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Cheng Shanling stated: For swellings occurring above the head and face, moxibustion is not suitable, as it may draw fire qi upward to attack. It is advisable to use the Divine Lamp Illumination Method (Shen Deng Zhao Fa), which is miraculous in its efficacy. The Huo Zhao San (Fire Illumination Powder) is placed into paper twists, soaked in sesame oil, and ignited. Three branches of divine fire are used per application, held approximately half an inch away from the lesion to illuminate it from the outside inward, allowing the medicinal qi to penetrate. Purple and stagnant skin color will immediately turn red and vibrant; flat and collapsed sores will immediately rise high. Continuous illumination is required to resolve the toxin instantly, transforming yin conditions into yang conditions to achieve complete recovery. This method is not only applicable to the head and face but also suitable for toxins such as those on the back (Fa Bei). It is a precious raft for treating carbuncles and ulcers and should be referenced mutually to enhance its utility. (From *Shi Fa*)

Huo Zhao San (i.e., Divine Lamp Illumination Method, see *Zheng Zong*):
Cinnabar (Zhu Sha), Dragon's Blood (Xue Jie), Myrrh (Mo Yao) (each 3 qian), Musk (She Xiang) (0.5 fen), Realgar (Ming Xiong) (3 qian).
Grind all into fine powder. Wrap 3 fen of the powder in each cotton paper strip about one cun long. Soak in pure sesame oil and ignite. Illuminate around the sore from outside to inside. The sore toxin will disperse with the medicinal qi and will not invade the internal organs initially. Start with three strips, gradually increase to five or seven strips. As the sore condition flattens, gradually reduce the number. After fumigation, apply Hong Sheng Dan (Red Sublimate) and paste a plaster. If the swelling spreads around, apply medicine externally; if fumigating again, wash off the powder first. The medicinal oil at the plaster site need not be washed.

Divine Formula for Fumigating Fa Bei and Dui Kou Sores (by Sheng Danming): For these two types of sores, initially wash with water decocted from loofah leaves; if unavailable, use hot water. Then, mix Child's Tea (Er Cha), Dragon's Blood (Xue Jie), Frankincense (Ru Xiang, de-oiled), and Myrrh (Mo Yao, de-oiled), one qian each, and grind evenly. Roll into strips within grass paper, soak thoroughly in sesame oil, ignite, and illuminate/fumigate the sore head. Like a drop of dew, the toxin will dissipate. If perception is delayed and swelling is severe, fumigation is still necessary and most effective.

Li Dongyuan stated: Carbuncles (Ju) are suitable for moxibustion but not cauterization; boils (Yong) are suitable for cauterization but not moxibustion. Dan liu (erysipelas-like swelling) and toxic swellings are suitable for soaking. If the swollen skin is smooth and soft, puncture it to drain the toxin. Surgical techniques for sores rarely exceed this, but each has its appropriate use. Thus, *Sheng Hui Fang* states: Once confirmed as a Ju sore, moxibustion of 100-200 moxa cones (zhuang), sized like mung beans, is appropriate. After moxibustion, pain may be felt; after one night, this indicates the fire qi has penetrated downward, guiding the heat from the swelling out through the fire. If the sore itches, moxibustion via a fermented soybean cake (Chi Bing) is suitable. The cake must be made by pounding together pepper, ginger, salt, and scallions, shaped into a cake about three coins thick, placed over the sore head for moxibustion. Lift if too hot, replace, and use fresh cakes. If the sore hurts, urgent moxibustion with many zhuang is excellent. If pus has formed, absolutely do not moxibustion; puncture immediately for cure. If various sores become chronic fistulas (Lou), sulfur moxibustion is suitable. Method: Place a piece of sulfur on the sore according to size. Burn a small amount of sulfur on fire, pick up with a hairpin tip, and ignite the sulfur on the sore 3-5 times until pus dries and heals. For early Fa Bei, use the cake moxibustion method. Upon feeling a sore on the back with unusual pain/itch, identify as Fa Bei, make a cake from clean soil and water (1 cun diameter, 0.2 cun thick), place on the sore, and moxibustion with one cone per cake change. For millet-sized sores, moxibustion 49 zhuang; for coin-sized sores, moxibustion day and night until healed. These formulas are personally verified and recorded. I believe surgeons should record all experiences from youth to old age. I recall treating Gan sores and malignant ulcers where other doctors failed: take termites (Qi Cao), cut off both ends, place on the sore, moxibustion, changing every 7 zhuang, using no more than one termite, always effective. Another method: use "Qihuo Po" insects for moxibustion similarly, highly effective but kept secret. Another method: pound red-skinned garlic into a cake, moxibustion like the fermented soybean cake method, even better. (From *Shi Shu Jing Yi*)

