《仙傳外科祕方》Vol. 9

The Secret Formulas of Immortal Physicians (Volume 9), compiled by Zhao Yizhen (Daoist name: Yuanyangzi of Junyi), records several treatments for carbuncles and abscesses on the back. Below are typical symptoms and corresponding treatment protocols:

Large-scale back carbuncle (suppurative infection spanning one chi in width and depth):

This condition arises from food stagnation leading to toxin accumulation in the spleen-stomach region. Treatment requires a dual approach: internal herbs to purge splenic-gastric toxins and external poultices to control infection. In early stages, administer Life-Saving Boil-Dispersing Decoction (Zhuiding Duoming Tang) orally alongside external application of Toxin-Resolving Swelling-Reducing Reinforcement Powder (Huadu Xiaozhong Tuoli San). At mid-stage, switch to pain-relieving formulas that detoxify and regenerate tissue, applying Toxin-Extracting Powder (Badu San) around the periphery. In late stages, use flesh-regenerating plasters. Even if decay reaches the bone, the condition remains non-fatal unless the visceral membrane is perforated.

Right flank "Lotus Seed Eruption":

This carbuncle risks toxin invasion toward the heart. Treatment focuses on oral toxin-dispersing herbs and topical blockers to halt spread. Full-back swelling indicates poor prognosis, while localized pain remains treatable. All ulcerative pains correlate with heart fire (TCM theory holds the heart governs blood vessels). Apply fire needling (red-hot needle puncture) 3–4 times at the site, supplemented with Toxin-Resolving Reinforcement Powder mixed with Arisaema rhizome (Nanxing) and Aconite (Cao Wu), vinegar-moistened for sustained effect—typically resolving within 2–3 days.

Crown "Honeycomb Eruption":

This reverse-growing carbuncle is most challenging. Cautiously use internal reinforcement formulas paired with flesh-regenerating, pain-relieving, and blood-dispersing agents. Toxin invasion into the heart membrane is fatal, linked to unresolved heart fire.

Migratory "Wandering Infusion Eruption":

Folk-called "Turtle Shadow" (though medical texts lack this term), it results from wind-heat pathogens circulating with Qi-blood. Treatment requires wind-dispersing heat-clearing methods to block toxin diffusion. Limb metastasis carries grave prognosis, potentially life-threatening.

Lumbar "Kidney Shu Eruption":

(Original text incomplete; inferred as carbuncles near the kidney Shu acupoint, requiring kidney function preservation during treatment.)

This condition arises from exposure to dampness, fits of anger, and consumption of heated alcohol, leading to toxin accumulation in the kidney region that spreads to the Shenshu acupoint (a lumbar point). Immediate treatment with both internal and external medication is required to dissolve the kidney toxins, combined with tissue-regenerating drugs applied internally and externally. If the yin-toxin flares up and damages the kidney membrane, recovery becomes extremely difficult. Strict abstinence from anger and sexual activity is crucial—the slightest violation may render the condition incurable, so utmost caution is advised.

Bilateral Shenshu Abscess and Spleen Carbuncle

This lower bilateral Shenshu abscess stems from sexual activity after drinking heated alcohol, emotional agitation, and damp exposure. Yang-toxin manifestations on the surface are treatable, but yin-toxin caused by phlegm-dampness that injures the kidney membrane and discharges thin pus indicates a severe deficiency syndrome with poor prognosis, often fatal. For spleen carbuncle appearing on the left arm, early-stage treatment involves cauterizing the affected area with ignited moxa and ingesting Zhui Ding Tang (Dispelling Toxin Decoction) to induce sweating for resolution.

Right Shoulder Abscess

This lesion develops on the right scapula and remains treatable due to its mobile location. However, if it spreads to the left shoulder, treatment becomes difficult. External medication may follow the formula for left shoulder abscess described later.

Left Shoulder Abscess

This lesion forms on the left scapula and is manageable in its mobile stage. If it extends to the right shoulder, recovery is unlikely. Apply powdered dried egg membrane and cotton floss—use dry application for oozing lesions or mix with clear oil for dry ones.

