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The *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) states: "Changes from rich and greasy foods can give rise to major Ding sores." These are mostly caused by a diet overly rich in fatty and strong flavors, or sudden poisoning from food, or contracting the abnormal Qi of the four seasons, or being infected with venom from snakes and insects, or contact with filth from dead livestock. Each case should be carefully examined and treated accordingly. The toxin often arises on the head, face, or limbs, with varying shapes and colors; it may resemble a small sore, a blister, cause pain, numbness, pain accompanied by chills and fever, vomiting, nausea, or limb stiffness and urgency. In all these cases, Garlic-Separated Moxibustion is suitable, along with administering detoxifying agents. If the patient loses consciousness or suffers from trismus (lockjaw), pulverize Duoming Dan (Life-Restoring Pill), mix it with scallion wine, and force-feed it.

If the Ding sore occurs on both feet, red threads often extend to the umbilicus; if on both hands, red threads often extend to the heart region; if on the lips, face, or inside the mouth, red threads often extend into the throat. In all such instances, immediately puncture the threads with a needle to release foul blood and drain the toxin. If the lesion is in a remote area where medicinal application is difficult, only moxibustion has significant life-saving power. Although Ding sores have thirteen different names and presentations, treatment relies solely on assessing the deficiency or excess of Yuan Qi (Primal Qi) and whether the pathogen is exterior or interior, thereby avoiding fatal errors. Relying exclusively on dispersing and releasing the exterior methods is not only ineffective but harmful. Sudden death in humans is often due to Ding toxicity; urgently use a lamp to illuminate the entire body. If a small sore is found, it indicates the location of the toxin, requiring immediate moxibustion and administration of Duoming Dan and similar medicines, with some patients recovering.

Clinical Case Record:
Su Zizhong, a student at the Changzhou county school, developed a Ding sore on his nasal bridge. The syndrome belonged to exterior pathogens, but his Qi and Blood were both deficient, making him unable to tolerate dispersing therapies. I therefore used Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) as the main formula, supplemented with Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia Root) and Baizhi (Angelica Dahurica), resulting in a cure.

A man developed a Ding sore on his little finger. Someone pricked it to bleed and applied cooling herbs, causing the palm and fingers to swell three to four times their normal size, with dark discoloration and coma. This indicated entrapment of pathogenic factors. I first administered one dose of Duoming Dan (Life-Restoring Pill) and two doses of Huoming Yin (Living Life Decoction), after which his condition slightly improved. Due to other commitments, I left, and someone else pricked his hand extensively, releasing about a bowlful of fresh blood. His arm swelled like a gourd, and his fingers enlarged several times. I prescribed large doses of Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Huangqi (Astragali Radix), Danggui (Angelica Sinensis Radix), and Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), along with frequent whole-body moxibustion, until the swelling subsided. However, he had loose stools and frequent flatus, indicating sinking of Yuan Qi (Primal Qi). I used Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) plus Guzhi (Cistanches Herba), Roukou (Myristicae Semen), Wuzhuyu (Evodiae Fructus), and Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus). Additionally, I prescribed daily tea made from 5 qian of Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), 3 qian of Maimendong (Ophiopogonis Radix), and 2 qian of Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus) decocted in water. Finally, using large tonifying formulas for over fifty doses, he recovered. Had detoxifying agents not been used initially, nor large tonics later, he would certainly have died.

The son of Chen Bohe from Bailianjing developed a Ding sore on his lip, with purple veins extending into the mouth, approaching the throat. I stated, "If purple veins cross the throat, it is difficult to treat." At that time, the inside of the mouth was too swollen for needles to enter, so I used Bian Shi (Stone Lancet) to pierce the face and lips, releasing about a bowlful of black blood. Although the severity slightly receded, he ultimately did not survive. What a pity!