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Tuoli Wenzhong Tang (Support Interior and Warm Middle Decoction) is used to treat sores that have collapsed inward due to cold pathogenic transformation. Symptoms include clear and thin pus, cool skin, fullness and oppression in the epigastrium, borborygmus with cutting pain, slightly loose stools, vomiting after eating, shortness of breath, incessant hiccups, inability to lie down peacefully, and occasional confusion or loss of consciousness.

Qianghuo (Radix Notopterygii, 3 qian), Fuzi (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata, peeled and prepared, 4 qian), Ganjiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Preparata, 3 qian), Yizhiren (Semen Alpiniae Oxyphyllae), Dingxiang (Flos Caryophylli), Chenxiang (Lignum Aquilariae Resinatum), Muxiang (Radix Aucklandiae), Huixiang (Fructus Foeniculi), Chenpi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae, each 1 qian), Zhigancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae Preparata, 2 qian).

The above herbs are cut into pieces for one dose. Add three cups of water and five slices of Shengjiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens), decoct, and take orally.

*Weisheng Baojian* states: The Classics say, "When cold invades the interior, treat it with acrid-hot herbs, assisted by bitter-warm herbs." Taking this formula as an example, Fuzi is extremely acrid and hot; it warms the interior and exterior, disperses yang qi from the interior to the exterior, serving as the sovereign herb. Qianghuo is bitter, acrid, and warm; it penetrates the joints. Zhigancao warms and tonifies the spleen and stomach, unblocks the meridians, and promotes blood circulation. Cold in the stomach leads to vomiting, hiccups, and inability to eat. Yizhiren, Dingxiang, and Chenxiang are extremely acrid and hot; they disperse cold as minister herbs. Pathogenic qi from the sore attacks internally, causing qi stagnation and fullness. Muxiang and Chenpi are bitter, acrid, and warm; they treat fullness and dissipate distension as envoy herbs. According to this analysis, these are herbs belonging to the Foot-Taiyang, Yangming, and Three Yin meridians, as well as the Hand-Taiyang and Yangming meridians.

Neishu Huanglian Tang (Interior-Draining Coptis Decoction) is used to treat sores characterized by red, swollen, and hard skin, fever, vomiting, constipation, and a flooding and excess pulse.

Huanglian (Rhizoma Coptidis), Shaoyao (Radix Paeoniae Alba), Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis), Binglang (Semen Arecae), Muxiang (Radix Aucklandiae), Huangqin (Radix Scutellariae), Zhizi (Fructus Gardeniae), Bohe (Herba Menthae), Jiegeng (Radix Platycodonis), Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae, each 1 liang), Lianqiao (Fructus Forsythiae, 2 liang), Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, 2.5 liang).

The above herbs are cut into pieces. Take 1 liang per dose, add ginger, decoct, and take orally.

Commentary: This formula is based on Huanglian Tang with added Dahuang. It comprises herbs of the Hand-Shaoyang, Foot-Shaoyang, Foot-Yangming, Foot-Taiyin, and Hand-Taiyin meridians. Danxi stated: The essence lies in the fact that Dahuang is a key herb for treating carbuncles and sores because it disseminates heat and extracts toxins. The Second Theory states: When sores first appear, one must use herbs like Dahuang to vigorously promote bowel movements, continuing daily without cessation. However, he later remarked that patients with carbuncles and sores often experience diarrhea, which is a ominous sign, raising doubts about the previous statement. If the previous method uses Dahuang, it might be because the patient's constitution is strong with constipation of the large intestine and deep-seated accumulated heat. In such cases, it is only appropriate to break up stagnation and guide it out, not necessarily to cause vigorous purging daily. If laxatives are continued after purging, it may contradict the principle of preventing disease progression. At the initial stage of a sore, corresponding to the swelling stage in *Rites of Zhou*, if the swelling is in the muscles but not presenting as severe fullness, excess, or hardness, one should naturally adopt Zhang Zhongjing's method of releasing the exterior. Using Wuxiang Tang as an example, dispersing externally is preferable. Why rush to use harsh purgatives to attack the interior and invite disaster? Carefully examining He Jian's view: Dampness of the earth, when contracted, harms the skin, flesh, sinews, and vessels. If external dampness is abundant and moves inward, the pulse is deep and excess; one should first drain the interior to cut off the source. Furthermore, if there is vomiting, heart reversal, fever, irritability, a deep, excess, and hard pulse, swelling with stuffiness, unchanged skin color, deep roots, and internal organ involvement with constipation, urgent drainage is required. One should initially administer Huanglian Tang for one or two doses, then add Dahuang. If ineffective, add another 2 qian, stopping when bowels move. If heat signs are present, use only Huanglian Tang; if absent, decoct lightly for internal support, or decoct again for dispersion, sipping frequently. This ensures both interior and exterior are open, and qi and blood circulate freely. Those who add Dahuang do so because of strong constitution and internal constipation, but not in excessive amounts.

