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Various ailments are easy to identify, but only the toxicity in the lungs is difficult to perceive. Some patients experience pain in the bones of both feet; others have no foot bone pain but develop a small lump under the tongue, resembling a fine bean. Additionally, there is slight internal pain above the heart region (Xinkou), accompanied by cough, dry mouth, and dry throat. These are all signs of toxicity developing in the lungs. At this stage, one should immediately decoct and administer three qian each of Gancao (Licorice Root) and Jiegeng (Platycodon Root). If the patient feels slightly relieved after taking the medicine, it is undoubtedly lung toxicity. Administering ten doses of Xihuang Wan (Calculus Bovis Pill) will lead to recovery upon completion. This method of early identification and early treatment is a strategy with virtually no mortality. People generally know to treat foot pain by treating the foot, and cough by treating the cough; seeing a lump under the tongue, they pierce it with a knife. However, this lump has not yet formed pus, so its color is naturally pale, and it will disappear when the disease heals. If the condition becomes severe, the color turns purple-black, and piercing it with a knife would cause immediate harm. Various medical texts record that spitting out foul-smelling sputum and experiencing a fishy sensation with pain in the chest indicates Feiyong (Lung Abscess). They also state that there are three types of symptoms that are incurable: frequent spitting of foul sputum lasting long enough to resemble cooked rice grains; continuous vomiting of pus; and complexion changing from white to red. Only cases where vomiting occurs with natural discharge of pus are easy to treat. The medications for treating this condition are limited to alternating doses of Dihuang Tang (Rehmannia Decoction), Baosheng Tang (Life-Preserving Decoction), and Guipi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction), with no method for early prediction or treatment. It is only until foul sputum is spat out and a fishy odor is detected that Lung Abscess is diagnosed, which is like a small boat drifting into the vast ocean (irretrievable). How can such arguments serve as a guide for future learners? Every time I observe this condition, the vomited pus is white, hence I call it Lung Abscess. Using Xihuang Wan yields effective results in every case. A destitute person suffering from this used aged mustard brine, taking half a cup each morning, mixed with boiling tofu milk. After ingestion, a sensation of blockage appears in the chest, moving up and down; after several times of this blockage, the material can be expelled, continuously vomiting foul pus. Daily administration continues until recovery. Patients with this condition must strictly avoid eating duck eggs, dried salted fish (Baixiang), carrots, hairtail fish (Shishouyu), and soft-shell turtles for life; consuming these will cause recurrence and make the condition difficult to save.

Ma said: Both Feiju (Lung Ulcer) and Feiyong (Lung Abscess) arise from coughing. They may result from external contraction of wind-cold, which stagnates and transforms into heat over time, or from the flaming upward of Heart and Liver fire, causing the lung lobes to swell and rise, forming abscesses and pus. Consequently, chest pain and coughing occur, along with spitting of pus and blood. This is a manifestation of Fire punishing Metal. How can one use aromatic, bitter, pungent, and warm substances like Rushxiang (Frankincense) and Moyao (Myrrh) to assist the heat and damage the lungs? Shexiang (Musk) moves and circulates, stealing and leaking true Qi. Bencao (Compendium of Materia Medica) states that for various sores and ulcers, Musk should not be taken after ulceration. How much more so when a delicate organ like the lung is diseased?