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At the initial stage, if the lesion is red and shiny, with slight heat and pain, and the base is superficial and not firm, it is easy to treat. If the condition has progressed to a formed state, presenting as red, high swelling, with burning pain, the apex breaking through the skin, and the swelling subsiding after pus discharge, it is also easy to treat. If already ulcerated, with thick, bright-colored pus, a shrinking base, gradually regenerating internal flesh, and tightening external skin, it is a favorable prognosis (Shun). If after ulceration, the patient's breath is calm, diet remains normal, swelling subsides, pain stops, and the wound heals flatly, it is also a favorable prognosis.

If at the initial stage, the skin color does not change, cold and heat symptoms gradually appear, the base is diffuse, and occasional dull pain occurs, it is a dangerous prognosis (Xian). If the condition has progressed to a formed state, with hardness like stone, restricted movement, coughing with phlegm, cold skin, and poor appetite, it is an adverse prognosis (Ni). If already ulcerated but without pus, only bleeding fluid, with no reduction in swelling or pain, and weak Spleen Qi, it is an adverse prognosis. If after rupture, blood and fluid flow incessantly, swelling and hardness increase further, necrotic tissue fails to shed, and foul odor emanates from the breath, it is a fatal prognosis (Si).

At the initial stage, without concurrent exterior or interior syndromes, but merely forming a tangible mass, methods to move Qi and disperse Blood should be used. If the formed mass is painless and itchless, or soft or hard with white color, it indicates Phlegm accumulation; methods to resolve Phlegm and regulate Qi should be used. If the formed mass is red, hard, gradually enlarging, with slight itch and pain, Kidney Qi should be tonified, and Blood activated to scatter hardness. If shaped like an eggplant stem, with a large, pendulous tumor, apply medication to the stem to cause the tumor to fall off, followed by medications to generate flesh and promote healing. If already broken with incessant pus discharge and the tumor persists, focus on strengthening the Spleen and Stomach, assisted by resolving hardness. If ulcerated with intermittent bleeding and the wound opening everts, nourish Blood and cool Blood, assisted by clearing Liver Fire. If after ulceration the tumor swelling gradually subsides but the weak Spleen cannot promote healing, tonify Kidney Qi and assist the Spleen and Stomach.

A male patient had a tumor on his buttock for five years, shaped like an inverted bowl, appearing black upon pressure; this was a Black Fen Liu (Black Powder Tumor). It was punctured with a needle, and approximately one bowl of black sand and black powder were expressed. Sanpin Yitiao Qiang (Three-Piece Single-Spear) was inserted into the lesion for over ten days, pressing out black membranes each time, causing the tumor to gradually subside. Internally, Shiquan Dabu Tang (Ten-Ingredient Great Tonifying Decoction) was administered to strengthen the Spleen and Stomach and nourish Qi and Blood, resulting in healing within a month.

A male patient had a tumor on his cheek for half a year, shaped like an inverted peach, with unchanged skin color but slight redness upon pressure; this was a Fen Liu (Powder Tumor). It was punctured, expressing lipid powder, and healed after inserting the aforementioned medicine for half a month.

A soldier from Yiwu developed five small tumors on his shoulder over three months, which gradually became itchy and abnormal. Palpation revealed internal contraction and movement. Upon examination, the internal movement resembled a curled shrimp, indicating the presence of heterodox insects. One tumor was punctured, yielding a spoonful of red water, followed shortly by the expulsion of a pink worm with a black mouth, resembling a maggot, six to seven fen long. Another tumor was punctured with similar results. The patient gradually felt faint due to excessive Qi leakage. Treatment ceased for other tumors; Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) was taken for several doses, and ointments were applied externally. After five to six days, the patient recovered health. Subsequently, the remaining tumors were punctured gradually, and cured after taking more than ten doses of tonic medicines.

A woman and a young girl each had a tumor behind the ear and one cun below the hairline for over half a year, gradually enlarging; these were Fen Liu (Powder Tumors). Puncturing them first expressed lipid powder, then several hairs, each over two chi long. The hairs were cut off at the root, causing slight bleeding. Insertion medicines were used for both, leading to healing after the inner membrane was resolved in a few days. From this, it is known that Hair Tumors exist.

A woman had a meat tumor on her waist for over three years, becoming slightly painful only recently. One day, after ulceration, three small roundworms were expelled, each about five cun long, moving in warm water for half an hour before stopping. At that time, the patient was emaciated, sallow-faced, thin-skinned, with dry mouth and fever. She took Bawei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill) in the morning and Renshen Yangrong Tang (Ginseng Nourishing Grace Decoction) at noon. After more than one hundred days of medication, her Yuan Qi gradually revived. After another hundred days, the wound finally closed. I surmised that these roundworms were transformed from the Qi and Blood of the meridians.

A woman had a tumor at the Qichong (ST30) acupoint, red-purple and hard, identified as a Xue Liu (Blood Tumor). Pulse diagnosis revealed both Heart and Liver pulses as flooding and rapid. The disease resulted from Heart Qi stagnation and Liver Qi injury. I declared it incurable. Later, renowned physicians in the capital treated her. By then, the head had ulcerated. Despite strong administration of tonifying, resolving-hardness, and cooling-blood formulas, the ulceration worsened daily until treatment failed. Two months after rupture, a basin full of purple blood gushed out suddenly, followed immediately by death. When asked why this happened, I replied: Flooding and rapid Heart pulse indicates excess Heart Fire; wiry and rapid Liver pulse indicates Liver Qi injury. Excess Fire forces Blood to move recklessly, and injured Liver Qi cannot store Blood. Thus, rupture inevitably leads to uncontrollable hemorrhage and critical danger. My declaration of incurability was based on this reasoning.