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Radix Saposhnikoviae (Jiangshi, 25 liang) Ostreae Concha (Muli, 10 liang; Cui's formula uses 7 liang) Poria (Fuling, 3 liang) Cortex Lycii Radicis (Gouqigenpi, 4 liang)

The above four herbs are each pounded and sifted, then mixed together. First, take six sheng of fresh Lycium root with bark, add one dou and a half of water, decoct until five sheng remain, remove the dregs, add two sheng of dog feces (Cui's formula specifies dog urine), stir to mix well, let settle, and take the clear supernatant. Mix this liquid thoroughly with the previously prepared herb powder, knead into cake shapes, and dry in the shade. For the patient, use two sharp needles to pierce straight down into the center of the sore. When the pain is severe, withdraw the needle, immediately pack the herb powder into the wound hole without pausing for breath, and seal the entire area around the sore. The head will immediately swell up; pick out the root with a needle, and it will come out. In severe cases, it may take more than half a day to expel, or it may have already dissolved. If the root cannot be picked out, it will heal on its own, so do not worry. If the pathogen is internal, there will be corresponding swelling externally, accompanied by aversion to cold and fever. Take half a cup of water, scrape off five pills of herb powder the size of a Chinese quince seed (Wuzi), and ingest them. Take three times a day, and they will dissolve spontaneously. If expulsion of the root is required, after taking the medicine for one day, induce vomiting using a chicken feather to probe the throat; the root will be expelled with the vomit. If it does not come out, the root will also dissolve spontaneously. For external sores, apply the medicine three times a day. After the root is expelled, continue applying the medicine without stopping; new flesh will grow, and healing will occur easily. If the disease flares up due to dietary or lifestyle taboos, take three sheng of Lycium root with bark and bones, decoct in five sheng of water until two sheng remain, remove the dregs, take one qianbi of herb powder, and mix with one cup of Lycium juice to drink. Take two to three times a day. Drinking pure Lycium juice alone is even better. Alternatively, mix Lycium juice with white dog feces and drink the juice; this is even more effective. The mixture can be used immediately without waiting for it to dry. The "white dog feces" refers to feces from dogs that have eaten bones; its color resembles smelted iron ore (Duanshi), hence the name. If prepared in advance, making it on the fifth day of the fifth month, seventh day of the seventh month, ninth day of the ninth month, or the last day of the twelfth lunar month is particularly efficacious. If someone suddenly suffers from throat pain alternating with chills and fever, this is the disease, and it should be treated immediately with this method. Pain without cause, accompanied by aversion to cold and fever, is also this disease; simply follow the previous administration method, and recovery will be immediate. Both formulas share the same principle and usage, and are also effective for treating carbuncles and ulcers.

Formula for treating Ding-sores (hard, deep-seated infections), where seeing Sesame Pollen (Mabo) causes death:
Sesame Seed (Huma) Candle Soot (Zujin) Iron Filings (Zhensha) (Equal parts)

Pound the above three ingredients into powder, mix with vinegar, and apply topically.

Another Formula: Smelted Iron Ore Residue (Duanshi, 3 fen) Purslane (Machicai, 2 fen)

Pound the above two ingredients, mix with egg white, and apply topically.

Duanshi is the residual heat of intense fire, excellent for breaking up yin-toxic malignant sores. The *Shennong Bencao Jing* records its treatment for ulcers, itching, heat toxins, malignant sores, and necrotic tissue. Machicai disperses blood and reduces swelling; egg white clears heat and resolves toxicity, helping to bring the Ding-sore outward. Do not neglect these inexpensive materials.

Another Formula: Pierce the four sides and center of the sore with a needle, apply Rhizoma Realgaris powder (Xionghuang), and it will heal immediately, with divine efficacy. (Another version says apply yellow earth).

Another Formula: Use fresh soil from a rat nest, mix with infant urine, and apply topically.

Another Formula: Use Tieyiwei (iron residue/rust), mix with human breast milk, and apply topically for immediate healing.

Another Formula: Pound Vigna radiata flowers (Xiaodouhua) into powder and apply; it heals.

Another Formula: Apply the tip of human feces; it heals immediately.

Another Formula: Place one pill of Sishen Dan on the crown of the head; after one night, the root will emerge.

Formula for treating all types of Ding-cutting Ding-sores:
Use roots, stems, leaves, and seeds of Xanthium sibiricum (Canger), selecting only one color variety, burn to ash, mix with vinegar and rice wash sediment to form a paste, and apply. Change when dry. Within ten applications, the root will be extracted; this is highly efficacious. In the fourth year of Zhenguan, I suddenly developed a Ding-sore on the corner of my mouth extending to the ear. My attendants treated it for ten days without success. I applied this medicine, and it healed. Since then, I have frequently prepared this medicine to save others, with no failures. Therefore, I specially discuss it to pass it on to future generations. Among thousands of formulas for Ding-sores, none surpass this one; even the formula from Old Woman Rong of Qizhou cannot match the ease of obtaining this material.

Another Formula: Take Tiejiang (ferrous sulfate solution/iron rust water), drink one sheng at a time; it heals immediately.

Another Formula: Mix lard from the twelfth lunar month with flour, apply as a poultice; it heals.

Another Formula: Burn one sheng of Tribulus terrestris seeds (Jilizi) to ash, mix with strong vinegar, apply as a poultice; it heals overnight. Or pierce the head first, then apply; this is better.

Another Formula: Take the kernels of Gleditsia sinensis pods (Zaojiazi), pound into powder, and apply; it heals within five days.