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Li Zhai said: Insomnia following the ulceration of sores and carbuncles, accompanied by fever and irritability, is due to Blood deficiency; Shengyu Tang (Saint's Vitality Decoction) should be used. Insomnia with incessant spontaneous sweating is due to Qi deficiency; Sijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) added with Huangqi (Astragali Radix) and Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus) should be used. Fever, irritability, muscle twitching, and tendon tremors are due to both Qi and Blood deficiency; Bazhen Tang (Eight Treasures Decoction) should be used. Extreme thirst, flushed face, and a洪大 (surging) and floating pulse indicate Yin deficiency with false heat; Danggui Buxue Tang (Angelica Tonifying Blood Decoction) should be used. Slight limb fever, irritability, flushed face, and a deep, minute pulse indicate agitation caused by Yin excess repelling Yang; Sijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) added with Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) and Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) should be used.

Li Zhai said: Bleeding from sores and carbuncles results from the depletion of Qi in the Five Viscera, causing deficient fire to stir and blood to flow recklessly outside its vessels. One must identify the affected meridian, examine the cause, and treat accordingly. If liver heat causes reckless bleeding, Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) added with fried Zhizi (Gardeniae Fructus), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), and Danpi (Moutan Cortex) is suitable. For liver deficiency failing to store blood, Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) is indicated. For heart deficiency failing to govern blood, Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) added with fried Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Danpi (Moutan Cortex), Fuling (Poria), and Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) is appropriate. For spleen deficiency with heat failing to control blood, Sijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) added with fried Zhizi (Gardeniae Fructus) and Danpi (Moutan Cortex) is used. If there is stagnation in the spleen meridian, Guipi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction) added with Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus) is prescribed. For Qi deficiency of the spleen and lungs, Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Decoction for Supplementing the Middle and Augmenting Qi) added with Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus) is used. For deficiency of both Qi and Blood, Shiquan Dabu Tang (Perfect Ten Great Tonifying Decoction) is indicated. For stirring of Yin fire, Liuwei Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill) added with Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus) is used. Generally, when excessive blood loss presents with symptoms such as irritability and thirst, regardless of the pulse, Dushen Tang (Single Ginseng Decoction) should be urgently administered to tonify Qi. The Classics state: "Blood is generated by Qi." Without using sweet and warm agents such as Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), and Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) to generate the blood of the Heart and Liver, recovery is impossible. If fever is accompanied by a large pulse, it is incurable. In all cases of blood disorders, Xijiao Dihuang Tang (Rhino Horn and Rehmannia Decoction) should serve as the primary formula.

Mr. Li said: Patients suffering from deep abscesses (Ju) must abstain from alcohol, wheat products, roasted/fried foods, cured meats, cold/raw items, greasy foods, and fish/poultry considered "fishy" or stimulating. Particular caution is required regarding daily routine and emotional regulation (Seven Emotions). The bedroom must be kept clean and fragrant to ensure smooth circulation of Qi and Blood. One must also avoid contact with monks, Taoist priests, mourners, postpartum women, menstruating women, and animals such as chickens, dogs, and cats. If a back abscess is so severe that one cannot lean on a cushion, it is advisable to make a bag from ten dou of mung beans, lie upon it, and thereby detoxify and cool the Heart. Furthermore, once the internal organs are functioning smoothly, the sore has ulcerated, and Qi and Blood are depleted, careful nursing is paramount. Administering cooling herbs during fever in this stage invariably leads to disaster.

Li Zhai said: Mung beans are cold in nature and treat erysipelas-related irritability, wind-rashes, or heat conditions induced by minerals/metals. They are highly suitable for pure Yang patterns characterized by excess heat, irritability, and thirst with normal appetite; otherwise, they should not be used lightly. He also stated: Eating meat during the course of sores and carbuncles is akin to abandoning oneself. The toxicity of sores arises from Ying (Nutritive) Qi; consuming meat further assists this pathogen. How is this different from self-destruction? Even with medicinal treatment, cure will not be achieved.

Li Dongyuan said: The Stomach is the root of the Five Viscera. Once Stomach Qi is damaged, all syndromes become deficient, and the Seven Evil signs arise like bees swarming. Can one not be cautious?

My commentary: While sores and carbuncles generally require avoiding pungent and strong-flavored foods, in my opinion, only Heat-Fire syndromes, Ding toxins (furuncles/carbuncles), and Yang abscesses absolutely prohibit these dietary indiscretions and require strict caution. However, in cases where Ying and Wei (Defensive) Qi and Blood are severely deficient, preventing toxin resolution and tissue regeneration, are tonifying and warming treatments not indicated? Thus, since ancient texts refer to mutton as "Huangqi," if Huangqi (Astragali Radix) is suitable, mutton should also be suitable. Only pork, beef, strong wine, and other dampness-producing or spleen-damaging foods must strictly be avoided.