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Zu Fa Bei (Back of Foot Abscess) belongs to the Gallbladder and Stomach meridians, caused by the downward pouring of internal emotional stagnation or external six climatic pathogens. One must carefully distinguish between favorable and unfavorable signs to determine the course (Shun) and counter-course (Ni), and meticulously differentiate between Ju (deep abscess) and Yong (superficial abscess) to ascertain life and death prognosis.

[Note] This condition is also known as Zu Fu Fa. Although the dorsum of the foot is traversed by three Yang meridians, lesions most frequently occur in the Gallbladder and Stomach meridians. The etiology involves internal depression of the seven emotions or concurrent invasion of the six climatic pathogens. The Classics state: "Sores should not arise on the three backs." Specifically, the dorsum of the foot has many tendons and bones but little flesh and thin skin, located at the lowest part of the body (below the Yin extremities). When sores or abscesses develop here, the ascending and erupting process is slow and sluggish; thus, it is considered a dangerous condition. One should distinguish between the Five Favorable Signs (Wu Shan) and Seven Unfavorable Signs (Qi E) to categorize the case as Shun (favorable) or Ni (unfavorable). "Fa Bei" is a general term for large carbuncles. It must be carefully differentiated; once the nature of Ju or Yong and the Shun or Ni status are determined, the prognosis of life or death is fixed. Initially, administer Xian Fang Huo Ming Yin (Immortal Life Elixir Decoction) and apply Garlic-Separator Moxibustion to promote rapid suppuration. Other treatments follow those in the Swollen Ulcer Section and Ulcerated Ulcer Section.

Yong Quan Ju (Abscess at Yongquan Point) occurs on the sole of the foot, mostly attributed to Kidney deficiency with dampness stagnation, and is of Yin nature. If it ruptures quickly with shallow pus, it is a Yong (abscess) and can be treated; if black sinking occurs, it is a Ju (gangrenous ulcer) and life is difficult to save.

[Note] This condition arises at the Yongquan acupoint on the sole of the foot, also known as Zu Xin Fa, Chuan Ku Tian She, or colloquially as Bing Chuan Ban. It belongs to the Foot Shaoyin (Kidney) meridian, resulting from Kidney meridian deficiency combined with damp-heat pouring downward. If suppuration occurs within fourteen days with shallow pus, it is classified as Yong and remains treatable; initially, take Xian Fang Huo Ming Yin and apply Shen Deng Zhao Fa (Divine Lamp Illumination Method) externally. For cases with severe deficiency causing delayed pus formation, administer Shi Quan Da Bu Tang (Comprehensive Great Tonifying Decoction); after suppuration, concurrently take Gui Fu Di Huang Wan (Cinnamon and Aconite Rehmannia Pill). Other treatments refer to the Swollen Ulcer and Ulcerated Ulcer Sections of the Carbuncle and Ulcer chapters. If black sinking occurs without pain, and no suppuration happens within twenty-one days, it is classified as Ju, representing a syndrome of Yin collapse which is difficult to rescue.