Library

A question was asked: "What if there is sudden pain inside the zygomatic bone, which becomes severe after a night, accompanied by intense chills and fever?" The answer was: "This is Zygomatic Bone Flesh Abscess (a suppurative disease occurring in the bones and muscles of the zygoma). It is caused by stagnant fire in the Upper Jiao and the Yangming Meridian. It is appropriate to use Huoming Yin (Immortal Life Decoction) with added Shengma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae), Jiegeng (Radix Platycodonis), and Gange (Radix Puerariae), decocted with water and wine. Simultaneously, administering Wujin San (Black Gold Powder) and Duoming Dan (Life-Stealing Pill) to induce sweating can resolve the lesion."

Another question was asked: "A fifty-year-old person suddenly feels a lump on the zygomatic bone, initially the size of a pine nut, gradually enlarging to the size of a walnut, with slight swelling, mild redness, and itching. Some say it is a Phlegm Nodule (subcutaneous nodule), others say it is a Knot Toxin (chronic infection hardening), or should it be treated as a Tumor? How would you advise?" The answer was: "None of these are correct; this is named Zygomatic Abscess. It is caused by accumulated heat in the Yangming Meridian. Using Zijin Dan (Purple Gold Pill), Wujin San, and Huoming Yin, with added processed Nanxing (Tuber Pinelliae Preparata), will cause it to dissipate."

Commentary: The *Lingshu* states: "When the Heart is diseased, the zygoma turns red." It also states: "When the Kidney is diseased, the zygoma and face turn black." Therefore, one must observe the color. If red, it is appropriate to use Huanglian Anshen Wan (Coptis Calming the Spirit Pill) to descend Heart Fire, and Buxin Wan (Heart-Nourishing Pill) to nourish Heart Blood. If black, it is appropriate to use Dihuang Wan (Rehmannia Pill) to nourish Kidney Water. One cannot solely attribute it to stagnant fire in the Yangming Meridian.

A question was asked: "How about sores arising in the cheek and jaw area?" The answer was: "This is named Jin Sai Chuang (Gold Cheek Sore). Initially the size of a rice grain, it gradually enlarges to the size of a bean. If left untreated for a long time, it will ulcerate and erode through the cheek. This condition belongs to the Yangming Meridian. In the early stage, it is appropriate to take Shengjin Dan (Victorious Gold Pill), Huoming Yin with added Shengma and Jiegeng, or select Huanglian Xiaodu San (Coptis Detoxifying Powder). For robust individuals, Yili Jin Dan (One-Pill Golden Pill) can be used to purge downwards. If treatment is improper, leading to non-healing ulcers, expulsion of foul sputum from the mouth, rapid breathing, and coma, death will ensue."

Xijiao Shengma Tang (Rhinoceros Horn and Cimicifuga Decoction): Treats Wind-Heat invading the Yangming Meridian collaterals, causing swelling and pain in the lips, around the Jiache acupoint, and temples, as well as headache radiating from between the nose and forehead, inability to open the mouth, and interference with speech and eating.

Prescription Composition: Xijiao (Horn Rhinocerotis, 7 qian 5 fen), Chuan Shengma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae, half liang), Fangfeng (Radix Saposhnikoviae), Huangqin (Radix Scutellariae, each 3 qian 5 fen), Xiang Baizhi (Radix Angelicae Dahuricae), Baifuzi (Rhizoma Typhonii), Chuanxiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong, each 2 qian 5 fen), Qianghuo (Rhizoma Notopterygii, 3 qian, weight 'yi zi'), Sheng Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae Preparata, 1 qian 5 fen).

Preparation and Administration: Cut the herbs into small pieces. Combine all as one dose, add five bowls of water, and decoct until three and a half bowls remain. Strain the dregs and divide into three doses. Take all within one day, and the symptoms will certainly diminish. If there is slight loose stool due to the viscera, it is not a concern, as this is a disease of the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian. The classics state: "The intestines and stomach are like a market." It also states: "The Yangming meridian has abundant blood and qi." The stomach accepts all flavors, including fishy, fatty, and various tastes, just as a market contains everything. Among the Six Meridians, blood and qi are abundant; toxins from rotting and ripening food accumulate in the stomach. Therefore, this formula uses Xijiao as the chief ingredient to clear toxins from food. The Yangming meridian collaterals circle the lips and flank the mouth, originate beside the nose and intersect at the Renzhong point, ascend along the Jiache point, pass anterior to the ear, cross the Guanzhuren point, follow the hairline to the frontal skull. In the past, when a noble official suffered from a disease of this meridian, Shengma was used as an assistant herb. The other herbs cleanse wind-heat, while Shengma and Huangqin specifically enter the Stomach Meridian, hence their efficacy.