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Chen Shigong stated: Zuan Chi Gan (Drilling Tooth Ulcer) refers to a condition in children where the tip of the tooth root protrudes through the gingival flesh, causing sharp pain in the lips like thorns. Use a lancet to pierce the healthy flesh beside the tooth, and remove the tooth by hand; if bleeding does not stop, apply paper wetted with cool water, changing it two or three times, and the bleeding will stop naturally. One must strictly avoid rich and pungent foods, and the tooth will regrow as before. (*Waike Zhengzong*)

Shen Douyuan stated: A growth resembling a squatting chicken's foot appears on the gingiva, one to two cun long, initially painless, but touching it causes pain radiating to the heart. This is toxicity of the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian. It should be tied with a line of Yuanhua (Genkwan Flower), and it will fall off naturally after two days. If the lesion is under the gum belonging to the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, use Yuanhua line as well, but medication should be chosen to drain toxicity according to the meridian. (*Qixuan Mi Yao*)

Shen Douyuan stated: When elderly people lose teeth, the roots are deepest and the sockets largest. Due to deficiency and decline of Qi and Blood, healing cannot occur. If suddenly abraded by hard objects, the pain penetrates to the bones, heart, and brain, making eating difficult, and the wound is hardest to heal. This is named Chi Ku Chuang (Tooth Socket Ulcer). Apply 2-3 fen of Shengji San (Regenerate Flesh Powder), support it into the socket with old cotton wool, or stuff it with mashed rice. Leave it overnight for good effect. (*Qixuan Mi Yao*)

Gu Cao Feng (Bone Trough Wind)

Wang Kentang stated: Gu Cao Feng, also known as Chuan Sai Du (Cheek-Piercing Toxicity), presents with swollen and painful gums, severe alternating chills and fever, and continuous ulceration. It is caused by sorrow, overthinking, fright, and grief. Initially, it arises between the ear and neck, hidden within the skin, presenting as a small nodule that gradually enlarges to the size of a walnut. Redness and swelling increase daily, moving up, down, left, or right. The jaw becomes rigid, preventing eating. First, induce vomiting of wind-phlegm using a goose feather probe. Do not use knives or needles. (*Yi Zong Bi Du / Zhun Sheng*)

Dou Hanqing stated: Gu Cao Feng, also called Chuan Zhu, Fu Gu, Chuan Hou, Ya Cao Feng, or Chuan Sai. This results from worry, thought, fright, and anxiety, causing the Taiyang meridian to receive pathogenic factors that knot in the Large Intestine. Evil toxins generate mutually and flood the meridians. Initially, it arises below the ear and at the neck, hidden in the skin, appearing as a small nodule that grows to the size of a plum, becoming red and swollen. It may move up, down, left, or right. The jaw is rigid, and the mouth cannot open. Urgently use a goose feather to stir out wind-phlegm, then administer decoctions immediately.

Chen Shigong stated: Gu Cao Feng initially arises in front of the ear, extending to the cheeks and neck, with pain radiating to the sinews and bones. Over time, diffuse swelling develops, accompanied by chills and fever like malaria, locked jaw, and inability to eat. This stems from depression and anger injuring the Liver, causing sinew and bone rigidity; overthinking injuring the Spleen, causing muscle rot; and rich, greasy foods causing excessive swelling and foul odor. Initially, it is hard and difficult to resolve; later, the wound is difficult to close. Initially, moxibustion should be applied to the swollen area and five fen below the earlobe, seven moxa cones each, along with plaster application to drain internal toxicity. For internal jaw swelling, prick with a thread needle to release bad blood, and apply Bingpeng San (Ice and Borax Powder) externally to resolve internal and external toxic vapors. Internally, administer formulas that descend fire, transform phlegm, clear heat, and reduce swelling. After ulceration, add Maidong (Ophiopogon Root) and Wuweizi (Schisandra Fruit) to tonifying and expelling formulas. If external necrotic tissue does not slough, deficiency-heat persists, induration remains, and the body emaciates, death ensues. (*Waike Zhengzong*)

Jiang Shiji stated: Treatment must ensure Water ascends and Fire descends, and the Spleen strengthens while Metal clears for recovery. (*Yangyi Shuoyue*)

He further stated: If Ya Cao Feng persists without healing, white pus exudes from the tooth gaps, making treatment extremely difficult. Teeth may even fall out; if the upper left incisor falls out, it is incurable. Treat with mouth ulcer medicines (formulas recorded in the Throat Section), adding Niuhuang (Calculus Bovis) and doubled Zhenzhu Ercha (Pearl Tea). Use for five days initially; when purple discoloration fades to white, continue for another five days for flesh regeneration, and self-heal after five more days.

He also stated: If Ya Cao Feng persists without healing, it is named Ya Lou Chui. Treat similarly to Ya Cao Feng, concurrently administering Yin-nourishing and Fire-descending formulas. Abstain from alcohol, sexual activity, and stimulating foods.

*Xinfa Ya jue* stated: Gu Cao Feng, also named Ya Bi Fa or Chuan Sai Fa, is wind-fire of the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao and Foot-Yangming Stomach meridians. It starts in front of the ear, extending to the cheeks, with deep aching pain in sinews and bones. After a long time, it ulcerates, and the sinews and bones inside and outside the cheek remain diffusely swollen, hard, and painful, with jaw rigidity. This is due to evil wind deeply invading sinews and bones. This syndrome belongs to the Yin aspect of sinews and bones; thus, initial swelling is hard and difficult to resolve, and post-ulceration wounds are difficult to close, often leading to untreatable conditions. Some cases result from excessive intake of cold-cooling herbs, causing muscles to become hard, coagulated, and putrid. Only Lizhong Tang assisted with Fuzi can restore Yang, and only Jiangcan (Bombyx Batryticatus) can search out wind. Following this method, all symptoms decrease, except for jaw rigidity. In such cases, place slices of fresh ginger and apply moxibustion to Jiache Acupoint (located five fen below the earlobe, in the depression), fourteen cones daily, combined with pricking the end of the gums inside the mouth to bleed, which will open the jaw. If chills and fever persist, the body emaciates, phlegm is profuse with anorexia, or oral ulceration occurs, even penetrating the cheek and losing teeth, these are adverse signs. At the initial stage of ulceration, treatment is similar to that for Ya Gan (Gum Gangrene), merely doing what one can.