《病源论》云∶妇人乳痈者，肿结皮薄以泽，是为痈也。寒搏于血则涩不通，而气积不
散，故结聚成痈。亦因乳汁蓄结，与血相搏，蕴积而成痈也。乳痈年四十已还，治之多愈；
年五十以上，慎，不当治之，多死。乳痈久不瘥，因变为 （章俱反）。
《养生方》云∶妇人热食汗出，露乳荡风，喜发肿，名吹乳，因喜作痈。
《短剧方》治乳痈方∶
大黄（二分） 草（二分） 伏龙肝（二分） 生姜（二分）
凡四物，合筛，以姜并舂冶，以KT （呼鸡反）和，涂乳有验。
《范汪方》治妇人乳痈方∶
大黄，冶筛，和生鸡子，敷肿上，燥复更敷，不过三，愈。
又方∶灶中黄土以鸡子黄和，涂之。
又方∶熬粉水和，敷之。
又方∶大黄、鹿角，二物分等，烧鹿角与大黄筛，以鸡子白和，贴之。
《僧深方》治乳痈方∶
末黄柏，鸡子白和，涂之。
又方∶捣 根，敷之。
又方∶赤小豆末，鸡子白和，敷之。
又云∶治妇人乳痈生核，积年不除，消核防风敷方∶
草（八分） 芎 （八分） 大黄（十分） 当归（十分） 防风（十分） 夕药（十
分） 白蔹（十分） 黄 （十二分） 黄连（十分） 黄芩（十分） 枳子中仁（四分）
十一物，冶筛，以鸡子白和，涂故布若练上，以敷肿上，日四五，夜三。
《千金方》乳痈二三百日，众疗不瘥，但坚紫色方∶
柳根削上皮，捣熬令温，盛囊熨乳上。（《集验方》云∶一宿则愈。）
《医门方》疗妇人乳痈初得令消方∶
赤小豆， 草各分等，苦酒和，涂上立愈。
《龙门方》治乳热肿方∶
冷石熨之，瘥。
又方∶取朱书乳，作鱼字，验。（《范汪方》同之。）
《录验方》治乳痈坚如石，众医不能治方∶
桂心（二分） 乌头（二分） 甘草（二分）
凡三物，冶合，淳酢和，涂肿上。
《产经》乳痈符KT （用新笔朱书肿上。）
又方∶取焦瓦捣碎，和酢，涂之立瘥，干易。
According to the *Zhu Bing Yuan Hou Lun* (Treatise on the Pathogenesis and Symptoms of All Diseases): In women suffering from breast abscess (Ru Yong, a condition characterized by swelling and suppuration of the breast), there is swelling and induration with thin, shiny skin; this constitutes an abscess. When cold pathogenic factors contend with blood, it causes stagnation and obstruction, while Qi accumulates and fails to disperse, thus condensing into an abscess. It may also arise from retained milk accumulating and contending with blood, leading to heat accumulation and the formation of an abscess. For breast abscess in women under forty years of age, treatment often leads to recovery; for those over fifty, caution is advised, and aggressive treatment should be avoided as mortality is high. If a breast abscess remains unhealed for a long time, it may transform into a fistula (Lou, a chronic draining sinus).
The *Yang Sheng Fang* (Prescriptions for Nourishing Life) states: After eating hot food and sweating, if a woman exposes her breasts to wind, she is prone to developing swelling, known as "blown milk" (Chui Ru), which frequently progresses to form an abscess.
The *Duan Ju Fang* (Short Drama Prescriptions) provides a prescription for treating breast abscess:
Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, 2 fen) Cao (likely Pu Gong Ying / Taraxaci Herba, 2 fen) Fu Long Gan (Caulis Longi Fodiens, 2 fen) Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, 2 fen).
These four ingredients are mixed and sifted, pounded together with fresh ginger, and mixed with vinegar (Cu) for application to the affected breast, which has proven effective.
The *Fan Wang Fang* (Fan Wang's Prescriptions) offers a formula for treating female breast abscess:
Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) is pounded and sifted, then mixed with raw egg white (Ji Zi Bai) and applied to the swollen area. Reapply when dry; within three applications, it heals.
Another prescription: Earth from the center of a stove (Zao Zhong Huang Tu) is mixed with egg yolk (Ji Zi Huang) and applied.
Another prescription: Roasted rice flour (Ao Fen) is mixed with water and applied.
Another prescription: Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) and Lu Jiao (Cervi Cornu Colla) are used in equal parts. The Lu Jiao and Da Huang are calcined and sifted, then mixed with egg white (Ji Zi Bai) for topical application.
The *Seng Shen Fang* (Monk Shen's Prescriptions) treats breast abscess as follows:
Huang Bo (Phellodendri Cortex) powder is mixed with egg white (Ji Zi Bai) and applied.
Another prescription: Pu Gong Ying (Taraxaci Herba) roots are crushed and applied.
Another prescription: Chi Xiao Dou (Adzuki Bean) powder is mixed with egg white (Ji Zi Bai) and applied.
It further states: To treat breast abscess with nodules that persist for years, use the following Wind-Dispersing Poultice to resolve nodules:
Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 8 fen) Xiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma, 8 fen) Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, 10 fen) Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, 10 fen) Fang Feng (Saposhnikoviae Radix, 10 fen) Yao (Bai Shao / Paeoniae Radix Alba, 10 fen) Bai Lian (Ampelopsis Radix, 10 fen) Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix, 12 fen) Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma, 10 fen) Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix, 10 fen) Zhi Ren (Fructus Ziziphi Spinosae Semen, 4 fen).
These eleven ingredients are pounded and sifted, mixed with egg white (Ji Zi Bai), applied to old cloth or fine silk, and placed over the swelling. Apply four to five times daily and three times at night.
The *Qian Jin Fang* (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold) addresses breast abscesses lasting two to three hundred days where various treatments have failed, leaving hard, purple masses:
Willow root (Liu Gen) bark is peeled off, crushed, and heated until warm. It is placed in a bag and used to foment the breast. (The *Ji Yan Fang* [Verified Prescriptions] notes: Healing occurs overnight.)
The *Yi Men Fang* (Medical Gate Prescriptions) provides a method to dissipate early-stage breast abscess in women:
Chi Xiao Dou (Adzuki Bean) and Pu Gong Ying (Taraxaci Herba) in equal parts are mixed with vinegar (Ku Jiu) and applied for immediate healing.
The *Long Men Fang* (Dragon Gate Prescriptions) treats breast heat and swelling:
Apply a cold stone to the area; it heals.
Another prescription: Write the character for "breast" (Ru) using cinnabar ink in the shape of the character for "fish" (Yu); this has verified efficacy. (This matches the *Fan Wang Fang*.)
The *Lu Yan Fang* (Recorded Verified Prescriptions) treats breast abscess that is hard as stone and resistant to conventional medical treatment:
Gui Xin (Cinnamomi Ramulus Cortex, 2 fen) Wu Tou (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, 2 fen) Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 2 fen).
These three ingredients are pounded and combined, mixed with strong vinegar (Chun Cu), and applied to the swelling.
The *Chan Jing* (Obstetric Classic) uses talismans for breast abscess: Write the talisman on the swollen area using a new brush and cinnabar ink.
Another prescription: Crush burnt roof tiles (Jiao Wa) and mix with vinegar for application; it heals immediately, changing when dry.