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[Essential Zhaomu Decoction]
Dried leaves of Quercus variabilis (4 liang 5 qian), dried lotus leaf (with central pedicel), dried rhizome of Hemerocallis citrina, nodules of Glycyrrhiza uralensis, and Sanguisorba officinalis (each 1 liang).
Finely chop the above herbs. Take 0.5 liang per dose, add two bowls of water, decoct to one bowl, divide into two doses, taken morning and evening. Abscesses not yet formed will dissipate spontaneously; those already ulcerated will dry up spontaneously. The lotus pedicel removes evil blood; the Hemerocallis root promotes urination, detoxifies, and unblocks the chest and diaphragm; Quercus variabilis has thorns and can drive out pathogens; Sanguisorba officinalis treats blood diseases in the lower jiao. It may be relied upon for mild and minor conditions.

[Chao'ao Powder]
Chao'ao (Clam shell) (1 liang, entirely reddish. *Bencao* states: Chao'ao eliminates alcohol toxicity), raw Glycyrrhiza uralensis (2 qian 5 fen), Calomelas (5 fen).
Grind into a fine powder. Take 4 qian per dose, mix with strong decoction of Trichosanthes kirilowii wine, take at the fifth watch (around 3-5 AM). Continue until foul matter is discharged. If ineffective, repeat. Its efficacy surpasses that of Wuxiang Tang. (*Bencao* states: Chao'ao is a large clam, also known as Shen.)

[Another Prescription]
Chao'ao (four pieces, sealed with yellow mud, fired until red-hot, removed from fire toxicity overnight), Trichosanthes kirilowii (one piece, peel removed, fried on tile until fragrant), Junci Medulla (30 stems), nodules of Glycyrrhiza uralensis (5 fen).
Crush into coarse powder. As one dose, add two cups of wine, decoct to one cup, remove dregs, add one large spoonful of honey and mix well. Use 0.8 cup of wine each time, mix with 2 qian of Chao'ao powder and a little Calomelas, mix evenly, take warm on an empty stomach. Effective when foul matter and yellow phlegm are discharged.

[Neixiao San] Treats carbuncles and sores, hardened knots and pain.
Ginseng radix (remove rhizome), Dianthus superbus, Ampelopsis japonica, Cimicifuga foetida, Angelica sinensis (lightly fried), Scutellaria baicalensis, Saposhnikovia divaricata, Astragalus membranaceus (cut), Aquilaria sinensis, Glycyrrhiza uralensis (raw, cut, each 1 liang), Adzuki bean (cooked, 1 he).
Grind into fine powder. Take 2 qian per dose, at any time, mix with warm wine.

Zhu Danxi said: Chao'ao San uses Calomelas as an assistant in one formula, and Junci Medulla in another. Its effects of reducing swelling, detoxifying, and purging accumulation are steady and reliable. It can be relied upon for mild and minor conditions.

[Hua Du Wei Shui Neituo San] For all cases of carbuncles, back abscesses, opposite-pointing hard carbuncles, breast tumors, and various unnamed headless malignant sores, this medicine causes internal dissipation of toxins, transforming them into black water excreted via urine, with absolute certainty. This prescription must not be hidden or underestimated; treasure it.
Boswellia carterii resin, Manis pentadactyla, Bletilla striata, Anemarrhena asphodeloides, Fritillaria cirrhosa, Pinellia ternata, Lonicera japonica, Gleditsia sinensis spine, Trichosanthes kirilowii root (each 1 qian).
Cut into pieces. Use one bowl of pure wine, decoct to half a bowl, remove dregs, take as one dose, warm. Do not arbitrarily modify. Mash the dregs, add 1 liang of fine powder of Hibiscus mutabilis leaves harvested after autumn, moisten with honey water, leave overnight to dissolve naturally. No need for a second dose. Avoid triggering foods for great effect.