Central Thoracic Abscess

Caused by excessive heart-fire, this condition involves heat accumulation at the sternum. During acute toxic flare-ups, immediate use of heart-fire-draining medication is critical, supplemented with tissue-regenerating drugs for full recovery.

Honeycomb Abscess

Appearing as a honeycomb-like cluster between the chest and breasts, this also results from intense heart-fire. Prompt treatment with the aforementioned heart-fire-draining drugs is essential—delay allows heat-toxin to attack the heart, causing death.

Occipital Honeycomb Abscess

This honeycomb-patterned lesion on the occiput requires emergency care. Red, swollen, hot, and painful cases are treatable, while phlegm-dampness-induced cases prove difficult. Immediate oral and topical medication is vital—if toxins spread to both shoulders, the condition becomes terminal.

Dual-Ended Dorsal Abscess

This back sore with two small ends spreading outward stems from improper diet.

(Note: Traditional Chinese medical terms like "Shenshu" and "tissue-regenerating drugs" retain their original names. Therapeutic methods such as "cauterizing with ignited moxa" refer to traditional moxibustion, while "Zhui Ding Tang" is a classical formula. Descriptors like "yang manifestation" and "yin manifestation" indicate external versus internal symptom states.)

The Secret Formulas of Immortal Transmission Surgery documents several treatment methods for abscesses (suppurative infections). When bodily weakness leads to Qi (vital energy) and blood deficiency, wounds become difficult to heal. In such cases, internal dissolving medicines should be administered along with appropriate warming tonics to supplement Yang energy.

If abscesses appear beneath both ribcage areas, this indicates constitutional weakness and Qi deficiency. Crucially, one must avoid Yang-warming tonics in this situation. Using hot-natured medicines here would exacerbate deficient fire, potentially damaging the periosteum—extreme caution is required.

For abscesses emerging near the hairline on either side of the nape, immediate topical medication should be applied. If these develop into hard, nodular masses, complete lesion removal becomes essential. Abscesses forming at the crown of the head allow rising heat to attack the brain, causing redness, swelling, heat, and pain behind the ears and neck. Untreated, toxins will invade flesh and blood, leading to suppuration and ulceration. Cases complicated by Qi-blood deficiency or phlegm-dampness symptoms prove particularly difficult to cure.

Large purplish-black abscesses appearing at the back of the skull are called "fatal carbuncles" (yao ju). Without prompt treatment, within ten days the noxious heat will invade the armpits, damage the Conception Vessel (Ren Mai), and internally scorch the liver and lungs—resulting in death. Emergency treatment requires toxin-resolving, swelling-reducing formulas like Tuoli Powder or the life-preserving Neituo Qianjin Powder to generate flesh and relieve pain.

The area 1.3 cun (approximately 4 cm) behind the ear constitutes a lethal point—abscesses here invariably prove fatal. A particularly hard malignant sore called "rising mandible infection" (fa yi) drives toxic heat upward to perforate cheeks and oral cavity, ultimately piercing the throat to cause death.

The text also records two formulas: Pojie Powder specifically treats goiter-type disorders (stone goiter, Qi goiter, etc.), composed of ten ingredients including seaweed and gentian root ground into powder. Take two qian doses with warm wine, avoiding stimulant foods during treatment. Nanxing Paste addresses large tumors on the head, face, and neck—some reaching fist-sized proportions.

These passages from the Secret Surgical Formulas from Immortal Traditions describe treatments for various external ailments, which I'll render in contemporary language:

For small skin nodules resembling millet grains—some soft, some firm but painless—use this prescription. Crucially, never apply acupuncture recklessly; only gently prick the surface. Prepare the medicine by grinding large Arisaema rhizome (a medicinal herb) into powder, mixing it with vinegar to form a paste. Dried rhizome may substitute if fresh isn't available. After pricking to release internal qi, spread the paste on paper and apply according to the swelling's size. Remove when itching occurs, gently manipulating the area, and reapply until effective. Replace dried paste promptly.