Jiang Shiji stated: For any sore at the onset, regardless of yin or yang, moxibustion opens the door to chase away the thief. (From *Shuo Yue*)
Also stated: Test where the sore head is by applying wet paper over the sore; the first dry spot indicates the sore head.
Also stated: Moxibustion in the first 1-2 days can cure immediately; in 3-4 days, 60-70% heal; if past the 7-day threshold when internal pus forms, moxibustion is contraindicated.

Cheng Shanling stated: Garlic-interposed moxibustion surpasses knife and needle methods. Books say: Moxibustion until pain if painless; stop moxibustion when pain occurs. For treating Yong, Ju, Ding toxins, flowing deposits, and all unnamed swellings, place sliced garlic on the sore top, put aged moxa cones on the garlic, and ignite. Cone size depends on the sore. For large Yong/Ju, use pounded garlic cake; moxibustion until pain if initially painless, or until numbness if initially painful. Incomplete penetration causes harm. If internal pus exists, moxibustion is unnecessary. (From *Shi Fa*)

Chen Shigong stated: How to treat Yong, Ju, and Fa Bei? Moxibustion first, regardless of yin or yang. Moxibustion until pain if painless; stop when pain ceases. (From *Zheng Zong*)
Also stated: Medical texts prohibit moxibustion for head sores, Ding toxins, and Shen Shu Fa. The head is the summit of all Yang meridians, a position of pure Yang without Yin. Sores here are due to extreme hyperactive Yang heat. Adding moxa fire intensifies the toxin, causing massive swelling, stirring internal phlegm, leading to death. Facial sores are Yang toxins; Shen Shu Fa often results from sexual exhaustion, kidney water depletion, and true Yin consumption, leading to dryness, black depression, coma, and death. Patients with deficient Yuan Qi, fatigue, confusion, flat sores, weak/scattered pulses, or fear of moxa should not undergo moxibustion, as it may cause fainting and lacks true Qi to resist the fire, causing harm. This is sound advice.
Also stated: For numerous Yin sores, use pounded garlic spread on sores, cover with moxa, and ignite. Pain indicates efficacy as fire qi enters deeply. Moxa draws out depressed toxins, penetrates pores, providing an exit for internal toxins. This is the primary method in surgery, best applied early.

Chen Wenzhi stated: Ding toxins cannot be reached quickly by medicine alone; only moxa fire resolves them, with very rapid efficacy.

Zhou Wencai stated: For initial Yin collapse, frequent moxibustion or garlic-interposed moxibustion is suitable. Moxibustion until itch if painful, or until pain if itchy, is the best method. For established Ju sores, fire needles can open the sore for easier treatment. (From *Ji Yan*)
Also stated: For small initial Yong/Ju points, within 1-2 days, slice garlic like a coin, place on top, moxibustion with small cones, stopping at 5 zhuang. For slightly larger shapes, stick yellow cotton paper soaked in wine over the swelling, identify dry lines as roots, moxibustion there, stopping at 5-7 zhuang. Another method: press around to find the root (painful/deep pressure relief); moxibustion there and elsewhere. For large swelling, bake garlic cake with vinegar, apply hot, replace frequently, or iron over it. If spreading, cover with silk to retain heat, then apply medicine. For Yong/Ju expanding like a turtle, moxibustion front legs, then tail. If red veins are tight/long, moxibustion the end, leaving head and rear legs un-moxed. Complete moxibustion traps fire and drives toxin inward. If identification is unclear, decoct Angelica dahurica (Bai Zhi), Sichuan pepper (Han Jiao), Mulberry bark (Sang Bai Pi), and scallion whites with new water and vinegar to wash, revealing veins for head/tail identification.