[Xianfang Huoming Yin] (Also known as Zhenren Huoming Yin) Treats all sores and ulcers. Causes internal dissipation if pus is not yet formed; induces immediate ulceration if pus is formed. It is also a holy medicine for pain relief and detoxification.
Boswellia carterii resin (ground), Saposhnikovia divaricata, Angelica dahurica, Fritillaria cirrhosa, Paeonia rubra, tail of Angelica sinensis, Myrrha (ground), Gleditsia sinensis spine (fried), Trichosanthes kirilowii root, nodules of Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Manis pentadactyla (prepared, each 1 qian), Citrus reticulata, Lonicera japonica (each 3 qian).
If the lesion is on the back Shu points, Gleditsia sinensis spine is the sovereign herb. If on the abdomen Mu points, Angelica dahurica is the sovereign herb. If in the chest, add Semen Trichosanthis (2 qian). If on the limbs, Lonicera japonica is the sovereign herb. For hard carbuncles, add placenta root (3 qian, optional).
Grind into coarse powder, large dose 4 liang, small dose 2 liang, as one packet. Use ten tea-cups of pure wine for large lesions, five for small. Put in a spouted bottle, seal thickly with paper to prevent leakage, decoct to three large cups, remove dregs, divide into three doses, take continuously without interruption, adjusting according to the lesion's location. Those who can drink alcohol should drink three to five more cups after taking the medicine. This medicine has no alcoholic odor, does not disturb the zang-fu organs, nor injure qi and blood. Avoid sour food, weak wine, and ironware. Sleep on your side after taking; when pain subsides, life is restored. The divine power is immense, do not speculate arbitrarily.

[Jiegu Bao'an Tang] Treats sores by supporting the interior, or accelerating ulceration if already formed.
Trichosanthes kirilowii (fresh, one piece, peel removed, baked over fire), Myrrha (transparent, 1 qian, ground), Lonicera japonica, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Zingiber officinale (each 0.5 liang).
Grind into fine powder. Use three sheng of good pure wine, decoct in silver or earthenware vessel to one sheng. Divide into three cups, drink completely in three times. For mild illness, only one dose is needed. Use this if interior-supporting medicines fail to disperse and new sores appear.

*Weihang Jitan* records: Minister of Revenue Shen Xi was benevolent. A soldier suffered from a back abscess and asked for leave. Shen Xi personally prepared medicine to treat him. During a drought and locust plague, he was supposed to fast at the Round Mound for sacrifice, yet he still diligently managed the treatment. Fearing market wine might be unsuitable, he used his own wine in the medicine. The patient recovered immediately. Method: One Trichosanthes seed, Boswellia carterii resin and Myrrha (each 1 qian), Glycyrrhiza uralensis (3 qian), nine cups of pure wine. Chew a piece of Myrrha before drinking. Extremely effective.

[Mifang Tuoli San] Treats all kinds of sore toxins. Take consistently from beginning to end to prevent internal sinking of toxins.
Trichosanthes kirilowii (large, one piece, pounded), Angelica sinensis (mixed with wine), Astragalus membranaceus (mixed with salt water, fried), Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Paeonia lactiflora (each 1.5 liang), Gleditsia sinensis spine (fried), Lonicera japonica, Trichosanthes kirilowii root, Rehmannia glutinosa (use fresh, mixed with wine, steamed in porcelain for half a day, these four ingredients each 1 liang).
Use five tea-cups of pure wine, mix with five liang of herbs, put in porcelain vessel, seal thickly with paper, then double seal with oil paper. Boil in a water bath, cover, until medicinal fragrance emerges. Remove and take in divided doses until the sore heals.

[Xue Ji] Commentary: This prescription uses common herbs but has great detoxifying power. It does not disturb the zang-fu organs nor injure qi and blood. It is effective repeatedly regardless of yin/yang, swelling/ulceration. Truly a fairy prescription. Often used for severe back abscesses and brain carbuncles, combined with garlic-separated moxibustion. If pulse is deep and solid, with constipation, use draining medicines first, then this prescription for swift results. If major toxin has receded but no pus forms or does not ulcerate, use interior-supporting methods. If ulcerated but not healing, or pus is clear/thin, use vigorous tonification.

[Mifang Badu San] Treats all carbuncles, sores, swellings, and toxins. Effects cannot be fully described.
Boswellia carterii resin, Myrrha, Manis pentadactyla (prepared), Angelica sinensis, Momordica cochinchinensis seed (each 1 qian), fruit of Trichosanthes kirilowii (8 qian), roasted Glycyrrhiza uralensis (5 fen), Lonicera japonica vine (2 qian), Gleditsia sinensis pod (fried, 7 fen), Rhubarb (raw and cooked, each 1.5 qian), Forsythia suspensa (1 qian), Fritillaria cirrhosa (7 fen).
As one dose. Use one cup of wine and one cup of water, decoct to one cup. Take before meals.
Commentary: This is an excellent agent for attacking toxins, relieving pain, and resolving pus. Repeated use yields repeated verification. If there is pus or already ulcerated, do not use Rhubarb, lest it drain true qi, making pus difficult to ulcerate or heal. However, if pus exists but is ulcerated, pulse remains flooding and rapid, or deep/solid with preference for cold, indicating fire toxin remains, it is suitable for use.

