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When a newborn infant is about ten days old, if the umbilicus suddenly becomes flaccid, swollen, red, and inflamed, use Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati (Dahuang) and Concha Ostreae (Muli) in equal parts, along with Natrii Sulfas (Puxiao) as needed, grind them into powder, mix with water in which a river snail has been soaked, and apply externally. If white discharge appears in the urine, it will heal.
Alternatively, wash the area with a decoction of Herba Schizonepetae (Jingjie), then apply baked green onion stalks that have been placed on the ground to absorb earth qi; the swelling will subside.
For wind-dampness swelling of the umbilicus, burn honeycomb to ash and sprinkle it on the lesion.
For dampness at the umbilicus, burn Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Danggui) to ash, grind into powder, and sprinkle on the lesion. Or use Qingha San (Green Clam Powder). (See Volume 3, Face section.)

Meridians: The middle of the axilla belongs to the Pericardium Meridian of Hand-Jueyin and the Liver Meridian of Foot-Jueyin. The anterior aspect of the axilla belongs to the Spleen Meridian of Foot-Taiyin. The posterior aspect belongs to the Gallbladder Meridian of Foot-Shaoyang. Six cun below this point also belongs to the Great Luo Vessel of the Spleen.
Axillary Carbuncle (Yexong): Arises in the axilla, also known as Jia Yong. Initially, the skin color remains unchanged, with diffuse swelling and no head. Pain develops only after some time, accompanied by aversion to cold and fever. This condition is difficult to resolve and will eventually suppurate. It is often caused by an irritable temperament. In the early stage, Chaihu Qinggan Tang (Bupleurum Liver-Clearing Decoction) or Jiawei Xiaoyao San (Modified Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) are suitable. For those with a deficient pulse and deficiency syndrome, Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) plus Radix Notopterygii (Qianghuo) should be used. Discontinue when the condition slightly improves. If pus has formed causing distending pain, puncture with a needle. For already ulcerated cases, Shazhen Tang (Eight Treasures Decoction) plus Radix Astragali (Huangqi), Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae (Chenpi), and Rhizoma Cyperi (Xiangfu) is indicated. This treatment addresses symptoms based on temperament rather than focusing solely on detoxification. Cold and cooling herbs are strictly contraindicated throughout, as are excessively hot herbs; only warm tonification is appropriate. Moxibustion may be applied to Shaohai (HT3) for seven moxa cones, or to Jianshi (PC5).
Rice Carbuncle (Miju): As stated in *Ling Shu*, a red and hard swelling arising in the axilla is called Rice Carbuncle. It should be pricked with a bi stone and not bandaged. If it remains hard without suppuration, it belongs to categories such as Xie Ying, Ma Dao, or Liu Yang, and should be treated according to their respective sections.
Dark Ding (An Ding): Arises in the axilla, hard and without a head, accompanied by stiffness and urgency in the four limbs, and severe alternating chills and fever. These symptoms differ from common conditions and indicate Dark Ding. (Treatment is found in the Ding section.)
Axillary Odor (Yexi): Commonly known as fox odor. It is inherited from the pre-natal stage. There are pores in the axilla through which turbid qi exits. Few medicines can eradicate the root cause, so no specific treatment method is established.

Meridians: The area directly below the axilla down to the femoral bone is governed by the Ministerial Fire of the Gallbladder Meridian of Foot-Shaoyang and the Liver Meridian of Foot-Jueyin. Imbalance in the qi of these two meridians leads to internal struggle between wind and fire, counterflow of nutritive blood, blood stasis, and heat accumulation forming swelling, which is the origin of carbuncles. (The ribs refer to the bony structure; 'Lei' refers to ribs with bone, while 'Xie' refers to the soft tissue under the ribs without bone.)
Intercostal Carbuncle (Leiju): Also known as Jia Ying Ju. Swelling occurs in both intercostal regions, potentially extending to the shoulders and elbows. Lesions on the left side manifest pain on the right, and lesions on the right manifest pain on the left. Immediate pricking and bleeding are required to prevent internal invasion. Cases with abundant pus are treatable; those without pus are not. If there is severe redness, swelling, and pain, restlessness, a full pulse, and vomiting, it indicates excess; purgation is indicated. If the swelling is hard and does not suppurate, with a weak pulse and vomiting, it indicates stomach deficiency; Liujunzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) plus Fructus Amomi (Sharen) and Rhizoma Zingiberis Veri (Huoxiang) should be used to tonify. Vomiting may also result from pain damaging stomach qi, or from external cold pathogenic factors and foul qi. Even during the swelling phase, strengthening stomach qi is crucial. Approximately 10-20% of vomiting during swelling is due to internal invasion of toxic vapors, while 80-90% is due to internal injury from dampness. Death occurs if no pus forms within twenty days.
Costal Carbuncle (Xieju): Initially the size of a plum, gradually enlarging to the size of a cup. *Ling Shu* states that swelling arising in the costal region is named Bai Ci. Bai Ci is a disease affecting women. It is treated with moxibustion and caused by depression and anger stagnating in the Liver Meridian of Foot-Jueyin. Early stage: Chaihu Qinggan Tang (Bupleurum Liver-Clearing Decoction) to resolve depression and drain fire. Formed stage: Tuoli Xiaodu San (Interior-Supporting and Toxin-Expelling Powder) plus Rhizoma Cyperi (Xiangfu) and Exocarpium Citri Grandis (Qingpi). When pus forms, puncture carefully to avoid injuring the inner membrane. Ulcerated stage: Shazhen Tang (Eight Treasures Decoction) plus Fructus Corni (Shanzhuyu), Cortex Moutan (Danpi), and Radix Alismatis (Zexie) to nourish Kidney yin. This condition rarely affects obese individuals with robust constitution but is common in those with consumptive diseases. If rupture discharges foul, thin pus and tonifying support fails, death ensues. Generally, massive loss of pus and blood leads to dual deficiency of qi and blood; vigorous tonification is required. Other symptoms should be treated secondarily, as recovery of primordial qi will cause other symptoms to recede. Moxibustion may be applied to Chongmen (SP12) for fourteen moxa cones.
One misdiagnosis is phlegm obstruction; treatment is ineffective, and after months, the swelling becomes large like a basin, high like a mound, hard as stone, slightly red and diffusely swollen, with little pain. If neglected, it attacks and suppurates, resembling abdominal distension, distinguished by the absence of visible abdominal veins and non-protruding umbilicus.
Abyss Carbuncle (Yuanju): Arises below the costal margin, initially non-red and hard. Later it ulcerates and emits sounds resembling an infant crying. Applying plaster stops the sound; removing it restarts the sound. Moxibustion on Yanglingquan (GB34) for fourteen moxa cones will stop the sound and heal the wound.
Internal Erysipelas (Neifa Dandu): Arises in the hypochondrium and between the waist and hip, presenting with swelling, pain, and redness like rosy clouds. Immediate pricking to remove blood is required, followed by internal administration of Guijin Wan (Precious Metal Pill) to induce sweating. If there is no sweat, accompanied by vomiting, hiccups, abdominal distension, coma, constipation, and generalized cyanosis, the condition is incurable.