《仙傳外科祕方》Vol. 5

The fifth volume of Secret Immortal Formulas for External Diseases records several medicinal prescriptions for treating abscesses and ulcers (suppurative infections), compiled by the Yuan Dynasty Daoist Zhao Yizhen (Daoist name: Yuanyangzi).

The first prescription specifically treats abscesses caused by wasting-thirst disorder (similar to diabetes). The method is as follows: collect clean snow or ice water during the twelfth lunar month, filter it through fine cloth to clarify it, and consume it either cold or warm. After taking it twenty-three times consecutively, the condition will improve, and thirst symptoms will disappear.

The second prescription, called "Internal Tonifying Astragalus Powder," is used to treat weakness after ulceration of abscesses, persistent pus discharge, limb fatigue, and poor appetite. If the condition persists untreated, it may develop into "internal leakage syndrome" (visceral suppuration). This formula contains eighteen medicinal ingredients: aconite root, astragalus root, cistanche, polygala root, ophiopogon tuber, and prepared rehmannia root (1 liang each); morinda root, white poria, white peony root, ginseng, dendrobium stem, and licorice root (3 qian each); schisandra berry, cornus fruit, dodder seed, Chinese angelica, chuanxiong rhizome, rehmannia root, and wuwei herb (5 qian each). Grind all ingredients into fine powder. Take 2 qian per dose, washed down with schizonepeta decoction.

The third prescription, also called "Internal Tonifying Powder," primarily treats weakness caused by excessive pus discharge after ulceration of abscesses. Ingredients include: ginseng, white poria, Chinese angelica, astragalus root, cinnamon bark, and polygala root (0.5 qian each); chuanxiong rhizome (2 liang); ophiopogon tuber (1 liang); licorice root (0.5 liang); white peony root, tangerine peel, prepared rehmannia root, and schisandra berry (1 liang each). Chop the ingredients, add 1.5 bowls of water with 3 slices of ginger and 3 jujubes, decoct until reduced to 70% of the original volume, and consume warm.

The fourth prescription targets severe cases of back abscesses accompanied by yin-cold symptoms. It uses aconite root, cinnamon bark, dried ginger, ampelopsis root, ginseng, and Sichuan pepper (2 qian each).

This text records several traditional Chinese medicinal formulas for treating toxic sores, abscesses, and ulcerations:

The first formula consists of Sichuan lovage rhizome (Chuanxiong, 60g), red adzuki beans (10g), skullcap root (Huangqin, 45g), saposhnikovia root (Fangfeng, 45g), and licorice (Gancao, 45g). The herbs should be finely chopped, with 12g portions decocted in wine until reduced by 30% (leaving about 70% liquid), then taken warm.

The second formula, Aquilaria Powder (Chenxiang San), treats various toxic swellings that have penetrated the abdomen causing restlessness, abdominal distension, and loss of appetite. It contains eaglewood (Chenxiang, 30g), costus root (Muxiang, 30g), frankincense (Xunluxiang, 30g), clove (Dingxiang, 30g), rhubarb (Dahuang, 30g), and a small amount of musk. These should also be finely chopped and decocted in water for warm consumption.

The third formula, Frankincense Powder (Ruxiang San), addresses critical symptoms of vomiting and nausea caused by internal rupture of back abscesses with toxic Qi attacking the heart. Grind frankincense and mung bean powder (or peeled mung beans) into fine powder. Take 3g doses mixed with freshly drawn well water, sipping slowly. Two successful cases are recorded: one severe back abscess patient stopped vomiting after three or four doses, with the sore later rupturing to discharge pus and healing completely in forty days; another patient with scrofula experiencing pain and vomiting showed immediate improvement. Licorice decoction may also be used as a delivery vehicle.

The fourth formula, Internal Dissipation Powder (Neixiao San), treats persistent hardening and pain from various abscesses and boils. It contains twelve ingredients including ginseng (Renshen), angelica root (Danggui), and astragalus root (Huangqi), all ground into fine powder. Take 6g doses with warm wine, without strict timing restrictions.

Finally, Ophiopogon Powder (Maimendong San) treats back abscesses and breast abscesses presenting with red swelling, pain, bodily fever, and extreme thirst.

