Library

Whenever decocting and refining plasters (Bo Tie), one must first refine this oil. Filter it cleanly and store it separately. Then, if the prepared plaster is sometimes found to be too hard (lao), this oil can be added at will to adjust its consistency. During the three winter months when the weather is extremely cold, if the plaster spread on paper does not stick to the hand and falls off easily when applied to the affected area, this oil must be used to blend it evenly before spreading and applying. This makes the plaster tender and adhesive. Furthermore, this oil can be used to mix medicinal powders for applying to various sores with wet ulcers, which is superior to using raw sesame oil. If this refined oil is mixed with Minium (Huang Dan) and Lead Powder (Qian Fen) according to the above method, it becomes a plaster that can be applied to all types of surgical lesions. Additionally, applying specific medicinal powders may suffice for general treatment, but it cannot achieve the rapid efficacy of the previous two formulas.

Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, 4 liang) Qiang Huo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix) Du Huo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix) Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, each 3 liang) Gui Ban (Testudinis et Chelonis Carapax et Plastrum, 8 liang)
Use 20 jin of Sesame Oil (Mahu You). First add Gui Ban, then Sheng Di Huang, followed by the other herbs. Boil until the herbs are scorched, remove the dregs, and set aside for use.

Indicated for eye tinea, leaking tear sac abscess (Lou Jing Chuang), nasal chancre (Bi Gan), lip chancre (Chun Gan), breast tinea (Ru Xian), breast chancre (Ru Gan), umbilical ulcer (Qi Chuang), umbilical leakage (Qi Lou), anal fistula, and various hemorrhoids, penile chancre (Jing Gan), and genital erosion (Yin Shi). It is suitable for patients who cannot tolerate toxic-drawing and rot-removing "San Xian" mineral pills.

Chuan Gu Yong Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma / Huang Lian, 4 liang) Chuan Bai Pi (Phellodendri Cortex / Huang Bai, 4 liang) Xuan Shen (Scrophulariae Radix, 4 liang) Da Sheng Di (Rehmanniae Radix, 6 liang) Sheng Gui Ban (Testudinis et Chelonis Carapax et Plastrum, 6 liang) Dang Gui Quan (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, 3 liang)
Slice all the above herbs. Use 5 jin of Sesame Oil (Mahu You). Simmer over gentle fire (Wen Huo) first for 20 minutes with Sheng Di Huang and Gui Ban. Then add the remaining herbs and boil until scorched. Filter out the dregs cleanly. Heat gently again, add 20 liang of Beeswax (Huang La) until fully melted and blended. Seal tightly and store for use.
[Formula Analysis] The conditions treated by this plaster all occur in soft, tender muscle tissue. Since toxic-drawing plasters cannot be used, and adding drugs that draw out toxins and remove necrotic tissue would double the pain and exacerbate the condition, this formula was created to clear heat and detoxify, while also removing necrosis and generating new tissue. However, the affected area must be washed frequently, and the toxic fluids wiped dry before application to achieve rapid results.

Indicated for stubborn sores that fail to heal for a long time, with oozing pus, superficial skin itching due to dampness, and without deep necrosis. It is particularly effective for leg ulcers (Lian Chuang) on the shins that have persisted for many years.

Zhen Xiang Pi (Elephant Skin, 3 liang; if unavailable, substitute with hooves from donkeys or horses, 4-5 liang) Dang Gui Quan (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) Zhuang Nian Ren Fa (Hair of a healthy adult male, cleaned of dirt, each 2 liang) Da Sheng Di (Rehmanniae Radix, 4 liang) Gui Ban (Testudinis et Chelonis Carapax et Plastrum, 4 liang) Zhen Ma You (Pure Sesame Oil, 5 jin)
First decoct Sheng Di Huang, Gui Ban, and Xiang Pi. Then add human hair and Dang Gui, boiling until scorched. Remove dregs. Add 6 liang of Beeswax (Huang La) and 6 liang of Alum (Bai Fan), juice from Coptidis Rhizoma (Chuan Lian), 0.5 jin of fine powder of Calcined Calamine (Zhi Lu Gan Shi), and 5 liang of fine powder of Gypsum Fibrosum (Sheng Shi Gao). Blend over gentle fire without boiling. Store in porcelain vessels sealed tightly. Spread on oil paper according to the size of the sore. Wrap lightly with cloth strips. Change every two days. For those with less pus, change every three to four days. This plaster can also be spread on Western-style absorbent cotton gauze, which absorbs moisture and promotes flesh growth more easily than oil paper.
[Formula Analysis] Stubborn sores lasting many years, with superficial wet necrosis and leg ulcers, are the most difficult to treat rapidly. Conventional methods for drawing out toxins, removing necrosis, and generating muscle to close wounds often fail to adhere effectively. This is a self-made formula by Master Zhu Lang, used for over forty years with remarkable efficacy.

