Library

Infants and children develop carbuncles (boils) and furuncles due to disharmony of the six fu organs. Wind-toxin and pathogenic heat invade the skin, contend with blood and qi, enter the meridians and collaterals, and remain stagnant to form lesions. Small lesions with a head are called furuncles; large lesions without a head are called carbuncles. Initially, there is redness and swelling, which gradually rise. Externally, the skin becomes thin and shiny; internally, the flesh corrupts and ulcerates, transforming into pus. Lesions without a head require puncture with a needle; those with a head do not need puncturing. Once mature, squeezing out all pus and blood leads to immediate recovery. If pus and blood are not fully drained and the wound closes, although it may appear healed temporarily, it will eventually recur or generate new sores at the root. If pathogenic toxins penetrate deeply and adhere to the bone, forming stagnation, it is called osteomyelitis (bone-attached carbuncle). If pus and blood are discharged but subsequently exposed to wind-cold, leading to a prolonged course without healing, it becomes a chancre (ulcerative sore). If the external skin heals but toxic qi penetrates inward, causing deep erosion, leaving only a sinus tract that occasionally discharges foul fluid, this transforms into a fistula (draining sore).

Formula for treating carbuncles and furuncles: Take one liang of Licorice Root (Gancao), cut into two-cun segments. Use eight fen (approx. 0.8 bowl) of water. Dip the licorice in water and roast it over alternating mild and strong fire until the water is completely evaporated. Grind into coarse powder. Add another bowl of water, decoct until half a bowl remains. Allow to cool to a lukewarm temperature and administer according to the child's constitution, aiming for mild purgation. The toxin will naturally dissipate. If no effect, administer again.

Another formula: For carbuncles and furuncles about to form, where no head is visible but pain and swelling persist. Take Cinnamon Twig (Guigui) and Tangerine Peel (Chenpi) in equal parts, pound into powder. Mix with water and apply to the swollen area.

Another formula: Treatment as above. Take Rhubarb (Dahuang) and Mirabilite (Puxiao) in equal parts, grind into powder. Use three qian each time, add one qian of flour, mix with fresh well-water, and apply topically.

Xionghuang Ointment: For early-stage carbuncles and furuncles presenting with redness, swelling, and pain. Alternatively, use Longjiao San or Rendong San. All three formulas are highly effective.
Realgar (Xionghuang, half liang, ground and purified by water flotation); Aconitum Bulb (Tian Nansxing, half liang, raw, ground); Halloysitum Rubrum (Hanshuishi, passed through sieve, one liang, ground); Minium (Huandan, one fen); Frankincense (Ruxiang, half liang, ground).
Mix evenly. Blend with fine honey to form an ointment. Spread on silk cloth and apply as a plaster.

Longjiao San:
Earthworm (Dilong, earth removed, weighed one liang); Schizonepeta Spike (Jingjie Sui, one liang); Licorice Root (Gancao, one liang); Thorny Acacia Bark (Jiaoci, one liang, select purple non-withered pieces, wash clean, pound, and use only the bark).
Grind into coarse powder. Each time, use one he (volume measure), add three zhan of water and one zhan of wine. Decoct until two and a half zhan remain. Strain, then decoct again until two zhan remain. Add one qian of finely ground Frankincense powder and mix well. Administer gradually according to age. For children aged five to seven, give half a zhan. For younger children, divide into two doses. Administer daily for miraculous efficacy.

Rendong San:
Honeysuckle Stem (Rendong Cao, dried, half liang); Licorice Joint (Gancao Jie, half liang); Rhubarb (Dahuang, half liang, raw).
Grind together into fine powder. Each time, use three qian bi (spoonfuls), add one large zhan of water. Decoct until seven fen remain. Mix in half a qian of Frankincense powder. Administer as described above.

Another formula: For carbuncles and ulcers lacking a head to facilitate suppuration. Swallow one seed of Malva Seed (Kuicaizi) with fresh well-water. This induces head formation and rupture with pus discharge. To induce rupture in two places, take two seeds; adjust the number of seeds based on the desired number of rupture sites.