Here is a set of traditional Chinese medicinal formulas for treating carbuncles and abscesses (purulent infections), documenting four different prescriptions and their methods of application:

The first formula consists of 1.5 liang each of Astragalus root (Huangqi), Scutellaria root (Huangqin), and Ophiopogon tuber (Maidong), along with 1 liang each of Cimicifuga rhizome (Chuanshengma), Red Poria (Chifuling), Red Peony root (Chishao), Scrophularia root (Xuanshen), Chinese Angelica (Danggui), Licorice (Gancao), Anemarrhena rhizome (Zhimu), Trichosanthes root (Gualougen), and fresh Rehmannia root (Shengdihuang). Preparation involves finely chopping all ingredients, decocting 4 qian per dose in water, and taking warm. For severe fever, add Lophatherum (Danzhuye) and Rush pith (Dengcao).

The second formula, called Mutong Powder, treats carbuncle-induced urinary and bowel obstruction. It contains 2 qian each of Akebia stem (Mutong), Scutellaria root (Huangqin), Rhubarb (Dahuang), Trichosanthes root (Tugualou), Rhaponticum root (Loulu), and Licorice (Gancao), plus 2 qian of Crude Mirabilite (Poxiao) and 3 qian of Gardenia seed (Zhiziren). Similarly decocted in water and taken warm before meals, efficacy is measured by restored bowel movements.

The third formula, Qumai Powder, promotes pus drainage, relieves pain, and diuresis for back carbuncles (dorsal abscesses). Equal parts of Cinnamon bark (Guixin), Red Peony (Chishao), Chinese Angelica (Danggui), Astragalus (Huangqi), Chuanxiong rhizome (Chuanxiong), Dianthus herb (Qumai), and Ampelopsis root (Bailian) are combined with 1 ge of wine-soaked and dry-fried Phaseolus beans (Chixiaodou). For ruptured carbuncles or persistent bloody pus with severe pain, add Asarum herb (Xixin), Angelica root (Baizhi), Ampelopsis (Bailian), and Coix seed (Yiyiren). Take 4 qian per dose decocted with wine.

The fourth formula, Qilin Powder, specifically treats reopened wounds bleeding after sexual activity or physical labor. It contains equal 0.5 liang portions of Dragon's blood resin (Xuejie), Areca seed (Binglang), Bletilla tuber (Baiji), Coptis rhizome (Huanglian), Phellodendron bark (Huangbai), and Chebulic fruit (Hezi), ground finely and applied with egg white, covered with oiled paper, and changed when dry. Crucially, water must not be used for mixing.

Lastly, a simplified composition for the Immortal's Phlegm-Resolving Elixir (Xianfang Huatan Dan) is mentioned: Alum (Mingfan), processed Alumen (Chifan), Pinellia tuber (Banxia) soaked seven times in hot water, and processed Arisaema rhizome (Nanxing)—half prepared with seven hot-water rinses, half boiled with Gleditsia spine (Zaojiao).

This records several traditional Chinese medicinal formulas for treating lung abscesses and intestinal abscesses.

The first formula uses seven pieces of皂角 (soapberry pod), each one cun (approximately 1 inch) long, boiled with 南星 (Arisaema rhizome) until the water evaporates. Discard the皂角 and keep the南星, then dry it and grind it into fine powder with other herbs. Mix with cold water to form a stiff paste, add concentrated ginger juice to dilute, and roll into梧桐子 (Sterculia seed)-sized pills. Take 30-50 pills on an empty stomach with mild ginger decoction for rapid effect.

The second formula, called黄芪散 (Astragalus Powder) or桔梗汤 (Platycodon Decoction), treats lung abscesses. Symptoms include chest tightness, coughing bloody pus, shoulder and back discomfort, yellow urine, dry stools, and poor appetite. The formula consists of equal parts黄芪 (Astragalus),天门冬 (Asparagus root),川大黄 (Sichuan rhubarb),紫苏叶 (Perilla leaf),赤茯苓 (Red Poria),桑白皮 (Mulberry root-bark),生干地黄 (Rehmannia), plus杏仁 (Apricot kernel),蒺藜 (Tribulus), and枳壳 (Bitter orange) 3 qian each,当归 (Angelica) and甘草 (Licorice) half a liang each, with optional贝母 (Fritillaria) and薏苡仁 (Coix seed). Chop the herbs and decoct with 3 slices of ginger.

The third is桔梗丸 (Platycodon Pill) for lung abscesses with chest distension, chills, rapid pulse, dry throat without thirst, occasional coughing of foul phlegm, eventually expelling pus resembling congealed rice porridge. The formula contains桔梗 half liang,贝母 half liang, and巴豆 (Croton seed) 1 qian (must be detoxified). Grind into powder, mix with honey to form梧桐子-sized pills. Strong patients take 5 pills with congee, weaker ones take 3. If the illness is above the diaphragm, it will purge upward; below the diaphragm, downward. For excessive diarrhea, eat 3-4 spoonfuls of cold rice to stop.

