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[Prescription Verse] Hu Niao Ci (Fox Urine Thorn) arises between the hands and feet, presenting with stifling swelling, burning pain, and red-purple macules. This condition is caused by the accumulation of toxic fluids from mantises mating in midsummer; if human skin on the hands or feet accidentally touches these dried secretions, it causes severe pain that prevents sleep.
[Annotation] This condition is named "Hu Li Ci" (Fox Thorn) in *Waike Dacheng* (Comprehensive Book of External Medicine), and "Hu Niao Ci" (Fox Urine Thorn) in *Waitai Miyao* (Essential Prescriptions from the Imperial Library) and *Zonglu*. It occurs when mantises mate during the hot summer, their seminal fluid staining various objects; after drying for a long time, it becomes toxic. If people's hands or feet accidentally touch it, this affliction develops. Initially, red-purple spots appear, the skin is dry, accompanied by a sensation of stifling fullness, swelling, and burning pain, leading to insomnia. After ten days, the tissue necrotoses and opens up, with the wound widening daily. Internally, one should take Huanglian Jiedu Tang (Coptis Decoction to Relieve Toxicity). Externally, boil fresh Dandelion roots (including the root) thickly and wash the area while warm. If fresh Dandelion is available, crushing it to extract juice and applying it to the affected area is even better. The name likely derives from the fact that mantises are also known as "Wild Fox Nasal Discharge." For treatment methods when the abscess is about to ulcerate, refer to the section on Carbuncles and Ulcers.
Formula: Huanglian Jiedu Tang (See Section on Black Carbuncle)

[Prescription Verse] E Zhang Feng (Goose Palm Wind) arises in the palm, characterized by dry, cracked skin with purple and white patches. This results from residual toxins of Yangmei Chuang (Syphilitic Chancre) not fully cleared, combined with blood dryness, and further complicated by wind-toxin stagnation.
[Annotation] This condition arises in the palm due to incomplete clearance of residual toxins from Yangmei Chuang, compounded by blood dryness and invasion of wind-toxin, leading to stagnation. Initially, purple and white spots appear, with layers of white peeling skin forming; the texture becomes hard and thick, dry and cracked, spreading over the entire hand. Externally, wash with Er Fan San (Two Alum Powder) and apply San You Gao (Three Ointment). Internally, use the formula for Qufeng Dihuang Wan (Wind-Dispersing Rehmannia Pill), adding Tu Fuling (Smilax Glabra Rhizome), Baixianpi (Dictamnus Root Bark), and Danggui (Angelica Sinensis) as adjuvants, processed into pills for effective administration. If the condition persists for years and becomes a tinea infection, it is difficult to cure. There is another condition where, without prior syphilis, there is unexplained dryness, itching, and peeling of the palm, progressing to dry cracking and slight pain, named "Zhang Xin Feng" (Palm Center Wind). This is caused by heat in the spleen and stomach, blood dryness generating wind, and blood failing to nourish the skin. One should take Qufeng Dihuang Wan and externally apply Runji Gao (Moisturizing Muscle Ointment); long-term application will lead to recovery.
Formula: Qufeng Dihuang Wan
Composition: Shengdi (Raw Rehmanniae Radix) and Shudi (Prepared Rehmanniae Radix) (each 4 liang)
Baijili (Tribuli Fructus) and Chuan Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix) (wine-washed, each 3 liang)
Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma) and Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex)
Gouqizi (Lycii Fructus) (each 2 liang) and Tusizi (Cuscutae Semen) (wine-processed)
Duhuo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix) (1 liang)
Grind all into fine powder, mix with refined honey to form pills the size of Sophora seeds. Take 3 qian per dose, washed down with yellow wine; in summer, wash down with light salt water.
[Prescription Verse] Qufeng Dihuang clears blood heat; Goose Palm Wind heals upon ingestion. Zhimu, Huangbai, Jili, Niuxi, and Tusi, mixed with Duhuo and Gouqi, ground together and blended with refined honey.
Another Method: Er Fan San
Composition: Bai Fan (Alumen) and Zao Fan (Melanterite) (each 4 liang)
Cha'er (Theae Folium / Camellia Seed residue) (5 qian) and Ce Baiye (Biota Orientalis Leaf) (8 liang)
Use ten bowls of water, boil several times until rolling, then set aside. First, apply Tung Oil (Verniciae Folii Oleum) to the affected area. Then, soak a paper wick in Tung Oil, ignite it, and fumigate the affected area for a period. Next, pour the aforementioned decoction into a clean wooden bucket while hot. Place the hand over the bucket, sealing the mouth of the bucket tightly with cloth to prevent steam leakage. Fumigate the hands with the medicinal vapor. When slightly warm, pour the liquid into a basin, soak and wash for a considerable time; one session may suffice. Do not touch water for seven days.
[Prescription Verse] Er Fan treats purple and white spots arising in the palm; Boil Alum, Cha'er, and Biota leaves. First apply Tung Oil to the lesion, then fumigate with an oil-soaked wick before washing for cure.
Another Method: San You Gao
Composition: Niu You (Beef Tallow) and Bai You (Biota Oil)
Xiangyou (Sesame Oil) and Yin Zhu (Cinnabar) (each 1 qian)
Guan Fen (Lead Carbonate) and Shexiang (Moschus) (finely ground, each 2 qian)
Melt the three oils together over fire, add 1 liang of Yellow Beeswax, melt completely, then remove from fire. Add Cinnabar, Moschus, and Lead Carbonate powders, stir evenly to form an ointment. Apply to the affected area and bake with fire until the oil dries but the skin remains moist.
[Prescription Verse] San You Gao moisturizes Goose Palm Wind; Initial spots gradually crack with dryness and itching. Beef tallow, Biota oil, sesame oil, Cinnabar, powder, and Moschus; boiled with wax, applied to lesions and baked over fire.
Another Method: Runji Gao (See Section on White Dandruff of the Head)