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Select willow catkins in spring that are as soft as goose feathers, bamboo membrane in summer, new cotton in autumn, and rabbit fur in winter. Choose the white and fine ones from the abdomen; those from the eyes of "Mao'er" (a type of insect) are even better.

Treat back carbuncles (Fa Bei), brain abscesses (Nao Ju), intestinal abscesses (Chang Yong), dental abscesses (Ya Yong), and all kinds of carbuncles, ding sores (Ding Chuang), fish-umbilicus sores (Yu Qi), ghost-arrow sores (Gui Jian), phlegmonous abscesses (Biao Ju) on the lower limbs, or unexplained tumors in the chest and abdomen, wind-dampness tumors (Feng Dan Zhong Liu) that are tight, hard, red, and swollen, malignant lymph nodes (E He Luo Li), and breast abscesses (Fa Nai). First, have the patient lean on a table and bend their arm: left arm for males, right arm for females. Examine the middle of the wrist joint for a sunken hole. Have an assistant hold the arms opposite each other and mark this point with cinnabar (see Figure 1 later). Then straighten the arm as if drawing a bow. You will see that the previously marked sunken point lies exactly on the transverse crease of the arm joint. Use a thin bamboo strip to measure from this crease along the flesh to the tip of the middle finger's nail bed, not exceeding the nail (see Figure 2 later). Next, flex the middle finger and view the middle segment from the side to find two oblique transverse fissures. Press the bamboo strip against these fissures and break it off; this length constitutes one cun. Measure one cun from each end of the transverse crease, totaling two cun (see Figure 3 later). Take a bamboo pole and prop it up on two tables at both ends. Pad it securely with felt, mattresses, quilts, or silk to ensure stability. Have the patient remove their clothes and untie their underpants, then straddle the bamboo pole. The body should be upright, leaning against support, with the coccyx (Wei Lian Gu) resting on the pole. Both feet should hang in the air without touching the ground. The body must be straight; two people should support the patient on both sides to prevent tilting, stiffness, or curvature. Ensure the coccyx is flat against the pole. Using the bamboo strip previously measured from the wrist to the middle finger tip, measure from the coccyx up to the center of the spinal column on the back, stopping where the strip ends. Take the two-cun bamboo strip determined earlier and place it horizontally across the marked points to identify the two acupuncture points, each one cun apart (see Figure 4 later). Moxibustion of five or seven moxa cones (Zhuang) is applied to each point. The moxa cone should be three fen wide. Make the cones from paper-wrapped mugwort, ensuring they are very compact before use. Do not apply too many cones. Regardless of where the carbuncle is located, whether broken or unbroken, apply this method, and recovery is assured. These two points originate from the Heart Meridian (if the point is near the sore or directly on it, regardless of distance, follow the method strictly without doubt). Carbuncles arise solely from stagnation of Heart Fire. Moxibustion on these two points allows Heart Fire to circulate immediately. Recovery can occur within three days. This method has extraordinary power to save lives in critical conditions and has proven effective repeatedly. As stated in *Su Wen*: "All pain, itching, and sores belong to the Heart." It also states: "When Ying Blood is disordered and flows counter to the muscle texture, carbuncles and swellings arise." Moxibustion on these two points regulates Heart Fire, allowing blood vessels to flow naturally, which is far superior to taking medicine. After moxibustion, observe dietary restrictions and abstain from sexual activity. Follow the care instructions. About half a day after applying seven cones, the moxa sore will exude much fluid, and you may feel heat circulating throughout the body, causing a steaming sensation. The original sore's swelling will have reduced by five or six parts. By the fifth watch of the second day, the moxa fire will be intense, causing dry throat, parched mouth and tongue, difficult urination, slight sweating on the limbs, and mild irritability. This is due to the circulation of moxa heat. Administer Ruxiang Lüdou Tuoli San (Milky Frankincense and Mung Bean Interior-Supporting Powder - formula follows). After some time, symptoms will gradually subside, and the sore will heal by the third day. If both sides are treated, the sores may react unusually, resembling insect crawling, flowing clear fluid, stabilizing after four to five days. This is indeed a life-saving excellent method. Continue administering Wuxiang Lianqiao Tang (Five-Aromatic Forsythia Decoction - formula follows) to dissipate stagnant toxic qi. For severe cases, use Zhuandu San (Toxin-Transforming Powder - formula follows) or Fan Huang Yuan to prevent internal attack of toxins. Recognize the severity and urgency, differentiate Yin and Yang patterns, and administer medicine accordingly. Alternatively, use vinegar-moxa warming paste or apply medicated plasters, treating as per standard surgical methods (Vinegar-Moxa Method follows).

