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According to the *Guiyi Ji* (Treatise on Ghosts' Remains): An abscess or carbuncle occurring at the junction of the left and right mandibular bones causes swelling that distends and attacks the bone and jaw joint, resulting in an inability to open the mouth. This is caused by the upward attack of various wind-heat pathogens, or by excessive consumption of roasted and grilled foods; it may also occur when a dental abscess ruptures, discharging pus and blood from between the teeth. In such cases, one must strictly avoid exposure to external wind-water (wind-cold-dampness) pathogens. Commentary: This condition belongs to stagnant heat in the Yangming Meridian. Treatment should employ formulas such as Qingwei San (Clear Stomach Powder), Ganlu Yin (Sweet Dew Decoction), Fangfeng Tongsheng San (Saposhnikovia Universal Relief Powder), or Liangge San (Cooling Diaphragm Powder), selected according to the patient's deficiency/excess patterns and the superficial/deep location of the disease. If too many cold-cooling medicines are taken, causing fire to fail to return to its source (deficient fire floating outward), formulas like Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) should be administered, assisted by Shengjiang (Dried Ginger) and Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root), to stabilize the condition.

Question: What about a carbuncle arising below the corner of the chin? Answer: This is named Ke Yong (Chin Carbuncle), caused by accumulated heat in the Yangming Stomach Meridian. Use Baizhi Shengma Tang (Angelica Dahurica and Cimicifuga Decoction) or Xiaoyao Huoming Yin (Free and Easy Wanderer Life-Saving Decoction), added with Shengma (Cimicifuga Rhizome) and Jiegeng (Platycodon Root), and further administer Zijin Dan (Purple Gold Pill) to induce sweating. For robust individuals, Yili Jin Dan (One-Pill Golden Pill) can be used to purge downward.

Question: What about a carbuncle arising on the earlobe? Answer: This is named Er Fa Ju (Ear Carbuncle), caused by wind-heat affecting the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian. After six or seven days, it gradually swells, resembling a walnut or a honeycomb, appearing red or purple, burning hot like fire, with pain penetrating to the heart. If yellow-white pus is discharged after puncturing within ten days, the patient will survive; if no pus is discharged upon puncturing, fresh blood flows intermittently, food cannot be swallowed, and the patient suffers from delirium and mania, death ensues. When this arises beside the ear canal in children, it is traditionally said to grow with the phases of the moon, but this is likely not accurate. Generally, it is formed by wind-dampness and heat-toxin becoming a gan disorder (chronic wasting disease), hence named Yueshi Gan Chuang (Moon-Eclipse Gan Sore).

Shuiyin Gao (Mercury Ointment): Treats Yueshi Chuang (Moon-Eclipse Sore), which mostly occurs above both ears and beside the ear canal, varying with the waxing and waning of the moon.
Ingredients: Yínqī (Mercury Bichloride, 2.5 qian), Hufen (Lead Carbonate, ground), Songzhi (Pine Rosin), Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome, de-stamened, powdered, each 0.5 liang), Zhuzhi (Pig Fat, 4 liang).
Preparation and Application: First boil the pig fat until bubbling, then add pine rosin, all powders, and mercury, stirring until uniform. Store in a porcelain box. First wash the sore with salt water, then apply the ointment, three to five times daily.

Hufen San (Lead Carbonate Powder): Treats Yueshi Chuang (Moon-Eclipse Sore).
Ingredients: Hufen (Lead Carbonate, stir-fried until slightly yellow), Bai Fan (Alum), Guo Dan (Red Lead Oxide), Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome, cleaned), Qingfen (Calomel, each 2 qian), Yanzhi (Vermilion/Carmine, 1 qian), Shexiang (Musk, a small amount).
Preparation and Application: Grind all ingredients into powder. First wash and wipe the area with warm grain water mixed with salt, then sprinkle the powder. If the sore is dry, mix with Sesame Oil (Mayou) for application.