Library

According to *Zhu Bing Yuan Hou Lun* (Treatise on the Pathogenesis and Symptoms of All Diseases): Fa Bei (Back Carbuncle) often occurs at the Shu points (Back-Shu acupoints) of the various Fu organs. Disharmony of the six Fu organs leads to the formation of carbuncles; all Shu points of the Fu organs are located on the back. When blood and Qi stagnate in the meridians throughout the body, causing disharmony of the Qi of the six Fu organs, individuals with deficient Cou Li (interstitial spaces and pores) are susceptible to Cold pathogenic factors invading the meridians. The Cold damages the blood, leading to obstruction and blockage, thus forming a carbuncle that manifests at its corresponding Shu point.

When Heat qi acts upon the blood, the flesh and blood putrefy and transform into pus. The initial presentation of a carbuncle is characterized by swelling with thin, shiny skin. A sudden red swelling with a white head appears on the back; when shaken, it feels connected to the root, and pain radiates to move within the chest interior. This is a carbuncle.

If Fa Bei presents with intense heat such that the area cannot be touched, internally administer Wang Bu Liu Xing San (Wangbuliuxing Powder). Externally apply Fa Bei Gao (Fa Bei Ointment) and Da Huang Tie (Rhubarb Paster). If the carbuncle is on the back, rupture is not detrimental. If pus does not form after a long time, apply Shi Rou Gao (Flesh-Growing Ointment) and powder to the apex of the lesion, inserting it into the mouth of the carbuncle. Once the body's excessive heat subsides, consume Shu San (Atractylodes Powder). After five days, if the carbuncle is nearing resolution, consume Pai Nong Nei Sai San (Pus-Draining Internal-Sealing Powder).

*Qian Jin Fang* (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold) states: In its discussion, it says that all cases of Fa Bei result from taking Wu Shi San (Five-Mineral Powder), Han Shi San (Cold Food Powder), or Geng Sheng San (Gengsheng Powder). There are also cases caused solely by taking Zhong Ru Shi (Stalactite), and even spontaneous occurrences in those who have never taken mineral drugs; these are residual effects from ancient times when people took such substances. The symptoms typically arise between the two scapulae on the back, initially resembling millet grains, accompanied by pain or itching, and appearing reddish. People often ignore this initially. However, it grows day by day, and within ten days, it becomes incurable. At the critical stage, the sore spans three to four inches in diameter, with dozens of openings. Pressing with hands causes pus to discharge from all openings, followed immediately by aphonia (loss of voice).

Therefore, those who practice health preservation should, upon feeling any unusual pain or itching on the back, take clean earth mixed with water to make mud, shape it into cakes one and a half cun in diameter and two fen thick. Use coarse mugwort to make moxa cones, and apply moxibustion on the mud cake, replacing it after each cone burns out. If treated when the lesion is millet-sized, seven cakes of moxibustion will suffice for cure. If it is the size of a elm seed, forty-nine cones of moxibustion will suffice. If it reaches the size of a coin, continuous day and night moxibustion is required for cure, along with internal administration of Wu Xiang Lian Qiao Tang (Five-Spice Forsythia Decoction) and Tie Jiang (Iron Slurry) and other medications to attack the pathogen. Additionally, spray cold water on the area and apply hot/cold stone compresses continuously day and night until cured. This disease contraindicates consumption of wheat products, alcohol, meat, and the Five Pungent Spices.

Any swelling arising in the middle of the back scapulae, with a white head like millet grains, surrounded by connected swelling, appearing red-black, and causing mental restlessness, is named Fa Bei. If not treated with moxibustion, the toxin will penetrate inward; moxibustion should be applied directly on the wound for seven to eight hundred Zhu (units of moxa cones).

Another prescription: Drink three Sheng of Tie Jiang (Iron Slurry), stopping when diarrhea occurs.

Another prescription: Lu Jiao Hui (Deer Horn Ash), mixed with Vinegar (Cu), applied topically.

