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The acupoints on the head are where all Yang meridians converge. If located near the brain, it may lead to the extrusion of brain marrow; the neck and nape are close to the throat, which is the passage for medicine and food intake. If obstructed, neither fluids nor solids can enter; the area above Shenshu (Kidney-Shu, BL23) opposes the Kidneys, which is the root of life. If the acupoint is penetrated by moxibustion forming a cavity, moxibustion must not be applied. Carbuncles occurring in these three locations are all considered difficult to treat.

Overexertion, shouting, anger, and excessive sexual desire are contraindicated. Regarding diet, dry or wet noodles, roasted foods, preserved foods, cold wine, raw and cold foods, sticky and greasy foods, fish, and mutton must not be consumed. Foods with hot properties will induce fever; those with cold properties will damage the Spleen and Kidneys; toxic foods will trigger disease onset. All these must be strictly avoided. In the patient's room, it is strictly forbidden for individuals with axillary odor, pregnant women, and menstruating women to enter. These persons should also be prohibited from witnessing the preparation of medicines, as well as chickens, dogs, and cats.

These prohibitions and taboos must be observed with caution for half a year after the condition stabilizes, while Qi and Blood are not yet settled, and without neglecting medicinal intake, in order to preserve life.

Effective formulas for treating carbuncles are recorded in medical texts. However, for those who are poor and cannot afford medicine, or who happen to reside in remote towns and markets where medicinal materials are hard to obtain, they may only take herbal medicines and Ardea cinerea vine wine, followed by topical application of Maifan Shi Paste and Shen Yi Gao plaster. This method has also frequently proven effective. If Maifan Shi Paste is unavailable, even rural farmers using only Shen Yi Gao plaster can achieve results.

Maifan Shi Paste (Note: This formula was originally missing and has been supplemented from *Su Shen Liang Fang*)
Bai Maifan Shi (White Wheat-Rice-Eating Stone; preferably yellowish-white and resembling wheat rice. Red-hot charcoal fire until red, soak in vinegar ten times, then grind. Mix equal parts of Bai Lian powder and stone powder).
Lu Jiao (Deer Antler; do not use naturally shed ones. Must use those originally attached to the skull bone, cut into 2-3 cun lengths. Burn over charcoal fire until smoke ceases, then pound into powder. Combine with the previous two ingredients.)

Pound all ingredients into fine powder. Take aged rice vinegar, boil in a yin pot until bubbling like fish eyes, then add the aforementioned powders, mixing to a consistency resembling thin tin. Apply with a castor seed brush onto the swelling, leaving an area the size of a finger at the center of the sore uncovered to allow heat to dissipate. If no pus has formed, aim for internal resolution; if a head has formed, aim to reduce its size. If the sore persists for a long time with severe progression, causing muscle rotting and exposure of tendons and bones, apply gauze soaked with the medicine and bandage it. Replace when dry. As long as Danzhong (Conception Vessel 17) is utilized, there is no case that does not heal. Touching the sore with hands is strictly forbidden; exercise caution.