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The *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) states: All pain, itching, and sores belong to Heart Fire. It further says: When Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) does not flow smoothly and reverses into the muscle tissue, swelling occurs. It also says: Changes caused by rich and greasy food can lead to the emergence of severe Ding Sores (deep-seated infections). It states: When heat overcomes blood, it forms carbuncle pus. It also says: Dampness from the earth, when pathogenic, harms the skin, flesh, sinews, and vessels. Li Dongyuan stated that external dampness invasion causes Ying Qi to fail to circulate. Ying Qi and Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) are both managed and operated by Ying Qi. Ying Qi is Stomach Qi, which is also the qi of transportation and transformation. Ying Qi is the root; if the root reverses and fails to circulate, damaged by dampness, sores and ulcers arise. However, in the *Sore and Ulcer Treatise*, it is often said that two types of heat clashing transform into pus. Some say heat transforms into pus, some say dampness generates sores, cold transforming into heat and then into pus—these are all the sources of sores and deep abscesses (Ju). One must examine which part of the body is affected. In medication, channel-specific guiding herbs come first, followed by secondary symptoms. Pulse diagnosis distinguishes Yin from Yang syndromes. Medication depends on the primary treatment, ideally starting by draining Ying Qi, which addresses the root of sore treatment. If order is disregarded, the reversed root aids fire, damp-heat combines, corrupts muscle into pus and blood, and treatment must be differentiated. Generally, within a year, heat is most intense between the fourth and fifth lunar months, yet things do not rot at this time. Between the sixth and seventh months, when dampness prevails, taking the human body as an analogy, internal damp-heat would surely corrupt muscle; this logic is clear. Broadly speaking, regarding sores and ulcers, the *Neijing* states: Disharmony of the Six Fu Organs leads to flow and stagnation forming carbuncles. One must distinguish the organ affiliation and meridian differences. Among the Six Yin and Six Yang channels, there are those with abundant Qi and scarce Blood, those with scarce Qi and abundant Blood, and those with abundant Qi and abundant Blood; they cannot be generalized. The classics state that a Carbuncle (Yong) occurs when Ying and Wei Qi stagnate in the meridians, becoming stagnant and obstructed, preventing Wei Qi from circulating freely, causing heat. Unrelenting high heat rots flesh, which turns to pus. However, this condition does not sink into the marrow, the marrow does not dry up, and the Zang organs are not injured, hence it is called a Carbuncle. A Deep Abscess (Ju) involves pure excess heat sinking into skin, muscle, sinew, and bone, drying the marrow, rotting flesh, exhausting Zang organ Qi and Blood, with toxins sinking into sinew, bone, and healthy flesh. Ju presents with hard skin, resembling ox neck skin; Yong presents with thin, moist skin. Thus, Yong means obstruction, arising from Fu organ disharmony, superficial and large; Ju means blockage, resulting from Zang organ dysfunction, deep and malignant. Fu organs govern the exterior, their Qi is shallow, so Yong has thin skin and high swelling; Zang organs govern the interior, their Qi is deep, so Ju has thick skin and firm swelling. Both originate from Zang-Fu, manifest in muscle, and arise from Ying Qi stagnation and Qi-Blood obstruction. Their exit paths differ? Toxins exit through deficiency points. For instance, if the Taiyang Channel is deficient, toxins exit from the back; Shaoyang deficiency, from the temples; Yangming deficiency, from the beard area; Du Mai deficiency, from the brain; others follow their respective channels. Now, wealthy people lack moderation, consuming roasted, fried, rich, spicy foods, and strong alcohol for long periods. These flavors are dense; Yang within Yang cannot move through orifices first, the Yang pathway reverses, Yin and Yang reverse in muscle tissue, dampness dominates, leading to excess in mother and child elements, fire flares up. Once Ministerial Fire thrives, it conquers Kidney Water. With Kidney pathogen accumulation and water depletion, damp-heat rises upward. Sores often appear on the back and head, representing the most severe type of Ding Sore. If toxins appear in Lung or Spleen-Stomach regions, it is less severe; appearing in other channels is even less so. Or suffering from damp-toxin flowing and depositing, where stagnation always ulcerates. Hence the classic says: Rich food changes suffice to produce major Ding Sores; accepting toxins is like holding an empty vessel—nothing is refused. Treating major Ding Sores requires draining Ying Qi. From the perspective of Root and Branch, the initial pathogenesis is the Root. Without predominantly bitter-cold agents, one cannot remove the painful suffering. Many treat various sores with Frankincense (Ruxiang) and Myrrh (Moyao) plus hot-natured drugs, which is not secure reasoning. If meridians circulate freely, removing Zang-Fu stagnation, aided by cool-cold agents, sores heal naturally. Liu Hejian argued sores belong to Fire, requiring differentiation of interior/exterior to treat the root. If the pulse is deep and solid, first unblock the interior to cut off the source; if floating and large, first support the interior to prevent pathogen entry. For mixed interior-exterior cases, excessive pathogen blocks meridians, causing swelling, due to failure to support, unblock, and harmonize Ying-Wei. The key to treating sores is prioritizing unblocking, then supporting the interior, and harmonizing Ying-Wei; these three methods constitute internal and external attacks. If the pulse is deep and solid, with fever, irritability, but no external redness/pain, the pathogen is interior and deep. One should unblock Zang-Fu to cut off the source. Vomiting, irritability, deep-solid pulse, hard/swollen numbness, unchanged skin color, deep-rooted severe disease indicate interior pathogen. If Zang-Fu constipation exists, urgently unblock using Huanglian Neishu Tang (Coptis Internal Unblocking Decoction), adding Rhubarb (Dahuang), followed by sequential regulation. If the pulse is floating and rapid, with external redness/swelling and obvious exterior signs, fearing extreme pathogen sinking inward, first support the interior using Fujian San (Double-Boiled Powder). This is the treatment method.