In the late Guangxu reign, Master Lang treated a peculiar case. A villager from Suzhou, in his thirties, initially developed a hard lump on the top of his head. It gradually grew larger and higher, causing no itch, pain, or numbness, remaining uneventful for over five years. Later, the superficial skin began to rot slightly, with some exudate, but little pain. His sleep, diet, and daily activities were unaffected. Physicians within a hundred miles had been consulted, none could identify the disease. He then sought medical attention from Dr. Parker (Bo Lewen) at the American Hospital in Tianci Zhuang, Suzhou. Dr. Parker stated that although the exterior was rotten, the interior was large and hard. Surgical excision would cause significant bleeding. Moreover, since the interior was the cranial vault and the hard mass was attached to the skull bone, cutting it would lead to complications. He recommended using corrosive medicines to slowly penetrate and erode the hard mass. However, Western medicine lacked such corrosive agents. Hearing that Chinese surgeons had methods to corrode foul flesh without harming healthy tissue, he advised seeking a skilled Chinese surgeon to apply medication to gradually corrode and detach the hard masses from the head, after which he would use Western methods to close the wound.

The patient then learned of Mr. Huang Qiang's reputation in treating sores in Huangqiang Village and traveled by boat to Master Lang. The external appearance resembled an extra head on the patient's head, rising over two cun high and having a diameter of over three cun. The hat wobbled precariously, and the hair was sparse. Observing the rotten area, it was indeed only on the superficial skin, with serous exudate but no pus or blood. Pressing it felt as hard as stone and was painless. The pathology was indeterminate. Initially, ordinary detoxifying medicines were used with little progress. After the patient relayed Dr. Parker's comments, "Ku Zhi San" (Hemorrhoid Mummifying Powder) was applied. After accumulating for over half a year, the hardness completely disappeared, revealing the cranial vault bone, which was smooth, dry, and intact. The surrounding area had no residual hardness, with a diameter reaching over four cun. Master Lang noted that since it was so smooth with no fleshy tissue, and despite no adverse changes—with normal diet, sleep, and activity, and the ulcer bleeding only slightly with serous fluid—it was safe because the sutures of the skull bone interlock like dog teeth. Slight pressure yielded thin pus, but there was no pain or itch, and the brain felt unaffected. The cranial bone, though not very thick, has a spongy layer between the hard bones, a natural physiological structure protecting the brain matter. Thus, even if the outer skin is eroded, the brain remains uninjured, ensuring safety. However, wound closure would be difficult. Since Dr. Parker claimed he could manage closure after erosion, Master Lang advised the patient to return to him, noting that Western medicine was renowned for its miraculous external treatments and might be superior to traditional Chinese methods.

The patient returned to Dr. Parker to honor the agreement. However, within a few days, he returned to Master Lang, recounting his visit to Dr. Parker. He listed the medications used along the way and argued that Chinese medicine heals wounds slowly, requesting Master Lang's expertise to complete the work quickly. Upon seeing that the foul flesh was completely removed, Dr. Parker bowed his head in thought and said, "Chinese medicine indeed possesses unique merits. Since you have encountered such a skilled practitioner who can corrode the foul flesh, he must also possess miraculous remedies for wound closure to complete the success. There is no need for me to overstep my bounds. This reflects the gentleman's principle of not stealing others' credit." Thus, the patient returned to Master Lang.

Master Lang gave him this plaster and applied muscle-generating powder to the surrounding healthy skin. Initially, new flesh grew thread-like, spreading over the bone while the sides contracted slowly, leaving the smooth bone on the vertex unchanged. After about a year, the wound narrowed to a width of over two cun, with three cun remaining front-to-back. Continuous application of the plaster stopped further upward growth of the new flesh. Adding muscle-generating powder was ineffective. Internal tonics were administered, but the shape remained unchanged after a long period. Master Lang concluded that the bald vertex bone had failed to heal for so long, indicating the medicine was ineffective. Achieving full closure seemed difficult. The patient repeatedly asked if there were other methods, willing to bear higher costs. Recalling ancient texts mentioning the use of the human skull cap (Tian Ling Gai) in medicine, Master Lang thought this might be applicable due to the location. He informed the patient of this method but expressed moral reluctance to disturb the dead. As a compromise, he suggested using dog bone instead, hoping for a similar effect.

A few days later, the patient brought a piece of bone for the prescription. It was roasted until charred and mixed into the muscle-generating powder, applied to the surroundings, and covered with the plaster. Gradually, the wound filled up. Within two to three months, the wound was fully healed. Initially, the new skin was smooth and hairless. Over a year later, hair gradually grew back, no longer bare like Mount Niu. The patient visited Huangqiang Village for over three years, becoming like an old friend, visiting Master Lang three or four times. After recovery, he continued to send gifts and greetings seasonally. This was a highly unusual case. Although the exact pathology was unclear, the treatment records are worthy of transmission. The efficacy of this plaster is evident. I record these details here to show that my teacher's lineage has its own superior qualities. Huangqiang Medicine is truly not undeservedly famous.