Library

The disease occurs beside the fourteenth vertebra of the spine, which is the location of the waist and Kidney (Shen), named Yao Ju (Lumbar Carbuncle), also known as Xia Da Shou (Lower Back Hand-attached Carbuncle). It is caused by excessive sexual activity leading to a deficiency of Kidney Water. The symptoms include dry mouth and tongue, alternating chills and fever, and pain in all joints. One should immediately administer Bai Du San (Poison-Defeating Powder), Huo Ming Yin (Life-Saving Decoction), and formulas containing Huang Qi (Astragalus Root) for supporting the interior. If the ulcer penetrates through the fascia, it is incurable.

Some cases occur between the waist and hip, where the carbuncle is hard like stone and does not suppurate; this is named Shi Ju (Stone Carbuncle), belonging to the accumulated heat of the Shaoyang (Lesser Yang) and Yangming (Yang Brightness) meridians. Pathogenic toxins are knotted internally, and Yuan Qi (Original Qi) is insufficient to raise and expel the toxin. One should immediately administer Huo Ming Yin (Life-Saving Decoction) with added Qiang Huo (Notopterygii Rhizoma), Du Huo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix), Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix), and Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix), and use Zi Jin Ding (Purple Gold Pill) to induce sweating. For excess patterns, Yi Li Jin Dan (One-Pill Golden Elixir) or Huang Lian Nei Shu Tang (Coptis Internal-Draining Decoction) should be used to purge, followed by Shi Quan Da Bu Tang (Comprehensive Great Tonifying Decoction) and Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang (Ginseng Nourishing Nutritive Blood Decoction) to support and expel.

(Also commonly known as Tie Gu Yong / Bone-Adherent Abscess)

The etiology involves invasion by wind, dew, cold, and dampness, or greed for coolness in summer when the Cou Li (skin pores and interstices) are open, sleeping on lacquered stools or muddy ground. Accumulated over a long time, it transforms into heat. Alternatively, it results from retaining alcohol and rich flavors, causing heat toxins to accumulate and descend; or from the struggle between damp-phlegm and blood stasis. Initially, there is pain at the Huan Tiao acupoint (located on the side of the buttock, belonging to the Jueyin Liver Meridian), making movement difficult and turning over in bed hard. The carbuncle arises above the bone and within the flesh, often proving incurable. Urgent treatment is required: externally apply the method to induce sweating; internally administer Zhui Feng San (Wind-Chasing Powder), along with Lou Lu Tang (Euphorbiae Humifusae Decoction - see General Discussion), Bai Du San (Poison-Defeating Powder), and Huo Ming Yin (Life-Saving Decoction). Victory is achieved by attacking and dispersing. If delayed slightly, pus forms, but without external redness and swelling; needle puncture is necessary. If waiting for natural rupture, healing is difficult, leading to death. After needle puncture, one should employ methods to support the interior, drain pus, and nourish Qi and Blood, such as Shi Quan Da Bu Tang (Comprehensive Great Tonifying Decoction).

Main Formula: Cang Zhu (Prepared Atractylodis Rhizoma) 5 qian, Huang Bo (Stir-fried Phellodendri Cortex) 5 qian, Qing Pi (Tangerine Peel) 3 qian, Gan Cao Jie (Licorice Joint) 1 qian, Jin Yin Hua (Lonicerae Flos) 1 qian. Decoct with water, add a little Jiang Zhi (Ginger Juice), and take orally.

If located on the leg: Add Niu Xi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix) 1 qian, Yi Yi Ren (Coicis Semen) 1 qian; in winter, add Rou Gui (Cinnamomi Cortex) 0.7 qian; in summer, add Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix) 1 qian. If there is no sweat, add Ma Huang (Ephedrae Herba) 1 qian.

Another Formula: For lesions in the distribution of the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian and Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian, sores appearing on the inner thigh near the knee or femur, whether carbuncles or Fu Gu Ju (Bone-Adhering Carbuncle), presenting with severe swelling and pain upon initial onset.
Huang Qi (Astragali Radix) 2 qian, Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix) 1 qian, Qiang Huo (Notopterygii Rhizoma) 0.5 qian, Lian Qiao (Forsythiae Fructus) 1.5 qian, Gui Wei (Angelicae Sinensis Radix Tail) 0.75 qian, Rou Gui (Cinnamomi Cortex) 0.3 qian, Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix) 0.2 qian, Huang Bo (Phellodendri Cortex) 0.2 qian, Tu Gua Gen (Trichosanthes Radix) 1 qian (washed with wine). Decoct with three cups of water and wine, take hot, two doses cure.

Another Formula: Treating lesions in the distribution of the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, abscesses appearing on the outer side of the leg. Caused by cold-dampness leading to Fu Gu Ju (Bone-Adhering Carbuncle); or slight invasion of the Yangming distribution, presenting with hardness, swelling, pain, and inability to move.
Huang Qi (Astragali Radix) 2 qian, Dang Gui Wei (Angelicae Sinensis Radix Tail) 2 qian, Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix) 1.5 qian, Lian Qiao (Forsythiae Fructus) 1 qian, Rou Gui (Cinnamomi Cortex) 1 qian, Da Li Zi (Arctii Fructus) 1 qian, Bai Zhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix) 1 qian, Sheng Ma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma) 0.7 qian, Huang Bo (Phellodendri Cortex) 0.5 qian, Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) 0.5 qian. Decoct with one cup each of water and wine, take orally.

Method to Induce Sweating: Dig a pit several feet deep, burn firewood and charcoal until red, pour a bucket of urine onto it, quickly place a small stool, and have the patient sit naked on it; place a wooden board over the pit, cover with thick quilts to retain heat, exposing only the patient's head and face. Alternatively, use a large barrel, have the patient sit naked on a bamboo chair inside, place a basin containing red-hot pebbles or calcined gypsum (Duan Shi) in front, mix Jing Jie powder (Schizonepetae Spica) with rice vinegar and pour it over the stones, cover the barrel opening with cotton quilts, exposing only the head, allowing steam to fumigate and induce sweating to disperse toxins. Repeat if ineffective.