Pai Nong Nei Sai San (Pus-Draining Internal-Sealing Powder) is indicated for large sores where heat has subsided but pus and blood continue to flow, and the flesh in the sore is deficient and painful. Formula:
Fang Feng (Saposhnikovia Root, 1 liang)
Fu Ling (Poria, 1 liang)
Bai Zhi (Angelica Dahurica, 1 liang)
Jie Geng (Platycodon Root, 1 liang)
Yuan Zhi (Polygala Root, 1 liang)
Gan Cao (Licorice Root, 1 liang)
Gui Xin (Cinnamon Twig Heart, 2 fen)
Ren Shen (Ginseng Root, 1 liang)
Xiong Duan (Dried Ligusticum Rhizome, 1 liang)
Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis Root, 1 liang)
Fu Zi (Prepared Aconite Root, 2 pieces)
Hou Po (Magnolia Bark, 2 liang)
Long Gu (Fossilized Bones/Mammal Teeth, 1 liang)
Huang Qi (Astragalus Root, 1 liang)
Chi Xiao Dou (Adzuki Bean, 5 he, roasted)
These fifteen ingredients are ground into a powder. Take one Fang Cun Bi (square-inch scoop) with wine, three times daily and once at night. (Note: *Fan Wang Fang* states: Without wine, the medicinal power cannot be disseminated.)

*Guang Ji Fang* (Broad Rescue Formulas) treats Fa Bei toxic heat caused by Zhong Ru Shi and Wu Shi:
Huang Qin (Scutellaria Root, 3 liang)
Bai Ya Shi (White Duck Droppings, 5 he)
Bai Lian (Bletilla Tuber, one handful)
Xiang Chi (Prepared Soybean, 5 he)
Chop finely, boil in six Sheng of water to obtain two Sheng. Divide into three warm doses.

*Jing Xin Fang* treats Fa Bei:
Apply cold stone compresses to the swollen area. Verified efficacy.

Another prescription: Apply horse manure; replace when dry. Also effective for women's breast carbuncles (Ru Yong).

*Fan Wang Fang* treats Fa Bei and various carbuncles, whether ulcerated or not:
Crush fermented soybeans (Chi) with a small amount of water to form a thick mud paste, shaped into cakes slightly larger than the swelling and about three fen thick. Leave any existing sore openings uncovered to allow drainage. Apply moxibustion around the bean cake using mugwort. Replace the cake when it dries or becomes too hot, aiming for intense heat to slough off necrotic skin. The carbuncle pain should soon decrease, bringing relief. Moxibustion may last one, two, or three days, during which fluid will discharge from the sore openings. (*Qian Jin Fang* agrees with this method.)

Wang Bu Liu Xing San (Wangbuliuxing Powder) for treating carbuncles:
Wang Bu Liu Xing (Vaccaria Seed, 2 Sheng, powdered)
Gan Cao (Licorice Root, 5 liang)
Ye Ge (Kudzu Root, 2 liang)
Gui Xin (Cinnamon Twig Heart, 4 fen)
Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis Root, 4 liang)
These five ingredients are ground, mixed, and sifted. Take one Fang Cun Bi with wine, three times daily and once at night.

*Ge Shi Fang* treats carbuncles on the back, abdomen, groin, and hidden areas, or multiple sores on the body:
Burn dry cow dung, grind finely, sieve through double-layer silk. Mix with egg white and apply; replace when dry. This is a secret formula. (*Liu Juan Zi Fang* agrees.)

Another prescription: Use Deer Horn, Gui Xin (Cinnamon Twig Heart), and Ji Shi Bai (Chicken Vomit/Excrement). Roast them separately, mix, grind, and apply with egg white. This is a secret formula.

Another prescription: Grind fresh Gua Lou Gen (Trichosanthes Root) finely, mix with Ku Jiu (Bitter Vinegar/Wine), apply, and replace when dry.

Another prescription: Applying Chi Xiao Dou (Adzuki Bean) is also beneficial.

*Liu Juan Zi* treats early-stage Fa Bei with redness:
Apply moxibustion to the red area for one hundred Zhu.

Another prescription: Crush Zhu Gen (Ramie Root), dilute with a little water, and apply thinly.

Another prescription: Mix Zao Huang Tu (Stove Yellow Earth/Zao Xin Tu) with egg white and apply.

Another prescription: Use peaches that have not fallen from the tree, powder them, mix with good Ku Jiu (Bitter Vinegar/Wine), and apply. Excellent.

Also said: To promote rapid suppuration: Grind Ban Xia (Pinellia Tuber) with water, mix with egg white, and apply. This can also cause the swelling to dissipate.