Chest eruptions called "Well Abscesses" appear soybean-sized, manifesting within three to four days. Untreated, they penetrate inward—reaching the abdominal cavity proves fatal within ten days. Immediately administer "Internal Stabilizing Heart-Clearing Powder" (formula provided earlier). Superficial cases are treatable, but penetration beyond the visceral membrane guarantees mortality.

"Nine Eruptions" denote toxic ulcers affecting specific organs: Lung Abscess, Heart Abscess, Liver Abscess, Kidney Carbuncle, Spleen Abscess, Stomach Abscess, Large Intestine Abscess, Triple Burner Abscess, and Small Intestine Carbuncle. Diagnosis requires locating the affected organ position, assessing depth, and inquiring about prior elixir consumption. Outward ulceration permits treatment, whereas inward penetration of visceral membranes or pus discharge through stool indicates grave prognosis.

Female breast disorders divide into two types: "External Milk Blowing" during lactation and "Internal Milk Blowing" during pregnancy. Prompt treatment with topical applications is essential—once suppuration occurs, apply flesh-generating pain-relieving medicinals.

An effective formula: Equal parts Angelica dahurica and Fritillaria (core removed) powdered, taken with rice wine. For milk stagnation, add Rhaponticum to decoct with wine.

Initial-stage breast carbuncle poultice: Mix one spoonful of yeast starter with five qian of roasted wheat flour, pounding thoroughly. When yeast develops honeycomb texture (bluish tint is acceptable), roast dry, powder, and blend with well water. Moisten when dried; if ineffective, add Angelica dahurica and Fritillaria powder—for severe pain, incorporate frankincense and myrrh powder for rapid relief.

For breast carbuncles or abscesses forming persistent internal masses, immediately ingest "Qi-Restoring Ventilating Powder."

This passage primarily discusses the preparation and application methods of several traditional Chinese surgical medicinal formulas, along with certain treatment precautions.

The "Restorative Qi Powder" formula is used to treat conditions such as breast abscesses, carbuncles, and other toxic swellings. The prescription includes ingredients like costus root (muxiang), fennel (huixiang), green tangerine peel (qingpi), prepared pangolin scales (zhi chuanshanjia), aged tangerine peel (chenpi), angelica dahurica (baizhi), licorice (gancao), fritillaria bulb (beimu), and rhaponticum (loulu). The preparation method involves grinding these ingredients into powder, which is then taken mixed with southern-style wine, or alternatively decocted with wine added before consumption.

A similar formula includes additional ingredients such as green tangerine peel (qingpi), aged tangerine peel (chenpi), licorice (gancao), prepared pangolin scales (zhi chuanshanjia), trichosanthes root (gualougen), forsythia (lianqiao), and honeysuckle (jinyinhua). This mixture is likewise ground into powder and taken with warm wine.

Special precautions are noted for breast disease treatment: acupuncture should be avoided as it may damage mammary tissue with serious consequences. Diagnosis should determine treatment—if the wound is large and involves mammary tissue, immediate internal medication and external application are required. Chronic non-healing wounds present significant treatment challenges.

Regarding "human-face sores" (a condition resembling facial features on skin lesions), these are considered related to karmic retribution and require sincere repentance and virtuous deeds for resolution. The recommended treatment begins with Qi-Regulating Decoction (liuqi yin), followed if necessary by Sophora Root Pill (kushen wan) to nourish kidney water (shenshui), combined with external application of Detoxifying Flesh-Generating Pain-Relieving Powder (jiedu shengji dingtong san).

The Sophora Root Pill formula is detailed with ingredients including: sophora root (kushen), saposhnikovia root (fangfeng), schizonepeta (jingjie), angelica dahurica (baizhi), raw aconite (sheng chuanwu), red peony root (chishao), fleeceflower root (heshouwu), ligusticum rhizome (chuanxiong), pubescent angelica root (duhuo), gardenia fruit (zhizi), gleditsia spine (yazao), and vitex fruit (manjingzi).