The fourth formula treats intestinal abscesses with high fever, slight sweating, rapid breathing, lower abdominal swelling and pain, difficult urination resembling strangury, painful defecation like knife cuts, back and lung pain, with either intestinal pus or bloody stools. The formula includes当归 1 liang (lightly fried),甜瓜子 (Melon seed) 1 ge, and蛇蜕皮 (Snake slough) 1 chi long. Chop and decoct 4 qian per dose before meals—expelling foul matter indicates effectiveness.

The last is牡丹散 (Moutan Powder) for severe abdominal pain before intestinal suppuration. The formula contains木香 (Aucklandia),牡丹 (Moutan), and败酱 (Patrinia) 3 liang each.

The text records several traditional Chinese medicinal formulas for treating intestinal abscess (known in modern medicine as appendicitis and other suppurative intestinal diseases) and skin sores or scabies.

The first is Fuling Tang (Poria Cocos Decoction), used in the early stages of intestinal abscess before pus formation. The formula consists of red poria cocos, peach kernel, sweet melon seed, stir-fried rhubarb, mirabilite, and tree peony bark. These ingredients are chopped and decocted in water for oral administration, showing effects within three to four days. Symptoms include tightness and tenderness in the lower abdomen, difficult urination, frequent cold sweats, aversion to cold, and a slow pulse.

The second is Niuhuang San (Bezoar Powder), used when the intestinal abscess has developed pus. The formula contains bezoar, dragon's blood, saltpeter, rhubarb, morning glory seed, burdock fruit, and psoralea fruit. These are ground into fine powder and taken with warm wine, with the expulsion of pus and blood being the sign of efficacy.

The Qianjin Fang (Thousand Gold Formulas) describes typical symptoms of intestinal abscess: abnormal creases appearing on the patient's ear helix, initial severe abdominal pain or periumbilical pain, millet-sized skin lesions, fever with bloody pus in stool resembling dysentery but more dangerous, potentially fatal if untreated.

Loulu Tang (Radix Rhapontici Decoction) contains radix rhapontici, scutellaria, bleitlla, ephedra (with nodes removed), rhubarb, cimicifuga, cynanchum, stir-fried bitter orange, peony, and honey-fried licorice. Four qian (about 12g) of herbs are decocted in one cup of water until 70% remains, taken warm on an empty stomach. For severe fever, additional rhubarb or mirabilite may be added.

Lastly, Shengma Heqi Yin (Cimicifuga Qi-Harmonizing Drink) specifically treats limb sores and scabies with symptoms including variable pain and itching, sometimes accompanied by chills, fever, swelling, and exudate. The formula combines cimicifuga, kudzu root, platycodon, atractylodes, processed bitter orange, processed pinellia, dried ginger, tangerine peel, angelica dahurica, licorice, poria cocos, and Chinese angelica. This prescription alleviates various skin conditions.

This records three ancient medicinal formulas for treating abscesses and ulcerations. The first is Fuyuan Tongqi Powder, primarily addressing conditions like deafness, abdominal abscesses, and sores caused by stagnant Qi (vital energy) and blood circulation. The formula includes ingredients such as green tangerine peel, aged tangerine peel, processed pangolin scales, licorice (half raw and half prepared), trichosanthes root, honeysuckle flowers, along with forsythia, rhubarb, Chinese angelica, and Chinese honeylocust spines. The preparation method involves grinding the herbs into fine powder to be taken with warm wine, or alternatively decocted in wine.

The second formula, Huangqi Fuling Decoction, specifically treats cases where excessive pus discharge after ulceration leads to bodily weakness and fever. It combines red poria, cimicifuga rhizome, rhubarb, astragalus root, scutellaria root, polygala root, red peony root, licorice, ginseng, Chinese angelica, fresh rehmannia root, and ophiopogon tuber. The herbs are chopped, with each dose measuring approximately 12 grams (four qian) decocted in water for oral administration.

The third formula is comparatively simple, using only steamed rhubarb and peony root. Each 12-gram dose is boiled with one cup of water alongside ginger and rush pith, to be consumed warm before meals. These formulas derive from ancient physicians' clinical experience, demonstrating the characteristic emphasis on herb compatibility and processing methods in traditional Chinese surgical treatments.