初起漫肿，皮色光亮，微热微疼，筋骨不欠强者为顺。已成身体微热，饮食有味，疼痛有时，肿生红色者
顺。已溃脓稠而黄，肿消痛止，身体轻便，起坐如常者顺。溃后内肉易生，脓水易止，精神易复，脓口易合者
顺。
初起身体发热，脉细而数，皮色微肿，痛彻筋骨者险。已成饮食少思，口干作渴，身体疼痛，四肢沉重者
险。已溃脓水清稀，肿仍不消，虚热不退，疼痛下减者逆。溃后脓秽不止，肌肤瘦削，饮食不餐，发热皮粗者
死。
初因风寒表散未尽，而后复生肿痛者，再宜和解之。表邪已尽，而后复生流注者，宜清热消肿、行散气血。
暴怒所伤，抑郁所致，胸膈痞闷，中气不舒，顺气宽中。肿硬已成而不得内消者，宜和气血，更兼补助脾胃。
跌扑闪肭，瘀血凝滞为患者，宜调和气血、通行经络。寒邪所袭，筋挛骨痛及遍身疼痛者，温经络、行气血。
产后败血流注关节致生肿痛者，当散败瘀、养气血。溃后脓水不止，而形衰食少者，宜滋气血、峻补脾胃。
一男子风寒表散未尽，两腮肿痛，微热不退，小柴胡汤加川芎、天花粉、桔梗、连翘二服，余热顿退；又
以二陈汤加桔梗、黄芩、牛蒡子、连翘四服，十日而安。
一男子劳伤受寒，背生三肿，皮色不变，寒热交作，至夜尤甚。先以万灵丹洗浴发汗，寒热顿退；惟肿硬
不消，以琥珀膏敷之，三次其肿消痛止，渐渐而平。
一妇人因怒胁下结肿，将近半年方痛，此得之肝气郁结之症，以木香流气饮四服，其肿渐红，此日久之病
必欲作脓，不可内消；又以十全大补汤加木香、香附、青皮十余服，其肿渐高；又以本方加皂角刺五服，其脓
方溃，且清且多。此劳中所得者，元气已经亏损，其脓故多而清，以人参养荣汤加熟附子月余，脓稠且少，又
本方倍参、 、归、术两月而愈。
一男子元气素虚，因暴怒膊生肿块，疼痛牵强，寒热往来，饮食日减，以补中益气汤加香附、贝母十余服，
寒热渐止；又以益气养荣汤月余而肿溃。间以八珍汤服之，外用附子饼日灸二次，脾胃健而安。
一孀妇项间乳上各肿一块，将近一年，渐大方痛，诊之脉细数而无力，此思虑过伤之病也。以归脾汤加桔
梗、香附十余服，其肿渐高；外以琥珀膏敷之，肿顶红色；欲其作脓，又以十全大补汤加桔梗、贝母服之，半
月脓熟；针之后，头腐脓清，虚热复作，食少不睡，仍以归脾汤间以逍遥散，服之三月而愈。
一男子平素怯弱，腰后微肿一块，饮食少思，口干发热，此得之肾伤之病也，治当朝以附桂八味丸，午用
人参养荣汤扶植根本为要。彼以口干发热内火之故，欲投清凉之剂解之，予辞不敢治。请内医视之，以退热为
主，正合病家之意。投药三剂，腹痛作泻，又以猪苓、泽泻、浓朴泄气等药，大热发作，形体更变，复请予治。
予曰∶死之速矣。伊芳不知因虚致病，法当滋补，况是腰间肿块，内肾受伤；口干作渴，肾水枯竭；发热不退，
阴虚血少，今以有余之药而疗不足之症，岂有不死者。始信前误，又半月而死。
初起时漫肿，皮色光亮，微热微疼，筋骨不欠强者为顺。已成身体微热，饮食有味，疼痛有时，肿生红色者顺。已溃脓稠而黄，肿消痛止，身体轻便，起坐如常者顺。溃后内肉易生，脓水易止，精神易复，脓口易合者顺。
初起身体发热，脉细而数，皮色微肿，痛彻筋骨者险。已成饮食少思，口干作渴，身体疼痛，四肢沉重者险。已溃脓水清稀，肿仍不消，虚热不退，疼痛下减者逆。溃后脓秽不止，肌肤瘦削，饮食不餐，发热皮粗者死。
初因风寒表散未尽，而后复生肿痛者，再宜和解之。表邪已尽，而后复生流注者，宜清热消肿、行散气血。暴怒所伤，抑郁所致，胸膈痞闷，中气不舒，顺气宽中。肿硬已成而不得内消者，宜和气血，更兼补助脾胃。跌扑闪肭，瘀血凝滞为患者，宜调和气血、通行经络。寒邪所袭，筋挛骨痛及遍身疼痛者，温经络、行气血。产后败血流注关节致生肿痛者，当散败瘀、养气血。溃后脓水不止，而形衰食少者，宜滋气血、峻补脾胃。
一男子风寒表散未尽，两腮肿痛，微热不退，小柴胡汤加川芎、天花粉、桔梗、连翘二服，余热顿退；又以二陈汤加桔梗、黄芩、牛蒡子、连翘四服，十日而安。
一男子劳伤受寒，背生三肿，皮色不变，寒热交作，至夜尤甚。先以万灵丹洗浴发汗，寒热顿退；惟肿硬不消，以琥珀膏敷之，三次其肿消痛止，渐渐而平。
一妇人因怒胁下结肿，将近半年方痛，此得之肝气郁结之症，以木香流气饮四服，其肿渐红，此日久之病必欲作脓，不可内消；又以十全大补汤加木香、香附、青皮十余服，其肿渐高；又以本方加皂角刺五服，其脓方溃，且清且多。此劳中所得者，元气已经亏损，其脓故多而清，以人参养荣汤加熟附子月余，脓稠且少，又本方倍参、 、归、术两月而愈。
一男子元气素虚，因暴怒膊生肿块，疼痛牵强，寒热往来，饮食日减，以补中益气汤加香附、贝母十余服，寒热渐止；又以益气养荣汤月余而肿溃。间以八珍汤服之，外用附子饼日灸二次，脾胃健而安。
一孀妇项间乳上各肿一块，将近一年，渐大方痛，诊之脉细数而无力，此思虑过伤之病也。以归脾汤加桔梗、香附十余服，其肿渐高；外以琥珀膏敷之，肿顶红色；欲其作脓，又以十全大补汤加桔梗、贝母服之，半月脓熟；针之后，头腐脓清，虚热复作，食少不睡，仍以归脾汤间以逍遥散，服之三月而愈。
一男子平素怯弱，腰后微肿一块，饮食少思，口干发热，此得之肾伤之病也，治当朝以附桂八味丸，午用人参养荣汤扶植根本为要。彼以口干发热内火之故，欲投清凉之剂解之，予辞不敢治。请内医视之，以退热为主，正合病家之意。投药三剂，腹痛作泻，又以猪苓、泽泻、浓朴泄气等药，大热发作，形体更变，复请予治。予曰∶死之速矣。伊不知因虚致病，法当滋补，况是腰间肿块，内肾受伤；口干作渴，肾水枯竭；发热不退，阴虚血少，今以有余之药而疗不足之症，岂有不死者。始信前误，又半月而死。