This scripture records several medicinal formulas and treatment methods for skin ulcers, primarily targeting chronic leg ulcers (lian sores), buttock abscesses (zhunju), wind-blood sores (xuefeng sores), and foot gangrene (tuoju).

First, it introduces a pill formula to tonify kidney water (Shenshui): Take one liang each of poria (fuling), Chinese yam (shanyao), and tribulus (jili), along with three qian of processed aconite (caowu), one liang of astragalus (huangqi), one liang of notopterygium (qianghuo), and one liang of typhonium rhizome (baifuzi). (The latter four herbs—aconite, astragalus, notopterygium, and typhonium—are collectively known as the "Four Life-Giving Powder.") Grind these ingredients into a fine powder, mix with water and flour paste, and form into pills the size of phoenix tree seeds. Take 30 to 50 pills daily on an empty stomach, washed down with wine. Non-drinkers may substitute high-quality tea. This formula primarily treats chronic leg ulcers caused by kidney water deficiency.

For long-standing leg ulcers, it recommends first using Kushen Wan (Bitter Ginseng Pill) to tonify kidney water, followed by external application of Jiedu Shengji Dingtong San (Detoxifying, Flesh-Generating, and Pain-Relieving Powder), and finally treatment with Gezhi Gao (Paper-Layered Ointment). The method for preparing the ointment is as follows: Grind old pine resin (laosongxiang), camphor (zhangnao), roasted grain powder (chaogudan), ship's lime (shuilonggu), and calomel (qingfen) into a fine powder. Melt the pine resin and blend with a small amount of clear oil. Depending on the size of the ulcer, sandwich the medicine between oiled paper sheets, cleanse the wound before application, and re-dress every two days. If ineffective, add equal parts of angelica dahurica (baizhi), ligusticum (chuanxiong), and cuttlebone (piaoxiao). Alternatively, boiling these three herbs alone to wash the wound is also effective.

For buttock abscesses (zhunju) and wind-blood sores (xuefeng sores), those located near the genitals or anus are harder to treat, while those elsewhere are relatively easier. Wind-blood sores on the feet are more manageable, whereas those on the hands are more stubborn.

Foot gangrene (tuoju) often occurs in diabetic patients. If the toes turn blackish-red, the condition is nearly incurable; if not yet discolored, treatment is still possible. If treatment fails, immediate amputation is necessary—otherwise, the spread of blackish-red discoloration can be fatal. In early stages, internal remedies like Liuqi Yin (Qi-Circulating Decoction) and Kushen Wan (Bitter Ginseng Pill) may be used. Another specialized method involves boiling tung oil (tongyou) with pyrolusite (wumingyi), adding a spoonful of Sichuan pepper (huajiao), and simmering with smartweed leaves (liaoye) cut to match the wound size. After seven days, apply the leaves directly to the affected area.

This passage describes several treatment methods for surgical conditions in traditional Chinese medicine, focusing primarily on genital abscesses and chancroid ulcers.

For scrotal abscess (known as "kidney yin eruption"), this condition arises when cold-damp pathogenic factors invade the bladder and kidney meridians, causing stagnation of Qi and blood. The treatment protocol involves multiple steps: First, administer Tuoli Powder (a decoction for supporting vital Qi and expelling pathogens) supplemented with plantago seeds, akebia stem, lophatherum, morning glory seeds, and fleeceflower root. Concurrently apply external poultices of Neixiao Powder and Shengji Dingtong Powder, followed by medicated plasters. Additionally, patients should take the secret formula Liuqi Drink.

For chancroid ulcers (a type of venereal ulcer), there's a remarkably effective prescription called Qianjin Powder: Take one black spider (preferably a large river-crossing variety), grind it in a bowl, mix with heated rice wine, and consume in one gulp. After ingestion, the patient should lie on the affected side. If ineffective, repeat with another spider.

External applications require particular technique: First apply heated scallion whites as a warm compress, reheating when cooled, repeating three to four times. Then apply medicinal paste containing toxin-resolving and swelling-reducing herbs with added garlic, momordica seed, arisaema rhizome, and aconite. For ruptured ulcers, switch to Shengji Dingtong medicine instead.