First, bend the arm to find the sunken hole in the middle of the wrist joint. With the patient sitting opposite, the assistant marks the center of the transverse crease with cinnabar.
[Figure 1]
[Figure 2]
[Figure 3]
[Figure 4]
Straighten the arm as if drawing a bow. The previously marked sunken point aligns with the transverse crease. Measure from the crease along the flesh to the tip of the middle finger's nail bed, not exceeding the nail.
Flex the middle finger and view the middle segment's flexure; two oblique lines indicate the measurement reference. Two inches total are measured using a thin bamboo strip.
Remove clothes and pants. Sit upright with the coccyx on the bamboo pole, feet suspended. Two assistants support the patient. Measure from the coccyx to the center of the spine using the initial bamboo strip. Mark the points with cinnabar. Place the two-inch strip horizontally across the marks to define the two acupuncture points.
Prepare compact moxa cones from paper-wrapped mugwort. Sit upright to place the cones. If difficult to place, moisten slightly with saliva. Do not bend the body, as this shifts the points.

The Jiangxi transmitted original text states: I have personally experienced miraculous effects and deeply wish for every household to understand and manage this themselves, avoiding unnecessary death. This reflects the compassion of benevolent people. I often lament that patients suffering from this disease entrust themselves to mediocre physicians and wait helplessly for death. I have witnessed and heard of countless such cases. This moxibustion method has been circulated for decades, but people often dismiss it as trivial due to its perceived simplicity or difficulty, leading to doubt and abandonment. Now, having personally verified its efficacy and traced its origins, it is like Qin Huan diagnosing the Duke of Jin's illness, precisely locating the disease between the diaphragm and heart. However, treatment is difficult, and medicines cannot reach the site. For a thousand years, until Sun Simiao appeared in the Tang Dynasty, who thoroughly understood interior and exterior patterns and established lasting methods, using the Gao Huang points to cure wasting diseases, which were widely praised. While there are many theories on carbuncles, few guarantee survival. I now elucidate the excellence of the Riding Bamboo Horse Moxibustion, likely inheriting Sun Simiao's mastery of Qin Huan's lost knowledge. It rescues people from peril and addresses emergencies, akin to saving drowning victims or extinguishing fires. While Gao Huang moxibustion is excellent for preventing crisis, Riding Bamboo Horse Moxibustion truly saves lives at the brink of death, warranting detailed explanation. These two points lie at the Jiaji and Shuangguan areas, key pathways for Qi and Blood circulation. In healthy individuals, Wei Qi and Ying Blood circulate endlessly. Pulse travels three cun per breath, six cun per respiratory cycle. Over 13,500 cycles daily, the pulse travels 810 zhang around the body. This is the normal physiological state. In carbuncle disease, Qi and Blood stagnate, deviating from normal pathways. The Jiaji and Shuangguan areas are like the main channel of a river. All flow passes through the Weiluan point, connecting to the hundred bones, nine orifices, and large collaterals, permeating the skin and muscles.
Moxibustion theory states: Carbuncles arise from stagnation of Heart Fire. *Su Wen* says: "All pain, itching, and sores belong to the Heart." And: "Disordered Ying Blood counter-flowing in muscle texture causes carbuncles." These two points are effective because they promote the free flow of Heart Fire throughout the body. The妙 (wonder) lies in suspending the body on the bamboo pole, blocking the flow at the Weiluan and Shuangguan. After moxibustion, when the patient descends, the moxa heat follows the flow to the Weiluan, feeling like steaming, penetrating the external kidneys, causing warmth, then flowing to the Yongquan points on the feet, rising upwards to circulate the whole body. This explains its miraculous efficacy. Searching various texts, treating back carbuncles is considered most severe. Early cauterization is crucial. Even with early treatment, survival is not guaranteed. After ten days, cauterization is ineffective. This method seems incomplete. Only Riding Bamboo Horse Moxibustion works regardless of duration, location, or whether the sore is broken, ensuring recovery. It is simple yet extraordinarily effective, a gift from immortals. I regret discovering it late, mourning those who passed away. Having experienced its great efficacy, I do not keep it secret but wish to spread it, hoping like-minded scholars will share it, and benevolent gentlemen will use it to help others.

