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Acupuncture and moxibustion constitute a specialized branch of medicine, requiring instruction from a master physician so that one can accurately locate acupoints for needle insertion and moxibustion upon encountering diseases, thereby rapidly curing chronic ailments. However, such individuals are rare. I once received a unique transmission: using a silver wire five cun long with both ends filed to a point, it is effective for conditions such as pi masses (subcutaneous nodules), jia accumulations (abdominal masses that gather and disperse), abdominal pain, yin abscesses (yin-type deep-seated sores), bi syndrome caused by wind-cold-dampness (pain and numbness in limbs and joints due to wind, cold, and damp pathogens), and wandering pain throughout the body; these conditions respond only to needle therapy. For patients with thick flesh, needles may be inserted about one cun deep; for those with thin flesh, approximately four or five fen. Subsequently, fold paper to a thickness of one and a half cun, pierce a hole in the center, and slide it onto the needle. Then take a thick slice of fresh ginger, also pierce a central hole, place it over the paper, and apply moxa wool for moxibustion. Although this process takes time, the patient feels no pain, and the disease heals easily. After removing the needle, apply medicated plasters according to symptoms and administer decoctions.

For yang abscesses (yang-type suppurative swellings) characterized by progressive throbbing pain, press the affected area thoroughly with the right index finger. If a soft depression is found, pus has formed internally. Grasp the blade of a Pi Dao (a scalpel made of resonant copper) between the right index finger and thumb, and gently insert it obliquely upward into the lesion. Insert deeply for thick flesh, shallowly for thin flesh. Drain all pus, insert a medicinal paper wick into the incision, and cover with a plaster. If the abscess expands and the opening is blocked, preventing drainage, wait several days until the skin and flesh thin out. Then make a second incision along the downward flow path to drain all pus and toxins completely, facilitating recovery. Premature incision before pus ripens may lead to "fan hua" (fungating, cauliflower-like protrusions). If the flesh is too thick for the knife to penetrate, use a fire needle heated red in a lamp flame to cauterize the opening, insert a medicinal wick, and apply an external plaster. When using fire needles on the back and abdomen, oblique insertion is crucial to avoid damaging internal membranes and endangering life; only needles on the hands and feet may be inserted vertically. Fire needles must never be used on the head and face, nor for ding sores (acute infections with rapid onset and high risk), kou dui ju (carbuncles at the nape), or da bei ju (carbuncles on the back), as this may lock in toxins and exacerbate the condition with fire.

Yin abscesses typically present with hard swelling, making pus formation sudden and difficult, and resolution slow. Cauterization with fine fire needles is required to restore Yang qi. The number of needle applications depends on the size of the lesion. Apply external warming and dispersing medicines, changing them every four days. For lesions on the chest and back, oblique needle insertion is essential. To verify if pus is ripe, press the area with the right index finger; if soft, cauterize with a coarse fire needle. (In cases of bone-attached yin abscesses, the Pi Dao cannot penetrate.) Insert a medicinal wick into the hole and immediately apply a plaster. If pus is trapped, cauterize again along the downward flow path after a few days to facilitate complete drainage. If the cauterized opening remains closed due to thick flesh, pierce through it with a bone needle, insert a medicinal wick, and apply a plaster; pus will appear after two to three days. If excessive pus blocks the wound and the skin is thin, insert a pus-draining tube, manipulate the pus flow, allowing it to gush out naturally. See separate descriptions for tube designs. For the back and chest, when inserting moxa needles, use the left index finger and thumb to pinch up the thick skin of the affected area, then insert the needle arbitrarily to a depth of two or three fen. Since organs connect to the back and the chest is the palace of the heart with thin flesh, care must be taken to avoid injury. Only the hollow abdomen allows insertion up to one cun. For other areas, firmly pinch the acupoint with the thumb during needling, avoiding major tendons, to minimize pain and ensure safety.

When using knives or needles, have the patient hold eight pieces of Longan aril (Gui Yuan Rou) in the mouth beforehand to support Yuan Qi (Original Qi) and prevent fainting. Elderly people, children, and those with chronic deficiency are less tolerant of pain; do not act hastily to avoid sudden syncope.

Lumpy growths appearing on both sides under the tongue inside the throat, causing difficulty in swallowing and speaking, are called Dian Qi. A cherry-sized fleshy ball growing in the middle of the tongue root is called Mei He (Plum-pit Qi), both caused by Liver Qi stagnation. Heat an iron cauterizer in a lamp flame. Hold the tongue down with the left hand, open the mouth, and gently cauterize with the right hand-held tool until flat. Internally administer Xiao Yao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) and externally blow Bing Peng San (Ice and Borax Powder); recovery occurs within half a month.

The cauterizer should be forged from iron, with a head size similar to half a small silkworm bean. Wrap the handle tightly with cotton thread so it does not burn the hand when red-hot. Do not use copper cauterizers, as molten copper entering the throat can be fatal.

For large fire needles used to drain yin abscesses, first use a bamboo handle two cun long. Insert a three-cun thick iron wire into the bamboo, leaving one cun exposed. File the ends of the bamboo sharp and secure the wire tightly with fine iron wire to prevent detachment. For dispersing yin abscesses, use fine fire needles made similarly with fine iron wire, heated red in a flame. Determine the number of applications based on the abscess size. Never use copper fire needles, as they melt easily upon contact with fire, causing serious harm.

Moxa needles consist of fine silver wire, one or two cun long, with one end filed sharp and the other wrapped with copper wire as a handle. When cold-dampness invades the meridians and limbs causing wandering soreness and pain, place moxa cones on the needle for moxibustion.

Do not lightly use knives or needles for throat conditions, fearing recurrence. If the swollen area shows a soft spot or a small white head indicating ripe pus, use a knife to puncture and drain pus and blood, providing immediate relief.