Another formula promotes urination and bowel movement: Combine equal parts morning glory seeds, realgar, chinaberry fruit, rhubarb, licorice nodes, trichosanthes root, bitter orange, and fritillaria bulb, ground into powder and taken with rice wine to expel pus and reduce swelling.

A more complex decoction includes: Asarum root, coptis root, pangolin scales, frankincense, myrrh, forsythia, Chinese angelica root tip, rhubarb, gardenia, honeysuckle, oyster shell, plantago seeds, saposhnikovia root, licorice, and walnut, boiled in water then mixed with rice wine for morning consumption. Best results come when combined with Wuling Powder (containing capillary wormwood, rush pith, akebia, atractylodes, polyporus, alisma, red poria, cinnamon bark, and plantago seeds).

Finally, two additional methods are mentioned: First, combine Aucklandia root pills with heated blister beetles (removed before consumption), taken with warm rice wine. Second, decoct chestnut tree roots in rice wine for immediate effect. All chancroid treatments may be supplemented with topical applications.

This passage records several ancient medicinal formulas and treatment methods for external conditions such as sores, ulcers, and toxic swellings:

For the first remedy, equal parts of coptis root (huanglian) and phellodendron bark (huangbo) are ground into powder and moistened by soaking in two pig's gallbladders. A tile or brick is heated until red-hot, and the medicinal mixture is dried upon it. Then add frankincense (ruxiang), myrrh (moyao), crude saltpeter (puxiao), dried alum (kufan), wumingyi (a mineral medicine), baiyaojian (a compound preparation), dragon's blood resin (xuejie), and sophora root (kushen). All ingredients are finely powdered—for dry sores, mix with clear oil for application; for weeping sores, apply the powder directly. If swelling and pain persist, wash the affected area with a decoction of Yiyuan Powder (a heat-clearing and dampness-draining formula) combined with saposhnikovia root (fangfeng), schizonepeta (jingjie), and fleeceflower root (heshouwu).

For treating swollen, painful genital ulcers that fail to subside: Prepare equal parts of saposhnikovia root (fangfeng), schizonepeta (jingjie), licorice nodes (caojie), and achyranthes root (niuxi) as a decoction for fumigation and washing.

Gangrenous ulcers are treated with a powder of litharge (mituseng), coptis root (huanglian), phellodendron bark (huangbo), and calomel (qingfen) for external application, followed by washing with a decoction of salt and mugwort leaves (aiye).

Internal administration method: Pound fresh kudzu root (chige) with ginger and take with warm wine to induce sweating—this marks effectiveness. The residue can be applied topically to sores.

For hernia treatment: Using the patient's mouth width as measurement, locate points above the navel—moxibustion is applied to the right side for left-side pain and vice versa. Then administer one dose each of Fennel Seed Running Horse Pill (zoumahui xiang wan) and Evodia Hernia-Resolving Pill (zhuyu neixiao wan) with lightly salted raw wine on an empty stomach.

The Swift Life-Saving Decoction for Virulent Sores (zhui ding duo ming tang) contains notopterygium root (qianghuo), pubescent angelica root (duhuo), green tangerine peel (qingpi), saposhnikovia root (fangfeng), coptis root (huanglian), red peony root (chishao), asarum herb (xixin), licorice nodes (gancaojie), cicada molting (chantui), and silkworm slough (jiangcan). Modifications: add fleeceflower root (heshouwu) and angelica dahurica (baizhi) for pus; add costus root (qingmuxiang), rhubarb (dahuang), gardenia (zhizi), and morning glory seeds (qianniu) for purging; add chaenomeles fruit (mugua) for lower body afflictions. Use five qian of the powdered formula with one qian each of horehound (zelan) and honeysuckle (jinyinhua), plus one liang of crushed ginger, taken with heated wine. Non-drinkers may use a water decoction with a small amount of wine. After administration, prepare a sweating-inducing decoction with 1.5 cups each of wine and water plus ten ginger slices—cover with blankets to promote perspiration. For symptom relief, add two qian of rhubarb to the original formula and decoct until bowel movement occurs.

