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[Formula Song] Lougu Jie (Mole Cricket Boil) is also known as Shan Gong Tou (Earthworm Arching Head); its severity varies due to different causes. When caused by fetal toxin, the lesion is hard and small, often covered with a membrane; when caused by summer-heat, it is large and easily heals.

[Annotation] This condition mostly occurs on the heads of infants, commonly known as He Nao (Badger Brain). Before ulceration, it resembles Shan Gong Tou; after ulceration, it looks like mole crickets burrowing through soil. Some cases are due to toxins received in the womb. Although the swelling is small, the base is hard. Even after pus drains, hardness persists. Although the wound closes temporarily, it recurs after some time because the root toxin remains, and new sores appear elsewhere. This is very persistent and difficult to heal. It is appropriate to insert Sanpin Yitiao Qiang (Three-Treasure Single-Spear) into the hole to dissolve the hard membrane, then apply Shengji San (Flesh-Generating Powder), and cover with Yuhong Gao (Jade Red Ointment) to promote healing and prevent recurrence.

In other cases caused by summer-heat toxicity, the lesions are as large as plums or peaches, connected in clusters of three to five. After ulceration and pus drainage, the wounds do not close. Over time, the scalp becomes hollowed out internally, resembling mole cricket burrows. It is appropriate to apply Gan Zhu Gao (Indigo Pearl Ointment) to draw out pus and toxins, cut open the hollowed skin to eliminate pockets for pus accumulation, wash once daily with rice water, apply Shengji San when dry, and cover with Wanying Gao (Universal Ointment) for excellent results. In some cases, due to prolonged exposure of open wounds, wind-pathogens invade, causing itching around the wound. Scratching leads to exudate spreading in patches, resembling Huangshui Chuang (Yellow Water Blister). It is appropriate to apply Baicou San (Rotten Copper Powder) and avoid fish and other triggering foods.

Formula: Sanpin Yitiao Qiang (Three-Treasure Single-Spear)
Composition: Bai Pi (White Arsenic, 1.5 qian), Ming Fan (Alum, 3 liang).
Grind Bai Pi and Ming Fan into fine powder and place in a small jar. Calcine over charcoal fire until red-hot. When blue smoke ceases and white smoke rises in layers for a moment, stop heating once the top and bottom are thoroughly red. Place the jar on the ground overnight. The resulting pure powder of arsenic and alum weighs approximately 1 liang. Add Xionghuang (Realgar, 2.4 qian) and Ruxiang (Frankincense, 1.2 qian), grind extremely finely, mix with thick paste, roll into thread-like shapes, and dry in shade. For ulcers with holes, insert the threads directly; for those without, pierce a hole first with a needle. Insert two threads morning and evening. After three days, for larger holes, insert more than ten threads at a time. By the seventh day, fill the hole completely and stop. The surrounding tissue will naturally split open. Around the fourteenth day, the hard membranes, carbuncle nuclei, scrofula nodes, and fistula tracts from hemorrhoids will naturally fall off. Wash with decoction afterward and apply Yuhong Gao. For patients with deficiency, administer spleen-strengthening tonics concurrently to facilitate natural healing.

[Formula Song] The magical Sanpin Yitiao Qiang treats hard-membrane sores; Realgar, Frankincense, White Arsenic, and Alum are used raw, ground, calcined, and rolled into threads for best effect.

Another Formula: Baicou San (Rotten Copper Powder)
Composition: One old copper-smelting pot, ground into fine powder. Mix with sesame oil for application. It naturally promotes dampness drainage, relieves itching, and facilitates wound closure.

[Formula Song] Baicou San treats ulcerations complicated by wind injury, characterized by itching, broken skin, and oozing fluid; grinding old copper pots into fine powder and mixing with sesame oil effectively drains dampness.

Other Formulas: Gan Zhu Gao (Indigo Pearl Ointment), Wanying Gao (Universal Ointment), Shengji San (Flesh-Generating Powder), Yuhong Gao (Jade Red Ointment) (all see under the section on Ulcers).