Library

The small intestine is located to the left of the umbilicus, and the Guanyuan (CV 4) acupoint belongs to the small intestine. If an abscess occurs, the left leg cannot be extended. The large intestine is located to the right of the umbilicus, and the Tianshu (ST 25) acupoint belongs to the large intestine. If an abscess occurs, the right leg cannot be extended. Although the locations differ, the diseases are similar, and the treatments are roughly the same; therefore, *Jin Gui Yao Lue* (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet) and *Qian Jin Fang* (Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold) generally refer to it as Chang Yong (Intestinal Abscess). Its symptoms include distension and swelling in the lower abdomen, pain upon pressure, frequent urination resembling Lin syndrome (strangury), fever, spontaneous sweating at times, followed by aversion to cold, rough skin resembling scales, and abdominal skin that is tight as if swollen. If the pulse is slow and tight, the pus has not yet formed, and purgation can be applied using Taoren Chengqi Tang (Peach Kernel and Rheum Decoction). If the pulse is surging and rapid, the pus has already formed, and Dahuang Mudan Tang (Rhubarb and Moutan Decoction) is used. Pus discharging from the wound, or sometimes from the umbilicus, indicates recovery only when pus and blood are passed via stool.

Note: Frequent urination resembling strangury, or urination containing pus and blood, indicates Small Intestine Abscess. Passing pus and blood via stool indicates Large Intestine Abscess. Pus discharging from the umbilicus indicates Pan Chang Yong (Coiled Intestine Abscess), which is mostly incurable. This condition is generally caused by damp-toxin and stasis binding within the intestines. Initially, fever and aversion to cold, lower abdominal fullness and pain, difficulty turning over, or retracted legs difficult to extend, are definitive signs of intestinal abscess. If the abdominal skin is tight but soft upon pressure, without irritability or thirst, it belongs to Yin-Cold pattern, treated with Mudan San (Peony Powder) or Ne Tuo Shi Xuan San (Internal Support Ten-Acupoint Powder). If the lower abdomen is distended and hard, painful upon pressure, accompanied by irritability and heat, it belongs to Accumulated Heat pattern, treated with Dahuang Mudan Tang. If the pulse is slow and tight, pus has not yet formed; urgently resolve toxicity and unblock the intestines using Tong Chang Yin (Intestine-Unblocking Decoction) or Dahuang Jian (Rhubarb Decoction). If the pulse is slippery and rapid, pus has formed; promote pus discharge using Tai Yi Gao (Taiyi Plaster) or Pai Nong San (Pus-Expelling Powder). If the pulse is surging and rapid, with lower abdominal distension and pain, poor appetite, and dysuria, it indicates pus obstruction; promote unblocking using Yiyi Ren Tang (Coix Seed Decoction) to expel pus. If there is blood stasis with hard and painful lower abdomen, use Siwu Yanhu Tang (Tetradection with Corydalis). If the abdomen is soft and painful with intermittent pus discharge due to Yuan Qi deficiency, combine pus-expelling herbs with tonics, using Danpi San (Moutan Powder). If severe pain persists after ulceration with continuous pus discharge due to severe depletion of Qi and Blood, strong tonification is required using Renshen Dihuang Tang (Ginseng and Rehmannia Decoction). Patients with intestinal abscess must not be frightened; fright may cause intestinal rupture and death. Sitting, lying, turning, and moving should be slow; diet should not be excessive, so as to preserve life.