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In the regions of the head, skull, and bilateral zygomatic bones, phlegm nodules do not occur. However, they can arise in the neck, below the neck, and throughout the entire body. When initially presenting with alternating chills and fever, forming a lump that is red and swollen, it is classified as *Tanzi* (Phlegm Child, a type of yang-phlegm nodule). When initially presenting without chills or fever, with a white color and no pain, it is classified as *Luoli* (Scrofula, a type of yin-phlegm nodule). Redness belongs to Yang, while whiteness belongs to Yin; Yang conditions are easier to treat, whereas Yin conditions are difficult to treat.

When an abscess (*Yongju*) first appears, lumps may also rise around it. However, the lumps of an abscess feel very mobile upon palpation. In contrast, phlegm nodules are immobile when pushed.

Phlegm nodules are located within the subcutaneous tissue. Initially, they resemble particles such as chess pieces, peas, or mung beans. During their eruption, there is alternating chills and fever. Large ones may be the size of a chicken egg or an inverted bowl. They may vary in shape and length; those that are red, swollen, and erupt quickly belong to *Tanzi*. Those that are white with slight redness, exhibit minimal edema, and erupt slowly mostly belong to *Luoli*.

After a phlegm nodule ulcerates, it rarely forms a scab. Instead, foul-smelling discharge occurs intermittently. Applying muscle-regenerating plasters results in one area sealing up while another ulcerates, making treatment ineffective. Only by employing the fire-attack method described later can rapid healing be achieved without recurrence. Otherwise, the condition spreads over the whole body, leading to the depletion of body fluids and eventually developing into consumptive disease (*Laozai*).

The names of phlegm nodules are often determined by their shape and location. A few examples are listed here for reference:
If the nodule is under the tongue, it is named *Dianshi Tan* (Cushion-Tongue Phlegm).
If there is one nodule on each side of the throat, it is named *Tiemen Shuan* (Iron Gate Bolt).
If the nodule is at the Jiache acupoint below the ear, it is called *Jiache Tan* (Jiache Phlegm).
If the nodule is between the tendons of the neck and is long like a machete, it is named *Madao* (Machete Scrofula).
If nodules appear along the front of the neck down to below both ears, linked together like beads on a string, it is named *Magualing* (Horse-Hanging Bell).
If the nodule is in the hypochondriac region and swells suddenly, it is called *Jixie Tan* (Hypochondriac Phlegm).
If the nodule adheres to the large bones of the hands, it is called *Tiegu Tan* (Bone-Clinging Phlegm).
If the nodule arises above the chest and diaphragm, it is called *Qi Tan* (Qi Phlegm).
If it is in the lumbar region, it is named *Chanyao Tan* (Waist-Wrapping Phlegm).
If it is on the upper buttocks and shaped like an inverted bowl, it is named *Weidu Tan* (Roasting-Spine Phlegm).
If nodules appear in the Shuxi acupoint in the groin and on the foot bones, they are also named *Tiegu Tan* (Bone-Clinging Phlegm).
If nodules ulcerate in one place and appear in another, spreading throughout the body without a fixed location, it is called *You Tan* (Wandering Phlegm).
If it grows continuously, ulcerating segment by segment with wounds that fail to close, it is named *Guateng* (Gourd-Vine Ulcer).
By grasping these general principles, even the seventy-two types of phlegm syndromes mentioned by ancient physicians can be distinguished. The first diagram below provides an overview.

\rFirst Diagram\p04-a32a1.bmp\r
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The small circles marked in the First Diagram above indicate where phlegm nodules occur on the human body, which determines their names. Thus, practitioners can identify the condition by observing the location and morphology of the nodules. In summary, phlegm nodules often arise from bone gaps, whereas *Luoli* belongs purely to the Yin aspect. Consequently, its recovery period and treatment methods are more than ten times more difficult than those for *Tanzi*.