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The skin swells resembling a carbuncle, but feels soft upon pressure; or the eruption resembles smallpox/variolous lesions, with skin ulceration and weeping fluid, accompanied by pain, chills, and fever. If plasters are applied or incorrect medicaments are inadvertently spread on the area, it will immediately develop into spreading ulcers with weeping pus, named "Rotting Skin Toxic Carbuncle" (Lan Pi Du Yong). The affected area must not be washed with water. Apply a paste made of raw gypsum (Shi Gao), carbonized soybean (Huangdou Tan), powder of Phellodendron bark (Chuanbai), and carbonized plum (Wumei Tan), finely ground and mixed with honey and rice vinegar for external application.

Pain in the skin over the entire body persists without ceasing, moving around unpredictably, without any edema. This is caused by Qi stagnation and Blood dryness, with blockage and obstruction of the collaterals and meridians; it is an incurable condition.

Initially, there is dull pain in the hypochondriac region, fluctuating in intensity from light to heavy. Subsequently, the area becomes significantly swollen. Upon ulceration, bloody fluid is discharged, and the wound fails to heal for a long time; medical treatment may prove ineffective.

In infants and children suffering from external sores that have already ulcerated and suppurated, if their wishes are slightly thwarted causing them to cry, it agitates Liver Fire and draws upon the blood vessels, causing blood to gush from the lesion. There is no need to use medicine to stop or plug the bleeding; comforting the child to stop crying will cause the bleeding to cease spontaneously.

Depression and emotional constraint injure the Liver. The Liver governs the sinews and its location is on the left. Often, about one cun to the left of the umbilicus, a thick cord-like tendon, as thick as a chopstick, protrudes under the skin. It jumps up and down day and night, causing wandering pain, which comes and goes. Pricking with moxa needles several times can relieve the pain, and internally administering Congbai Wan (Scallion Pill) [formula see later]. If the skin and flesh become stiff such that needles cannot penetrate, the condition will merely drag on for months.

Those engaged in hard labor first contract damp-heat toxicity, and subsequently engage in sexual intercourse with unclean women. This results in initial swelling and pain of the penis, followed by the emergence of black, thorn-like projections covered by the outer skin. The shape resembles the shell of a chestnut. Internally administer Xiegan Tang (Draining Liver Decoction); externally apply Qinggan San (Clearing Chan Powder) [both formulas see later].

Hard swelling above the breasts on either side, with normal skin color, is mostly caused by Qi depression, though it may also result from Blood stasis or failure of Lung Qi to descend. It is difficult to dissipate, and suppuration occurs very slowly. If the pus discharges towards the mouth or nose, it is not dangerous. However, if green, foul-smelling pus appears, there is no hope of recovery.

When a carbuncle or furuncle forms pus and remains unvented for a long time, it may first perforate the inner membrane before ulcerating externally. Although painless and lacking ominous signs, if the ulcer opening resembles crab foam, survival is unlikely (one in a hundred survives).

Women presenting with hard swelling at the center of the breast, starting small and growing larger, with persistent chills and fever, continuous pain, and non-redness, may only ulcerate and discharge pus after a prolonged period. Such cases may progress into consumptive disease (Lao).