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Mr. Zhang Zhongjing treated cold damage diseases (Shanghan) using three methods: sweating (diaphoresis), vomiting (emesis), and purging (catharsis). Mr. Li Dongyuan treated sores and ulcers using three methods: unblocking and draining (clearing internal stagnation), supporting the interior (tonifying Qi and Blood to expel toxins outward), and harmonizing Ying and Wei (regulating defensive and nutritive Qi).

If applied appropriately, the serious illness will be cured. For instance, if a sore or ulcer presents with swelling, hardness, numbness, and stifling sensation, accompanied by irritability, heat, constipation, and a deep, forceful pulse, the pathogenic factor is internal; one should first unblock the interior and apply purging. If the area becomes red, swollen, and painful, with normal bowel and bladder functions, and a floating, surging pulse, the pathogenic factor is at the exterior; one should first support the interior and apply sweating. Yuan Rong stated: When Ying and Wei Qi are abundant but obstructed, leading to an abscess, it should be drained to reduce excessive heat; when Ying and Wei Qi are weak and stagnant, leading to an abscess, it should be tonified to restore deficient Qi.

Furthermore, Mr. Li Dongyuan stated: Although a patient with a sore or ulcer may have a red face and latent heat, one must not attack the interior, as deficiency of the interior will lead to diarrhea. Mr. Zhang Zhongjing stated: A patient with a sore or ulcer who experiences body pain must not undergo sweating therapy, as sweating will induce spasms (Jing disease). If the condition is not carefully examined and sweating or purging is used recklessly, it will deplete Qi and Blood, causing the toxin to sink inward and spread. Young and strong individuals may fail to suppurate and heal, while the old and weak often die from it.

**Treatment Cases**

Qian Nanguo, a Censor, suffered from an abdominal abscess that had already formed. I used formulas to support the interior, and the lesion gradually rose and developed. Confused by public opinion, he used Qi-moving and blood-breaking herbs, hoping for internal resolution. His physical condition became severely fatigued, food intake decreased further, and the affected area suddenly sank, becoming dark, hard, and painless upon pressure. I then used a major tonifying formula. The color turned red, and swelling appeared. Once the pus matured, I punctured it with a needle. Subsequently, I used formulas to support the interior; the swelling and hardness gradually subsided, and he recovered.

A man suffered from abdominal pain and slight external swelling. Someone attempted to treat him with sweating herbs, but there were no obvious external signs of redness or swelling, and the pulse was rapid yet powerless. This indicated a loss of Yuan Qi (Original Qi), preventing the toxin from rising outward. Therefore, I prescribed herbs such as Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), [missing character in text, likely Huangqi], Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), and Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma). After several doses, the condition gradually manifested externally. After several more doses, pus formed, and he desired needle drainage. However, influenced by others' words, he used herbs like Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma), Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), and Chuanshanjia (Manis Squama) to guide the pus out through the bowels. This resulted in incessant watery diarrhea, a flat and sunken lesion, spontaneous sweating, night sweats, fever, thirst, and loss of appetite. I continued using the previous prescription, adding Banxia (Pinelliae Tuber), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), and Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex). After four doses, his physical form and Qi gradually recovered. After several more doses, the pus was drained via needle. He continued using tonifying formulas; fortunately, he was young and unmarried.