Shengji Shegan San (Shegan Powder from *Shengji Zonglu*) is used to treat carbuncles, back sores, and other painful swellings with sores, characterized by a flooding, excess, and rapid pulse.

Shegan (Rhizoma Belamcandae), Xijiao (Cornu Rinocerotis), Shengma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae), Xuanshen (Radix Scrophulariae), Huangqin (Radix Scutellariae), Maidong (Radix Ophiopogonis), Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, each 1 liang), Shanzhi (Fructus Gardeniae, 0.5 liang).

The above herbs are cut into pieces. Take 5 qian per dose, add Zhuye (Folium Bambusae) and Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas, 1 qian), stopping when bowels move.

Commentary: These are herbs of the Foot-Yangming and Hand-Taiyin meridians.

Tuoli San (Support Interior Powder) is used for all malignant sores, back sores, ding sores, and groin abscesses at the onset, characterized by a flooding, wiry, excess, and rapid pulse, severe swelling, and impending suppuration. Three doses can completely resolve the condition.

Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei), Muli (Concha Ostreae), Gualougen (Radix Trichosanthis), Zhaojiaozhen (Spina Gleditsiae Sinensis), Puxiao (Natrii Sulfas), Lianqiao (Fructus Forsythiae, each 3 qian), Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis), Jinyinhua (Flos Lonicerae Japonicae, each 1 liang), Chishao (Radix Paeoniae Rubra), Huangqin (Radix Scutellariae, each 2 qian).

Grind into coarse powder. Take half a liang per dose, decoct with equal parts water and wine, and take orally.

Commentary: These are herbs of the Foot-Jueyin, Taiyin, and Yangming meridians.

Po Guan Dan (Coffin-Breaking Pill) is used for various heat-induced swellings, all wind-heat sore conditions, fever with profuse sweating, extreme thirst, constipation, delirium, and yang-binding syndromes.

Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, 2.5 liang, half raw, half cooked), Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas), Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae, each 2 liang).

Grind into powder, mix with refined honey, and form pills the size of a bullet. Take half a pill per dose; for severe cases, take one to two pills. After meals, dissolve in Tongbian (infant urine) mixed with half a cup of wine, or dissolve in plain water mixed with wine.

Commentary: These are herbs of Zhang Zhongjing's Zhengyang Yangming meridian category.

Xiexin Tang (Drain the Epigastrium Decoction) is used for toxic sores and carbuncles with restlessness, irritability, thirst, and a solid, flooding, and rapid pulse.

Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, 4 liang), Huanglian (Rhizoma Coptidis), Shanzhi (Fructus Gardeniae), Loulu (Radix Euphorbiae Humifusae), Zelan (Herba Lygodii Sporangii), Lianqiao (Fructus Forsythiae), Huangqin (Radix Scutellariae), Sumu (Lignum Sappan), Xijiao (Cornu Rinocerotis, 2 liang each, except Xijiao is 1 liang).

The above herbs are cut into pieces. Take 3–5 qian per dose, decoct in water, and take orally.

Commentary: These are herbs of the Hand-Shaoyin, Hand-Taiyin, and Hand-Shaoyang meridians, derived from the Foot-Yangming example.