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In the treatment of Ding sores (fixed, deep-rooted skin infections), various methods are employed. One must first assess the urgency of the condition. In mild cases, on the first day, the sore is white and small; on the second day, it remains white but slightly larger; on the third day, the color becomes slightly purplish; on the fourth day, it turns truly purple. This indicates a mild presentation. In acute cases, on the fifth day, the color is cyanotic, tight, and small; on the sixth day, it is deeply cyanotic, large, and tight; on the seventh day, it appears black, resembling a burn from moxibustion. This represents the most critical presentation. If a sore appears on the body and another smaller sore emerges elsewhere, this is termed an "Ying Hou" (responsive sign). Puncturing the smaller sore with a needle allows the release of toxicity, indicating that the condition is treatable. Untreatable conditions occur when no such smaller sore appears elsewhere, termed "no Ying Hou," indicating extreme toxicity, thus rendering the condition untreatable. Generally, if the four sides of a Ding sore exhibit redness and swelling, it is called having a "Hu Chang" (protective field/barrier). If there is no redness or swelling around the four sides, it lacks a protective field and is considered untreatable. Mild Ding sores present with fever, headache, warm hands and feet, and normal appetite. Critical Ding sores present with immobility of the eyeballs, extreme thirst accompanied by panting, cyanosis of the lips and face, inability to eat, swelling of the five centers (palms, soles, and chest), absence of pulse, cold limbs, inability to rise from bed, lethargy, abdominal pain more severe than usual, indicating the presence of "Nei Ding" (internal Ding). Refer to the section on internal Ding for details. Regarding the treatment of external Ding sores, although classified into thirty-four types, the therapeutic methods do not differ significantly. One must be aware of contraindications and avoid violating them, as doing so may make the condition difficult to treat.

Generally speaking, toxins such as Yong (abscesses) and Ju (carbuncles), although belonging to the category of Sovereign Fire, involve stagnation of the meridians and collaterals, and the pathogenic invasion can be either Yin or Yang. Yang Yong presents with redness, swelling, and pain, a floating and rapid pulse, fever, thirst, constipation, dark urine, and a purplish-red sore color, all resulting from extreme heat toxicity. It is appropriate to administer Nei Shu Huang Lian Tang (Internal Draining Coptis Decoction) internally and apply Hong Bao Gao (Hongbao Ointment) externally for self-healing. If Yin Du (Yin toxin) occurs initially, there is swelling and pain without discoloration of the flesh and little heat sensation; the pulse is deep and solid; the patient fears cold and prefers warm drinks. By the fifth to seventh day, the sore surface becomes concave and darkly cyanotic; it rots and ulcerates slowly and fails to close over time. It is appropriate to administer Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) combined with warming herbs, and apply Yu Long Gao (Jade Dragon Ointment) externally. Once the Yin qi dissipates and Yang qi returns, the sore will turn red, muscles will gradually regenerate, pain will vanish, and the patient will survive. Failure to understand this principle and mistakenly using detoxifying agents (typically cold/cool in nature) often leads to fatal outcomes. Practitioners should take this as a warning.