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Shen Douyuan stated: When a lip ding (lip carbuncle) first appears, it is the size of a millet grain. It may be painless or extremely itchy. Its form is very minute, yet its toxicity is profound, and its color may be red or white. If the upper and lower lips turn purple-black, the root spreads rapidly; within less than a day, the head and face will swell, and death will occur within three to four days with no hope of rescue. At the initial stage, physicians should immediately excise this toxic lesion with a sharp knife. Even if the lip is left defective, it need not be a concern at that moment; one can later calmly reconstruct the lip. This is indeed a rapid method for saving lives. (From *Qixuan*)

Chen Yuan Gong stated: There are cases of ding appearing on the lips, either beside the corners of the mouth or on the upper or lower lips. Regardless of size, they are generally caused by fire-toxin in the Spleen and Stomach. They should be dispersed early; otherwise, the toxic vapors will blaze fiercely, leading to difficulty in eating and drinking, and often resulting in rotting and death. The characteristic of ding-toxin is that the smaller it is, the more rampant it becomes. The treatment method is to urgently drain the fire-toxin without damaging the Qi of the Spleen and Stomach, so that the toxin will easily dissipate. Jiu Chun Tang (Rescue Lip Decoction): Jin Yin Hua (*Lonicerae Japonicae Flos*, Honeysuckle Flower) 1 liang, Zi Hua Di Ding (*Viola Yedoensis Herba*, Violet Herb) 1 liang, Bai Guo (*Ginkgonis Semen*, Ginkgo Seed) 20 pieces, Jie Geng (*Platycodonis Radix*, Balloon Flower Root) 3 qian, Sheng Gan Cao (*Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Recens*, Fresh Licorice Root) 3 qian, Zhi Mu (*Anemarrhenae Rhizoma*, Anemarrhena Rhizome) 1 qian. Decoct in water and take orally. After one dose, pain stops; after two doses, the ding subsides; after three doses, recovery is complete. For those already ulcerated, add two more doses.

This formula is also effective for treating ding and sores on the head and face. Here, Bai Guo and Jie Geng guide Jin Yin Hua and Di Ding to the site where the ding has formed, thereby completely eliminating the toxin. (From *Bingjian*)

*Xin Fa* stated: When a lip develops ding-toxin, carefully examine the purple-black veins in the popliteal fossa (behind the knee). Puncture them with a long needle; once blood flows out, the condition heals.

*Zhe Zhong* stated: When Spleen Qi is stagnant, sores appear on the lips.

Feng Luzhan stated: There are cases where extreme damage to the Stomach leads to lip erosion (mucosal breakdown), accompanied by high fever and severe foul odor, presenting with acne-like lesions. This is named "Wei Lan Chun Xiao" (Stomach Rotting Lip Owl). Only two or three out of ten patients can be saved. (From *Jinnang*)

For treating lip sores (from *Zhun Sheng*): Apply the condensation dripping from the lid of a steamer (Zeng Han) to the affected area; it is highly effective.

For treating lip sores that persist for years without healing (from *Qian Jin Fang*): Use 1 jin of Blue Leaf collected in August, crush it to extract juice, and wash the affected area. Healing occurs within no more than three days.

For treating lip sores (from *Zhun Sheng*): Apply petals of white lotus flowers; it is highly effective. It stops bleeding immediately if the skin is cracked.

For broken lips: Grind Shi Xie (Stone Crab) into water and apply externally.

Another prescription: Grind earth from the east wall finely and apply.

Another prescription: Apply Qing Fen (Calomel).

Another prescription: Apply Tou Gou (Head Filth/Scalp Scum).

For painful and itchy lip sores: Use Huang Bo (*Phellodendri Cortex*, Phellodendron Bark) powder, mixed with juice extracted from Ye Qiang Wei Gen (Wild Rose Root), and apply topically.