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Zhang Sibo once heard groaning sounds in a house and said, "This illness is severe." He went to examine the patient and saw an old woman suffering from whole-body pain with numerous dark-black spots all over her body. Zhang Sibo returned home, boiled more than one dou of decoction, and sent it for her to take. After ingestion, the pain intensified, causing many to jump up and throw themselves onto beds in agony. Soon after, nail-like objects, approximately one cun long, were extracted from the dark-black areas. The wounds were treated with ointment, and she recovered in three days. This disease is named Ding Ju (Nail Carbuncle) (cited from *Shiji*).

Li Shen of the Tang Dynasty once fell ill. The physician diagnosed that he needed to consume ash from beard hair to stop the condition. Emperor Taizong personally cut off his own beard, burned it into ash, and bestowed it upon Li Shen for consumption. He also ordered the ash to be applied to the carbuncle wound, which healed immediately. Hence, Bai Juyi wrote: "Cutting beard and burning medicine bestowed upon meritorious officials." Emperor Renzong of Song once bestowed beard upon Lü Yijian. As the ancients said, beard can cure diseases; now I cut my beard to mix with medicine for him, expressing my intent.

Liu Zongyuan (of Liuzhou) of the Tang Dynasty compiled three life-saving prescriptions, stating: In the second month of the Yuanhe 12th year, I suffered from severe Xianggang Jiao (foot disorder). At midnight, my qi became obstructed and blocked, with a lump in the left hypochondrium as large as a stone, nearly leading to death. Due to severe cold exposure, I lost consciousness. For three days, my family wept bitterly. Zheng Xunmei of Xingyang transmitted the Shanmu Tang (Fir Branch Decoction). After half a meal's time, there was profuse diarrhea three times, qi flow resumed, and the lump dispersed. The prescription consists of one sheng of fir branch joints, one sheng of orange leaves (or bark if leaves are unavailable), seven Areca seeds (crushed with shells), and three sheng of urine from an uncircumcised boy. These are boiled together until reduced to one and a half sheng, divided into two doses. If smooth defecation occurs after the first dose, suspend the second dose. Previously, these three cases deemed fatal resulted in death; however, those who received instruction survived. Fearing others might suffer similarly, I transmit this knowledge (from *Benshi Fang*).

Xianggang Jiao is caused by wind-toxin residing internally and must be attacked; therefore, purgation should be performed first.

Daoist Wang Yu stated: Someone suddenly suffered from foot soles feeling like being shot by an arrow, with intermittent attacks. This is kidney wind-toxin; purging the kidney leads to recovery (from *Bozhai Bian*, same source).

What is currently called Xianggang Jiao is what the Yellow Emperor referred to as Huan Feng (Slow Wind) and Wen Bi (Warm Bi). *Qianjin Fang* states: Limb weakness is called Huan Feng, while pain is called Wen Bi.

Xiong Yancheng, a physician from Raozhou, aged fifty-five, suffered from inability to urinate or defecate for five days, with abdominal distension like a drum. His peers looked on helplessly. He was close friends with Monk Huiyue of Miaoguo Temple in West Lake and sent a messenger to invite him for final farewells. Huiyue rushed over in alarm. On crossing Diaqiao Bridge, he met an extraordinary guest who was elegant and transcendent. The guest bowed and asked, "Why does a high scholar of the unworldly realm run about so hurriedly?" Huiyue replied, "A good friend has suffered from obstipation for a long time, which seems incurable. I urgently wish to seek advice." The guest said, "This is easy." He then took off his boot, reached into the water, and pulled out a large snail, saying, "The matter is settled." Taking it home, he mixed half a spoonful of salt with the crushed shell and applied it to the point one cun three fen below the umbilicus, binding it tightly with a wide cloth. He also prepared a tool to await bowel movement. Huiyue did not fully believe it but politely thanked him. Xiong was unconscious, surrounded by weeping wife and children. The physicians, having no other strategy, allowed the trial. Before he could even sit down, there was a sudden, violent discharge. The physicians left in shame and amazement. Huiyue returned to visit the stranger but found no one. Xiong lived for another sixteen years before passing away. Dong Shouyue suffered from Xianggang Jiao attacking and pouring downwards. Someone taught him to crush several snails and apply them to both thighs. He felt cold air moving downwards to the feet, and subsequently recovered (from *Leibian*).