吴江徐灵胎征君大椿，谓医药为人命所关，较他事尤宜敬慎，今乃眩奇立异，欲骇愚人耳目
，将古人精思妙法，反全然不考，其弊何所底止，略举数端，以示警戒。人中黄，（肠胃热
毒偶有用入丸散者，今入煎药则是以粪汁灌入而倒其胃矣。）人中白，（飞净，入末药，若煎
服，是以溺汁灌入矣。）鹿茸、麋茸，（俱入丸药，外症、痘症偶入煎药、又古方以治血寒久
痢，今人以治热毒时痢，腐肠而死。）河车、脐带，（补骨丸药偶用，今入煎剂，腥秽不堪，
又脐带必用数条，肆中以羊肠、龟肠代之。）蚌水，（大寒伤胃，前人有用一二匙治阳明热毒
，今人用一碗半碗以治小儿，死者八九。）蚯蚓，（痘症用一二条酒冲，已属不典，今用三四
十条，大毒大寒，服者多死。）蜈蚣、蛴螬（即桑虫）、蝎子、胡蜂，（皆极毒之物，用者多死
，间有不死者，幸耳。）石决明，（眼科磨光盐水煮入末药，今亦以此法入一切煎剂，何义？）
白螺壳，（此收湿糁药，亦入煎剂，其味何在？）鸡子黄，（此少阴不寐引经之药，今无病不用
。）燕窝、海参、淡菜、鹿筋、丑筋、鱼肚、鹿尾，（此皆食品，不入药剂，必须洗浸极净，
加以姜、椒、葱、酒，方可入口，今与熟地、麦冬、附、桂同煎，则腥臭欲呕。）醋炒半夏
、醋 赭石、麻油炒半夏，（皆能伤肺，令人声哑而死。）橘白、橘内筋、荷叶边、枇杷露、
楂核、扁豆壳，（此皆方书所弃，今偏取之以示异。）余按∶徐氏所指，诚切中要害，惟海参
淡食，最能益人，尝有食之终身而康强登上寿者，惟不宜与熟地等药同煎耳。又枇杷露，治
肺热咳嗽，获效颇速，似不当在屏弃之列。
（炳章）按∶如人中白必先漂出臭气，火 用入煎剂，治口疳牙疳，颇有效。石决明镇肝
阳亦颇效。惟毒性虫类，应当禁入汤剂为妥。
Mr. Xu Lingtai (Zhuangyuan Dachun) of Wujiang stated that medicine and pharmacy are closely related to human life, and thus require even greater reverence and caution than other matters. However, nowadays people seek novelty and eccentricity to astonish the ears and eyes of the foolish, completely disregarding the profound thoughts and ingenious methods of the ancients. Where will this malpractice end? I briefly list a few examples to serve as a warning.
Ren Zhong Huang (Human Excrement Yellow), (It is occasionally used in pills and powders for occasional heat-toxin in the intestines and stomach. If now added to decoctions, it is equivalent to pouring fecal juice into the body, thereby reversing the function of the Stomach.)
Ren Zhong Bai (Human Urine Deposit), (When purified by flying, it is used in powdered medicines; if taken as a decoction, it is equivalent to pouring urine juice into the body.)
Lu Rong (Deer Antler Velvet) and Mi Rong (Elk Antler Velvet), (Both are used in pills. They are occasionally used in decoctions for external lesions or smallpox. Additionally, ancient formulas used them to treat chronic dysentery due to Blood-Cold. Nowadays, people use them to treat epidemic dysentery caused by Heat-Toxin, leading to intestinal rot and death.)
He Che (Placenta Hominis) and Qi Dai (Umbilical Cord), (Occasionally used in bone-nourishing pills. Now added to decoctions, they are foul and disgusting. Moreover, several cords are required; pharmacies substitute them with sheep intestine and turtle intestine.)
Bang Shui (Clam Water), (Its nature is extremely cold and damages the Stomach. Predecessors used one or two spoonfuls to treat Yangming Heat-Toxin. Nowadays, people use half a bowl or a full bowl to treat children, resulting in eight or nine deaths out of ten.)
Qiu Yin (Earthworm), (Using one or two earthworms washed in wine for smallpox is already unorthodox. Using thirty to forty now involves great toxicity and extreme coldness; most who take them die.)
Wu Gong (Centipede), Si Cao (Silkworm Caterpillar, i.e., Sang Chong), Xie Zi (Scorpion), and Hu Feng (Hornet), (All are extremely toxic substances. Most users die. Those who survive do so only by luck.)
Shi Jue Ming (Abalone Shell), (In ophthalmology, it is polished, boiled in salt water, and used as a powder. Now it is also added to all decoctions using this method. What is the rationale?)
Bai Luo Ke (White Snail Shell), (This is a medication for absorbing dampness and sprinkling externally. It is also added to decoctions. What is its flavor/purpose?)
Ji Zi Huang (Chicken Egg Yolk), (This is a guiding herb for Shaoyin insomnia. Now it is used even when there is no disease.)
Yan Wo (Swallow's Nest), Hai Shen (Sea Cucumber), Dan Cai (Mussel), Lu Jin (Deer Tendon), Niu Jin (Ox Tendon), Yu Du (Fish Maw), and Lu Wei (Deer Tail), (These are all food items, not medicinal ingredients. They must be washed and soaked extremely clean, and cooked with ginger, pepper, scallion, and wine before consumption. Now, when decocted together with Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmannia Root), Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Root), Fu Zi (Aconite Root), and Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig), they become so foul and odorous as to induce vomiting.)
Cu Chao Ban Xia (Pinellia Rhizome Stir-fried with Vinegar), Cu Zhe Shi (Haematite Stir-fried with Vinegar), and Ma You Chao Ban Xia (Pinellia Rhizome Stir-fried with Sesame Oil), (All can damage the Lung, causing hoarseness and death.)
Ju Bai (Tangerine Peel White Pith), Ju Nei Jin (Tangerine Inner Fibers), He Ye Bian (Lotus Leaf Edge), Pi Pa Lu (Loquat Leaf Syrup), Zha He (Hawthorn Seed), and Bian Dou Qiao (Lablab Bean Husk), (These are all discarded in medical texts, yet now specifically selected to show eccentricity.)
My commentary: The points raised by Mr. Xu indeed hit the nail on the head. However, eating sea cucumber plain is very beneficial to humans; I have known individuals who consumed it throughout their lives and remained healthy and long-lived. It is simply unsuitable to decoct it with herbs like Shu Di Huang. Additionally, Pi Pa Lu (Loquat Leaf Syrup) treats Lung-Heat cough with rapid efficacy, so it should perhaps not be included in the list of things to be discarded.
(Bingzhang) Commentary: For example, Ren Zhong Bai must first be leached to remove the odor, then processed with fire before being used in decoctions to treat mouth ulcers and gum gangrene, showing considerable efficacy. Shi Jue Ming (Abalone Shell) is also quite effective in calming Liver-Yang. However, it is advisable to prohibit toxic insect-based drugs from being added to decoctions.