[Gui ... Tang] (Text implies a Gui-based decoction) Treats carbuncles/sores without heads, only swelling and pain.
Astragalus membranaceus, Angelica sinensis, Trichosanthes kirilowii, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Gleditsia sinensis spine, Lonicera japonica (each 1 qian).
Cut into pieces. Use 1.5 cups of water, decoct to 0.8 cup, remove dregs, add Boswellia carterii resin wine, decoct again and take.

[Another Formula]
Fritillaria cirrhosa, Manis pentadactyla, Trichosanthes kirilowii root.
Grind to powder. Take 3 qian per dose, use 2 cups of water, decoct to half a cup, take four times a day. Toxin will naturally exit via urine and stool. Can be combined with the previous formula into one packet.

[Podu Wubi San]
Pig-tooth Gleditsia sinensis pod, peel off skin properly, fry with vinegar until scorched yellow, grind to powder. Take 0.5 qian per dose. Add whole Manis pentadactyla scales. Depending on where the patient's condition manifests, take scales from that area, fry with Arsenicum sulfidatum powder to make powder, 1 qian. Mix with Gleditsia powder, take with warm wine. Take after meals for upper body conditions, before meals for lower body conditions. Divine effect.

[Xiaodu San] Treats all unnamed swellings, toxins, boils, and furuncles.
Single herb Fritillaria cirrhosa, remove heart, cut finely. Half sun-dried raw, half lightly fried. Mix evenly to powder. Take after meals for upper body disease, before meals for lower body disease. Mix with wine, take 1-2 qian.
A man had a toxic swelling on his shoulder, hard and painful, with successive malignant symptoms. Used 3 qian of Alum powder made into pills with paste, taken with decoction of seven green onion bulbs. Swelling and pain retreated completely. After another dose, all symptoms retreated. Then took two doses of Xianfang Huoming Yin, discharged fluid and dissipated. This secret recipe is named Qianjin Huadu Tang. Originally taken as Alum powder with green onion soup, changed to pills due to difficulty swallowing powder. Another folk method: treat sores/carbuncles regardless of swelling/ulceration, take this medicine 2-3 doses first, then detoxifying medicine is very effective. Often treats laborers; retreats with this, even without interior-supporting medicine. Because it only clears heat toxin, blood and qi are not depleted. Especially effective for sores caused by mineral/metal drugs, as Alum can resolve mineral toxicity. Another method: 5 qian Alum powder, 5 fen Cinnabar, taken with hot wine, also effective. This medicine supports interior, consolidates inside, stops diarrhea, detoxifies, expels pus without disturbing zang-fu or injuring qi/blood. Beneficial without harm. Easy to obtain, great merit. Unknown places must know this. For insect/dog bites, dissolve and apply hot to site, also take hot wine mixed with powder. All effective.

