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The deafness and muteness of children are symptoms that are interrelated. This is because children must be accustomed to hearing adults speak before they can learn to speak; thus, when a child who cannot yet speak or has just begun to speak suddenly becomes deaf and loses the ability to hear, it will inevitably lead to muteness and an inability to speak. Therefore, in treating this condition, one should focus specifically on treating the deafness. However, cases of deafness vary: some are treatable, while others are not. The untreatable cases involve a ruptured tympanic membrane (ear drum). The treatable cases involve blockages caused by nodules and collateral vessels within the ear. Place a piece of Magnetitum (Lingcishi) in the mouth, insert a thin iron rod into the ear canal, and utilize the magnetic interaction between them. Continue this for twelve days, and the blockage in the ear should clear. If it remains blocked, place an iron block in the mouth and insert a magnet near the ear. Continue this for twelve days, and the blockage in the ear should clear.

Xihuang (Calculus Bovis, 牛黄), as you correctly stated, is a miswriting of Xihuang (Calculus Bubali, 西黄). Generally, high-quality Calculus Bovis comes from Korea. Because Korean cattle are large, the Calculus Bovis produced there is the finest (the former Korean Qingxin Wan was excellent precisely because it contained Calculus Bovis). It is specially referred to as "Dong Niu Huang" (Eastern Calculus Bovis), and its price is relatively high. Qinghai and Tibet regions also produce much Calculus Bovis, but its quality is inferior to that of Dong Niu Huang, so it is separately called "Xi Niu Huang" (Western Calculus Bovis). Since these regions originally had rhinoceroses, the character "Xi" (West) was mistakenly written as "Xi" (Rhino). Ziyingshi (Fluorite, 紫石英) is something I frequently use, and it is very effective in treating female infertility. Unprocessed Ziyingshi that is purple in color and translucent, with five facets, is considered best. Generally, Baiyingshi (Quartz, 白石英) belongs to Yin, while Ziyingshi belongs to Yang. Yin substances ideally have six facets, while Yang substances ideally have five facets. As for Zhurushi (Stalactite, 钟乳石) and Shetanshi (Jaspidis Herba, 蛇含石), I have never used them, so I dare not comment.

There are many prescriptions for setting broken bones, but seeking one that acts quickly, there is only one prescription that I can share with the medical community. The prescription uses Tian Guazi (Melon Seed, 甜瓜子) and Sheng Caizi (Lettuce Seed, 生菜子), each one tael, along with one tael of the fresh tender inner bark of the small elm tree (Xia Yushu), plus one tael of genuine sesame oil. All ingredients are pounded together into a paste, applied to the affected area, and wrapped with cloth. Within half a shichen (one hour), once the bone feels set, remove the medicine; otherwise, there is a risk of callus formation at the fracture site. Since obtaining this prescription, my disciple Li XX used it to treat horses with great effect. I believe it will also be effective for humans. Moreover, the trial can be conducted within a few hours. If it proves ineffective, switching to other prescriptions would still be timely.

Human tendons and bones are connected, but bones are hard and prone to fracture, while tendons are tough and difficult to break. Therefore, while there are numerous prescriptions for setting bones in medical texts, prescriptions for healing severed tendons are rare. Most materia medica mention that Xuanfuhua (Inulae Flos, 旋复花) can heal severed tendons. The *Qunfang Pu* states that the root of a certain plant can heal severed tendons. I have not tried that root myself. However, in our county, people use Xuanfuhua to treat severed tendons in horses and cattle with good results. That prescription was initially kept secret. During plowing season, many horses and cattle suffer severed leg tendons due to panic and running away, getting cut by plowshares. Applying his prepared medicine leads to recovery within twenty days. Later, when I treated illnesses for his family, he detailed the prescription. He stated that this prescription was received from an unusual person, intended originally for human use, and is equally effective for animals. Therefore, I record the prescription in detail below.
The prescription uses five to six qian of fine powder of Xuanfuhua (Inulae Flos), added with approximately one liang of white sugar, and half a teacup of water, boiled together into a paste. After cooling, add a small amount of Shexiang (Musk, 麝香) (optional if unavailable), spread onto cloth, and wrap around the injury. After ten days, remove the medicine. Both ends of the severed tendon will grow small nodules. Apply another dose of the medicine, and the two small nodules will connect, healing the severed tendon. If the tendon is severed at a joint, it is necessary to immobilize the joint to prevent flexion and extension, allowing the tendon to heal properly.

Note: The *Waitai Miyao* contains an urgent prescription for healing severed tendons, which involves washing the root of Xuanfuhua, pounding it, and applying it to the wound. Change the dressing once or twice daily until healed. This utilizes the fresh root pounded into a paste. Because pharmacies do not stock Xuanfuhua roots, later practitioners substituted the flower, assuming the properties are similar, thus achieving efficacy.