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Chest pain, shortness of breath, rapidly entering a dark place, covering the left eye with hand, and if looking with only the right eye one can see light, it indicates a chest carbuncle (chest abscess). If no light is seen, it is an internal onset of Zhongju (acute infectious skin disease). If vomiting pus and blood occurs, this is an incurable disease; ash should be applied to cover the pus and blood, otherwise it will splash onto bystanders. Additionally, foul odor from between teeth and bleeding of hot blood indicate Zhongju, leading to death within seven days; if treatment fails, ash should be covered on the ground where blood fell. Zhongju tends to affect fingers, resembling Daizhi (paronychia); when indistinguishable, it is also called Daizhi. Without prompt treatment, toxic pathogens ascend along meridians, invading zang organs and causing death. People in the South amputate the affected finger upon contracting this disease, fearing upward invasion of toxins into the zang organs. Thus, for Zhongju on fingertips: initially presenting as dark spots, followed by swelling, redness, turning black, with severe pain reaching the heart. (From *Waitai Miyao*, Vol. 24)

Zhongju refers to a sudden formation in the flesh, like a bean or millet seed; severe cases resemble a plum pit. Colors may be red, black, white, or green, with a hard core beneath that penetrates deeply into fleshy areas. These should be excised, or cauterized with heated iron until charred like charcoal. Moxibustion of 100 moxa cones on the dark spot is optimal. In early spring, thin leaves of Rumex acetosa (Suanmo Ye) should be applied around the periphery to prevent spread. Drinking juice from Abutilon theophrasti root (Kuigen), Rhinoceros Horn (Xijiao), or Cimicifuga herba (Shengma) helps reduce heat. Internal and external treatments follow the methods for Dan Du (erysipelas/toxic heat rash). (From *Zhouhou Beiji Fang*, Vol. 5)

Huanju (slow abscess) begins as a swelling resembling a carbuncle, without distinct head or tail, with normal color but painful, having a deep-rooted hard core adhering closely to skin and flesh, also known as Nei Yong (internal carbuncle). Large ones are fist-sized, small ones like peach or plum fruits. They persist for days without resolving, often turning purple-black, eventually causing complete rotting of skin and flesh. Initially, Wuxiang Lianqiao Tang (Five-Spice Forsythia Decoction) is taken to remove blood, followed by thin application of Adzuki bean powder. Multiple needle pricks to release blood are repeated with powder application to achieve resolution. If unresolved and color has not turned blue-black, refined stone powder is applied. If treatment is delayed and ulceration occurs, Wuxiang Lianqiao Tang and Loulu Tang (Euphorbia Decoction) are administered to purge, stopping once blue-black necrotic tissue is cleared. Healthy flesh regenerates naturally; Shengma Gao (Cimicifuga Ointment) is beneficial. If healing fails, Huangbai San (Phellodendron Powder) alone is used. If Bailian San (Ampelopsis Powder) is applied and necrotic tissue persists after many days, half a qian-bi of Ampelopsis with lac-coated red skin is mixed with three qian-bi of Bailian San, applied topically. Once necrotic tissue is fully removed, pure Bailian San is used. When healthy flesh begins to regenerate, Huangbai San is applied. Formulas for Huangbai San, Bailian San, and Lac-Coated Ampelopsis San consist of single herbs processed into powder according to dosage. (From *Waitai Miyao*, Vol. 24)

Formula for treating Fabei (back carbuncle).
Take 100 live snails, place them in a clean one-sheng bottle, add one zhen of freshly drawn water, seal tightly, and leave from evening until morning. Remove snails; the remaining liquid resembles saliva. Mix real clam powder (Gefen) in appropriate amounts, apply thinly to the wound, sweep with chick feathers. Repeat over ten times daily. Heat and pain cease, and the wound heals. (From *Zhenglei Bencao*, Vol. 21)