典藏书目

After the formation of pus in "Hui Gu" syndrome (a condition where toxic qi penetrates deep into the bones), needling to rupture it is of no benefit. However, rather than waiting for certain death, it is better to attempt needling to rupture it, hoping for a slim chance of survival. At this time, one should consult with the patient's family; once all agree, proceed with needling to rupture and drain the pus.

When draining pus, the action must be slow and not abrupt; otherwise, the condition will become critical. Therefore, sweat and pus should be drained gradually. If death occurs within ten days after drainage, it indicates that there was no separation of pus (meaning toxic qi had not dispersed or righteous qi had not recovered); if survival extends beyond ten days, it indicates that there are still minute areas in the flesh where pus has not formed.

For small boils, some have sharp pus heads, while others do not. They often occur below the ears, on the arms, or legs, causing pain for more than ten days, or forming pus after fifteen days. However, this cannot be generalized. Generally, first press and explore the swollen area with fingers. If the affected area is hard and pressing leaves an indentation that does not immediately rebound, pus has not yet formed. If pressing reaches the pus site and one suddenly feels the finger sink in, and upon lifting the finger it quickly rebounds, resembling pressing on a callus which forms an indentation and restores upon release, this indicates that pus has formed.

Chang Yong (intestinal abscess) involves lower abdominal pain radiating to the waist, or immobility of one leg, body heat like fire, frequent urination accompanied by yawning or stretching, symptoms slightly alleviated during the day but aggravated at night, forming pus after thirty-plus days. Before pus formation, moxibustion on Qizhuma (Bian 43) acupoint, seven moxa cones each side, is highly effective. After pus formation, moxibustion on Zhousjian (Extra point) for one hundred cones, draining two to three bowls of pus, is also highly effective.

Ding Zhong (carbuncle/boil) occurring on the face, corners of the mouth, below Hegu (LI 4), Sanli (ST 36), Shenmen (HT 7); if on the hand, moxibustion on Quchi (LI 11) for three times seven cones; if on the back, moxibustion on Jianjing (GB 21) for seven cones, Weizhong (BL 40), Lingdao (HT 4). Observe the severity of the disease; for severe cases, double the dosage, and also moxibustion on Qizhuma (Bian 43) for seven cones.

Lü Ding (thread-like carbuncle) resembles an egg wrapped in mugwort grass, connected in a chain-like shape, long and red, originating from the inner elbow with pain, forming pus after a long time. After pus formation, needle to rupture and drain. Before pus formation, moxibustion on Qizhuma (Bian 43) for seven cones each side can lead to cure. Treatment for hands and feet is the same.

For boils and pus in the joints of hands, feet, or the whole body, after needling to rupture, although pus may be fully drained, before floating qi dissipates, the patient suffers from chest tightness and unbearable pain, unable to bend or extend limbs, waiting for natural recovery. At this stage, pus and adipose tissue fill the bone sockets, and tendons adhere to the joints, resulting in permanent inability to flex or extend, leading to lifelong disability. One must act while pus is not fully out and yellow fluid continues to flow: have assistants forcibly support the patient to frequently bend and extend the limbs, setting a deadline for recovery, to avoid disability.

Garlic-partitioned Moxibustion Method: For large painful or painless, numb swellings/toxins, first cover the swelling with wet paper; the place that dries first is the head of the swelling. Cut a single-head garlic into slices about three fen thick, place it on the swelling head, and apply moxa cones. Change the garlic slice after every five cones. If multiple sores are connected, mash the rotten garlic and spread it on the affected area, place moxa on top of the garlic and moxibust. Initially, it causes pain; stop when pain ceases. When pain ceases, continue until pain returns. This method induces the expulsion of stagnant toxins and has life-saving power. For white-colored swellings that do not suppurate, regardless of the duration, moxibustion should be increased.

Mugwort-on-Aconite Moxibustion Method: For brain carbuncles and other hard, firm abscesses, slice Aconitum carmichaelii (Fuzi, 附子) as thick as a chess piece, place it directly on the swelling, moisten with saliva, place moxa cones on the Aconite slice, and moxibustate until heat penetrates through the Aconite. When it begins to dry, moisten again with saliva. Ensure heat consistently penetrates through the Aconite, changing it whenever it dries repeatedly, allowing the moxa qi to thoroughly penetrate the swelling, ensuring cure.

