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From the back of the head, shoulders, spine, back, and abdomen, carbuncles and sores are all gathered in this section for easy reference and treatment consultation.

Brain Carbuncle (Nao Ju)
According to *Gui Yi Fang* (The Book of the Ghost's Legacy): A lesion arising at a single point on the top center of the head is called Brain Carbuncle (Nao Yong) or Brain Sore (Nao Ju). Brain Shattering (Nao Shuo) occurs above the Dazhui bone (GV14), extending into the hairline.

Wang Kentang stated: In Brain Carbuncle (Nao Yong), the skin rises and easily forms a rupture point; if punctured promptly to drain pus, it causes no harm. In Brain Sore (Nao Ju), the skin is thick, making it difficult to form a rupture point; one must urgently promote the expulsion of internal toxins to allow for rupture. Brain Shattering (Nao Shuo) initially resembles a horizontally dug log, starting from the Baihui point (GV20) at the vertex and ending at the Dazhui point (GV14). The swelling feels like burning fire, with a color resembling dark leather boots, appearing very hard without visible pus. It soon damages the outer skin, leaving marks similar to those of a dog bite removing flesh, and is difficult to heal. (*Yixue Zhunsheng*)

According to *Ling Shu Jing* (Spiritual Pivot): When Yang Qi becomes excessively hyperactive, consuming the brain and flowing down the neck, it is named Brain Shattering (Nao Shuo). The patient appears depressed and unhappy. If the head and neck feel as if pierced by needles, accompanied by mental restlessness, death ensues, and it is incurable.

Xue Lizhai stated: Lesions in the head belong to accumulated heat in the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian, or damp-toxicity surging upward, or Yin deficiency with blazing fire, or depletion of Kidney Water and exhaustion of Yin Essence, which eventually forms a sore.

Chen Yuangong stated: Only when a sore arises on the top of the head is it named Brain Sore (Nao Ju). Those located centrally on the back of the neck (Duikou) or off-center (Pian Duikou) are not true Brain Sores. This condition has a mortality rate of nine out of ten, with only one survivor. Generally, those suffering from this sore have boiling Kidney Fire. The brain is the Sea of Marrow, connected to the Kidneys. If the Kidneys lack Fire, Marrow cannot transform into Essence; if there is too much Fire, Marrow also cannot transform into Essence. Not only does it fail to transform into Essence, but it fluctuates with the Fire and transforms into toxicity, generating carbuncles and sores. The transformation of Essence by the Kidneys requires the Qi of the brain to assist. If the brain contains nothing but Kidney Fire, Qi inevitably transforms into Fire. Since Fire nature flares upward and fails to descend, toxicity spontaneously generates within the Sea of Marrow in the brain. This is more severe than cases where stagnant brain Qi transforms into toxicity. Consequently, patients often undergo changes in appearance and voice, with lesions turning purple-black, accompanied by irritability and dry mouth. In extreme cases, the cranial bones rot and peel off in pieces, presenting a wretched state indescribable by words. How can such a case be saved? For this syndrome, one must inquire about the patient's diet. If they can still taste their food, medication can be administered. The formula is named Wusheng Dan (Five Saints Pill): 8 liang of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (Jinyinhua), 3 liang each of Scrophulariae Radix (Xuanshen) and Ophiopogonis Radix (Maidong), 4 liang of Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin), and 2 liang of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen). Decoct in water and take orally. After four doses, the condition will gradually improve. Then switch to Shiquan Dabu Tang (Ten Complete Tonifying Decoction), increasing the dose to 4 liang, taken for four doses. Subsequently, switch to Bawei Dihuang Wan (Eight-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill), allowing liberal consumption, and recovery will naturally occur. This is the method to save the dying from this critical condition; indeed, there is no second method. Most cases of this sore arise from the misuse of sexual techniques. Aphrodisiacs and astringents are all caustic and hot mineral substances that aggressively block the essence pathways. Accumulated over time, True Yin dries up, Marrow exhausts, and Fire erupts, leading to ulceration of the vertex that is incurable. Why should people endure hardship merely to please women, sacrificing precious lives? (*Shishi Milu*)

Dou Hanqing stated: If a Brain Sore (Nao Ju) appears dark and does not ulcerate, or ulcerates but fails to heal, it indicates the exhaustion of Yin Essence, named Brain Shattering (Nao Shuo), which is incurable. (*Quan Shu*)