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Whenever treating sores and ulcers, if one does not examine the deficiency or excess of Yuan Qi (Original Qi), nor determine whether the pathology is in the exterior or interior, and rashly administer medicines such as Baidu San (Decoction for Overcoming Toxins) or Liuqi Yin (Flowing Qi Drink), it is erroneous. Baidu San is an exterior-releasing formula; if there is indeed an exterior syndrome, only one or two doses are appropriate. Excessive use will damage Yuan Qi, causing toxins to become more vigorous; even with Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen) present, it cannot compensate for the loss. Liuqi Yin contains blood-consuming herbs; if there is indeed qi stagnation and chest fullness, only two or three doses are suitable. Excessive use will instead ruin the blood; even with Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizome (Chuanxiong) and Angelica Sinensis Radix (Danggui) present, their efficacy in nourishing blood is hard to rely upon. Zhu Danxi stated: This condition is not a transformation caused by toxins from rich foods or elixirs, but rather results from consumptive fatigue and qi depression.

A patient suffered from toxicity on the shoulder, presenting with swelling, hardness, pain, and successive malignant symptoms. Three qian of Alum powder were made into pills using starch paste and administered with a decoction of seven stalks of Scallion White (Congbai). The swelling and pain completely subsided. Because Alum powder is difficult to take directly, wax was used to coat the pills. A certain practitioner treated carbuncles and furuncles regardless of whether they were swollen or ulcerated, first administering this medicine for two or three doses, followed by detoxifying drugs, yielding excellent results. It is often used to treat common people; symptoms recede after use, and recovery occurs even without employing Tuoli (supporting the interior to push out toxins) methods. This is because the medicine addresses heat-toxin pathologies where blood and qi are not depleted, making frequent use effective. For carbuncles induced by mineral drugs, the effect is particularly remarkable, as Alum can resolve mineral toxicity. Another prescription uses five qian of Alum powder and five fen of Cinnabar (Zhusha), taken with hot wine, which is also effective. This medicine supports the interior, consolidates the viscera, stops diarrhea, resolves toxins, and discharges pus. It does not disturb the viscera nor injure blood and qi; it is beneficial without harm. The ingredients are easy to obtain, and its merit is great; those in remote areas must know this formula. In cases of insect or dog bites, the medicine can be melted and applied hot to the affected area, and the powder can be taken with hot wine, both being effective.

Li Dongyuan said: The sore presents exterior manifestations of the Six Channels, while internally there is no obstruction in urination or defecation, appetite remains normal, and stools are regular, indicating the pathology is not in the interior but in the exterior. Small lesions are called Jie (furuncles), large ones are called Yong (carbuncles). The pathogen is received from below; damp-heat from the earth arises from outside and invades the body. The Classics state: When Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) fails to flow smoothly and reverses within the muscle tissue, abscesses and swellings occur. All painful, itching sores and ulcers belong to Heart Fire. This is due to insufficient Yuan Qi and reversed Ying Qi. At the initial stage of the sore, before any transmission has occurred, the lesion is located above the muscles and between the skin, representing merely the manifestation of wind-heat along the pathways of the Six Channels. One should vent the tendency of damp-heat and wind-toxins. The sore remains elevated, hard, and painful. This indicates the sore entered from the exterior. The pulse is found only in the left hand, which governs the exterior. A surging and moderate pulse at the Left Cun position, and a surging, moderate, and wiry pulse at the Left Guan position, indicate exogenous pathogens residing above the blood vessels and between the skin. Urgent sweating should be induced to unblock Ying and Wei (Defensive) Qi, thereby expelling the pathogenic factors. Tuoli Rongwei Tang is a formula for the Foot Taiyang channel that treats the exterior and interior aspects of blood and qi.
Astragali Radix (Huangqi) Safflower (Honghua) Cinnamon Twig (Guizhi) (each 5 qian) Atractylodis Rhizoma (Cangzhu) (3 qian) Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu) Forsythiae Fructus (Lianqiao) (each 2 qian) Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix (Qianghuo) Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fangfeng) Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Guishen) Licorice Root (Gancao) (roasted) Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin) (each 0.5 qian) Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen) (1 qian)
The above herbs are chopped. Each dose consists of one liang, decocted with half water and half wine.