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In children who have been ill for a long time, the Lung and Stomach are severely deficient. Rootless fire floats upward, causing sores and ulceration throughout the mouth, with a sallow complexion and bodily edema, or swelling resembling steamed buns. If salivation is present, it is treatable; if there is no salivation, it is difficult to treat. (Use Liuwei Tang [Six-Ingredient Decoction] added with Rougui [Cinnamon Bark], formula see later.)

Women may experience abdominal pain that wanders across the entire abdomen, or pain fixed in one location without moving. If the pain is caused by cold lingering in the epigastrium, warming and dispersing the Middle Jiao is appropriate. If the pain is caused by parasites disturbing the abdomen, calming the Ascaris is appropriate. If the pain is caused by Liver Qi obstruction, soothing the Liver and harmonizing the Stomach is appropriate. If Qi wraps around fluid retention, causing gurgling sounds and pain in the abdomen, inducing vomiting to expel phlegm-saliva or using acupuncture/moxibustion is appropriate. If blood stasis and Qi stagnation cause masses and pain in the abdomen, regulating Qi and driving out blood stasis, combined with several sessions of acupuncture, is appropriate. If the pain is due to exhaustion of Stomach fluids, moistening the Stomach Yin with sweet and lubricating herbs is appropriate. If the pain is due to deficiency and impairment of Middle Qi leading to poor transportation, tonifying Middle Qi is appropriate. If Zang Qi is about to fail, with ceaseless pain unresponsive to medication, it is incurable.

Cold-dampness and phlegm obstruct the meridians and can deposit anywhere to form phlegm nodules (Zhu Tan). For nodules that are initially swollen and hard, fine-fire needle cauterization is appropriate; once Qi circulation is promoted, they will dissipate. Some nodules disappear from one area but appear in another; some show slight clear fluid discharge from the needle puncture but remain swollen; these should be treated internally with Yanghe Tang [Yang Harmony Decoction] (formula see later). If the affected area turns red, this is due to the accumulation of damp-heat; externally apply cooling medications, and internally use methods to clear and drain damp-heat. Fire needles must not be used. This condition lasts one to two months in mild cases, and half a year to one year in severe cases. Some fail to heal after ulceration, resulting in disability. When this condition occurs alongside Dabeijie [Back-Spreading Carbuncle], swelling and pain damage the Stomach Qi, leading to Qi and Blood deficiency. The body cannot mobilize muscles to push toxins outward, resulting in sudden softness, depression, lack of pain, and scant pus and blood. Warm tonification to support healthy Qi is required. If, after taking medicine, the lesion does not rise and suppurate, nor generate flesh, it is difficult to treat. Some cases arise from mistakenly administering bitter-cold herbs that damage Stomach Yang; urgent warm-tonification to revive the Stomach is needed.

Some patients develop dozens of Zhu Tan nodules in a single day, or more than twenty (or over twenty locations within a few days). This occurs because Qi deficiency fails to drive blood through the meridians, causing immediate swelling upon deposition. Pain sensation may even be lost. If acupuncture and medication are ineffective, it is incurable.

Some patients become deficient after taking phlegm-draining medicines for Zhu Tan; Wenpi Tang [Warm the Spleen Decoction] (formula see later) is appropriate. In robust individuals developing phlegm nodules, initially treating with Yuanhua [Kerria Flower] powder (3 qian) and three whole Jujube fruits [Ziziphi Jujubae Fructus] pitted, formed into pills, can resolve the condition by draining thin phlegm upon ingestion. If the condition has ulcerated for a long time and the Spleen and Stomach are already failing, recovery is extremely difficult. The prescribed powder formula (formula see later) tonifies the Middle and opens the appetite, allowing internal flesh to gradually grow and close the wound, yielding slow but effective results.

If a child develops Zhu Tan on the neck spreading to the throat, death follows immediately. If a child develops one to twenty nodules all over the body in a day, it is also incurable.

Some children suffer from hidden pain they cannot verbalize. The condition persists for months until pus suddenly erupts, yet the wound ultimately fails to heal. Long-term administration of Baxian Fen [Eight Immortals Powder] (formula see later) may be effective. If exposed to cold water, the Three Yin Meridians are invaded by dampness. If sexual activity is excessive, Kidney Essence is depleted, muscles swell, and old Zhu Tan sites become painful, discharging pus. Although treatment yields little effect, this often leads to consumption and death.

In patients with weak constitutions, post-illness susceptibility to Wind-Cold causes pathogens to congest the collaterals. Initially presenting as hidden pain, it gradually swells into Zhu Tan. Treatment rarely yields rapid results.