A woman, after suffering from scrofula (tuberculosis of the cervical lymph nodes), experienced generalized pruritus. Her pulse was large but empty upon deep pressure. She was treated with Shiquan Dabu Tang (Ten-Ingredient Great Supplement Decoction) with added Cyperi Rhizoma (Xiangfu), and she recovered. Generally speaking, if itching occurs in the morning after ulceration, it is due to Qi deficiency; if it occurs in the afternoon, it is due to Blood deficiency. If treated as a Wind syndrome, the patient will certainly die. Zhang Zihe (Zhang Congzheng) treated a woman whose scrofula had spread to her chest and hypochondrium, forming large, connected ulcers with no healthy skin or flesh remaining. She sought treatment from Dai Ren (Zhang Zihe's courtesy name). Dai Ren stated: "This is caused by excessive Fire pathogenic factor. It should be treated with salty and cold methods." He prescribed Cangyan (Halite/Cyan Salt) to induce vomiting. After one episode of vomiting, scabs formed immediately. Subsequently, he used Liangge San (Cooling the Diaphragm Powder) and Jiedu Tang (Detoxification Decoction), among other formulas, until the skin and flesh were restored to their original state.
Li Dongyuan's Lianqiao Sanjian Tang treats sores arising from below the ear extending to the Quepen (Supraclavicular Fossa, LI15) or to the shoulder. These sores are hard as stone and have no root when moved; this condition is called Machdao (Scimitar Scrofula). The sores originate from the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian and Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian. They may appear on both flanks, or they may have already suppurated into ulcers, or they may not yet have broken open. All these conditions can be treated with this formula.
Ingredients: Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, washed with wine), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix, raw), Lianqiao (Forsythiae Fructus), Ezhu (Curcumae Rhizoma, stir-fried with wine), Jing Sanleng (Sparganii Rhizoma, finely sliced, washed once with wine together with Ezhu, then slightly stir-fried until dry; each of the above... half...)