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In surgery, needles are used because when an abscess or carbuncle has formed pus that cannot drain externally, toxic pathogens become stagnant and obstructed, causing swelling and internal erosion of the skin and flesh. Therefore, a needle is used to puncture it, allowing the pus to drain and the qi to circulate freely. If the flesh is thick and the needle penetrates too deeply, it will damage healthy tissue and worsen the ulceration; if the flesh is thin and the needle is not deep enough, the toxic pus will not exit,反而 increasing pain. Can one be too cautious when using needles? Generally, using the oblique edge or side edge of the needle is preferable. The method involves inserting from the side to prevent penetrating membranes. To create a larger opening, withdraw the needle at an angle; to create a smaller opening, withdraw the needle straight out. This is what is meant by "guiding along the natural course." However, there is a proper time for using needles. They should only be used when the pus is mature and cannot rupture spontaneously; if pus has not yet formed, needles are unnecessary. For individuals with weak constitutions due to rich diets, and in areas near the umbilicus, bones, joints, and tendons, alternative medicines such as Daigao San (Knife-Replacement Powder) and Yaotou Gao (Head-Biting Ointment) are available for backup, so needles need not be used.

For conditions such as Chiyou Dan (Red Roaming Erysipelas), Danshu (Erysipelas), Dingchuang (Carbuncle/Boil with red thread spreading), Shiduo (Seasonal Toxicity), and Yuxue Yongshi (Stagnant Blood Obstruction), Bianfa (Bian Therapy/Stone Needle Therapy) is appropriate. However, the depth should not be excessive. The *Neijing* states: "When Ying (Nutritive) and Wei (Defensive) Qi stagnate in the meridians, blood stasis occurs. When blood does not flow, Wei Qi cannot circulate, generating heat. Unchecked high heat causes flesh to rot and transform into pus." Generally, Bai Ta Mu Zhong (White Collapse and Wood-like Swelling) of abscesses belongs to Yin-Cold patterns. Receiving the power of Moxibustion helps restore Yang and warm the Couli (interstices), which is truly excellent. However, applying moxibustion indiscriminately to all Yang-Toxic redness, swelling, and pain, although claiming to vent obstruction and dissipate nodules, risks forcing toxic pathogens inward via fire attack, leading to severe pain, massive swelling, coma, phlegm surging, and wheezing. Since we dare not test medicines on people, nor tolerate careless transmission, this point is clarified for review by experts. Various moxibustion methods exist: Garlic-Separated Moxibustion, Larva Moxibustion, and moxibustion using Fuzi Bing (Aconite Cake), Douchi Bing (Fermented Soybean Cake), Muxiang Bing (Costus Cake), and Xiangfu Bing (Cyperus Cake). Methods vary but aim to unblock accumulation and smooth Ying and Wei Qi. The size of the moxa cone depends on the severity of the lesion.

Garlic-Separated Moxibustion: Indicated for Yin-abscesses with flowing metastasis, numbness, Bi-syndrome, and Cold-Damp Bi-pain. May also be used for Dingchuang occurring in lower or remote areas. Peel garlic cloves and slice them to a thickness equivalent to three Qian coins. Place the slice on the affected area. Apply a moxa cone on the garlic and burn three Zhu (moxa cones). Replace the garlic slice and continue burning daily...

Aconite Cake: Indicated for ulcerative abscesses where Qi and Blood deficiency and Cold prevent healing. Take processed Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata), remove skin and navel, grind into powder, mix with saliva to form a cake, approximately three Qian coins thick. Place on the wound and apply moxibustion. Burn several Zhu daily, ensuring warmth without pain. When the cake dries, replace it. Continue until the lesion appears red and vibrant.

Fermented Soybean Cake: Indicated for stubborn ulcers and malignant tinea. Grind Jiangxi Dan Douchi (Pericarpium Sojae Fermentatum) into powder. Mix with saliva or yellow wine to form a cake according to the lesion size, approx. three Qian coins thick. Place on the sore and apply moxibustion until sweat emerges from the pore, indicating recovery.

Costus Cake: Indicated for traumatic injuries, sprains, blood stasis, and Qi stagnation. Grind five Qian of Muxiang (Radix Aucklandiae) into powder. Mix with one Liang of Sheng Dihuang (Radix Rehmanniae Recens) paste. Form a cake to fit the swollen area. Apply moxibustion.

Cyperus Cake: Indicated for Luoli (Scrofula), Phlegm-toxicity, or wind-cold invading meridians causing nodular swelling. Grind raw Xiangfu (Rhizoma Cyperi Rotundi) into powder. Mix with fresh ginger juice. Form a cake to cover the lesion. Apply moxibustion.

Larva Moxibustion: Indicated for Gan-accumulation and malignant ulcers unresponsive to other medicines. Take Quqiāo (Mylabris/Cantharis), cut off both ends, and place on the wound. Apply moxibustion. Change every seven Zhu, using no more than seven insects total. This is invariably effective.

For fire-blisters or burns treated with moxibustion that fail to close, use Wasong (Parmelia/Vascular Lichen) dried in shade and powdered. First wash the area with decoction of Huai Zhi (Cortex Sophorae Tomentosae Ramulus) and Congbai (Sclerophyll Allii Fistulosi). Then apply the powder to promote closure.