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The *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) states: "Excessive consumption of rich and sweet foods is sufficient to generate severe ding sores (deep-seated infections), and the reception of pathogens is as easy as holding an empty vessel." Rich and greasy foods cause heat-toxins to accumulate internally, and their pathological changes often manifest as severe ju ulcers (deep-seated abscesses). The part of the body receiving the toxin does so because of deficiency in that area, leading to large ding or ju. This is because their roots are deep within the interior. It also states: "When Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) fails to flow smoothly and rebels against the muscle texture, carbuncles and swellings arise."

Regarding ulcerative diseases, at the initial stage, one must examine the transmission of meridians, the exterior-interior location of the disease, the deficiency-excess status of the patient, and the depth of pathogen invasion, thereby deciding whether to use attacking or tonifying methods. For example: If swelling is accompanied by fever, thirst, and constipation, the pathogen is in the Interior; use dredging methods. If redness, swelling, pain, aversion to cold, fever, and headache occur, the pathogen is in the Exterior; use dispersing methods. If swelling and pain are severe, the pathogen is in the Meridians; use harmonizing methods. If there is slight swelling and pain without suppuration, it indicates Qi and Blood deficiency; use tonification with expulsion of pus. If there is diffuse swelling without pain, or failure to suppurate, or suppuration without rupture, it indicates severe Qi and Blood deficiency; use vigorous tonification. If the color is dark with slight swelling and pain, or pus forms but cannot discharge, or necrotic tissue does not slough off, it indicates Yang deficiency and Cold; use warming and tonifying methods. If one adheres strictly to the unruptured stage and indiscriminately uses detoxifying drugs, it will further damage the Spleen and Stomach. Not only will non-suppurating lesions fail to form pus, but ruptured ones will also struggle to heal. The Seven Evils (ominous signs) will arise simultaneously, often leading to death. This is a general principle.

There are more than twenty types of yong and ju ulcers, the most crucial being the differentiation between Yin and Yang. Those arising from Yang channels belong to the Six Fu Organs, representing Exterior, Fire, and Excess patterns. Those arising from Yin channels belong to the Zang Organs, representing Interior, Stagnation, and Deficiency patterns. Therefore, Yang eruptions are large and elevated, with thin skin and red color, featuring dozens of pore-like openings on the surface, painful upon light palpation, and characterized by large, shallow forms known as Yong (carbuncle). Conversely, Yin eruptions are flat and sunken, with thick skin and pale color, hard and non-elevated swelling resembling calloused skin, dull and hidden pain upon heavy palpation, and characterized by small, deep forms known as Ju (deep abscess).

There is also "Yin within Yang," which appears hot but is not truly hot; although swollen, the root is deficient. If red but not restless, painful but without pus, or floating then sinking, with external fullness but internal rot; such individuals are often obese with tight flesh but internal deficiency. There is also "Yang within Yin," which appears cold but is not truly cold; not swollen but substantively full, slightly red and restless, with pus and pain. Although the form is not grand, there is internal restlessness; such individuals are often emaciated with loose flesh but internal excess.

Cases where Yang transforms into Yin: The disease begins in Yang with extreme heat. One should regulate Qi and harmonize Blood. Because symptoms include redness, swelling, fever, constipation, restlessness, and thirst, with a surging, rapid, and excess pulse, even in severe winter, bitter-cold herbs should be temporarily used to purge heat-toxin. However, overuse of cold-cooling agents or mistaken use of cold-natured herbal medicines can cause Qi stagnation and Blood coagulation, leading to danger. In such cases, warm-hot medicines must be urgently used to promote Qi movement and Blood harmony, allowing pus to form.

Cases where Yin transforms into Yang: The disease begins in Yin with extreme cold. Internally, mild tonification should be used, combined with promoting Qi and nourishing Blood to assist Yang, strengthen the Spleen, and promote appetite. If there is no swelling or redness, cold skin and limbs, diarrhea with borborygmus, inability to eat, and frequent vomiting—cold symptoms with a weak, slow, and delayed pulse—even in midsummer, acrid-warm herbs should be temporarily used to assist Yang Qi. If cooling medicines are mistakenly administered again, urgent use of great-hot formulas is required to restore Yang; if Yang cannot be restored, death ensues.

Generally speaking, Yang represents Qi, and Yin represents Blood. When Yin is insufficient, Yang becomes excessive. Blood becomes stagnant, Qi becomes obstructed, Ying and Wei Qi fail to circulate, and evil heat contends, resulting in disease. After several days, it becomes appropriate to gently warm and harmonize Qi and Blood, causing Yang to move and Yin to follow, Qi to circulate and Blood to flow, leading to pus discharge and healing. If one exclusively uses cooling agents, Qi and Blood will coagulate, Blood will die, and dead Blood leads to necrosis of muscle and death.