bark Powder) is used. For dual deficiency of Qi and Blood, Shiquan Dabu Tang (Ten Substance Great Tonification Decoction) is used, with additions such as Aconite Root (Fuzi, Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) and Deer Antler (Lurong, Cornu Cervi Pantotrichum). Occasionally, there may be deficiency accompanied by Heat; in such cases, remove Aconite, Ginger (Shengjiang, Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), and Cinnamon Twig (Rougui, Cinnamomi Cortex) from the aforementioned formulas, and add Ophiopogon Root (Maidong, Ophiopogonis Radix), Honeysuckle Flower, and Moutan Bark (Danpi, Moutan Cortex) to conclude the treatment. This point must not be overlooked. Generally speaking, carbuncles and sores are categorized into Yang Du (Yang Toxin), Yin Du (Yin Toxin), and Half-Yin Half-Yang types, which require careful differentiation. Yang Toxin manifests as redness and swelling of the lesion, a high and pointed apex, a localized base, normal appetite, thirst, constipation, heat sensation in the five centers (palms, soles, and chest), and a surging and rapid pulse. Yin Toxin manifests as grayish-white color, flat and collapsed appearance, induration and numbness, slight pain, spreading base, poor appetite, loose stools, cold extremities, cold breath from mouth and nose, and a deep and slow pulse. Half-Yin Half-Yang manifests as redness of the swelling but without significant height, slightly reduced appetite, non-constipated stool, alternating chills and fever, mild thirst with preference for hot drinks, and a weak and soft pulse. These three types must be carefully differentiated so that the choice of cold or warm medications is appropriate, which constitutes the correct method. Treatment of Yang involves cooling and detoxification. Treatment of Yin involves warming the middle and restoring Yang. Treatment of Half-Yin Half-Yang requires clearing heat without damaging the Stomach and warming without aiding the pathogen; this is essentially all there is to it.