At the initial stage, if there is diffuse swelling, shiny skin color, slight heat and pain, without weakness in the sinews and bones, it is a favorable sign (Shun). If the condition has progressed, with slight body heat, normal appetite, intermittent pain, and redness of the swelling, it is also favorable. If already ulcerated, with thick yellow pus, subsided swelling and stopped pain, lightness of the body, and normal sitting and rising, it is favorable. If after ulceration, granulation tissue grows easily, pus discharge stops easily, spirit recovers easily, and the wound closes easily, it is favorable.
If at the initial stage there is body fever, fine and rapid pulse, slightly swollen skin, and pain penetrating to the sinews and bones, it is dangerous (Xian). If the condition has progressed, with poor appetite, dry mouth and thirst, body pain, and heavy limbs, it is dangerous. If already ulcerated, with thin and clear pus, persistent swelling, unremitting deficiency heat, and reduced pain, it is unfavorable (Ni). If after ulceration, foul pus continues to flow, emaciation of muscles and skin, inability to eat, fever, and rough skin occur, it indicates death.
If initially due to incomplete dispersion of wind-cold exterior pathogen, followed by recurrence of swelling and pain, harmonizing treatment should be applied again. If the exterior pathogen has been completely cleared, but Liu Zhu (flowing abscess) recurs, clearing heat, reducing swelling, and promoting the circulation and dispersal of Qi and Blood is indicated. If injured by sudden anger or caused by depression, leading to chest and diaphragm stuffiness and discomfort of Middle Qi, regulating Qi and widening the middle Jiao is appropriate. If the swelling and hardness have formed but cannot be resolved internally, harmonizing Qi and Blood, along with tonifying the Spleen and Stomach, is recommended. If caused by falls or sprains with stagnant blood, harmonizing Qi and Blood and unblocking the meridians is indicated. If attacked by cold pathogen, causing muscle spasms, bone pain, and whole-body pain, warming the meridians and promoting the circulation of Qi and Blood is appropriate. If postpartum敗血 (decayed blood) flows into the joints causing swelling and pain, dissipating decayed stasis and nourishing Qi and Blood is required. If after ulceration, pus continues to flow, with physical decline and poor appetite, nourishing Qi and Blood and strongly tonifying the Spleen and Stomach is indicated.
