Library

The chest carbuncle (chest fa ju) arises in the center of the chest, three cun below the laryngeal prominence (Jiehou), not far from the heart pit. It is the intersection of the six meridians of the hands and feet. The condition is most severe and life-threatening, requiring prompt treatment. If left untreated for three or four days, the skin may split and flesh crack, which is extremely alarming. One should use powdered Niuhuang (Calculus Bovis, 牛黄) and Xiongdan (Ursus Bile, 熊胆), mixed with sesame oil, and apply it to the periphery of the lesion to prevent ulceration ("blooming"). If pain is severe, use powder of Rushiang (Boswelliae Carthartici Resina, 乳香) and Moyao (Myrrhae Resina, 没药), spread on coarse paper, wrapped in a piece of blue cloth, dipped in clear oil, ignited, and held around the wound to irradiate it; the pain will cease spontaneously. Internally administer Chansu Wan (Toad Venom Pill, 蟾酥丸) and Xiaoyao San (Dispersion of Toxin Decoction, 仙方活命饮) to dissipate the toxin. If there is constipation and a full pulse, administer Liangge San (Cooling the Diaphragm Powder, 凉膈散) to unblock the bowels and drain heat. After suppuration, use Tuoli Xiaodu San (Support the Interior and Detoxify Decoction, 托里消毒散); after rupture, use Bazhen Tang (Eight Treasures Decoction, 八珍汤) or Shiquan Dabu Tang (Complete Great Tonifying Decoction, 十全大补汤) and other tonics to close the wound.

The Shanzhong abscess (Shanzhong ju) arises above the heart pit, between the two breasts, belonging to the Shanzhong acupoint (CV17) of the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel). Shanzhong is the Sea of Qi, where Qi resides and distributes Yin and Yang. If the Yin and Yang of the Zang-Fu organs are disharmonious, or if the Seven Emotions are imbalanced, this toxic condition may arise. Initially, one may also administer Chansu Wan and Xiaoyao San. If there is swelling, hardness, fever, vomiting, constipation, irritability, desire for cold drinks, dry tongue, bitter taste, and deep, full, and forceful pulses throughout all positions, Neishu Huanglian Tang (Internal Draining Coptis Decoction, 内疏黄连汤) is suitable to eliminate the pathogen internally, preventing the pathogen from transmitting to the Heart, which would be auspicious. Other treatments follow the methods described above.

Gan ju (Sweet Abscess) arises at the elevated fleshy area above the breast, below the Zhongfu acupoint (LU1) of the Lung Meridian. Regardless of whether it is on the left or right, it is caused by Qi stagnation due to worry and overthinking. The treatment method is the same as above.

When a person suffers from chronic cough leading to lung injury, the skin becomes yellow and emaciated, hair is brittle, complexion is sallow, voice is hoarse, there is alternating chills and fever, spontaneous sweating and night sweats, asthma preventing lying flat, frequent urination without thirst, turbid saliva and phlegm foam in the mouth but no pus, and the Cun Kou (Radial Pulse) is rapid, empty, and choppy, this is Fei Wei (Lung Withering). When a person experiences pain in the chest and diaphragm, dry throat and mouth with thirst,急促 asthma preventing rest, incessant cough, severe pain when expectorating phlegm, worsened shortness of breath upon pressure, unbearable pain, slight swelling of the four limbs, a fishy odor from the throat, expectoration of pus and blood, rough skin on the chest resembling scales, slight elevation of the flesh, ability to sleep on the right side but inability to sleep on the left (as left-side sleeping causes急促 asthma and discomfort), and a rapid and forceful pulse, this is Fei Yong (Lung Carbuncle). "Wei" means withering, like plants that wither and lose vitality, caused by the loss of Jin-Ye (Body Fluids) and exhaustion of Qi. "Yong" means obstruction, caused by the stagnation and reversal of Lung Qi accumulating over time. The Lung is the canopy of the five Zang organs, located in the chest, governing Qi, and manifesting in the skin and hair. Any labor or injury to Blood and Qi, deficiency of Cou-Li (Intercellular spaces/Skin pores) allowing Wind pathogen to invade, affecting the Lung internally, leads to sweating, aversion to wind, cough, shortness of breath, nasal congestion, neck stiffness, chest and hypochondriac fullness. If prolonged without recovery, it becomes Fei Wei. Alternatively, excessive sweating or purgation causing severe loss of Body Fluids can also lead to this. If Wind pathogen affects the Wei (Defensive) level, hindering exhalation, and Heat forces the Ying (Nutritive) level, hindering inhalation, Wind damages the skin and hair, Heat damages the Blood vessels. Wind and Heat contend, causing Qi and Blood to stagnate and accumulate in the Lung, eventually transforming into Fei Yong. Furthermore, excess sexual activity depleting Kidney Water, causing Deficient Fire to flare up, or consumption of rich wine, roasted/spicy foods steaming the Lung, can all lead to Yong. However, Wei is characterized by Righteous Qi deficiency, while Yong is characterized by Pathogenic Qi excess. For Righteous Qi deficiency, treatment should be gradual; for Pathogenic Qi excess, treatment should be swift. Deficiency requires tonification with clearing elements; excess requires tonification with draining elements. For treating Fei Wei, Qingzao Jiufei Tang (Clear Dryness and Rescue the Lung Decoction, 清燥救肺汤) is suitable. For treating Fei Yong, if not yet ruptured, Tingli Dazao Xiefei Tang (Descurainia Seed and Jujube Decoction to Drain the Lung, 葶苈大枣泻肺汤) or Qianjin Weijing Tang (Thousand Gold Reed Rhizome Decoction, 千金苇茎汤) is suitable; if already ruptured, Neibu Huangqi Tang (Internal Tonification Astragalus Decoction, 内补黄芪汤) is suitable.