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Whenever a sore or carbuncle first appears, except for those on the neck and above, moxibustion with mugwort fire is used throughout the rest of the body. Depending on the size and severity of the lesion, the number of moxa cones (Moxa Zhuang) is determined. A slice of garlic is placed on top of the sore, followed by a moxa cone which is ignited for three Zhuang; the garlic slice is replaced each time. If pain is felt initially, stop when it ceases to hurt and feels somewhat itchy; if no pain is felt initially, stop when pain and itchiness are perceived. If there is absolutely no sensation of pain or itchiness during initial moxibustion, remove the garlic and perform direct moxibustion (Ming Jiu). Furthermore, for yin sores that have persisted for many days, using moxa cones alone may be ineffective. In such cases, mash garlic and spread it over the sore, then place moxa wool on top of the garlic and ignite it; intense pain must be felt for it to be effective. This is because only when the fire energy penetrates deeply can one feel pain, indicating that healthy flesh is growing. Moxa fire draws out stagnant toxins, opens the pores of the sore, and provides an exit for internal toxins to manifest externally, making it truly the primary method in surgery. It is best to apply moxibustion early, but there are several contraindications. The head is the summit of all yang meridians, a region purely yang without yin. Any swelling or sore here is caused by extreme hyperactive yang heat. Adding moxa fire would intensify the toxic qi, leading to severe swelling and potentially stirring up internal phlegm, which would inevitably lead to death. The same applies to ding sores (hard, deep-rooted boils) on the face. Another point is Shenshu (BL-23), located beside the lumbar spine, where the kidneys and life root reside. Sores at this point often result from excessive sexual activity and constitutional deficiency, leading to exhaustion of kidney water. Applying moxibustion here would scorch the source, causing internal and external dryness, often resulting in black sinking lesions, coma, and death. Additionally, patients with constitutionally deficient yuan qi often present with sores that do not swell significantly. These patients exhibit fatigue, shortness of spirit and lethargy, and a pulse that is floating, scattered, empty, rapid but weak upon pressure, indicating a lack of true qi to resist the fire. Moxibustion on such patients will likely cause fatal coma. The saying that "moxa fire does not harm people" is largely erroneous; physicians must carefully examine these conditions.

A sore starting like millet grain, containing grain-sized pus inside; appearing small like hemp seeds outside but large like a melon inside; appearing as large as a coin outside but containing a fist-sized cavity inside: although the onset is severe, it ultimately causes no harm. If it turns white prematurely without pus and sinks softly, it is untreatable. If the sore starts as a nodule and swells/ulcerates only after pus forms, and the patient's breath is strong, they will recover even without treatment. If the root is high and the crown is high, longevity is possible even at eighty years old; although it may rot easily, it remains safe regardless of size. If the sore is hot and painful, survival is certain despite the suffering. If the sore is soft and lacks vitality, tonification therapy is beneficial. If the surrounding muscle swells but the sore itself does not, suspicion should arise; if the pus is foul, the patient refuses food, and diarrhea occurs, death is imminent. If the sore color is purple like pig liver and lacks pus, death is certain. If it ulcerates slowly without rotting, internal grape-like necrosis may be feared. If lying supine without feeling pain, it indicates a yin syndrome with poor prognosis. If foul smell persists after decay is exhausted, death is inevitable. If the root is scattered and flat, even immortals cannot treat it. If eyes protrude due to chronic illness, survival is unlikely. If the face suddenly looks flushed like applied rouge, death follows within ten days. If red meat appears in the decay, there is still hope for recovery. If new flesh resembles hard plates and the patient does not eat, deterioration is inevitable. Withered skin on hands and feet indicates blood failure and danger to life. White lips, spiritless eyes, abdominal distension, and impending diarrhea indicate critical condition. If qi is weak but not absent, there is much chance of survival. Thick black qi around the eye sockets is dreaded in carbuncles and sores. Fragrance in the genital area is a auspicious sign for disease resolution. If the sore is hot but the body temperature is only slightly elevated, it is a mild case. Life and death can be determined by these signs in just a few words.