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Treats the condition of putrefaction in the lungs, gradually forming Lung Abscess (Fei Yong), characterized by frequent expectoration of pus and blood, dull pain in the chest, or pain radiating to the hypochondrium.
Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae Preparata) (6 qian), Shengming Moyao (Resina Myrrhae) (4 qian, oil not removed), Danshen (Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae) (4 qian), Zhimu (Cortex Anemarrhenae) (4 qian).
For severe cases, add Sanqi (Rhizoma Notoginseng) 2 qian (finely ground, taken with decoction). For weak pulse,酌情 (discretionarily) add Renshen (Radix Ginseng) and Tiandong (Tuber Ophiopogonis) each several qian.

Lung Abscess refers to sores/ulcers formed in the lungs. However, among this syndrome, only one or two out of ten cases involve true ulceration in the lungs, whereas eight or nine out of ten involve putrefaction. Therefore, when treating such conditions, although ancient physicians had specific prescriptions for fierce medicines like Tinglizi (Semen Lepidii et Descurainiae) and Zaojia (Fructus Gleditsiae Sinensis), they should not be used lightly or rashly. Instead, herbs that clear heat, detoxify, resolve putrefaction, and generate flesh are essential. Gancao is the principal herb for detoxification in sore/ulcer cases. Its taste is extremely sweet, and it possesses the strongest Earth Qi, thus it can tonify Metal (Lung) and benefit the Lungs. It can heal any deficiency damage and erosion in the lungs. Hence, in simple prescriptions for Lung Abscess, there are instances of using single-herb decoctions of raw Gancao (4 liang) drunk frequently. Western lung-moistening syrups also sometimes consist solely of Gancao. However, its nature is slightly warm and has a cloying/stagnant tendency. When harmonized with the cold and slippery nature of Zhimu, Gancao can be used in large doses without harm. Moreover, the sweet-warm nature of Gancao can transform the bitter-cold nature of Zhimu, allowing it to nourish Yin and reduce fever without damaging the Stomach. Danshen has a cool nature to clear heat, red color to invigorate blood, light texture, and slightly acrid taste, enabling it to ascend to the Lungs, diffuse toxic blood stasis and stagnant heat in the zang-fu organs, and dissolve them. Xiangru (Resina Olibani) and Moyao are both key herbs for sores/ulcers, but Moyao excels more in reducing swelling and stopping pain. Thus, it is used to assist Danshen, allowing the abscess to resolve internally. Sanqi has the best power to resolve stasis and detoxify; it resolves blood stasis without damaging new blood. Its detoxifying power further assists flesh-generating herbs to accelerate tissue regeneration, hence it is added for severe cases. For those with weak pulses, their Qi level cannot transport the medicinal force; even if the prescription matches the syndrome, it will be ineffective. It is appropriate to aid with Renshen. Yet, fearing the risk of "lung heat injuring the lung again," Tiandong is used to resolve the heat.

A patient, over thirty years old, coughed day and night, expectorated foul-smelling sputum, and had dull chest pain, fearing the development of Lung Abscess. He sought medical attention. His pulse was floating and forceful, stronger on the right than the left, but deep pressure revealed it was neither surging nor full. A prescription of Qingjin Jiedu Tang (Clear Metal Detoxify Decoction) was administered. Subsequently, he seemed to experience irritability, and had one episode of loose stool. He stated that previously, taking medicine that slightly tonified Qi caused irritability, while purely clearing and resolving led to loose stools, which is why previous treatments failed. Thus, the formula was changed to Fen Gancao (Prepared Licorice Root) 1.5 liang, Jinyinhua (Flos Lonicerae Japonicae) 1 liang, Zhimu 4 qian, and Niubangzi (Fructus Arctii) 4 qian. This was decocted into a large bowl of soup, taken in over ten warm doses, ensuring the medicinal force remained in the Upper Jiao. After ten doses, he recovered. Two months later, due to excessive labor, the old symptoms recurred. Chest pain was worse than before, with continuous coughing and expectoration of sputum containing pus and blood. Re-administering the previous formula was ineffective. This new formula (Qingliang Huagai Yin) was prepared. After two doses, the pain stopped. Due to the weak pulse, Yetaishen (Wild Ginseng from Taihang Mountains) 3 qian and Tiandong 4 qian were added. After ten consecutive doses, he fully recovered.