[Rongwei Hunhun Tang] (Also known Tongshun San; also known He Shouwu San.)
Polygonum multiflorum (avoid iron), Angelica sinensis, Akebia trifoliata stem (remove skin and tips), Paeonia rubra (fried), Angelica dahurica (do not burn), Cyperus rotundus (fried), Isatis tinctoria root (fried), aged Aurantium indicum (bran-fried, add ginger juice if nauseous), Glycyrrhiza uralensis.
The above nine ingredients are equal parts. Use water/wine decoction, adjust according to syndrome. Half water, half wine is acceptable. Only for Liuzhu (flowing obstruction), add Angelica pubescens. Take 4 qian per dose. Upper body: after meals. Lower body: before meals.
This single medicine is effective for Liuzhu, carbuncles, back abscesses, fractures. Without it, effectiveness is lacking. It saves ruined diseases, revives dead muscle, prevents disaster before it arises, pulls out roots after healing. The Sovereign, Minister, Assistant, Courier arrangement is like the four seasons and five elements, alternating prosperity. Truly a fairy miracle prescription. Adjust according to syndrome, efficacy infinite. Why? This medicine greatly smooths qi and balances blood. Qi is Yang, Blood is Yin. Yang moves, Yin follows; Qi circulates, Blood flows. Yang stagnates, Yin coagulates; Qi weakens, Blood dies. Blood dies, Muscle dies; Muscle dies, disease leads to death! Must regulate Yang, harmonize Yin, then Qi and Blood balance. Cannot neglect either. Only regulating Yang without harmonizing Yin leads to Qi consumption and Blood coagulation, muscle will not live, like Wuxiang Liaoqiao Tang. Only harmonizing Yin without regulating Yang leads to Blood excess and Qi weakness, disease will recur, like Neibu Shixuan Tang. However, both medicines must be used together, do not stick to one extreme. This medicine supports the Stomach root, does not injure Yuan Qi, sweeps away evil filth, naturally smooths and unblocks, generates no transformed syndromes. Truly a fairy prescription. Usage listed below.
1. Back abscess long-term non-healing is due to previous doctor using too much cooling medicine. Cooling medicine damages Spleen internally, freezes blood externally. Spleen governs muscle; damaged Spleen reduces diet, sallow complexion, no muscle growth. Blood is vessels; frozen blood means Qi is not vigorous, muscle rots. Therefore must regulate Spleen; Spleen healthy, muscle grows. Remove Akebia trifoliata stem from this formula, reduce Angelica sinensis, double Doukou and Citrus reticulata. If severe, use family-prescribed Duijin Yinzi. More severe, add Amomum kravanh etc.
2. For treating Liuzhu, add Angelica pubescens. Liuzhu is Qi and Blood stagnation. Qi flows but Blood stagnates, so Blood obstructs. This medicine agitates the entire blood network. Once moved, how can Liuzhu remain?
3. Liuzhu originates from Shanghan (Cold Damage). Exterior syndrome not fully resolved, residual toxin flows to limbs, meridians涩 (obstructed) at stagnation point, becoming Liuzhu. If tidal fever persists, interior cold toxin not fully dispersed, add Cimicifuga foetida and Perilla frutescens leaf. If fever persists after taking this, add Pueraria lobata. If headache, add Ligusticum chuanxiong, decoct with ginger water. If no tidal fever, use half water, half wine. Wine greatly promotes Blood circulation and Qi generation. Qi generates, Blood flows, cure is certain. Why must Liuzhu be released via exterior? To trace cause and source, not forgetting the root. If cold toxin is gone, releasing exterior too much causes Cold Liuzhu, harder to treat. Thus slight release is best. Second stage after release, take warm/neutral medicines, like Shixuan and Neibu. If ineffective, third stage add Aconitum carmichaelii, or Si Zhu San. Few doses stop it. Warm medicines not excessive, fear increasing pain, turning to pus/blood. Fourth stage return to main formula for effect. If exterior not fully released, residual toxin attaches to bone forming Gu Yong (Bone Abscess). Liuzhu is residual toxin of Shanghan; Gu Yong is failure of Liuzhu. Liuzhu is not Shanghan's fault, but doctor's failure to release exterior. Gu Yong is not Liuzhu's fault, but quack's fault using cooling medicine. Quacks are ignorant, blind/deaf, falsely claim insight. Even knowing it is Gu Yong, have no method, throw cooling medicine, sharp blades. Toxin stagnates. Cooling medicine touching iron makes it attach to bone and never heal. Otherwise, why would bones have abscesses? Bone abscesses cannot be treated by medicine alone, hence named Fugu Ju (Attached Bone Carbuncle), also Baihu, Feishi. Lingering cycles, years pass. Cold toxin rots bone, heals when out. Non-healers suffer lifelong disability. All due to initial error. Rotting bone often accessory bone, possibly curable. True bone rotting means lifelong disability. White/clear pus indicates early bone shedding, deep flesh hard to reach. Yellow/thick pus indicates bone about to emerge, shallow flesh easy to reach. Use sharp knife to remove, detailed in later chapter. This is general overview of Gu Yong treatment. Also, patients suffering months, wounded by blade, emaciated, curled, coughing pus/blood, necrotic flesh rotting privately. All indicate extreme cold, weak