Library

Lougu Jie (Mole Cricket Boil), also commonly known as "Gong Tou" (Arched Head), varies in severity due to different causes. If caused by fetal toxin, the boil is hard and small, often covered with a membrane; if caused by summer-heat, the lesion is larger but easier to heal and close.

[Note] This condition mostly occurs on the heads of children, colloquially called "He Tou". Before ulceration, it resembles a curved arch; after ulceration, its shape resembles burrows dug by mole crickets. Some cases result from toxins contracted in the womb; although the swelling is minor, the base is hard. Even after pus drains, the hardness persists. Although the wound may initially close, it recurs after some time because the root toxin remains, leading to new sores elsewhere. This condition is chronic and difficult to cure. It is appropriate to insert "Sanpin Yitiao Qiang" (Three Kinds Single-Barrel Gun) into the orifice to dissolve the hard membrane, then apply Shengji San (Flesh-Generating Powder) and cover with Yugong Gao (Jade Red Ointment) to promote closure, preventing recurrence.

In other cases caused by summer-heat toxicity, the boils are as large as plums or apricots, clustering three to five together. After ulceration and pus drainage, the wounds fail to close. Over time, the scalp becomes hollowed out internally, resembling mole cricket tunnels. It is appropriate to apply Gan Zhu Gao (Sapphire Blue Ointment) to draw out pus and toxins, cut open the connected hollow skin to prevent pus accumulation, wash once daily with rice water, apply Shengji San when dry, and cover with Wanying Gao (Universal Ointment) for excellent results. In some instances, prolonged opening of the wound allows wind-pathogens to invade, causing itching around the sore. Scratching leads to exudate and spreading lesions resembling Huangshui Chuang (Yellow Water Blister). It is appropriate to apply Baichuan San (Rotten Copper Powder) and avoid fish and other stimulating foods.

Sanpin Yitiao Qiang (Three Kinds Single-Barrel Gun)
Ingredients: Bai Pi (White Arsenic, 1 liang 5 qian); Ming Fan (Alum, 3 liang).
Preparation: Grind Bai Pi and Ming Fan into fine powder, place in a small jar, and heat over charcoal until red hot. When blue smoke ceases and white smoke appears briefly, stop heating once the top and bottom are thoroughly red. Place the jar on the ground and let it cool overnight. The resulting purified powder weighs approximately 1 liang. Add Xionghuang (Realgar, 2 qian 4 fen) and Ruxiang (Frankincense, 1 qian 2 fen), grind extremely finely, mix with thick paste to form strips, and air-dry. For sores with an orifice, insert the strip directly; for those without, pierce an orifice first. Insert two strips morning and evening. After three days, for larger orifices, insert more than ten strips per session. Continue until the seventh day, filling the orifice completely, then stop. The surrounding tissue will naturally split open. Around the fourteenth day, the hard membrane, carbuncle nuclei, scrofula nodes, and fistula tracts will naturally fall off. Clean with decoction and apply Yugong Gao. For deficient patients, administer spleen-strengthening tonics to facilitate natural healing.

[Formula Verse] The magical Sanpin Yitiao Qiang treats hard membranous sores; Realgar, Frankincense, White Arsenic, and Alum are used raw, ground and mixed with honey to form effective strips.

Baichuan San (Rotten Copper Powder)
Ingredients: One old copper-melting pot, ground into fine powder, mixed with sesame oil for topical application. It effectively drains dampness, relieves itching, and promotes wound closure.

[Formula Verse] Baichuan San treats ulcerations complicated by wind injury, itching, and weeping lipid-like fluids; grinding the old copper pot into fine powder and mixing with sesame oil effectively drains dampness.

Ganzhu Gao (Sapphire Blue Ointment), Wanying Gao (Universal Ointment), Shengji San (Flesh-Generating Powder), Yugong Gao (Jade Red Ointment) (See Section on Ulcerative Lesions)