Furthermore: In thirty years, I have seen many cases of back carbuncles, with only one or two survivors out of ten. Early moxibustion offers hope. Without it, toxins invade the organs, leading to death within days. Wealthy and arrogant people fear pain and reject moxibustion, showing self-destruction. Enduring temporary pain brings regeneration. One must be resolute to preserve life and health, demonstrating true manhood.

Moreover: Carbuncles must be treated carefully before crisis to ensure complete recovery. Do not ignore mild cases or panic in severe ones. Once symptoms appear, first apply garlic-separated moxibustion to the head of the sore to vent toxins externally, preventing rapid internal invasion. The sore will form an ulcer, become moist, exude foul fluid, and pain will stabilize. Combine with Wuxiang Lianqiao Tang. Even if not instantly cured, progress slows. Then apply Riding Bamboo Horse Moxibustion for immediate effect. If more than seven days have passed, skip garlic moxibustion and use only Riding Bamboo Horse Moxibustion with Wuxiang Lianqiao Tang. Severe cases add Zhuandu San for quick results. This emphasizes recognizing severity and urgency.

Furthermore: I have successfully treated many with this method. If the moxa point is close to the sore, heat circulation is felt quickly, enhancing efficacy. If distant, reaction is slower. Left-sided sores cause left-side sores to appear first, and vice versa, due to meridian flow. Practitioners should understand this to avoid doubt. Following the method vents toxins and prevents internal invasion, offering hope for recovery.

Furthermore: Carbuncles develop from minor accumulations becoming severe. Sudden heat surge is like a mountain stream flooding overnight. Blocking it causes massive rupture and harm. Rapid progression requires urgent treatment. Applying harsh topical medicines closes pores, trapping toxins ("locking the door to catch thieves"), harming the host. Instead, use moxa externally to draw out toxins, then administer internal medicine based on Yin-Yang differentiation. This principle is detailed in Li Xun's and Shi Yiying's carbuncle treatises published in Shaoxing.

**Ruxiang Lüdou Tuoli San Formula** (Supports interior, prevents toxin from entering Heart)
Lüdou Fen (Mung Bean Powder, 1 liang)
Ruxiang (Frankincense, 0.5 liang)
Grind into powder, mix well, and take with raw Licorice root water.

**Guolao Gao Formula** (Prevents toxin from entering interior)
Gancao (Licorice Root, large pieces, 2 liang, finely sliced, soaked overnight in running water, kneaded until thick juice forms, strained through silk, simmered slowly in silver/copper vessel to make paste, stored in porcelain).
Take 1-2 teaspoons, mixed with wine or warm water. Mild purgation is acceptable.

**Wuxiang Lianqiao Tang Formula** (Dissipates stagnant toxic Qi)
Muxiang (Costus Root, 3 fen, not roasted)
Chenxiang (Agarwood, 3 fen, not roasted)
Lianqiao (Forsythia Fruit, whole, stalk removed, 3 fen)
Shegan (Belamcanda Rhizome, 3 fen)
Shengma (Cimicifuga Rhizome, 3 fen)
Mutong (Akebia Stem, 3 fen, nodes removed)
Huangqin (Scutellaria Root, 3 fen)
Lian (Melia Tree, fresh, no branches, 3 fen)
Dingxiang (Clove, 0.5 liang, stems removed, not roasted)
Ruxiang (Frankincense, 0.5 liang, separately ground)
Dahuang (Rhubarb Root, lightly fried, 0.5 liang, sliced)
Gancao (Licorice Root, 0.5 liang, raw)
Shexiang (Musk, genuine, 1.5 qian, separately ground)
Duohuo (Angelica Pubescens Root, 3 fen, old Qianghuo preferred)
Sangjisheng (Taxillus Branch, 3 fen, genuine preferred, substitute allowed)
Grind fourteen ingredients into powder. Take 3 qian per dose. Add 1 cup water, decoct to 0.7 cup, strain, and drink. Can decoct residue again. Use silver vessel; adding a silver piece during decoction is acceptable.

**Zhuan Du San Formula** (Eliminates pathogen root without damaging Yuan Qi)
Che'ao (Tridacna Shell, purple-backed, calcined in salt mud until red, cooled, powdered, 1 liang)
Gancao (Licorice Root, 1 liang, raw)
Qingfen (Calomel, 0.5 qian)
Grind into fine powder. Take 4 qian per dose. Decoct one Trichosanthes fruit (peeled) in strong wine (1 cup), mix with powder, take at the fifth watch. Severe cases may require two doses.

