A Jiansheng (student at the Imperial Academy) developed a Ding sore (a type of acute, toxic skin lesion) below his right zygomatic bone. After three days, it resembled a fish eye. Upon inquiring about his daily life and habits, he reported only intermittent numbness and itching. This is a syndrome of toxin affecting the Lung Meridian (Lung Channel). A needle was inserted to a depth of four or five fen. The hardness felt like bone with a cracking sound. Chan Su Strip (Toad Venom Strip) was then inserted for three days, yet no putrefaction occurred, indicating a stubborn, consolidated accumulation of disease. As this medication's potency was insufficient, Sanpin Yitiao Qiang (Three-Grade Single-Spear) was substituted. It was inserted for seven days, covered externally with paste-sealed paper. On the eleventh day, a piece of Ding root, approximately finger-sized, detached. Changrou Yuhong Gao (Jade Red Ointment for Flesh Regeneration) was applied gradually to promote tissue growth. Initially, Tuoli Xiaodu San (Supporting Interior and Detoxifying Powder) was administered with added Jin Yin Hua (Honeysuckle Flower, *Lonicerae Japonicae Flos*, 2 qian) and Bai Zhi (Angelica Root, *Angelicae Dahuricae Radix*, 5 fen). After detachment, Bazhen Tang (Eight-Treasure Decoction) was used with added Tian Hua Fen (Trichosanthes Root, *Trichosanthis Radix*), Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber, *Ophiopogonis Tuber*), Huang Qin (Scutellaria Root, *Scutellariae Radix*), and Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel, *Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium*, each 1 qian). After over a month of regulation, when the wound had regenerated flesh and flattened, Zhenzhu San (Pearl Powder) was sprinkled on top to form a scab, leading to recovery.

Another Jiansheng’s wife, widowed in middle age, remarried a young woman who was delicate and pampered. She self-administered herbs to tonify Kidney Yang, injuring Kidney Water (Yin fluids), which failed to ascend to control Heart Fire. Consequently, a blister appeared on her left zygomatic bone, turning purple then black, accompanied by numbness and loss of pain/itch sensation. Black coloration indicates toxin in the Kidney Meridian; such toxicity is severe. Fortunately, the spread around the sore had not yet disseminated, suggesting treatability. A needle was used to puncture the Ding sore. Recognizing other medicines were ineffective, Bing Si San (Ice Snail Powder) mixed into a thick paste was formed into strips and inserted into the lesion, sealed tightly with paste-covered paper to prevent gas leakage. In the morning, Jiaban Bawei Wan (Modified Eight-Ingredient Pill) was taken to nourish Kidney Water. At noon, Gaqi Yangrong Tang (Qi-Covering and Nutritive Nourishing Decoction) was administered to support True Qi and address deficiency. In the evening, Hupo Lafan Wan (Amber and Alum Pill) was used to protect the Heart and detoxify. By the eleventh day, the Ding root had consolidated with the medication and detached as scheduled. Subsequently, formulas for generating flesh, closing wounds, and supporting/regulating the Spleen and Stomach were used. Recovery occurred in twenty days. However, due to poor post-recovery care and lack of moderation, nearly three years later, she succumbed to consumption (Lao Zhai) and died.

A woman nearing forty, distressed by her husband's dissatisfaction, harbored deep sorrow and depression. During late summer, amidst a year of extreme famine, a Ding sore erupted on her cheek. Six days later, I was consulted. At that time, the Ding toxin had already disseminated. Her head, eyes, lips, and neck were swollen, with a purplish-red hue. I stated: "Muscular swelling without corresponding ulceration indicates 'Zouhuang' (Ding Toxin Spreading Yellow/Septicemia), an untreatable condition." The woman wept and sighed, saying, "My family will be extinguished." I asked why. She replied, "My husband is unworthy. I have one daughter and two sons, all unmarried. If I die and am entrusted to him, my children will surely become vagrants. Thus, while I live, the family lives; when I die, the family dies. This is natural law." Hearing this, I pondered deeply. How could she survive? Reluctant to abandon treatment, yet recognizing the severity exceeded medicinal capability... Several cups of fire wine were given. Needles punctured the swollen area more than ten times to drain several bowls of foul blood. The area was washed with warm water, coated with concentrated Chan Su锭 (Toad Venom Tablet), and surrounded with Huangjin San (Golden Yellow Powder) applied twice daily. Internally, Huxin San (Heart-Protecting Powder) and Lafan Wan were used to clear the Heart and protect the interior, combined with herbs to descend fire, resolve phlegm, relieve depression, and calm the spirit, hoping to prevent deterioration. After bloodletting, residual swelling subsided slightly. Six days later, the husband taunted her again, asking why she hadn't died. Hearing this caused her extreme distress and rage, causing the swelling to return worse than before. Needles punctured the severely swollen area over ten times, draining three to four bowls of blood. Small plasters covered the needle holes; remaining areas were still dressed. Due to significant blood loss, internal deficiency was certain. Ren Shen Yangrong Tang (Ginseng Nutritive Nourishing Decoction) with Xiang Fu (Cyperus Rhizome, *Cyperi Rhizoma*) and Bei Mu (Fritillaria Bulb, *Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus*) was administered. After several days, pus began forming at the needle sites, residual swelling decreased, and the original sore site became raised again. Chan Su strips were re-inserted to facilitate liquefaction and gradual necrosis. Externally, flesh-generating and wound-closing agents were used; internally, formulas to relieve depression, harmonize the middle, nourish blood, and strengthen the Spleen were used. Recovery took over a hundred days. Typically, based on the sore's appearance and progression, survival would be less than one in a hundred cases. Through persistent effort, she survived. After her recovery, her children married, her husband remained faithful until his death, and they are now over sixty years old.

A twenty-two-year-old woman presented with a Ding sore located one cun anterior to the right earlobe, present for two days. It was bean-sized, with a depressed, gray apex, identified as Bairen Ding (White Blade Ding) caused by toxin affecting the Lung Meridian. The base was soft, and the toxin did not consolidate, indicating a sinking Yin syndrome. Before acupuncture could be performed, her uncle asked, "What ailment is this?" I directly answered, "Ding Sore Syndrome." He sneered and disbelieved. I declined to prescribe, leaving it to their belief. They sought another physician, who diagnosed it as a minor wind-heat nodule. When informed that I had diagnosed it as a Ding sore, the doctor nodded and laughed, calling it nonsense. The patient's family was delighted, highlighting the vast discrepancy in medical opinion. The doctor prescribed Xiaofeng San (Wind-Expelling Powder). After two doses, the toxin was suppressed inwardly, leading to sudden coma, panting, and immediate death. Villagers later asked why death came so quickly. Initially, due to disbelief in my words, she brought about her own demise through error; truly pitiable!

A young woman developed a Ding sore below her zygomatic bone, characterized by nodular itching. I proposed acupuncture, but her family disbelieved. After I departed, they applied moxibustion themselves. The next day, swelling spread to the surrounding areas, and the sore softened and sank. Three days later, her face and head swelled significantly, prompting a second consultation. I observed that the moxa-applied area had formed a black eschar, dry and sunken without pus, indicating toxin sinking inward and external tissue death. Facial edema was bright and shiny, accompanied by fever and severe appearance, signifying decline of Righteous Qi (Zheng Qi) and excess of Pathogenic Qi. Even if treated, it would be ineffective; death was inevitable. The family regretted their self-inflicted error. Half a month later, she indeed passed away.