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Carbuncle Opposite the Umbilicus

Wang Kentang stated: Carbuncle opposite the umbilicus arises at the Mingmen acupoint (Gate of Life) below the back, directly opposite the navel, hence the name. It is a toxin eruption from the Du Meridian (Governing Vessel). If pus forms, the patient survives; if bloody fluid discharges accompanied by delirium and thirst, the patient dies. (*Yixue Zhunsheng*)

Dou Hanqing stated: Carbuncle opposite the umbilicus is also known as Chong Ju (Chong Carbuncle), or Li Shen (Traversing Kidney), arising between the waist and kidneys. If internal kidney pain transforms into thirst, there is no chance of survival. (*Dou Taishi Zhenfa Quanshu*)

*Yizong Xinfa* stated: Huantiao Ju (Carbuncle at Huantiao) arises at the Huantiao acupoint between the hip bone joints, causing difficulty in bending and extending the waist, with diffuse swelling and dull pain. This condition is caused by the coagulation of Wind-Dampness and Cold pathogens, belonging to the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian. At the onset, Huanggou Xiake San (Yellow Dog Lower Jaw Powder) should be taken internally, and the Weizhong acupoint should be pricked to release dark blood, after which the leg can move again.

**Huanggou Xiake San (Yellow Dog Lower Jaw Powder)**
Ingredients:
Yellow dog lower jaw (with tongue and skin/fur removed together, placed in a jar, sealed tightly with salt mud, covered with an iron lid, roasted for the duration of one incense stick; stop when smoke turns blue. Ensure the material retains its medicinal properties upon removal, turning black like charcoal. If it appears white, the potency is lost and it is useless. Grind finely before use. The dog used should be one already slaughtered by a butcher; killing a live dog specifically may bring bad karma and misfortune.)
Pea flour
Baolian (Ampelopsis radix)
(All ingredients in equal parts.)

Mix the three ingredients evenly. Take 5 qian per dose, mixed with warm yellow rice wine on an empty stomach. Efficacy is indicated by the discharge of foul sweat and deep sleep. Externally, mix this powder with sesame oil and apply to the affected area.

Chen Shigong stated: Yin Du (Yin Toxin) occurs when pure Yin lacks Yang, allowing cold and desolate Qi from the weather to invade the skin and penetrate the bone marrow. This causes Qi to fail to ascend and Blood to fail to circulate, leading to stagnation in the meridians and bone-piercing pain. Initially, there is no redness, swelling, or heat; symptoms are lighter in the morning and heavier in the evening. Over time, swelling increases and reddens, ulcerating with black crusts, discharging foul water, and emitting a putrid odor. The rot spreads until death ensues. (*Waike Zhengzong*)

Wang Kentang stated: Wuming Zhongdu (Nameless Swelling and Toxicity) is not limited to the head, face, hands, feet, chest, or abdomen. It presents as red, swollen, hard, tender nodules. It is also called Zhongyang (Swollen Ulcer) or Xuyang (Deficiency Ulcer). Any swelling without a distinct head or surface falls into this category. If the swelling and heat are severe, prick with a triangular needle to remove evil blood; absolutely do not use fire needles or cauterization. If acute red swelling erupts suddenly, do not puncture with a needle; instead, wash the area with the prescribed washing method. (*Yixue Zhunsheng*)
Furthermore: Zi You Feng (Purple Roaming Wind) and Zi You Xuyang (Purple Roaming Deficiency Ulcer) both belong to the category of Wuming Zhongdu.

