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There is a case where a person suffers from severe abdominal pain, cannot tolerate touch or pressure, and has the right leg flexed and unable to extend. People assume it is due to excessive fire in the abdomen and retained food, but who would know that this is actually an abscess forming in the large intestine (Da Chang). Generally speaking, abdominal pain accompanied by the inability to extend the legs indicates an abscess within the intestines. The formation of an abscess in the large intestine specifically has its causes; it invariably originates from Fire (Huo). When Fire is excessive and does not dissipate, it stagnates and condenses to form an abscess. However, the excess of Fire is fundamentally rooted in the deficiency of Water (Shui). When Water declines, Fire flares up; if Flaring Fire is unchecked, it nurtures toxicity that becomes difficult to resolve. Therefore, in treatment, why merely treat the Fire? By strengthening Water to control Fire, the toxic factors will naturally dissipate. Use the formula Qing Chang Yin (Clear the Intestines Decoction): Jin Yin Hua (Lonicerae Japonicae Flos, 3 liang), Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, 2 liang), Di Yu (Sanguisorbae Radix, 1 liang), Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix, 1 liang), Xuan Shen (Scrophulariae Radix, 1 liang), Sheng Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Preparatum, 3 qian), Yi Ren (Coicis Semen, 5 qian), Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix, 2 qian). Decoct in water and take orally. After one dose, pain subsides slightly; after two doses, the leg can extend; after another two doses, the toxicity is completely eliminated. This formula consists entirely of Yin-nourishing substances and acts as blood-invigorating and detoxifying agents. Although it purges Fire, it essentially nourishes Yin. Thus, they complement each other to achieve success, which is why the efficacy is miraculous. If one does not nourish Yin to moisten the intestines, but only attacks toxicity to reduce Fire, the large intestine will be damaged first, and how could it withstand the scorching of Fire-toxicity? No wonder the more one treats, the less effective it becomes.

Another case involves a patient with an abscess in the large intestine, whose right leg cannot extend, suffering severe abdominal pain, discharging pus and blood, and experiencing anal pain like knife cuts. This indicates that the intestinal abscess has already ulcerated. Those who can eat will survive; those who cannot eat will die. Nevertheless, among those who cannot eat, there are cases not caused by blazing Fire-toxicity, so one should not abandon them simply because they cannot eat. Generally, for any kind of carbuncle or sore, having Stomach Qi (Wei Qi) is auspicious. Without Stomach Qi, whether it is Yin-toxicity or Yang-toxicity, it is incurable. Therefore, when treating Yin-Ju (Yin-type ulcers), the primary method must be to support Stomach Qi, adding only a small amount of drugs that eliminate pus and remove toxicity. In this way, the healthy Qi remains unharmed, and Fire-toxicity disperses. Now, since the large intestine abscess has ruptured, leading to a loss of appetite, Stomach Qi is nearly exhausted, which is a critical condition. If one does not urgently tonify the Stomach but only treats the abscess, it is a path to death. Use the formula Kai Wei Jiu Wang Tang (Open the Stomach and Rescue from Peril Decoction): Ren Shen (Panacis Ginseng Radix, 1 liang), Jin Yin Hua (Lonicerae Japonicae Flos, 2 liang), Shan Yao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma, 1 liang), Sheng Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Preparatum, 3 qian), Yi Ren (Coicis Semen, 1 liang), Xuan Shen (Scrophulariae Radix, 1 liang), Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, 1 liang), Shan Yang Xue (Capra Hircus Blood, ground into powder, 1 qian). Decoct in water and take mixed with the powder. After one dose, the stomach opens; after two doses, pus decreases; after three doses, pain stops; after four doses, full recovery occurs. This formula focuses entirely on rescuing the Stomach, while eliminating pus and removing toxicity is included within it. The brilliance lies in Jin Yin Hua (Lonicerae Japonicae Flos); although it treats toxicity, it is also a Yin-nourishing herb. For patients with sores, it is a matter of life and death. It is like a benevolent and brave general in the army. With the assistance of Ren Shen (Panacis Ginseng Radix) and Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) to boost its power, dispersing toxicity becomes especially miraculous. Shan Yang Xue (Capra Hircus Blood) stops bleeding, relieves thirst, and promotes Qi circulation, guiding the various herbs into the abscess to dissolve it, acting as a wise guide. Combined in treatment, there are those who harmonize, those who pacify, and those who attack. How could it fail to produce miraculous results? Naturally, Stomach Qi opens widely, transforming fine essences and transporting them to the large intestine. If Stomach Qi is not injured, taking this formula yields rapid effects. Do not doubt or fear using this formula, lest you waste lives.

Another case involves a patient with an abscess in the large intestine, severe lower abdominal pain, continuous dripping (of pus/blood), diminished spirit, tasteless diet, sallow complexion, weak limbs, spontaneous sweating, night sweats, and inability to sleep at night. People assume it is due to excessive Fire generating the abscess, but who knows it is actually due to deficient Water failing to moisten the intestines. The ability of the large intestine to conduct waste relies entirely on the irrigation of Kidney Water (Shen Shui). Now, due to overindulgence in alcohol and rich food, along with sexual exhaustion, causing severe damage to essence and substantial loss of Jing (Essence), Fire stirs while Water dries up. Furthermore, consuming cold and raw foods leads to disharmony of Qi and Blood, movement of Dampness, generation of Phlegm, obstruction of the intestines and stomach, failure of transformation and transportation, and stagnation of Qi and Blood, resulting in an abscess. However, before the abscess formed, there was already a deficiency of Kidney Water; after the abscess ulcerated, Water was further lost. This is deficiency exacerbating deficiency. If treated as chronic toxicity, it rarely fails to become a fatal condition. One must greatly tonify Kidney Water and simultaneously tonify the Qi of the Spleen and Stomach. Then, the Spleen and Stomach transform fine essences, making the generation of Water easier. The withered intestines will suddenly receive abundant moisture, becoming naturally sufficient. There is no need to specifically treat the abscess; it will resolve itself. With sufficient Qi and Blood, muscles will grow. Use Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) with modifications: Shu Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata, 2 liang), Shan Yao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma, 8 qian), Mu Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex, 6 qian), Shan Zhu Yu (Corni Fructus, 8 qian), Fu Ling (Poria, 3 qian), Ze Xie (Alismatis Rhizoma, 1 qian), Ren Shen (Panacis Ginseng Radix, 1 liang), Huang Qi (Astragali Radix, 5 qian), Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix, 1 liang). Decoct in water. Take continuously for several doses. Abdominal pain stops, spirit strengthens, and previous symptoms are instantly resolved. This formula uses the six ingredients to tonify Kidney Water, and adds Ren Shen (Panacis Ginseng Radix), Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix), and Huang Qi (Astragali Radix) to tonify the Earth of the Spleen and Stomach. When Earth is prosperous, Lung Qi naturally prospers. The Lung and Large Intestine are exterior-interior pairs, and the Lung is the mother of the Kidney. Naturally, mother and son support each other, and exterior and interior care for each other, thus producing miraculous results.