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Why do sores and ulcers fail to heal, with blood and qi stagnating and not dissipating? Turbid pathogens thereby damage the clear and harmonious state, leading to eye diseases. It is said to be caused by excessive consumption of alcohol and meat, yet it seems like being provoked by "fireworks" (metaphor for external wind-heat or bad habits). Only after receiving corporal punishment (caning) can one recover; how many blows are one willing to endure?

This chapter discusses how sores and ulcers in the body, if their toxic heat spreads, can affect the eyes. The formation of sores and ulcers generally results from a diet rich in fatty and sweet foods, excessive indulgence in alcohol and sex, fatigue, and emotional depression, which deplete the true yuan (original qi). External pathogens then invade, combining with internal factors to cause blood and qi stagnation. Since there is no outlet internally, swelling and pain develop. The *Classic* states: "Injury to form causes pain; injury to qi causes swelling." It also says: "When the five zang organs are disharmonious, the nine orifices become blocked; when the six fu organs are disharmonious, stagnation forms carbuncles." Although the exterior appears full (excess), the interior is actually deficient. If liver deficiency coincides with strong toxicity, the pathogen will follow the meridians of the eye, invading and disturbing the clear and empty orifice. The treatment principle should be to clarify the source of toxicity; once the toxicity is eliminated, the eye disease will heal itself.

Generally speaking, if the swelling is high and painful, with thick and sticky pus, it indicates that the yuan qi is not damaged. Use Xianfang Huoxue Yin (Immortal Formula for Invigorating Blood and Resolving Swelling) to resolve it, followed by Tuoli Xiaodu San (Support the Interior and Eliminate Toxin Powder). If the swelling is diffuse without a head, with slight pain and thin pus, it indicates weak yuan qi. If Tuoli Xiaodu San is ineffective, add Shengjiang (Dried Ginger, *Zingiberis Rhizoma*) and Rougui (Cinnamon Bark, *Cinnamomi Cortex*). If pain persists after pus discharge, it indicates deficiency of blood and qi; use Bazhen Tang (Eight Treasures Decoction) with added Rougui (Cinnamon Bark, *Cinnamomi Cortex*). If flesh does not grow and the wound does not close, it indicates spleen qi deficiency; use Sijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) with added Shaoyao (Peony Root, *Paeoniae Radix Alba*) and Muxiang (Aucklandia Root, *Aucklandiae Radix*). If aversion to cold worsens, it indicates yang qi deficiency; use Shiquan Dabu Tang (Perfect Golden Great Tonifying Decoction) with added Shengjiang (Dried Ginger, *Zingiberis Rhizoma*) and Dazao (Jujube Fruit, *Ziziphi Jujubae Fructus*). Afternoon fever and internal heat indicate yin blood deficiency; use Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) with added Renshen (Ginseng Root, *Panacis Ginseng Radix*) and Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome, *Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma*). Nausea and frequent vomiting indicate stomach qi deficiency; use Liujunzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) with added Paoshengjiang (Processed Dried Ginger, *Zingiberis Rhizoma Preparatum*). Spontaneous sweating and night sweats indicate heart and kidney deficiency; use Buxin Dan (Heart-Nourishing Pill) or Duqi Wan (Duqi Pill). Poor appetite and physical fatigue indicate spleen qi deficiency; use Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Decoction for Supplementing the Middle and Augmenting Qi) with added Banxia (Pinellia Tuber, *Pinelliae Rhizoma*) and Fuling (Poria, *Polyporus*). Panting and coughing indicate spleen and lung deficiency; add Maidong (Ophiopogon Tuber, *Ophiopogonis Tuber*) and Wuweizi (Schisandra Berry, *Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus*) to the previous formula. Nausea and poor appetite indicate spleen and stomach deficiency; use Jiaomei Lizhong Tang (Pepper and Plum Decoction for Regulating the Middle). If abdominal pain and diarrhea occur subsequently, it indicates deficiency-cold; replace Wumei (Mume Fruit, *Pruni Mume Fructus*) in the previous formula with Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Lateral Root, *Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata*). Fullness in the lower abdomen and edema of the calves indicate spleen and kidney deficiency; use Shiquan Dabu Tang (Perfect Golden Great Tonifying Decoction) with added Shanzhuyu (Cornus Fruit, *Corni Fructus*) and Shanyao (Dioscorea Rhizome, *Dioscoreae Rhizoma*). If diarrhea and cold feet worsen, indicating further deficiency-cold, add Xiangfu (Cyperus Rhizome, *Cyperi Rhizoma*). Heat, thirst, stranguria, and urinary retention indicate kidney deficiency with yin fire; use Jiajian Bawei Wan (Modified Eight-Ingredient Pill). Panting, coughing, stranguria, and constipation indicate lung and kidney deficiency with false fire; use the previous formulas along with Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Decoction for Supplementing the Middle and Augmenting Qi).

For generally weak individuals, regardless of whether the sore is in the swelling stage or ulcerated stage, one should first tonify stomach qi, using Tuoli Xiaodu San (Support the Interior and Eliminate Toxin Powder) with modifications. Some may doubt the heavy use of Renshen (Ginseng Root, *Panacis Ginseng Radix*) and Huangqi (Astragalus Root, *Astragali Radix*), noting that adding many cooling and dispersing herbs means the tonification does not offset the damage. Others, adhering rigidly to the notion that constitutions are naturally robust, refuse tonics due to phlegm, and exclusively use detoxifying methods, thereby disregarding human life. Can such practitioners be called doctors? Therefore, Li Dongyuan stated: "If form/qi and pathogenic qi are in excess, purgation is indicated, not tonification. If form/qi and pathogenic qi are deficient, tonification is indicated, not purgation." Zhu Danxi said: "Whenever swelling and pain are observed, consult the pulse and symptoms; if deficient, provide tonification. As long as blood and qi are not depleted, auspicious outcomes can be ensured."

Regarding cases where litigation leads to caning, and the pain from the cane wounds radiates to the eyes, this is caused by anger injuring the liver and lungs. One must refer to other case examples for treatment discussion, but this is unrelated to the primary pathology discussed here. Punishment is not arbitrary; only those who break the law and litigate vigorously receive it. Thus, gentlemen fear the law, litigation decreases, and this is a blessing for the state. Nowadays, people rely on protective talismans; at the slightest dispute, they fabricate accusations. Although they may gain temporary advantage, family resources dwindle daily. If faced with an upright and powerful official, undergoing caning may be unavoidable. For a dignified man to crawl alongside jailers is unbearable enough; to present one's head wrapped in prison rags and buttocks exposed for beating in public view is the ultimate humiliation. At that moment, despite acting tough and complaining of pain, one disgraces the body and humiliates parents. Such behavior makes one unfit to be considered a son; no unfilial act is greater than this. I wish all aspiring men of the world would fulfill their tax obligations, abide by the regulations, and treat fellow villagers with tolerance and kindness. They should avoid baseless accusations. Even if unfortunate enough to be implicated, justice will prevail eventually. Why undergo caning?