Yellow Earth Moxibustion Method: For Fa Bei (large back abscess) between the shoulder blades, initially resembling millet grains, either painful or itchy. People often neglect it; if untreated, death occurs within ten days. Quickly take clean yellow earth, mix with water to make mud, form into cakes two fen thick and one and a half cun wide, paste onto the swelling, place large moxa cones on the earth cake, and moxibustate one cone, then replace the cake. If the swelling is millet-sized, moxibustate seven cakes for cure; if coin-sized, use larger cones, day and night without stopping, until cured.

For various sores with fleshy protrusions like snake heads extending several inches, grind Sulfur (Liuhuang, 硫黄) into powder, thinly apply to the flesh, and it will retract.

Hard swellings with roots are called Shi Yong (stone abscess). Moxibustate the affected area for over one hundred cones until it breaks out like crushed stones.

Long Chuang (dragon sore): Moxibustate Chize (LU 5) for five cones, Yongquan (KI 1), Weizhong (BL 40), and prick to bleed for immediate cure; moxibustate Qizhuma (Bian 43) for seven cones each side. Also fumigate with smoke, similar to treating Bai Lai (white vitiligo/leprosy), using ironing treatment methods described under Bai Lai.

Hands, feet, or whole body presenting as peach- or chestnut-like lumps, non-red but painful, forming pus within three to four days, needled to rupture and drain pus, named Zou Ma Gan Chuang (running horse gangrene).

Fu Gu Ju (abscess adhering to bone): Sanbai acupoint is one cun posterior to Jianshi (PC 5). Moxibustate according to the patient's age in cones (Sui Nian Zhuang) for immediate cure.

Feng Dan (wind urticaria) and Huo Dan (fire toxin): Use a three-edged needle to randomly prick the affected area and its periphery without gaps, releasing evil blood. The next day, observe the location of redness and prick randomly again to release blood like feces, highly effective.

Phlegm swellings anywhere, non-itchy and non-painful, forming pus after a long time. Needle to rupture; if pus color mixes with blood or has a bluish tint, it is auspicious. If purely white and thin, resembling rotting paste, it indicates death.

Generalized Scabies: Moxibustate Feishu (BL 13), Shenmen (HT 7), Quchi (LI 11), Daling (PC 7).

Axillary Swelling: Moxibustate Madao Xiaying (referring to axillary lymph node tuberculosis etc.), Jiexu (GB 39), Shenmen (HT 7), highly effective.

Re Wind Urticaria: Moxibustate Quchi (LI 11), Quze (PC 3), Hegu (LI 4), Lieque (LU 7), Feishu (BL 13), Yuji (LU 10), Shenmen (HT 7), Neiguan (PC 6).

Pi Feng Chuang (skin wind sore): Itching since childhood, unceasing, like millet grains, mostly occurring on the outer sides of arms and lower legs and the back, never on the chest, abdomen, inner arms, or inner legs, hence named Pi Feng Chuang. Itching worsens in autumn, forming sores, commonly known as Nian Jie Chuang (yearly scabies). Moxibustate Quchi (LI 11) for two hundred cones, Shenmen (HT 7) and Hegu (LI 4) for three times seven cones.

Bai Lai (White Leprosy/Vitiligo): First, prick around the perimeter of the affected area without gaps. Then, pack cooked mugwort (Ai Ye, 艾叶) into long strips, then into rings, stacking them higher than ash. Sprinkle Realgar (Xinshi, 信石) powder on the ring of mugwort. Ignite the end of the mugwort, cover with a large perforated ladle, and direct the smoke from the ladle holes onto the Bai Lai lesion via fumigation. If not cured initially, repeat pricking and fumigation as before, highly effective.

Feng Lai (Wind Leprosy), also known as Da Feng Chuang (Great Wind Sore): Contracted in deep winter, pathogenic factors affect Heart and Lung, causing nasal congestion, facial heat, spontaneous epistaxis during sleep, loss of eyebrows, and generalized itching with sores. Prick blackened skin areas on the body with a three-edged needle every one to two days until sweat appears. After one hundred days, prick to the bone level until sweat appears again for another hundred days, until beard and hair regrow, then stop. Moxibustation on blackened skin areas is also beneficial. Care and regulation follow standard acupuncture protocols; strictly avoid wind and cold for great efficacy. Acupoints treated: Weizhong (BL 40), Chize (LU 5), Taichong (LR 3) all needled to bleed; Quchi (LI 11), Shenmen (HT 7), Zhongzhu (TE 3), Hegu (LI 4), Neiguan (PC 6), Shenmai (BL 62), Taiyuan (LU 9), Zhaohai (KI 6), Jiexu (GB 39), Kunlun (BL 60), Xinshu (BL 12), Feishu (BL 13), Weishu (BL 21), Pishu (BL 20).