Another formula: For carbuncles and ulcers without heads. Use Pangolin Scales (Chuanshanjia) and Soapberry Fruit (Zhuyazaojiao, skin and strings removed), one liang each. Roast until scorched yellow and grind into powder. Take one qian each time, dissolve in hot wine. After administration, the sore will rupture. This is very effective. Subsequently, apply powder from Winter Melon Vine (Dongguateng) topically; if the sore dries, reapply mixed with water. Applicable to various furuncles and sores.

Ruxiang Ointment:
For applying to carbuncles and furuncles.
Frankincense (Ruxiang, one liang, ground); Calomelas (Nifen, half liang, ground); Pine Resin (Songzhi, half liang, ground); Litharge (Mituoseng, half liang, ground); Fresh Rehmannia Juice (Sheng Dihuang Zhi, half liang).
Mix evenly. First, melt four liang of good oil and two liang of Yellow Beeswax (Huangla) in a pot. Pour into a porcelain vessel and seal overnight. Each time, cut the plaster to size, spread the medicine on it, and apply. Change twice daily.

Chensan Powder:
For treating carbuncles and furuncles.
Agarwood (Chenxiang, half liang); Astragalus Root (Huangqi, half liang); White Peony Root (Bailian, one fen); Sichuan Mirabilite (Chuan Puxiao, one fen); Prepared Rhubarb (Chuan Dahuang, prepared, one fen); Licorice Root (Gancao, one fen).
Grind into coarse granules. Take one qian each time, add a small zhan of water and a little Musk (Shexiang). Decoct until five fen remain. Strain and take warm.

Another formula: For carbuncles and furuncles arising on the back. Sores on the back are generally not benign. Use soil from walls smoked by cooking fires for many years and Phellodendron Bark (Huangbai) in equal parts. Grind into fine powder. Mix with fresh Ginger Juice (Shengjiang Ziran Zhi) to form a paste. Spread on paper and apply. Additionally, take one qian mixed with Maoxiang Tang orally. Highly effective.

Treatment for Osteomyelitis (Fugu Ju): Burn Oak Bark (Kupi) to ash. Take one qian bi orally. For already ruptured cases, crush seven Dung Beetles (Qianglang) with rotten Big Barley (Damai) and apply as a sealant.

Treatment for chronic carbuncles that fail to heal, becoming necrotic and harboring worms.
Large Toad (Da Xiamu, one self-deceased specimen); Tangled Hair (Luafa, piece the size of a chicken egg); Pig Fat (Zhuzhi, one jin).
Decoct together until the first two materials are completely consumed. Remove from heat, add one he of salt, stir well, and cool to form an ointment. Before each application, first grind Dragon Bone (Longgu) into powder and apply around the perimeter of the sore, approximately two fen thick. Place the ointment directly into the sore. Change twice daily. When worm-like filaments resembling hair are expelled and completely cleared, the condition resolves.

Another formula: Treatment as above. Apply powder made from Poplar Leaves (Baiyangye).

Another formula: Treatment as above.

Jishe Xiang San:
Cardamom Seed (Jishe Xiang); Costus Root (Muxiang); Agarwood (Chenxiang) (each one liang); Ephedra Herb (Mahuang, roots and nodes removed); Sargassum Thallus (Haizao, washed to remove salinity); Prepared Rhubarb (Dahuang, prepared, half liang each).
Grind into coarse granules. Take one large qian each time, add one zhan of water and two or three drops of Bamboo Sap (Zhuli). Decoct until five fen remain. Strain and take warm. Simultaneously, keep the decoction warm and use it to irrigate and wash the sore.

Treatment for Carbuncles and Ulcers (Other formulas for treating sores follow later). Green Verdigris (Tonglv) moistened with insect secretion, ground together into fine powder. Take an amount the size of a mustard seed heart. Dip a paper wick in the medicine and insert it freely into the sore opening.