Zhu Danxi stated: Head/face toxins that are pure Yin, flat, and numb require moxibustion, but cones should be small, like wheat grains, to enhance efficacy.

Dou Hanqing stated: For clustered sores, place coin-thick garlic slices, put moxa cones on top, and ignite. Replace when garlic chars. Best to have 3-5 zhuang touching the skin, minimum 21 zhuang. On the crown, 5-7 zhuang suffice. Cones should be bean-sized. Face center is Yang among Yang, prohibited for moxibustion. Why forbid Yang conditions? Fear of internal fire invasion increasing severity. Only Yin conditions are suitable; moxa extracts depressed Qi, damp-heat, and accumulated toxins. Fire assisting water has generative benefits. Extinguish fire by blowing. Fire power enters via Qi, dispersing sores easily. Delayed moxibustion prevents immediate dispersion but aids detoxification, suppuration, and healing. For Zang Du and Zu Ma Yong, use earthworm mud cakes instead of garlic, moxibustion to heat, 14 zhuang total. For Gu Gu Ju (bone-deep abscess), choose sunny/warm days, avoid unlucky days, moxibustion from Wu hour to Shen hour, ask patient if bone feels hot for efficacy. Stop if sudden bursting occurs (root expelled). Eat half-full, drink good wine to unblock meridians, have someone chat to distract from pain. Deficient constitution prohibits moxibustion. (From *Jing Quan*)

Xue Lizhai stated: Internal pathology manifests externally; pull outwards, drain inwards. If toxin stagnates and blood congeals, mild cases resolve with medicine, severe cases require moxibustion. Unbroken sores: draw out depressed toxins; broken sores: replenish Yang Qi. Limb sores with sufficient Qi/Blood heal with moxibustion. Head is Yang summit, Shen Shu is near waist/spine, and weak patients lack Qi to resist fire; these are prohibited for moxibustion. Exercise caution.

Wang Kentang stated: Moxibustion follows the principle of treating opposites. Head gathers all Yang, so cones should be small/few. Shaoyang regions especially prohibit moxibustion; excessive use can be fatal. Extreme deficiency with isolated Yang nearing extinction presents with floating/rapid/large/pulsing pulse and mental confusion, unable to resist fire, hence dangerous.

Wang Shengzhi stated: For sores with deep-rooted pus/toxins, mix flour, sulfur, and garlic into a cake (0.3 cun thick), place on sore, moxibustion 21 zhuang, changing each time. After 4-5 days, insert Cui Xia Ding Zi to remove necrotic tissue, promote healthy granulation, apply astringents, and take tonics for recovery.

*Yuan Rong* stated: Exogenous sores are not suitable for moxibustion; endogenous sores are. Exogenous: support to prevent inward invasion; endogenous: guide outward. Classics state: Depressed lesions require moxibustion. Stop when pain occurs during painless moxibustion. Painless moxibustion targets pre-ulceration; painful moxibustion targets post-ulceration/pre-ulceration transition.

*Jing Yao* stated: Brain is gathering of all Yang; neck/throat and Shen Shu are vital areas; all prohibit moxibustion.