This passage discusses methods for modifying prescriptions to treat various symptoms. The main idea is that while this formula may appear simple in its composition, it has proven remarkably effective in practice and can be used with confidence. When additional symptoms manifest, the formula should be adjusted according to specific conditions.

Detailed modifications are provided for corresponding symptoms:

• For heart vexation and vomiting: add licorice nodes (1 qian) and bean powder (taken with fermented grain water)
• For nausea and vomiting: add frankincense and bean powder (taken with licorice decoction)
• For severe vomiting: grind purple lotus receptacle, aged ginger, and rice vinegar together for ingestion
• For summerheat-induced heart vexation: use cinnabar Five-Ingredient Poria Powder
• For persistent vomiting: add clove buds and lotus seeds (decocted with previous ingredients); if ineffective, use Unsubstituted Gold Orthodox Qi Powder with ginseng and aucklandia root
• For vomiting with cold extremities (called "water ingestion"): take Summerheat-Clearing Pill with coptis and elsholtzia powder
• For cold extremities: use chaenomeles fruit and morning glory seeds
• For heart vexation: add ophiopogon root, red peony, gardenia, and rush pith
• For fever: add bupleurum root, scutellaria root, bamboo sap, and cogongrass rhizome
• For blurred vision: add small amounts of cinnabar, realgar, and musk
• For abdominal distension: add coix seed and gypsum
• For diarrhea: add white atractylodes, poria, nutmeg, and poppy capsule
• For unrelenting abdominal pain: add costus root and frankincense
• For cough and panting: add anemarrhena rhizome, fritillaria bulb, and a small amount of honey
• For headache: add ligusticum rhizome, angelica root, and scallion whites
• For persistent headache: crush radish seeds, ligusticum rhizome, and scallion whites to apply on temples
• For excessive phlegm: rinse mouth with juice from fresh mugwort tips crushed with rice vinegar
• For sore throat: gargle with decoction of sophora root, polygonum root, gardenia, bamboo leaves, mugwort leaves, and rush pith
• For constipation: use ginger-processed red peony, bran-fried bitter orange, and areca peel
• For dysuria: use red peony, red poria, akebia stem, plantago herb, and rush pith
• For hematuria: use fresh rehmannia root and plantago herb
• For nosebleeds: use wild safflower, rehmannia root, lotus node, and ginger peel
• For painless, non-swelling sores: apply moxibustion three cones
• If pain remains absent after moxibustion, the condition becomes difficult to treat
• For bone-steaming (yin deficiency fever): add cogongrass rhizome
• For absent pulse: take Twenty-Four Ingredient Qi-Flowing Beverage

These modifications demonstrate the characteristic TCM approach of pattern differentiation and treatment adjustment based on the primary formula and presenting symptoms.

This scripture records a precious medicinal formula called "Flying Dragon Life-Saving Elixir," specifically designed to treat various severe sores and toxins. This elixir can cure furuncles, back carbuncles, brain abscesses, breast abscesses, and bone-deep ulcers without pus heads. After ingestion, it causes headless malignant sores to develop visible heads, induces pain in painless sores, and immediately heals those already suppurated. It's a supreme remedy for critical malignant sores—effective even in life-threatening cases with near-perfect reliability, and must never be underestimated in application.

The formula comprises multiple rare medicinal ingredients: toad venom (dissolved in aged wine), dragon's blood resin, frankincense, myrrh, realgar, calomel, chalcanthite, musk, verdigris, gypsum, cinnabar (used as pill coating), sea snails (with shells, twenty-one pieces), centipedes (soaked in wine, roasted yellow, then head and legs removed), and borneol (optional). Preparation involves grinding all ingredients into fine powder, pounding snails into paste before mixing with other components, then forming pea-sized pills. If shaping proves difficult, wine-boiled flour paste may assist consolidation.