A man had incomplete dispersion of wind-cold exterior pathogen, with swelling and pain in both cheeks and unremitting slight heat. Two doses of Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) added with Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuanxiong), Trichosanthis Radix (Tianhuafen), Platycodonis Radix (Jiegeng), and Forsythiae Fructus (Lianqiao) caused the residual heat to suddenly subside; another four doses of Er Chen Tang (Two-Cured Decoction) added with Platycodonis Radix (Jiegeng), Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin), Arctii Fructus (Niubangzi), and Forsythiae Fructus (Lianqiao) brought recovery within ten days.
A man suffered from labor injury and cold exposure, developing three swellings on his back with unchanged skin color, alternating chills and fever, worse at night. First, Wan Ling Dan (Myriad Spirits Pill) was used for bathing to induce sweating, which suddenly relieved the chills and fever; however, the swelling and hardness did not subside. Hupo Gao (Amber Ointment) was applied externally; after three applications, the swelling subsided, pain stopped, and it gradually flattened.
A woman developed a lump under her ribs due to anger, which only became painful after nearly half a year. This was a case of Liver Qi stagnation. Four doses of Muxiang Liqi Yin (Costus Regulating Qi Drink) were given, causing the swelling to gradually turn red. Since the disease had persisted for a long time, it must suppurate and cannot be resolved internally. Another ten-plus doses of Shiquan Dabu Tang (Ten Complete Tonifying Decoction) added with Muxiang (Costus Root), Xiangfu (Cyperus Rhizome), and Qingpi (Green Tangerina Peel) were administered, causing the swelling to gradually rise. Five doses of the same formula added with Gleditsiae Spina (Zaocia Ci) were given, leading to suppuration with clear and abundant pus. This condition resulted from overwork, where Yuan Qi (Original Qi) was already deficient, hence the pus was abundant and clear. More than a month of Renshen Yangrong Tang (Ginseng Nourishing Spirit Decoction) added with Shu Fuzi (Prepared Aconite) made the pus thick and less abundant. Finally, doubling the dosage of Ginseng, Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu) in the same formula for two months led to recovery.
A man with constitutionally weak Yuan Qi developed a lump on his arm due to sudden anger, with pulling pain, alternating chills and fever, and decreasing daily appetite. Ten-plus doses of Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment Qi Decoction) added with Xiangfu (Cyperus Rhizome) and Fritillariae Bulbus (Beimu) gradually stopped the chills and fever. Over a month of Yiqi Yangrong Tang (Benefit Qi and Nourish Spirit Decoction) led to the suppuration of the swelling. Intermittent administration of Bazhen Tang (Eight Treasures Decoction) and external application of Fuzi Bing (Aconite Cake) moxa twice daily strengthened the Spleen and Stomach, bringing peace.
A widow had lumps on her neck and above her breast, persisting for nearly a year, gradually enlarging and becoming painful. The pulse was fine, rapid, and powerless, indicating damage from excessive worry. Ten-plus doses of Guipi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction) added with Platycodonis Radix (Jiegeng) and Cyperus Rhizome (Xiangfu) caused the swelling to gradually rise. External application of Hupo Gao (Amber Ointment) turned the top of the swelling red. To promote suppuration, Shiquan Dabu Tang (Ten Complete Tonifying Decoction) added with Platycodonis Radix (Jiegeng) and Fritillariae Bulbus (Beimu) was taken for half a month until the pus matured. After needle drainage, the head necrotized with clear pus, deficiency heat recurred, with poor appetite and insomnia. Continued administration of Guipi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction) interspersed with Xiaoyao San (Free Wanderer Powder) for three months led to recovery.
A man, usually timid and weak, had a slight swelling on his lower back, poor appetite, dry mouth, and fever. This was a kidney injury. Treatment should involve morning administration of Fugui Bawei Wan (Aconite and Cinnamon Eight-Ingredient Pills) and afternoon use of Renshen Yangrong Tang (Ginseng Nourishing Spirit Decoction) to support the root. He attributed the dry mouth and fever to internal fire and desired cooling agents. I declined to treat him. An internal medicine physician was consulted, focusing on reducing fever, which pleased the patient's family. After three doses, abdominal pain and diarrhea occurred. Further administration of Polyporus (Zhuling), Alisma Rhizoma (Zexie), and Magnolia Bark (Houpo) to drain Qi caused severe fever and physical deterioration. He sought my treatment again. I said, "Death will come quickly." He did not understand that the disease arose from deficiency, requiring tonification. Moreover, the lumbar lump indicates internal kidney injury; dry mouth and thirst indicate exhaustion of Kidney Water; unremitting fever indicates Yin deficiency and blood scarcity. Using surplus-draining herbs to treat a deficiency syndrome inevitably leads to death. Believing in this previous error, he died half a month later.