薛立斋治举人于廷器,腿患流注,年余出腐骨少许,午前畏寒,午后发热,口干唾痰,小便频数,
以为足三阴亏损,朝用补中益气汤,夕用六味地黄丸料加归、 、五味,各三十余剂,外灸豆豉饼,
诸症渐愈。又以十全大补之类,喜其慎疾而愈。
薛立斋治一儒者,患附骨疽,失于调补,疮口不敛,日出清脓少许,已而常出三腐骨。其脉但数
而无邪,此气血虚,疮结脓管而不能愈。 以乌金膏,日服十全大补汤而愈。
上舍王廷璋患前症,三年未愈,肢体消瘦,饮食难化,手足并冷,大便不通,手足阴冷,此阳气
虚寒。用补中益气汤、八味丸,及灸其患处而愈。
一男子臂患流注,出腐骨三块尚不敛,发热作渴,脉浮大而涩,乃气血俱损,须多服生气血之剂,
庶可保全。彼惑于火尚未尽,仍用凉药,内服外敷,几危,始求治。其形甚瘁,其脉愈虚,先以六君
子汤加芎、归,月余饮食渐进。以八珍汤加肉桂,三十余剂疮色乃赤。更以十全大补汤,外以附子饼
灸之,仅年而痊。《医林集要》云∶骨疽乃流注之败症也,如用凉药,则内伤其脾,外冰其血。脾主
肌肉,脾气受伤,饮食必减,肌肉不生。血为脉络,血受冰,则气血不旺而愈滞。宜用理脾健脾,则
肉自生,而气自营运矣。又有白虎飞留连周期,
或展转数岁,冷毒朽骨出尽自愈。若附骨腐者可痊,正骨腐则为终身废疾矣。有毒自手足或头面肿起,
或兼疼痛,上至颈项骨节去处,如疡 贯珠,此风湿流注之症也,宜以加减小续命汤及独活寄生汤治
之。有两膝肿痛起,或至遍身骨节疼痛者,此风湿痹,又名历节风,宜用附子八物汤治之。又有结核
在项腋,或两乳旁,或两胯软肉处,名曰 痈,属冷症也。又有小儿宿痰失道,致结核于颈项臂膊
胸背之处,亦冷症也,俱用热药敷贴。以上诸症,皆缘于肾,肾主骨,肾虚则骨冷而为患也。所谓骨
疽,皆起于肾,亦以其根于此也。故用大附子以补肾气,肾热则骨有生气,而疽不附骨矣。(圣书云∶
患肿溃久,不时出细骨,用桐油调密陀僧如膏,绢摊贴妙。)
Dr. Xue Lizhai treated Yu Tingqi, a Juren (degree holder), who suffered from Liuzhu (deep-seated abscesses) in the leg for over a year, expelling a small amount of necrotic bone. The patient experienced chills before noon, fever after noon, dry mouth with expectoration of phlegm, and frequent urination. Dr. Xue diagnosed this as a deficiency of the Three Yin meridians of the foot (Liver, Spleen, Kidney). He prescribed Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) in the morning and Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) base added with Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), and Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus) in the evening. After taking each prescription for more than thirty doses, and applying moxibustion with fermented soybean cakes externally to the affected area, all symptoms gradually improved. Subsequently, he used formulas similar to Shiquan Dabu Tang (Decoction for Tenfold Tonification) to support recovery; due to the patient's caution regarding his illness, he eventually recovered.
Dr. Xue Lizhai also treated a scholar suffering from Fuguju (osteomyelitis/abscess attached to bone). Due to a lack of timely tonification, the wound failed to heal, exuding a small amount of thin pus daily, and later frequently expelling three pieces of necrotic bone. His pulse was rapid but indicated no excess pathogenic factors, signifying a deficiency of Qi and Blood, where the wound formed a sinus tract that could not heal. Dr. Xue applied Wujin Gao (Black Gold Ointment) externally and prescribed Shiquan Dabu Tang internally on a daily basis, leading to recovery.
Wang Tingzhang, a Shangshe (official title), suffered from the same condition for three years without improvement. He exhibited emaciation, difficulty digesting food, coldness in the hands and feet, constipation, and coldness in the yin regions of the extremities. This was diagnosed as Yang Qi deficiency and Cold. Dr. Xue treated him with Buzhong Yiqi Tang, Bawei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill, i.e., Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan), and moxibustion on the affected area, resulting in recovery.
A man suffered from Liuzhu in his arm, expelling three pieces of necrotic bone, yet the wound remained unhealed. He presented with fever, thirst, and a floating, large, and choppy pulse, indicating a dual deficiency of Qi and Blood. It was necessary to administer multiple doses of herbs that generate Qi and Blood to preserve his life. However, misled by the belief that "fire toxin had not been fully cleared," he continued using cooling medicines both internally and externally, nearly bringing himself to a critical state before seeking treatment. At that time, his physique was extremely emaciated, and his pulse was even more deficient. Dr. Xue first prescribed Liujunzi Tang (Six-Gentlemen Decoction) added with Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma) and Danggui, which gradually improved his appetite over a month. Then, he prescribed Bazhen Tang (Eight-Treasure Decoction) added with Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex), and after more than thirty doses, the color of the wound turned red. Finally, he switched to Shiquan Dabu Tang and applied moxibustion with Aizi Bing (Aconite Cake) externally. The patient recovered within just one year.
*Yilin Jiyao* (Essentials from the Medical Forest Collection) states: Guju (bone abscess) is a deteriorated stage of Liuzhu. If cooling medicines are used, they will damage the Spleen internally and congeal the Blood externally. The Spleen governs muscles; if Spleen Qi is injured, dietary intake decreases, and muscles fail to grow. Blood constitutes the collaterals; if Blood is frozen by cold, Qi and Blood become weak and stagnant. Therefore, it is appropriate to use methods that regulate and strengthen the Spleen, so that flesh grows naturally and Qi circulates smoothly. There is also Baihu Lijie Feng (White Tiger Joint Bi Syndrome), which may persist cyclically or span several years; self-healing occurs only when the cold toxin and necrotic bone are completely expelled. If the flesh attached to the bone rots, it can be cured; if the main bone rots, it results in lifelong disability. If swelling arises from the hands, feet, or face, accompanied by pain, spreading upward to the neck and joints like beads strung together, this is Wind-Dampness Liuzhu, suitable for treatment with modified Xuxming Tang (Minor Continuation of Life Decoction) and Duhuo Jisheng Tang (Angelica and Sangjisheng Decoction). If there is swelling and pain in both knees, or pain throughout all joints, this is Wind-Dampness Bi, also known as Lijie Feng (Joint-Hopping Wind), suitable for treatment with Fuzi Bawu Tang (Aconite and Eight-Substance Decoction). There are also nodules in the neck, axillae, beside the breasts, or in the soft flesh of the groin, named Shi Yong (Stone Carbuncle), belonging to Cold syndromes. In children, retained phlegm deviating from its pathway may cause nodules in the neck, arms, chest, or back, which are also Cold syndromes; these should all be treated with hot medicinal poultices. All the above conditions originate from the Kidney. The Kidney governs bones; Kidney deficiency leads to cold bones and pathology. Thus, Guju originates from the Kidney because its root lies there. Therefore, using large doses of Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) to tonify Kidney Qi warms the Kidney, giving the bone vital energy, preventing the abscess from attaching to the bone. (As recorded in ancient texts: For chronic ulcers discharging fine bone fragments, mix Mituoseng (Lead Monoxide) with Tongyou (Tung Oil) to form a paste, apply on silk gauze, and patch the wound; this is excellent.)