Administration method: Only two pills per dose. First, have the patient chew a three-inch section of scallion white (left palm for men, right for women), then wrap the pills in the chewed scallion and swallow with three to four cups of ash-free hot wine. After ingestion, the patient must cover themselves in wind-sheltered warmth, walk approximately two kilometers' worth of time, then drink several more cups of hot wine to promote medicinal efficacy until full-body heat and profuse sweating occur. If no sweating ensues, critically ill patients may take two additional pills.

Therapeutic effects manifest as: Initial symptoms subside after two pills; severe cases may require another two pills after three to five days. However, furuncles with "toxins overwhelming the heart" become incurable, and post-sweating chills indicate mortal danger. Patients unable to chew scallion may wrap crushed scallion around pills for wine-assisted ingestion. Upper-body sores require post-meal administration, lower-body sores pre-meal.

Critical post-dose precautions: Avoid cold water contact; abstain from cucumbers, eggplants, greasy wheat foods, pork, mutton, fish, and other sore-aggravating foods; prevent exposure to menstrual garments and body odor. Strict adherence ensures flawless efficacy.

Appended is a simplified back-sore remedy: Combine one liang of bloodwort herb, half liang of winter cherry plant, and two-and-a-half qian of Chinese angelica root.

This passage records several ancient medicinal formulas and treatments for external injuries and skin conditions:

For treating pain from external injuries: Take equal parts (1.2 qian each) of frankincense and myrrh, dry and grind them into powder. Take 7 qian per dose with warm wine. If using fresh herbs, pound them and take with warm wine, reserving the residue for external application on wounds.

For lower back pain: Heat black beans until warm, wrap in silk cloth and bind around the waist. Simultaneously take ginger pounded and mixed with heated wine until intoxication induces sweating. Repeat two or three times if sweating doesn't occur—remarkable effects are reported.

Cudgel wound ointment: Combine 1 liang of lead carbonate, 1 qian of red halloysite, and 1 fen of mercury with sesame oil to make a paste. Apply on umbrella paper and affix to wounds. For sunken wounds, first fill with this ointment before applying—quick results. This formula also treats hemorrhoids and stubborn tinea.

Boils detoxification method: Mix half a croton seed (shell removed) with magnetite powder, adding scallion juice and honey to form a paste. Application draws out the boil's toxin automatically.

For various swellings and toxins: Take ginger that fell eastward from a roof beam, draw circles at the landing spot (○ on yang days, □ on yin days), grind the ginger with strong vinegar within the circle, then combine the earth with rhubarb and mirabilite powder in a mortar. Pound with ginger and apply, leaving the sore's opening exposed to discharge toxins.

For fungal infections (resembling modern tinea), apply a mixture of calomel and lead carbonate powder. This also treats scabies and mild tinea.

Scabies ointment: Combine chaulmoogra seeds, coptis, licorice, walnut, elm bark, Sichuan pepper, calomel, half-calcined alum, cnidium, and wellstone powder. Pound with walnuts into pellet-sized pills. Rub affected areas with coarse cloth-wrapped pills—rapid relief.

The treatment for infantile milk tinea isn't detailed, suggesting some aforementioned formulas may apply to pediatric skin conditions.

The text records two ancient Daoist medical treatments for external conditions:

The first method describes cleaning the affected area with licorice powder (粉草) before applying an oily medicinal paste (油酱). This approach was used for wound treatment, as licorice possesses anti-inflammatory properties while the oil-based ointment creates a protective layer.

The second prescription addresses pediatric acute convulsions (sudden onset of spasms). It involves collecting the dark bluish sediment water from a latrine (糞青水) and having the patient drink a small sip (一呷), which was believed to induce immediate recovery. This seemingly unsanitary treatment actually aligns with the Chinese medical principle of "using turbidity to combat turbidity." Ancient practitioners believed this fecal sediment contained special microorganisms potentially possessing anticonvulsive properties.

These formulas originate from the ninth volume of Immortal-Taught Proven Formulas for External Medicine (Xianchuan Waike Jiyan Fang), representing secret surgical remedies in Daoist medicine that demonstrate the ancient wisdom of transforming common substances into medicinal agents. Modern researchers should note these methods are no longer applicable under contemporary medical standards and must be understood within their historical context.