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Niujiao San (from *Waike Zhengzong*)
Horn of Ox, burnt to ash; Pine Rosin; Shuilonggu (Ligulum); Qingfen (Calomel) (each in equal parts).
Grind together into a fine powder. Mix with ox medulla (bone marrow) and apply topically. For those with deficiency, simultaneously administer Shiquan Dabu Tang (Ten Significant Tonifying Decoction).

Another prescription: Treats heel carbuncle arising from pain in old skin and flesh, which breaks down into a fistula, fails to heal for a long time, prevents standing on the ground, and causes severe pain.
Take approximately one qian of yellow wax and pine rosin, melt them, then immediately immerse in water and retrieve. According to the size of the fistula opening, form the medicine into pills and insert them into the fistula. Wrap the foot externally with cotton wool and bind it firmly without movement. Within ten days or so, the fistula will dry up, allowing the patient to stand and test without pain, gradually enabling walking. Flesh will grow inside the fistula, and the medication will be naturally pushed out. The efficacy is hard to fully describe.

Fumigation method (from *Yizong Jinjian*). Use one earthenware basin, place a new brick inside, put pigeon droppings on the brick, cover the droppings with a colander, step onto the colander with your feet, and pour boiling water from the side to generate steam for fumigation. Afterward, soak the foot. Replace with hot water when it cools. Using this at the initial stage can eliminate the swelling.

Another method: Heat a new brick until red-hot, splash it with leek juice, and tread the affected foot upon it to oscillate and fumigate. It will resolve spontaneously at the initial stage.

Heel Carbuncle (Zugen Ju)
Wang Kentang stated: Heel carbuncle is also known as "Rabbit Bite" (Tunie), named so because its appearance resembles a rabbit bite. It belongs to the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian. The acupoint is Shenmai (BL62), located below the calcaneus. This area is the source of the Yin and Yang Qiao vessels. It is caused by accumulated heat in the zang-fu organs. The toxicity is deep and severe; applying toxic medicines topically is strictly contraindicated. If purple depression, numbness, coma, and chaotic pulse appear, it is incurable. If ulceration occurs late, affecting diet, causing irregular urination and defecation, or involving sexual exhaustion and anger-induced fainting, death ensues. (*Yixue Zhunsheng*)

Xue Lizhai stated: The heel is the source of the Du Mai (Governing Vessel) and the pathway of the Kidney Meridian. If diet and起居 (daily life) are improper, damaging the Three Foot-Yang meridians, sores will form. If there is diffuse swelling with cold and fever, or fatigue and poor appetite, it belongs to Spleen deficiency with sinking. The treatment principle focuses on nourishing the Liver and Kidneys and supporting the Spleen and Stomach.

Feng Luzhan stated: Swelling, pain, and heat in the sole of women's heels and toes are all due to postpartum or menstrual conditions where regulation was neglected, leading to deficiency-heat in the Three Foot-Yin meridians. If there is swelling, pain, or pus discharge, use Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) as the main formula, assisted by Bazhen Tang (Eight-Gentlemen Decoction). If stomach deficiency leads to reluctance to eat, assist with Liujunzi Tang (Six-Gentlemen Decoction). If there is alternating chills and fever with internal heat, assist with Xiaoyao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder). If evening tidal fever worsens with unclear head and eyes, assist with Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction). All symptoms such as fever, evening tidal fever, internal heat, spontaneous sweating, and night sweats are false heat due to yin deficiency. Therefore, Danxi said that fire rising from the nine springs indicates extreme yin deficiency. The heel is the source of the Du Mai and the pathway of the Kidney Meridian, the foundation bearing all bones. If one does not seek the root cause and indiscriminately uses cold-cooling herbs, many die prematurely. (*Xue Shi Jinnang*)

He also stated: Men who overindulge in alcohol and sex often suffer from this condition.

Wang Shengzhi stated: Nie Ju (Biting Carbuncle) belongs to the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian, which has abundant blood but little qi. It arises at the Shenmai acupoint on the heel, also called Foot Ju. If initially red and swollen with a head, it can be pricked; if the pus is yellowish-white, it is treatable. If it breaks open immediately at the start, black and rotten, it is ominous. If not treated early, it may lead to the loss of the foot and death. (*Waike Lili*)

He also stated: Jin Ju (Sinew Carbuncle) arises at the Kunlun (BL57) acupoints on both heels, belonging to the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian, which has abundant blood but little qi. In the first three to five days, the skin appears eroded like insect bites. After a year, worms internally consume the bone. When the bone becomes rough and pus is profuse, it is ominous. Worms falling out resemble sinews, with yellow-red heads. If not healing after years, it is called Weilou (Atrophy Fistula) or Qu Ju (Curved Carbuncle). If pus flows incessantly, it is called Leng Ju (Cold Carbuncle), and most patients die.

*Yizong Jinjian: Waike Xinfa Yaojue* states: Heel carbuncle arises on the heel, commonly called Jiaoluan Gen. This is caused by accumulated heat in the zang-fu organs, wading in water while sweating, or injuring sinews through long-distance walking. Initially, it swells, turns red-purple, and hurts. Upon ulceration, pus drips continuously, resembling a rabbit bite. The classics state: "Rabbit Bite resembles a red bean, deep enough to reach the bone." Urgent treatment is required; delay harms the patient, indicating the severity of the toxicity. It belongs to the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian, specifically the Shenmai acupoint, the source of the Yang Qiao vessel, and the path of the Kidney Meridian. If the wound remains unhealed for a long time, the Qi of the Yang Qiao vessel cannot stimulate Kidney Qi, leading to leakage and further deficiency in the patient. At the initial stage, moxibustion with garlic slices is suitable; administer Xianfang Huoming Yin (Immortal Formula for Saving Lives Decoction) with Rougui (Cinnamon Bark) and Niuxi (Achyranthes Root). After ulceration, administer Buzhong Yiqi Tang, Renshen Yangrong Tang (Ginseng Nourishing Young and Virtuous Decoction), or Guifu Dihuang Wan (Cinnamon and Aconite Rehmannia Pill), tonifying according to the syndrome. (*Yizong Jinjian*)

Wang Haicang stated: For Tunie that fails to converge for a long time, wash with salt solution and sprinkle powdered Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome). Change every two days. Strictly avoid all labor for immediate effect.

Cheng stated: Heel carbuncle is mostly caused by wading in water after sweating, injuring sinews and bones through long walking, or damp-heat flowing and depositing. Initially, there must be itching; do not regard it as trivial. Moxibustion can be used. If delayed for more than ten days, with pus and blood dripping for years without healing, and if itchy, wash with pepper-salt solution.