**Fan Huang Wan Formula** (Specifically supports toxin expulsion without attacking interior)
Baifan (Alum, 1 liang, powdered)
Huangla (Yellow Beeswax, 0.5 liang, melted and mixed with Alum powder)
Roll into pills size of mung beans. Take 50 pills per dose with warm wine and cooked sesame oil. Timing is flexible.

**Vinegar-Moxa Method** (Disperses if unripe, expels pus if ripe)
Melt cowhide glue with a little water in a crucible. Spread on leather paper, cut a central hole. Apply several layers over the sore, aligning the hole with the sore head to vent toxins. Boil strong rice vinegar in a small pot. Dip two soft cloth strips in hot vinegar, alternately pressing onto the sore (using bamboo tongs). Steam and press hundreds of times continuously over the glue paper. Replace paper when torn. If itching increases, continue pressing; do not stop due to itching. If pus flows from the hole, continue pressing. Pause for 3-5 days if necessary, reapplying potent detoxifying plasters. Wait until bloody fluid appears, itching and pain cease, then stop. If glue adheres to the back, wash with Guanzhong Decoction to remove. Treat Yin/Yang patterns with appropriate herbs. This method is simple yet highly effective and divine; do not neglect it. Strong vinegar refers to rice vinegar.

**Lusi Teng Wine**
Li's Formula states: For carbuncle patients in remote villages lacking expensive herbs, urgently administer Lusi Teng Wine. Whether moxibusted or not, take several doses. Apply the following method (formula follows). When the carbuncle breaks, apply Shenyi Gao (Divine Plaster - formula in Li's Collected Experiences for Back Carbuncles). Repeated use yields good results. Effective for facial, parotid, and back carbuncles. Swelling resolves with ample intake. Used successfully on farmers and elders.
*Su Shen Liang Fang* states: Lusi Teng, also known as Hengdong Cao (Honeysuckle Vine), has pointed-round leaves, climbing habit, hairy undersides, found everywhere in fields and fences. Leaves grow oppositely. Blooms in spring/summer. Tips are sharp, leaves soft and thin. In autumn/winter, leaves become thick, dark green, round, turning purple and curling after frost. Flowers are fragrant, white initially, turning yellow after days, appearing gold-and-silver striped, hence names Jinyinhua (Gold-Silver Flower), Laoweng Xu (Old Man's Beard), Jinyin Gu. Winter leaves resemble Ficus pumila, hence Dabi Li. Fragrance resembles Jasmine and Daphne. Ancients used it as a tonic; now proven miraculous for carbuncles.

**Lusi Teng Tender Shoots and Leaves** (5 liang, avoid iron, crush with wooden pestle)
**Gancao** (Licorice Root, 1 liang, raw, sliced into powder)
Decoct two ingredients in 2 cups water in a clay pot over gentle fire until 1 cup remains. Add 1 cup good non-ashy yellow wine. Boil ten times. Strain. Divide into three doses. Drink warm continuously over one day and night. Heavy cases take multiple doses. As a tonic, it does not harm the spleen. Continue until bowel movements normalize.

Lusi Teng is circular, also called Sweet Vine.

**Dispelling Carbuncle Method**
Take unspecified amount of Lusi Teng leaves, grind in a mortar, add a little non-ashy yellow wine to adjust consistency. Apply around the sore, leaving a large central hole to vent toxins. Change morning and evening; do not interrupt.

**Chuanxiong Tongqi San for Head Carbuncles**
Tianguafen (Trichosanthes Root, washed and powdered)
Chuanxiong (Ligusticum Rhizome, not roasted, powdered)
Chuanshanjia (Pangolin Scale, from head/neck, roasted and powdered)
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Equal parts. Take 5 qian per dose. Use one large Trichosanthes fruit, crush seed and flesh, add 1 cup non-ashy yellow wine, boil, strain, decoct again in hot water. Mix medicine with this wine. Take after meals on an empty stomach. Take several doses. Also take Lusi Teng Wine (add 3 qian Chuanxiong powder per cup) alternating with Tongqi San. In emergencies, shave hair and apply previous method. Carbuncle treatment requires urgent, continuous medication to save lives.