夫面部之上,人中之中为龙泉,人中之旁为虎须,面中高骨为颧骨,俱系阳明络脉经行
之地。此三处生疔,俱有轻有重,医者但分轻重治之,不必分彼此之异也。其轻者,多因风
热而结,初起迹如蚊咬,而根盘已经坚肿,恶寒身热,次日头破如一粒椒。外用围药敷之,
顶用白雪丹,以万应膏盖之;间日揭开,顶如僵腐状,以升膏盖之;再间一日揭膏,其坚腐
自落,脓随而出,药用羚羊、地丁、银花、丹皮、知母、连翘、黄连、山栀等类;如火盛热
甚,即用犀角地黄汤,或黄连解毒汤;若不透,即以制蚕、角刺透之;脓泄肿消,总以七日
为期,后即脓尽收口。
其重者,或因于七情内伤,或因于膏粱浓味,醇酒炙 ,五脏蕴
热,邪毒结聚而发。经曰∶膏梁浓味发疔疽。此之谓也。初起形如粟粒,或如水泡,按之根
深,如钉着骨,痛不可忍,根盘漫肿不透,面目浮肿,或坚肿 红,恶寒身烙热,恶心呕吐
,肢体拘急;三四日后,或口噤如痉,神识模糊,此以火毒陷入心包,即名走黄疔,十有九
死之证。宜服紫雪丹或至宝丹,及犀角地黄汤;外药亦如前法。又古方有夺命丹,可用一粒
入疮头,以膏药盖之。若不省人事,或牙关紧急,以夺命丹为末,葱酒调灌亦可。若有红丝
,急宜用针于血丝尽处挑破,使出恶血,以泄其毒,或有生者。又有余毒走络,而遍体发流
注者,治与阳证流注同。
On the upper face, the center of the philtrum (Ren Zhong) is called Longquan (Dragon Spring), the sides of the philtrum are called Huxu (Tiger's Whiskers), and the high bone on the face is called Quangu (Zygomatic Bone). These areas are all locations where the Yangming meridians and collaterals circulate. Carbuncles (Ding, 疔) arising in these three places vary in severity; physicians should treat them based on their light or heavy nature, without needing to distinguish between their specific differences.
The milder cases often result from the confluence of Wind-Heat pathogens. Initially, the lesion resembles a mosquito bite, but the base and surrounding area are already hard and swollen, accompanied by aversion to cold and fever. By the next day, the apex breaks open like a peppercorn. Externally, a perimeter paste (Wei Yao) is applied. The apex is treated with Baixue Dan (Snow White Pill), covered with Wanying Gao (Ten Thousand Responses Plaster). Every other day, the plaster is removed; if the apex appears stiff and necrotic, Sheng Gao (Ascension Paste) is applied. After another interval, removing the paste allows the hard necrotic tissue to fall off naturally, followed by the discharge of pus. Internal medication includes Antelope Horn (Lingyang Jiao), Dandelion Root (Dideng Cao), Honeysuckle Flower (Yinhua), Moutan Cortex (Danpi), Anemarrhena Rhizome (Zhimu), Forsythia Fruit (Lianqiao), Coptis Rhizome (Huanglian), and Gardenia Fruit (Shanzhi). If fire heat is excessive and severe, Xijiao Dihuang Tang (Rhinoceros Horn and Rehmannia Decoction) or Huanglian Jiedu Tang (Coptis Detoxification Decoction) should be used immediately. If the toxin does not penetrate, processed silkworms or horn thorns are used to pierce it. Once pus is discharged and swelling subsides, the course is generally seven days, after which the pus is absorbed and the wound closes.
The severe cases may arise from internal injury due to the Seven Emotions (Qi Qing), or from consuming rich, greasy foods, strong wine, and roasted meats, leading to the accumulation of heat toxins in the Five Zang organs, causing pathogenic toxins to cluster and erupt. The Classics state: "Rich and greasy foods cause carbuncles and ulcers." This refers to such cases. Initially, the shape resembles a millet grain or a blister. Palpation reveals a deep root, as if nailed to the bone, with unbearable pain. The base spreads diffusely without penetrating, the face and eyes swell, or there is hard red swelling, aversion to cold, burning fever, nausea, vomiting, and limb stiffness or spasms. After three to four days, trismus (lockjaw) resembling spasm may occur, along with blurred consciousness. This is because fire toxins have penetrated into the Pericardium (Xin Bao), known as "Zouhuang Ding" (Roaming Yellow Carbuncle, referring to septicemia/toxemia from carbuncle), a critical condition with a mortality rate of nine out of ten. Suitable treatments include Zixue Dan (Purple Snow Pill), Zhibao Dan (Precious Treasure Pill), and Xijiao Dihuang Tang. External treatment follows the previous methods. Additionally, an ancient formula, Mingdan (Life-Restoring Pill), can be used by placing one pill into the wound head and covering it with a plaster. If the patient loses consciousness or has tight jaw muscles, Mingdan powder mixed with green onion and wine can be administered forcibly. If red threads (red streaks indicating lymphangitis) appear, they should be promptly pricked with a needle at the end of the red thread to release bad blood and drain the toxin, offering a chance for survival. In cases where residual toxins flow through the collaterals, causing widespread Liu Zhu (flowing abscesses) throughout the body, the treatment is the same as that for Yang-pattern Liu Zhu.