Liu Hejian's Moxibustion/Acupuncture Method: Classify sores by meridian, Qi/Blood volume, and point distance. Back eruptions: use Taiyang 5 points (Zhiyin, Tonggu, Shugu, Kunlun, Weizhong). Temple eruptions: use Shaoyang 5 points (Tonggu, Xiaxi, Linqi, Yangfu, Yanglingquan). Beard area eruptions: use Yangming 5 points (Lidui, Neiting, Xangu, Chongyang, Xiangu). Brain eruptions: use Jiegu point only. See *Yong Ju Jiu Jing*.

Liu Zongnong stated: Early Yong/Ju requires moxibustion. Chronic fistulas with non-foul pus and no necrotic tissue benefit from Aconite (Fu Zi) moxibustion (soaked, sliced thickly, moxibustion, with internal support herbs, repeated every 2-3 days for 5-7 times until flesh fills). For deep-rooted foul pus, Guo Shi's method uses flour, sulfur, garlic cake (0.3 cun thick), moxibustion 21 zhuang, changing each. After 4-5 days, use Cui Xia Ding Zi and Xin Xiao Ding Zi alternately to remove necrosis, promote healing, apply astringents, and take specific tonics. Moxibustion is not just for onset; early stage requires matching diaphoretic/purgative/tonic herbs. Cold sores require proper internal support; reversal leads to complications.

Classics state: Muscle gatherings are valleys/streams, conducting Ying/Wei and gathering Great Qi. Pathogen overflow causes heat, tissue failure, pus formation, marrow locking, collateral rupture, and joint damage. Cold accumulation causes muscle retraction, tendon contraction, bone Bi, and numbness. Aconite moxibustion addresses this mechanism. (From *Jiu Lou Chuang Lun*)

Li Shi stated: Moxibustion for Ju surpasses medicine, venting toxins like opening doors to chase thieves. Early sores (1-2 days): use large single-clove garlic slices (0.3 cun thick) on sore top, garlic-interposed moxibustion, changing garlic every 3 zhuang. After ulceration, apply Shen Yi Gao. Prevents tissue destruction, promotes healing. Triple benefit. Unknown to many. Prohibited on the crown. (From *Wu Fu Ji Guan Bei*)

Wu Shi stated: Garlic cake moxibustion uses garlic's pungent/warm toxicity to disperse Yong/Ju via fire power. Pure moxa is for stubborn/chronic sores. Red/swollen/purple/black severe toxins require garlic+moxa combination.

Zhang Jingyue stated: Yong/Ju results from Qi/Blood stagnation. Large stagnations resist dispersal; fire is needed for speed, hence moxibustion. However, Sun Dao Ren's Immortal Fumigation Formula is superior for slow/deep toxins with blocked Qi. For intense/critical toxins, fumigation beats moxibustion.

Feng Luzhan stated: Post-ulcer cold wind invasion causing swelling/pain: pound chives, heat, apply; or make cake, moxibustion with moxa rounds to enter heat. (From *Jin Nang*)

Zhang Zhongjing stated: Back sores appearing externally must not be ignored. Immediately apply garlic slice (0.1 cun thick) to sore, burn with moxa. Stop burning if pain becomes painless, or if painless becomes painful. Do not stop if still painless. Excellent method for early Fa Bei. Fire transforms toxin; attacking fire with fire is justified. Physicians should note this.

*Xin Fa* stated: Moxibustion breaks knots/hardness. For millet-sized white grain with surrounding coin-sized swelling, place moxa on grain, 14-15 zhuang. Within 3 days: moxa forms sore and disperses. After 3 days: swelling reduces, moxibustion more. Moxa site ulcerates first, reducing toxin spread, preventing sinking and bone/Qi/Blood damage. "Stop when painless": pain at healthy skin, no pain at toxin; stop when fire reaches toxin. "Stop when painful": no pain at toxin, pain at healthy skin; stop when fire reaches healthy skin. Those fearing moxa can use single garlic clove, fermented soybean cake, or pepper/ginger/salt cake (3 coins thick), moxibustion, replacing when hot, also effective.