夫五发痈疽者,谓发背、发脑、发鬓、发眉、发颐是也。人之一身血气,周流而无间,
稍有壅聚,莫不随所至而发焉,又岂特五者哉。俗以癌痼瘭附于痈疽之列,以是为五发,岂
知瘭与痼癌,不过痈疽之一物,古书仅有所谓瘭疽,则瘭亦同出而异名也。若癌与痼前所未
闻,合是为五发其可乎。夫发背者,乃五脏风热,六腑邪毒,灌于筋骨之间,发于经络之内
,营卫虚损,气血衰残所致也。其初发如粟米大,最不可轻忽,后必大发也。若初起红肿高
起者,后必不为害,故曰外形如粟,中可容谷;外貌如钱,里可着拳。如恶毒深,管寸长深
满,脓血胶粘,用药可痊。若脓臭秽无丝,此血败气衰,阳绝阴盛,必难疗理。治法初起或
阴塌不起,便可用艾多灸,或隔蒜灸之。如痛灸至痒,如痒灸至痛,此最妙法也。若疽疮已
成,亦可用火针烙开疮口,则易治也。夫疮高起为痈则易治,平陷为疽则难治。痈疽形证已
具前总论中,兹不复论。至如发脑、发眉、发鬓、发须、发颐,虽地位不同,然皆由五内伏
阳结滞,邪毒上壅,随其经络地分而发也。其诸发痈起,皆宜宣散热毒,要须看人元气虚实
而治之,庶不误矣。若元气实者,亦可用大黄之剂,泄去毒瓦斯,或用漏芦、五香、连翘之类
皆可。若元气虚弱,即用内托、十宣之类补之。亦有阴疮寒塌不起,虽云用灸,然亦不可服
寒凉之剂,亦宜以暖药温之。全在活法,不可执一也。其敷贴洗药,具方于下,随证用焉。
The term "Five-Fa Carbuncles and Ulcers" (Wu Fa Yong Ju) refers to five specific conditions: Back-Flaring (Fa Bei), Brain-Flaring (Fa Nao), Temple-Flaring (Fa Bin), Eyebrow-Flaring (Fa Mei), and Cheek-Flaring (Fa Yi). The Qi and Blood of the human body circulate continuously without interruption. Any slight stagnation or accumulation will manifest wherever it travels, so how could there be only these five types? Popular custom attaches Cancer (Ai), Stubborn Disease (Gu), and Boil (Biao) to the category of Carbuncles and Ulcers to constitute the "Five-Fa." However, do they know that Biao, Gu, and Ai are merely one type among carbuncles and ulcers? Ancient texts mention only "Biao-Ju" (Boil-Ulcer); thus, "Biao" shares the same origin but has a different name. As for "Ai" and "Gu," they were unheard of before; can they legitimately be combined to form the "Five-Fa"?
Regarding Back-Flaring (Fa Bei), it is caused by Wind-Heat from the Five Zang Organs and Pathogenic Toxins from the Six Fu Organs pouring into the space between sinews and bones, manifesting within the meridians. This results from the deficiency and damage of Ying and Wei (Nutritive and Defensive Qi), as well as the decline and exhaustion of Qi and Blood. Initially, it appears as small as a millet seed and must not be neglected lightly, for it will inevitably develop severely later. If it initially presents with redness, swelling, and elevation, it will likely cause no major harm later. Hence, it is said: "Externally like a millet seed, internally enough to hold grain; externally like a coin, internally enough to hold a fist." If the malignant toxin is deep, the abscess tract is an inch long and deeply filled, and the pus and blood are sticky, medication can lead to recovery. If the pus is foul-smelling and lacks fibrous strands, this indicates blood failure and Qi decline, with Yang extinction and Yin excess, making it difficult to treat. For treatment methods: if in the early stage it presents as Yin-type collapse without elevation, moxibustion with mugwort should be applied extensively, or moxibustion with garlic slices can be used. If it hurts, moxa until it stops hurting (or becomes itchy); if it itches, moxa until it hurts. This is the best method. If the ulcer has already formed, fire needles can be used to cauterize and open the wound, making it easier to treat. Sores that elevate are Carbuncles (Yong) and are easy to treat; those that are flat and depressed are Ulcers (Ju) and are difficult to treat. The morphological signs of Yong and Ju have already been discussed in the general theory above, so they are not discussed here again.
As for Brain-Flaring (Fa Nao), Eyebrow-Flaring (Fa Mei), Temple-Flaring (Fa Bin), Beard-Flaring (Fa Xu), and Cheek-Flaring (Fa Yi), although their locations differ, all arise from latent Yang heat stagnating within the Five Viscera, causing pathogenic toxins to ascend and obstruct, manifesting along their respective meridian pathways. For the initial onset of these various Flaring Carbuncles, one should always aim to disperse and clear heat toxins. Treatment must be based on the deficiency or excess of the patient's Yuan Qi (Primal Qi) to avoid error. If Yuan Qi is substantial, formulas containing Rhubarb (Dahuang) can be used to purge toxic gases, or herbs such as Rubia Root (Loushu), Wu Xiang (a compound herb), and Forsythia Fruit (Lianqiao) may be employed. If Yuan Qi is weak, tonifying formulas such as Nei Tuo San (Internal Support Powder) or Shi Xuan San (Ten Acupoints Powder) should be used to supplement. There are also cases of Yin-type ulcers that are cold and collapsed without elevation. Although moxibustion is indicated, cold-natured medications should not be administered; instead, warm medicines should be used to provide warmth. Success lies entirely in flexible application, avoiding rigid adherence to a single method. Regarding external applications, pastes, and washes, specific formulas are listed below for use according to the syndrome.