Zeng XX from the county, proficient in medicine, told me: "For treating Lung Abscess, Xi Huang Wan (Calculus Bovis Pill) by Linwu Shanshan is most effective. I have used it repeatedly with immediate success. I record the formula below for reference."
Xi Huang Wan from *Waike Zhengzhi Quansheng Ji* (written by Wang Hongxu): Uses Xiangru powder and Moyao powder, 1 liang each; Shexiang (Moschus) 1.5 qian; Xiniuhuang (Calculus Bovis) 3 fen. All finely ground. Take 1 liang of yellow rice flour, mash it, mix with the medicine, and pound into pills the size of Raphani Semen (radish seeds). Dry in the sun (avoid fire roasting). Take 3 qian per dose, washed down with hot aged wine.
Xu Lingtai said: "Qian Fu'an from Suzhou suffered from incessant hemoptysis. Physicians treated it as a bleeding disorder, worsening the condition. Upon examination, I saw blood covering the floor. Carefully inspecting the blood, it seemed to contain pus and smelled foul. I told him, 'This is Lung Abscess; the pus has already formed.' The *Jin Gui Yao Lue* states 'when pus forms, death ensues,' yet survival is possible. I employed various methods, and the family maintained trust throughout. He recovered in one month. Generally, because I encounter this syndrome often, I have collected effective formulas since the Tang Dynasty, using cooling herbs to clear fire, lung-nourishing herbs to nourish blood, slippery/descending herbs to expel phlegm, aromatic herbs to unblock Qi, pearl/cow-bezoar herbs to detoxify, and mineral/metal herbs to fill cavities. Combining these methods yields consistent results. Treating Fu'an involved combining these methods for recovery." Commentary: This discussion is indeed the standard for treating Lung Abscess, so it is recorded for reference.

Westerners and Easterners regard Pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB) as an extremely dangerous syndrome. I treat it with Chinese herbal decoctions supplemented by the Western drug Aspirin, often achieving immediate results (detailed in Shenmai Tang below). Recently, I discovered another treatment method. The elder brother of Su XX from Fengtian, nearly fifty years old, had chronic lung disease. Eastern doctors diagnosed TB, but repeated treatments failed. One day, he sent a telegram to his younger brother stating his condition was critical and urging his return. Su XX came to my clinic requesting a prescription, reporting that recent letters indicated worsened cough with sputum and internal heat sensation. Although the telegram lacked details, the condition likely persisted and intensified. Given the severity, recovery seemed difficult, but due to earnest pleading, I prescribed: Xuanshen (Radix Scrophulariae) and Sheng Shanyao (Rhizoma Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae) each 1 liang, assisted by Chuanbei (Bulbus Fritillariae Cirrhosae), Niubangzi, and Gancao. Upon returning home and taking the decoction, he recovered after sweating once. It turned out the exacerbation was due to an exterior contraction. The exterior pathogen transmitted inward, causing Yangming dryness-heat, which resolved via sweating upon receiving cooling and moistening herbs. His prior lung disease also improved because the toxic heat in the lungs was vented through sweat, providing temporary relief, though the root cause remained latent. More than ten days later, his lung disease relapsed with coughing and foul-smelling sputum. Su XX returned asking for treatment, holding a prescription gifted by a friend. It was Xi Huang Wan. I had originally considered Xi Huang Wan and Xu's discussed herbs for TB, but due to high cost, I hesitated to try them. Seeing someone share my view, I anticipated efficacy. Encouraged to prepare the pills, he recovered before finishing the course.

Zhao XX from Fengtian, around forty years old. Symptoms included internal heat sensation, anorexia, cough, foul-smelling sputum, and emaciation preventing him from getting out of bed. Onset was three months prior. Pulse rate was 85 beats/min. Left pulse was near normal; right pulse was slippery and full. Tongue coating was fully yellow. Bowel movements occurred every 4-5 days and were very dry. Diagnosis: Exterior pathogen lingering in Lungs and Stomach, leading to long-term inflammation and impending putrefaction of the Lung. Western medicine considers TB at this stage incurable. I confidently promised a cure and administered Qingjin Jiedu Tang, removing Huangqin (Radix Scutellariae), adding Sheng Shanyao 6 qian and Sheng Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum) 1 liang. After three doses, heat significantly decreased, appetite increased, and cough/sputum improved. Then, Shanyao was removed, Huangqin 3 qian was reinstated, Shigao was removed and replaced with Huafen (Radix Trichosanthis) 6 qian. Simultaneously, Aspirin 1/4 grain was taken daily. After more than ten days, significant improvement was observed. Body health restored, but occasional coughs persisted. Due to busyness, medication was stopped. Twenty days later, cough worsened, and foul sputum returned. Re-treatment with modified original formula showed little effect. Finally, Xi Huang Wan was administered, resulting in recovery.