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In women, Liu Zhu (flowing abscesses) may arise from worry, thinking, depression, and anger, damaging the Liver and Spleen; or from postpartum overexertion, further injuring Qi and Blood, causing Ying Qi (nutritive energy) to fail to follow its proper course and reverse within the muscle tissue; or due to loose Cou Li (skin pores and interstitial spaces), allowing external pathogens to invade; or from damp-phlegm flowing and depositing; or from traumatic injury leading to blood stasis; or from postpartum lochia retention. Generally, when Qi flows, it deposits; when Blood deposits, it coagulates. These may occur in the joints of the four limbs; flow into the chest, abdomen, waist, and buttocks; form nodules, or present as diffuse swelling without a head, all belonging to deficiency and damage conditions. Urgently apply Cong Xi (scallion moxibustion/fomentation) and Yi Qi Yang Rong Tang (Qi-Nourishing Decoction); thus, those not yet suppurated will resolve spontaneously, and those already suppurated will ulcerate spontaneously. If swelling persists for a long time with pain, limb fatigue, excess pathogenic Qi but deficient constitutional Qi, it is still treatable. If there is diffuse swelling with slight pain, indicating both constitutional Qi and pathogenic Qi are deficient, it is most difficult to treat. Failure to suppurate, or suppuration without ulceration, indicates Qi and Blood deficiency; use Ba Zhen Tang (Eight-Treasure Decoction). Aversion to cold and fear of cold indicate Yang Qi deficiency; use Shi Quan Da Bu Tang (Great Tonifying Decoction for Ten Powers). Afternoon tidal fever and internal heat indicate Yin Blood deficiency; use Si Wu Tang (Four-Substance Decoction) plus Ginseng and Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome. Nausea or vomiting indicates Stomach Qi deficiency; use Liu Jun Zi Tang (Six-Gentleman Decoction) plus roasted Ginger. Poor appetite and body fatigue indicate Spleen Qi deficiency; use Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) plus Poria and Pinellia Tuber. Cold extremities and frequent urination indicate decline of Ming Men Fire (Gate of Life Fire); use Ba Wei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill). Frequent urination, profuse phlegm, and thirst indicate Kidney Water deficiency; use Liu Wei Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia). Delayed menstruation lasting many days indicates Liver and Spleen deficiency; use Ba Zhen Tang plus Bupleurum Root and Moutan Bark. For any ulcer that fails to heal due to Qi and Blood weakness, further use Shi Quan Da Bu Tang, decocted into a paste for external application. For chronic ulcers where cold pathogens stagnate and prevent healing, use Fermented Soybean Cake to disperse and eliminate. For ulcers with internal sinus tracts failing to heal, use Zhen Tou San (Needle-Head Powder) to cauterize and dissolve necrotic tissue, leading to spontaneous healing. If Qi and Blood are not tonified, diet is not regulated, daily routine is not careful, Seven Emotions are not guarded against, or cold-cooling attacking drugs are used, these cases are untreatable.

Case Records:
A woman suffered from this condition on her left arm for over a year without ulceration; it was hard, painless, with unchanged skin color, weak pulse, poor appetite, delayed menstruation, afternoon fever, and pain upon exertion. She was prescribed Ginseng, [missing character], Angelica Sinensis Root, Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome, Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizome, Peony Root, Prepared Rehmannia Root, Trichosanthes Root, Polygala Root, Cyperus Rhizome, Platycodon Root, Moutan Bark, and Licorice Root. After more than one hundred doses, it resolved.
A woman experienced sudden anger, resulting in a swollen lump on her waist, chest and diaphragm discomfort, and occasional wandering pain. She was given Fang Mai Liu Qi Yin (Formula-Pulse Flowing-Qi Decoction); after several doses, it stopped. Subsequently, Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) was combined with Si Wu Tang, adding Cyperus Rhizome and Trichosanthes Root, curing her after more than a month.
A woman suffered from swelling and pain under the ribs due to anger, with chest and diaphragm discomfort and a deep, sluggish pulse. She was treated with Fang Mai Liu Qi Yin; after several doses, she improved slightly. Then, Xiao Chai Hu Tang was combined with Er Chen Tang (Two-Aged Decoction), adding Green Tangerine Peel, Platycodon Root, and Trichosanthes Root. After several doses, symptoms receded rapidly. Finally, Xiao Chai Hu Tang was combined with Si Wu Tang, curing her after more than twenty doses.
A woman developed swelling after a sprain of the chest and shoulder, with generalized body pain. She took two doses of Hei Wan Zi (Black Pills), stopping the pain. Two doses of Fang Mai Liu Qi Yin reduced the swelling. Subsequently, Er Chen Tang was combined with Si Wu Tang, adding Cyperus Rhizome, Aurantium Fruit, and Platycodon Root, leading to full recovery.
A woman suffered from tendon spasms and bone pain in her leg, unresponsive to various medicines, with a slow and tight pulse. She was given Da Fang Feng Tang (Major Saposhnikovia Decoction); symptoms receded rapidly after two doses, and she stabilized after another two doses. Another woman had a similar condition; she first took two doses of the aforementioned decoction, then took Hei Wan Zi, and recovered. If these two cases were mismanaged, they would ulcerate into fatal conditions.
A woman had fever after ulceration. I considered it a deficiency pattern, but she did not believe me. Instead, she took detoxifying/destroying drugs, resulting in severe fever, and ultimately died. Although ulcers may have exterior signs, fever should primarily be treated by supporting the interior, assisted by exterior-releasing agents. How much more so for Luoli (scrofula) and Liu Zhu? If Qi and Blood are sufficient and meridians are unobstructed, disease will certainly not occur. The causes of this condition are all due to inherent Qi and Blood deficiency, or injury from the Seven Emotions causing meridian stagnation, or loose Cou Li allowing invasion of the Six Exogenous Pathogens, blocking the tunnels. If the cause is not examined and deficiency/excess not differentiated, few will avoid harming patients.