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The tip of a person's toe suddenly begins to itch, followed by pain, and the nail turns black. By the second day, all toes turn black; by the third day, the entire dorsum of the foot also turns black. If the blackness spreads up to the tibia (shin bone), death ensues. This is known as Nameless Swelling and Toxicity (Wuming Zhongdu). It is mostly caused by excessive consumption of aphrodisiacs (Chun Yao), representing a toxin of intense heat and fire, which cannot be compared to Gangrene of the Foot (Jiao Ju). In cases of Gangrene of the Foot, only the toes turn black, without the blackness spreading to the dorsum of the foot. However, Gangrene of the Foot is extremely fierce; although it does not progress as rapidly as Nameless Swelling and Toxicity, its speed in causing death is the same.

Since the feet are the extremities of the four limbs, toxins should theoretically not reach them there. How can they become so malignant? Precisely because in places where toxins should not gather, they accumulate and fail to disperse, especially concentrating between the nails. This results in exceptionally potent toxicity, making treatment a matter that must not be taken lightly. One might think that using purgative herbs to drain the toxin would suffice for treatment. However, this is incorrect. When the body's Qi (Vital Energy) is abundant, it circulates freely throughout the upper and lower body, and toxins certainly do not aggregate in one place. Only when Qi and Blood are severely deficient, unable to flow through the meridians, will Fire-Toxin and evil pathogens solidify at the joints and bones. The emergence of Gangrene of the Foot is precisely due to the deficiency of Qi and Blood, failing to provide adequate nourishment. Therefore, how can one simply purge toxins and further injure Qi and Blood? The treatment method must involve greatly tonifying Qi and Blood while adding herbs that drain toxins. This is the path to complete victory. The prescription used is Gu Bu Tang (Protect the Step Decoction):

* *Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix* (Niu Xi, 1 liang)
* *Dendrobii Nobile Caulis* (Jin Chai Shi Hu, 1 liang)
* *Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma* (Ren Shen, 3 qian)
* *Astragali Radix* (Huang Qi, 1 liang)
* *Angelicae Sinensis Radix* (Dang Gui, 1 liang)
* *Lonicerae Japonicae Flos* (Jin Yin Hua, 3 liang)

Decoct in water and take orally. After one dose, the blackness resolves; after two doses, the pain stops; after three doses, full recovery occurs. If ulceration has already occurred, taking several more doses will ensure cure.

This formula uses *Lonicerae Japonicae Flos* (Jin Yin Hua) to resolve toxicity. Without *Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix* (Niu Xi) and *Dendrobii Nobile Caulis* (Shi Hu), the medicine cannot reach the toes directly. Without *Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma* (Ren Shen) and *Angelicae Sinensis Radix* (Dang Gui), Qi and Blood cannot circulate to dissipate the toxin. Therefore, this formula is highly effective for treating Gangrene of the Foot. Even in cases of Nameless Swelling and Toxicity, using this formula can save the patient. Some physicians in later generations use surgical excision of the toes as a treatment method. However, this is inferior to using this formula, which eliminates toxins through tonification, bringing the dying back to life, avoiding painful injury, and achieving the miracle of preserving life intact.

In some individuals, a lump suddenly swells up on the upper part of the leg or calf. The color remains normal, and there is no pain. People assume it is an Carbuncle or Ulcer (Yong Ju). Who would know that this is actually due to Qi Deficiency? Carbuncles form from swelling; there is no case of swelling that does not transform into a carbuncle. I alone assert that this is Qi Deficiency rather than a carbuncle, yet who would believe me? Alas! Qi is what moves Blood. When Qi moves, Blood moves. With both Qi and Blood circulating, even if pathogenic factors exist, it is extremely difficult for swelling to form. The prosperity of pathogenic factors stems from the decline of Qi and Blood. When swelling becomes a carbuncle, it is often painful, and the color invariably turns red. Now, since there is no pain and the color does not change, this is swelling in name only, lacking the reality of swelling. It is entirely due to Qi Deficiency failing to provide nourishment, not due to excess pathogens overwhelming the Qi. The treatment method requires only tonifying Qi to support the Righteous Qi (Zheng Qi); there is no need to resolve toxins to expel pathogens. The prescription used is Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction):

* *Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma* (Ren Shen, 5 qian)
* *Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma* (Bai Zhu, 1 liang)
* *Astragali Radix* (Sheng Huang Qi, 1 liang)
* *Angelicae Sinensis Radix* (Dang Gui, 5 qian)
* *Bupleuri Radix* (Chai Hu, 1 qian)
* *Cimicifugae Rhizoma* (Sheng Ma, 5 qian)
* *Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium* (Chen Pi, 1 qian)
* *Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle* (Sheng Gan Cao, 2 qian)
* *Pinelliae Tuber* (Ban Xia, 2 qian)
* *Poria* (Fu Ling, 3 qian)

Decoct in water and take orally. After ten doses, the swelling naturally subsides.

Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang is the supreme medicine for tonifying Qi, not a divine agent for resolving toxins. Why does it reduce swelling? Generally speaking, depletion of True Qi leads to Deficiency, while exuberance of Pathogenic Qi leads to Excess. Since True Qi is already deficient, Pathogenic Qi becomes even more exuberant. Without using Qi-tonifying medicines, how can Qi move and how can the swelling transform? Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang excels at tonifying Qi, thus it can immediately reduce swelling. Moreover, it includes ingredients that resolve phlegm and remove dampness, making it easier to achieve therapeutic success.