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Xue Lizhai stated: In women, breast abscess (Ru Yong) is often caused by the failure of milk to be reabsorbed and transformed after weaning. It may also result from excessive milk production in the mother while the infant drinks little, leading to stagnation and condensation of milk. Other causes include irregular menstruation with retrograde flow, or internal accumulation of pathogenic factors forming a swelling. At the initial stage, it is strictly contraindicated to use cold-natured medicines. Since milk is transformed from blood, if it cannot drain freely, it solidifies and swells; its nature is clear and cold. Adding cold medicines would lead to yin-type rotting. Cold medicines are only appropriate after the abscess has ruptured. For the initial stage, applying Arisaema Cum Bile (Nanxing) mixed with ginger juice externally can resolve the internal condition. Adding Aconitum Carmichaelii Lateralis Radix Preparata (Caowu) can break down bad blood and disperse masses; it dissipates when cold and suppurates when hot. Additionally, using Frankincense (Ruxiang) and Myrrh (Moyao) can alleviate pain. Internally, administering Trichosanthis Semen (Gualouren), Shixuan San, or Tongshun San alternately is recommended.

Sun Simiao stated: Women frequently suffer from breast abscess. For those under forty years old, treatment usually leads to recovery. For those over fifty, treatment should be avoided; treating them often results in death, whereas leaving them untreated allows them to live out their natural lifespan.
Shen Zhai commented: The above two passages outline the prohibition against using cold medicines in treating breast abscess and indicate methods for distinguishing treatable from untreatable cases.

Zhu Danxi stated: Women who experience chronic worry, anger, and depression accumulate these emotions day by day, obstructing Spleen Qi and causing Liver Qi to invade horizontally. This forms hidden nodules the size of chess pieces, which are neither painful nor itchy, and manifest after several years. This condition is called "Breast Rock" (Nai Yan) because the lesion resembles a rocky cave; it is considered incurable.

Xue Lizhai stated: Breast Rock is a syndrome caused by emotional injury, resulting in exhaustion of Qi and Blood in the Liver Meridian. The affected area is neither red nor painful, containing small nodules that gradually enlarge over time, eventually leading to deep internal ulceration and rotting, making it difficult to treat. This is due to Liver and Spleen emotional stagnation causing Qi and Blood deficiency. Treatment method: When symptoms such as pain, aversion to cold, and fever first appear, the primary approach is to release the exterior and dispel pathogens, soothe the Liver, and clear the Stomach. Yi Qi Yang Rong Tang and Jiawei Xiaoyao San are suitable to resolve the condition internally. Using Qi-moving and Blood-breaking methods would accelerate death.

Wu Shuqing stated: Breast Rock largely arises from stagnant Qi. The Liver governs anger and prefers free flow. When stagnant and unrelieved, it twists its upright nature. The nipple belongs to the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian; its Qi combined with Phlegm accumulates over time to form nodules. Here, wind-dispelling herbs are used to follow the Liver's nature, Qi-regulating herbs move stagnation, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), and Paeoniae Radix Alba (Baishao) tonify Qi and Blood, Immature Bitter Orange Fructus (Zhishi), Lindera Root Rhizoma (Wuyao), and Akebia Caulis (Mutong) relieve congestion, Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu), Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fangfeng), and Perilla Leaf Folium (Suye) release the exterior, Angelica Dahurica Root (Baizhi) drains pus and regulates Ying and Wei, Areca Seed Semen (Binglang) guides stagnation downward, and Cinnamomi Cortex (Guigui) harmonizes the blood vessels. It is said that "Wood withers when meeting Cinnamon," making Guigui an important herb for subduing the Liver.
Shen Zhai commented: The above three passages describe the syndrome of Breast Rock. Although the disease occurs in the breast, there is a distinction between abscess (Yong) and rock (Yan). Abscess is mild and Rock is severe; Abscess appears suddenly, while Rock develops gradually. Thus, treating Abscess is easy, but treating Rock is difficult. Generally, Abscess is caused by external Wind-Heat, internal damage from rich foods, and excessive infant suckling. Rock originates from emotional stagnation and anger, disharmony of Zang-Fu Qi, and Liver-Spleen deficiency. Therefore, the treatment for Rock differs slightly from that for Abscess: Rock requires more purging and less tonifying, whereas Abscess requires less purging and more tonifying.