Yang, excess Yin. Do not mistake hemoptysis for heat. Use good Aconitum carmichaelii, modify and treat. Also, toxin starting from hands/feet/head/face, pain throughout body, extending to neck meridians, linked like beads. This is Wind-Damp Flowing Qi syndrome. Use modified Xu Ming Tang and Duhuo Jisheng Tang, interwoven with this formula. Also, knee pain spreading to all joints, women similar to Blood Wind, men similar to Soft Wind. Named Wind-Damp Bi, also Lijie. Use Fuzi Bawu Tang modified. Also, swelling in neck/armpits, beside breasts, soft flesh in groin. Named Yong. Cold syndrome without heat. Use Neibu Shixuan San interwoven with this formula. Children should not lightly use Aconitum carmichaelii, fear inducing convulsions. Do not use needles/blades, thin blood no pus, flesh hard to close. Use warm/hot medicines, apply patches for internal dissipation. If blades used causing polyps, use this medicine to conclude. If slight pain/convulsion after medicine, use Quanxie Guanyin San modified. When calm, resume usual medicine. Also children with old phlegm losing its path, swelling in neck/arms/chest/back. Extreme cold. Relies entirely on hot medicine application (leave mouth open). Disease recurrence is good. Treatment see later. Also Liuzhu, large as gourd/inverted bowl, on chest/back. Syndrome resembles Fa but severe. After medicine, if situation shifts slightly, it is no longer Fa. Use Neibu, Shixuan interwoven with this formula, adjust according to syndrome, can achieve internal dissipation.
Generally, all syndromes originate from cold. Pain is bone pain. Bone is surplus of Kidney. Kidney deficiency leads to cold bone, cold bone causes pain. So Bone Ju all start from Kidney, because root is here. Tonifying Kidney requires large Aconitum carmichaelii to be effective. Kidney solid, bone has vital energy, Ju does not attach to bone. Medicines must not be rigid, value flexibility. All carbuncles/sores initially form from Qi/Blood stagnation. Long duration, blood accumulates at stagnation, then flares. Thus patients with abundant Qi/Blood, reduce Angelica sinensis in this formula. Too much generates blood elsewhere, re-forms swelling, endless cycle. This is secret transmission, few doctors know. 1. Phlegm in carbuncles/sores has two syndromes: Stomach cold generating phlegm, add Pinellia ternata to strengthen Spleen/transform phlegm. Heat stagnation generating Wind-phlegm, add Platycodon grandiflorus to transform throat/phlegm, decoct with ginger and water/wine. 1. Brain/Back Fa in upper part, remove Akebia trifoliata stem, fear guiding deficiency to lower origin, causing upper excess/lower deficiency, hard to medicate. Elderly/weak especially should remove it. 1. Patients with diarrhea cannot immediately use this formula. First use anti-diarrhea medicine. (Raw Alum powder, dissolved, wax pills, taken with drink, 30 pills.) Wait for diarrhea to stop before using this. Body relies on Qi/Blood. Carbuncle patients gather Qi/Blood in one place to form pus. If Zang-Fu unstable, Yuan Qi leaks, blood becomes colder, harder to heal. This medicine greatly smooths Qi. Generally, Qi smooth, Blood flows; Qi consumed, Blood cold; Blood cold, Blood dies; Blood dies, Muscle doesn't grow. Hot medicines mean muscle lacks Yuan Qi, insufficient to withstand, merely increases suffering. Cooling medicines make no sense. Though fairy-given, must be used correctly, otherwise risk "carving boat to find sword" error.
Regarding Liuzhu, cannot generalize. If cooling medicines dissipate, Yuan Qi deficient/failing, use Sanjian for effect. Disease mostly due to cold. Examine pulse, differentiate syndrome, confirm cold origin, then use. Do not exceed, excess is harmful. But if Yang pulse returns, swelling red/vibrant, bone has vitality, cold qi cannot attach to form Ju, credit main formula for effect. This is perfect method. 1. Pills, powders, granules can all use water/wine decoction, decide temporarily. Nobles add Cyperus rotundus coating. Patients with hot-phlegm cough, rich use Aquilaria sinensis, poor use Perilla frutescens decoction. Pills use honey. 1. This formula not only treats carbuncles/back abscesses/fractures, but also men/women hernia, Qi/Blood disorders, frequently effective. One woman, Qi disorder 5 years, attacks only lump pain/vomiting, cannot eat/drink, attack nearly kills. Made into pills with this medicine, taken with Cyperus rotundus decoction. One dose stops vomiting, second dose smooths Qi, disease cured. 1. All fractures do not escape this formula, just modifications vary. See Fracture category. Common broken injuries, or damaging Xin Bao, all treated. On head, remove Akebia trifoliata stem and Aurantium indicum, add Ligusticum chuanxiong and Citrus reticulata. Commonly add Schisandra chinensis peel, Perilla frutescens leaf to invigorate blood; add Psoralea corylifolia, Trogopterus dung to break old blood. Decoct熟, use one cup strong wine, immerse wait for boil again, add Rhubarb powder, take empty stomach. If smooth, only four doses. First two doses include Rhubarb, last two not needed, just promote bowel movement. If not smooth, only Aurantium indicum decoction promotes. If still not smooth, incurable. Cannot sit idle.