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Dr. Xue Lizhai treated a young boy who suffered from a carbuncle in the axilla that had failed to heal for a long time, with thin pus, a large pulse, fatigue, poor appetite, insomnia with spontaneous sweating, and dry mouth. He prescribed Neibu Huangqi Tang (Internal Nourishing Decoction of Astragalus) and moxibustion using fermented soybean cakes. The condition healed after two months. Generally, when pus from a sore is thin after ulceration, or the wound fails to close, or swelling gathers without redness, or muscles feel cold with spontaneous sweating and pallor, it indicates deficiency of both Qi and Blood, which necessitates tonification.

A man suffered from a toxic sore in the axilla, accompanied by coughing and counterflow qi, inability to eat, loud borborygmus with severe pain, cold limbs, and a fine pulse. He was treated with Tuoli Wenzhong Tang (Support Interior and Warm Middle Decoction), recovering abruptly after two doses. Subsequently, Xiangsha Liujunzi Tang (Aucklandia and Amomum Six Gentlemen Decoction) and Shenshen Wan (Three Divine Pills) were used, leading to an immediate improvement in diet. Finally, Shiquan Dabu Tang (Perfect Ten Tonifying Decoction) was administered for twenty doses until the wound closed.

In the neighborhood, there was a young man named Zhou Qi who once suffered from a toxic sore in his left axilla. He obtained an unusual prescription: glutinous rice mixed with salt blocks while hot, along with a small amount of scallion tubes, pounded into a paste-like consistency and applied to the affected area, which caused the swelling to dissipate immediately. In middle age, he suddenly developed a toxic sore on his waist, burning like fire, hard and unbearably painful, forcing him to bend over. Believing death was inevitable and having tried many medicines without effect, he urgently recalled the previous formula and applied it as directed. Soon after, he passed a large amount of stool resembling old fecal matter; the hard stools gradually softened, and he recovered within a few days.

Applying his clinical insights, Dr. Xue Lizhai treated Zhang Chengzu from Henan, who was over twenty years old and had a toxic sore in the axilla that remained swollen and hard without ulcerating for more than ten days, accompanied by a weak pulse and occasional vomiting. Dr. Xue stated: Swelling and hardness without ulceration and a weak pulse indicate deficiency of Yang Qi; vomiting and poor intake indicate weak Stomach Qi. He first prescribed Liujunzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) with Huoxiang (Patchouli Herb) and Sharen (Amomum Fruit). The patient argued that vomiting during the abscess stage should be treated as toxin attacking the Heart, and vomiting during the ulcer stage as Yin deficiency requiring supplementation. Dr. Xue replied: This is a generalization from Zhu Danxi, based on the principle that "all pain, itching, and sores belong to Heart Fire." If there is severe redness, swelling, and pain, with restlessness, a full pulse, and vomiting, it is excess, and purgation is indicated. If there is no swelling or hardness, no pain or ulceration, but a weak pulse and vomiting, it is deficiency, and tonification is indicated. There are also cases where pain damages Stomach Qi, or exposure to cold pathogenic factors and foul air causes vomiting; even in the abscess stage, strengthening the Stomach and boosting Qi is particularly important. The patient persisted in his view, refused this treatment, and relied on draining and attacking herbs, causing the disease to worsen. Upon re-examination, his pulse was minute and fine, and he had a fever. Dr. Xue said: Fever with a quiet pulse, bleeding with a full pulse, and restlessness after sweating are all difficult to treat. This proved true later. Cases of vomiting due to internal invasion of toxins during the abscess stage account for one or two out of ten; cases of vomiting due to internal invasion of dampness during the ulcer stage account for eight or nine out of ten. How can they be confused?

Madam Zhu Wendding, due to anger and depression, developed a nodule in her axilla that persisted for over twenty years. Due to anger, she experienced increased swelling and pain, undigested food in stool, and loss of appetite. Li Dongyuan stated: Unstopping diarrhea and inability to eat indicate deficiency of the Intestines and Stomach. Thus, Liujunzi Tang was prescribed with Sharen, Rougui (Cinnamon Bark), Ganjiang (Dried Ginger), and Roudoukou (Nutmeg). Although the diarrhea stopped, the pus remained thin and the wound did not close, indicating deficiency of Qi and Blood. She was treated with Shiquan Dabu Tang and healed after more than a month.

A man over fifty years old suffered from a toxic sore in the axilla with a non-healing wound, a rapid pulse at the right Guan position, and thirst. This was caused by Stomach Fire. Zhuye Huangqi Tang (Bamboo Leaf and Astragalus Decoction) stopped the symptoms. Subsequent use of Qi-tonifying herbs led to recovery. He once treated thirst occurring in the afternoon or fever using Gudupi San (Morus Root Bark Powder), which was also effective.