Luo Li (Scrofula) and Ma Dao (Horse Knife) share the same channel but different presentations. Zhu Danxi stated: Luo Li initially arises in the Shaoyang Channel. Ignoring taboos allows it to extend to the Yangming Channel. Generally, rich flavors and accumulated stagnant Qi become toxins, wind, or heat, inducing transformation. Treatment must distinguish deficiency/excess. Excess cases follow standard regulation, avoiding rich/flavorful and Qi-dispersing foods, potentially healing. Deficiency cases are concerning as they involve the Gallbladder Channel, governing decision-making, containing Ministerial Fire, and having abundant Qi but scarce Blood. Women suffering menstruation irregularities develop chills/fever, progressing to tidal fever, becoming critical. Only celibacy, calming the mind, and avoiding rich flavors allow divine healing. The *Bencao* states Prunellae Spica (Xiakucao) treats Luo Li effectively, dissipating nodules, nourishing Jueyin blood vessels, and relieving chills/fever. Aid with dispersing herbs, moxibustion on channel-specific acupoints for natural efficacy. Liu Hejian’s theory: Luo Li refers to tubercles. Those around ears/jaw connecting to clavicle are Luo Li. Those on chest/sides connecting to hypochondrium are Ma Dao. Governed by Hand/Foot Shaoyang channels, which have abundant Qi and scarce Blood, hence tumors are hard, softness rare, pus white/thin like rice wash water. Laypeople treat Ma Dao seeking clear fluid, unaware of the Qi/Blood imbalance; diagnosis of deficiency/excess guides treatment. Li Dongyuan treated Luo Li/Ma Dao with Jiuku Huajian Tang (Bitter Rescue Hardening Dissolution Decoction) or Sanzhong Kuijian Tang (Swelling Reduction Hardening Dissolution Decoction), externally applying moxibustion to Linqi (GB15) for 14 moxa cones. This syndrome belongs to Hand/Foot Shaoyang; only Luo Li extending to Yangming alters prescription nuances, detailed in *Shixiao Fang*. Luo Li and Ma Dao are named by morphology/location. *Chushi Bingyuan* records 36 types; *Qianjin* and *Shenghui* discuss nine leaks. General theory cites Wind, Heat, Qi as three toxins; Luo Li tubercles vary by cold/heat. Root cause: anger reversing Qi, excessive worry, wind-heat pathogens attacking Liver. Liver governs sinews, causing sinus accumulation/swelling anywhere. Initially use Wuxiang Liaoqiao Tang (Five-Aromatic Forsythia Decoction) or Muli Dahuang Tang (Oyster Shell Rhubarb Decoction), purging 2-3 times, then regulating with previous meds. Externally apply Shixiang Gao (Ten-Fragrance Plaster) or Wuxi Gao (Black Rhinoceros Horn Plaster). Near recovery, care must be meticulous.