Chen Yuan Gong stated: Small sores suddenly appearing on the head and face with intense itching, followed by a heavy head like a mountain on the second day, and cyanosis of the face and eyes on the third day, constitute a critical condition. Without rapid treatment, the whole body will turn cyanotic-black within days, leading to death. If the cyanosis does not reach the heart and chest, rescue is possible. This occurs because the person has previously consumed hot-natured medicines, causing extreme Heat to transform into Toxin. Prolonged sexual intercourse is governed by Qi but driven by Fire. If Qi is strong but unassisted by proper Fire regulation, it cannot sustain interest or prolonged performance. Tonifying Qi requires Ginseng; other herbs cannot substitute. Many people indulge in pleasure but are stingy with Ginseng. Using hot herbs to boost Fire requires large doses of Ginseng to control the intensity. Due to the scarcity of Ginseng, practitioners compromise by reducing Ginseng and adding more hot herbs to strengthen Fire, mixing various mineral and fire-heating substances, claiming this boosts the Fire of the Gate of Life (Mingmen). However, Mingmen Fire is Kidney Fire, nourished only by True Yin Water, unlike Spleen-Stomach Fire which can be cooled externally. If Kidney Water is abundant, external strength is robust, and frequent sexual activity causes no harm. But endless lust leads to blazing Fire drying up Water; boiling Fire evaporates Water. When Water fails to control Fire, Heat-Toxin accumulates in the intestines and stomach. Prolonged intercourse causes massive essence loss; excessive essence loss intensifies Fire, leading to further intercourse. Blaming previous insufficient medication and taking more to boost power ignores that more medicine means fiercer Fire, and more frequent intercourse means drier Water. Eventually, Water dries and Fire flares; erection occurs but endurance fails. Even if essence is retained forcibly, untransformed essence becomes Toxin. Accumulating in Yin areas causes Abscesses (Yong); accumulating in Yang areas causes Toxic Sores (Du). The head is a Yang area, more dangerous than Yin areas. Only by using ample detoxifying herbs can life be restored. **Huisheng Zhisheng Dan (Resurrection Holy Pill):** Jinyinhua (Lonicerae Japonicae Flos) 8 liang, Yuanshen (Scrophulariae Radix) and Pugongying (Taraxaci Herba) 3 liang each, Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma) 1 liang, Sheng Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) 5 qian, Tianhuafen (Trichosanthis Radix) 3 qian. Decoct in water and drink. After one dose, head heaviness decreases and cyanosis fades; after another dose, full recovery occurs. (This formula resolves toxin without depleting Qi, eliminates toxicity without damaging Essence, hence its efficacy. This toxin stems from extreme Yin deficiency. Most detoxifying herbs damage Yin and Yang. Jinyinhua excels in both attacking and tonifying, serving as the sovereign herb; high dosage is required for strength. Yuanshen clears Fire, Gancao drains Toxin, Pugongying clears Heat, Tianhuafen resolves Phlegm, Chuanxiong disperses nodules. They assist each other naturally. See *Shishi Milu · Qibing Men* for similar treatments. *Bianzheng Bingjian*.)
Furthermore: Sores arising in unexpected places are fierce and critical, termed Wuming Zhongdu, regardless of location. The previous section only mentioned the head, not the left/right/front/back limbs. With proper treatment, it can be managed universally. Generally, sores anywhere arise from excessive lust combined with anger and depression, allowing Fire to exploit gaps, accumulate, and form toxins. Once erupted, they are incurable. Thus, these cases are purely Yin syndromes, lacking Yang manifestations. Treatment seems to require herbs for resolving Yin Toxin. However, most Yin-toxin-resolving herbs consume True Yin. Since the root cause is deficiency forming toxins, further detoxification harms Yin, offering no benefit. I received a special transmission: tonify Yin while dispersing stagnation, aided by detoxifiers and mild meridian-guiding herbs. This yields good results. I dare not keep it secret but record it to save future generations. **Heihu Tang (Black Tiger Decoction):** Yuanshen 1 jin, Chaihu 3 qian, Sheng Gancao 1 liang. Decoct in water to make 10 bowls. For sores on the head/face, add Chuanxiong 2 liang and Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) 2 liang; decoct again to obtain 3 bowls, divided over two days. Unruptured sores resolve; ruptured ones heal with flesh regeneration, requiring no more than two doses. For sores on the body's left/right/front/back, add Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) 2 liang, Ganjuhua (Chrysanthemi Flos) 1 liang, Fuzi 3 fen; take as above. For sores on hands/feet/limbs, add Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) 2 liang, Fuling (Poria) 1 liang, Fuzi 5 fen; take as above. All achieve success. (Note: Yuanshen clears floating Fire; assisted by Gancao to moderate its rapid action; aided by Chaihu to soothe depression; acts as a guiding herb to direct treatment to the toxin site. Used in large doses (1 jin) for greater effect. It tonifies while dispersing, resolving Yin Toxin without harming Yin Qi, thus achieving success. Do not hesitate due to heavy dosage, failing my intention to help the world. Minor or non-Yin cases do not require such heavy doses; this must be known.)
Furthermore: Sudden carbuncles appearing on limbs or head, with black heads and purple skin, causing extreme pain, are Yang-type toxins that can also be fatal. The progression is rapid; failure to quickly dissipate the toxin leads to severe complications. People often dismiss small carbuncles as less serious than abscesses. Little do they know they transform into major toxins. Carbuncles (Ju) and abscesses (Yong) differ: Yong ulcerates internally, while Ju swells externally. Internal ulceration is hard to treat externally; external swelling is easier to resolve internally. Although toxins in both originate internally and manifest externally, treating internally leads to external healing, especially for Ju. **Xiaojü San (Carbuncle-Resolving Powder):** Shengdi (Rehmanniae Radix), Diyü (Sanguisorbae Radix), Lianqiao (Forsythiae Fructus), Tianhuafen 3 qian each; Rendongteng (Lonicerae Japonicae Caulis), Xiakucao (Prunellae Spica), Danggui 1 liang each; Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), Sheng Gancao 2 qian each. Decoct in water and drink. Unruptured cases resolve in two doses; ruptured cases heal in four doses. This formula effectively treats malignant carbuncles universally. (Nourishing Blood disperses toxin, making Blood active and preventing toxin retention; cooling Blood clears Fire, making Blood cool and Fire easy to dissipate. Since Ju is mostly Yang syndrome, treatment is suitable.)