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(This condition is related to *Gu Ben Ju* (Deep-rooted Abscess); please refer to the relevant section.)

The *Ling Shu* (Spiritual Pivot) states: An abscess occurring in the medial thigh is named *Chi Shi* (Red Spread). If not treated urgently, death will occur within sixty days. If located in the medial aspect of both thighs and left untreated, death will occur within ten days.

The *Gui Yi* (Ghost's Legacy) states: *Yin Ju* (Yin Abscess) erupts on the thigh and medial groin. Initially, it presents with stiffness of the waist, frequent thirst but inability to drink much. After seven days, the area becomes hard, swollen, and suffers from severe pain, accompanied by mental restlessness and irritability. This is a fatal condition that is difficult to cure.

A question was asked: What is the prognosis for a toxic sore arising in the inner thigh, beside the scrotum? The answer is: If it occurs on the left, it is called *Shang Ma Yong* (Horse-riding Abscess); if on the right, it is called *Xia Ma Yong* (Dismounting Abscess); if beside the anus, it is called *Gang Men Yong* (Anal Abscess). All these belong to damp-heat in the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian, caused by disharmony of the Seven Emotions and feelings of sorrow or indignation. It is suitable to administer *Nei Bu Huang Qi Tang* (Internal Tonification Decoction with Astragalus), *Nei Tuo Qiang Huo Tang* (Internal Support Decoction with Notopterygium), or *Shi Quan Da Bu Tang* (Comprehensive Great Tonifying Decoction). One may select *Sheng Jin Dan* (Golden Pill of Victory) or *Zi Jin Dan* (Purple Gold Pill). For those with robust constitutions, *Yi Li Jin Dan* (One-Pill Golden Pill) or *Ba Zhen San* (Eight-Array Powder) can be used to purge pathogenic factors. If symptoms such as vomiting and anorexia, numbness with blackening and sinking of the lesion, abdominal distension, faint or intermittent pulse, incessant cold sweat, mental agitation and madness, difficulty in urination, or diarrhea appear, the condition is incurable. Before ulceration, *Tai Ge Zi Wei Wan* (Imperial Purple Pill) is suitable. Commentary: The meridians of the Foot-Yang are termed *Bi* (Thigh) on the lateral side, while the meridians of the Foot-Yin are termed *Gu* (Medial Thigh) on the medial side. Now, "inside the large medial thigh, beside the scrotum" clearly belongs to the Yin meridians, predominantly the Jueyin Liver Meridian. To attribute it to the Foot-Taiyang is indeed erroneous.

Case 1: A patient suffered from an abscess on the medial aspect of the leg. Before suppuration, there was swelling and pain. After taking *Nei Tuo Huang Qi Chai Hu Tang* (Internal Support Decoction with Astragalus and Bupleurum) for two doses, there was slight improvement; after another two doses, the swelling resolved.

Case 2: A patient suffered from an abscess on the medial leg, presenting with diffuse swelling and pain, cold extremities, a sensation of blockage in the throat, and alternating chills and fever. Various treatments failed. This was due to pathogenic factors stagnating in the meridians. After one dose of *Wu Xiang Lian Qiao Tang* (Five-Aromatic Forsythia Decoction), symptoms subsided slightly. After administering medicine that induced two bowel movements, all symptoms disappeared, and the patient recovered.

Case 3: A man in his twenties had suffered from a deep-seated infection in the inner thigh for a long time. Seeking internal resolution, his pulse was slippery and rapid, indicating that pus had formed. However, due to deficiency of Qi and Blood, it could not ulcerate spontaneously. After puncture, pus drained and pain occurred. Taking *Ba Zhen Tang* (Eight Treasure Decoction) brought slight relief, but the pus was clear and thin. After taking more than thirty doses of *Shi Quan Da Bu Tang* (Comprehensive Great Tonifying Decoction), he recovered. Generally, pain following the drainage of pus indicates deficiency.

Case 4: A monk had a lump on the inner thigh that did not hurt nor ulcerate. After more than twenty doses of interior-supporting treatment, pus formed, and puncture caused pain. I stated: Swelling followed by ulceration, and then increased pain, indicates extreme deficiency of Qi and Blood. Profound tonification is required. He replied: There is no method for tonifying Qi. I said: When Zheng Qi (Upright Qi) is insufficient, it must be tonified. Tonification restores Qi transformation, and pain will naturally cease. Thus, I treated him with *Ren Shen* (Ginseng Radix), *Bai Zhu* (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), *Dang Gui* (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), *Bai Zhu* (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), and *Shu Di Huang* (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata). After more than two months, the condition resolved.

Generally, sores and ulcers begin with swelling, which is caused by the stagnation and accumulation of Qi and Blood, steaming the flesh into pus; therefore, they are mostly painful. After the pus drains, the swelling subsides, and the tissue relaxes, so pain should gradually decrease. If pain intensifies instead, it is due to deficiency of Qi and Blood. This aligns with the theories of Danxi and Hejian regarding severe deficiency.