Fei Yong (Lung Carbuncle) and Fei Wei (Lung Flaccidity): *Neijing* states Lung Yong causes panting and bilateral fullness. *Jingui Yaolue* discusses Yong and Wei together. Heat in Upper Jiao causes coughing into Lung Wei. How is Wei acquired? Via sweating, vomiting, Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst), frequent urination, or constipation compounded by purgatives losing fluids. Cun Kou pulse rapid, coughing, turbid saliva/phlegm indicates Wei. Dry cough, chest pain, slippery-rapid pulse indicates Yong. Coughing pus-blood, rapid-deficient pulse is Wei; rapid-solid is Yong. Lung is the canopy of Zang organs, located in chest, governs Qi, reflects on skin/hair. Labor/injury damages Qi-Blood, pores open, wind-pathogen enters Lung, causing sweating/aversion to wind, cough/shortness of breath, nasal congestion/stiff neck, chest/hypochondriac fullness. Chronicity leads to Wei (mild) or Yong (severe). *Shenghui* states: Tenderness at Zhongfu (LU1) indicates Lung Ju; slight elevation indicates Lung Chuang. Zhongfu is an acupoint, 1.5 cun below Yunmen (LU2), intercostal space, pulsating depression. Early detection saves; suppuration kills. Pulse check: slightly tight-rapid means no pus; very tight-rapid means pus exists. *Neijing*: Blood heat rots flesh, Ying-Wei stagnation forms pus. Lung Chuang with cough/shortness of breath/chest fullness, spitting pus-blood like rice gruel porridge is difficult to treat. Continuous vomiting of pus is incurable. Self-stopping vomiting heals. Short-choppy pulse heals; floating-large is difficult. Pale face turning red indicates Fire overcoming Metal, a reversal, incurable. Treatment: Inability to lie flat uses Tingli Dazao Xiefei Tang (Descurainia Seed and Jujube Lung-Draining Decoction) or Qianjin Fang Huangqi Tang (Astragalus Decoction). Precision in pulse differentiation is vital; slight error leads to vast consequences.

Chang Yong (Intestinal Carbuncle) and Weiwuan Yong (Stomach Carbuncle): Sun Simiao warned: Misidentifying Intestinal Carbuncle symptoms leads to fatal errors. Symptoms: Lower abdominal swelling, pain on pressure, dysuria resembling strangury, sweating, aversion to cold, gooseflesh, tense abdomen like swelling. Rapid pulse indicates small amount of pus; slow-tight pulse indicates no pus. Severe cases: abdominal distension, splashing sound on turning, periumbilical sores, umbilical pus discharge, bloody-purulent stool. Treat with Dahuang Mudanpi Tang (Rhubarb and Moutan Decoction) variants or external moxibustion. Weiwuan Yong differentiation: *Nejing* asks how to diagnose? Stomach pulse deep-thin indicates Qi reversal. Reversal makes Renying (ST9) pulse vigorous. Heat gathers at stomach opening, causing Weiwuan Yong. Rarely discussed except by Sun Simiao. Post-Sun scholars treat Stomach Heat pathogen: first unblock, then detoxify/support interior/reduce heat. Good method. Ignorance harms greatly; be cautious.

Ru He (Breast Nodule) untreated becomes Yong/Ju. Danxi stated: Breasts belong to Yangming, nipples to Jueyin. Nursing mothers, via anger or rich diet, cause Qi stagnation, duct blockage, milk retention, forming swelling/pain. Yangming blood heat turns to pus. Infant breath blowing heat forms nodules. Initial stage: endure pain, massage until soft, promote circulation for resolution. Neglect leads to carbuncle/furuncle. *Jingyao* uses Shenxiao Gualou San (Miraculous Trichosanthes Powder) for Ru Yong/Ru Lao. Effective but rare in villages. Use Dandelion (Pugongying), found everywhere, blooms March, yellow like chrysanthemum, sweet taste, resolves toxicity, moves stagnation, enters Yangming/Taiyin. Clean, grind, decoct with Honeysuckle Vine (Jinyinhua Teng), add wine. Effective. To disperse Jueyin stagnation, use Qingpi (Green Tangerine Peel); clear Yangming heat, use Shigao (Gypsum); drain fire, use Gancao (Licorice); reduce toxicity, use Gualouzi (Trichosanthes Seed); add Qingpi, Zaocoris (Gleditsia Spine), Jinnyinhua (Honeysuckle Flower), Danggui (Angelica Head). Decoction varies with wine. Add 2-3 moxa cones to swelling. Do not use needles/knives rashly. Women with accumulated sorrow form hidden nodules, turtle-shell sized, painless/itchless, lasting years, eventually ulcerating into "Nai Ai" (Breast Cancer) due to concave appearance. Incurable. Early resolution, mental clarity, bland diet, anger management ensure safety. Menstruating women have milder cases. Around age 60, rich diet/nodules/solid shape, emotional interference, irritability, tubercles, poor spirit/appetite: use Renshen Tang (Ginseng Decoction) adjusting Qingpi/Gancao powder equally, add ginger juice, sip frequently. Nodules resolve. Delayed treatment leads to painless ulceration under breast, death after 3-5 years despite normal eating. Widows/orphans suffer more. Married women benefit from husband's presence balancing Yin-Yang. Treated cases heal; untreated widows' deep lesions are feared. Early treatment essential; prolonged course, low survival rate. Newlywed woman healed by Qingpi/Gancao tea. 18-year-old woman with rapid-solid pulse treated with Qingpi tea and Siwu Tang variations, healed in one month. Scholars note Qingpi acts on Jueyin, Siwu Tang moves Blood; reasoning holds. Other eruptions, Ding, hemorrhoids, fistulas, genital sores, seasonal toxins detailed in *Jingyi*. Below lists Carbuncle/Abscess treatments.