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After taking one dose, the illness was more than half cured; after taking two more doses, it was completely cured. A few days later, I treated a woman surnamed Ju who had a headache with symptoms identical to the previous case. I prescribed the same formula again, and she was completely cured after two doses.

The condition of mania and insanity is also what Western medicine calls "brain nerve disease" (encephalopathy). The reason for this pathology in the brain nerves is that the pathways connecting the heart and the brain (the heart has four blood vessels connecting to the brain) are obstructed by phlegm-fire. I typically use a heavy dose of Hematitum (Ochre/Zheshi), 2 liang, assisted by Radix Rhubarbi (Dahuang), Natrii Sulfas (Puxiao), Rhizoma Pinelliae (Banxia), and Radix Curcumae (Yujin). For cases where phlegm-fire is particularly substantial, I occasionally add Kansui Radix (Gansui), 2 qian, administered as powder. This often yields immediate results. Indeed, because Hematitum possesses a heavy descending force, it can guide phlegm-fire downward, ensuring that the pathway between the heart and brain remains unobstructed. Consequently, the Yuan Shen (Original Spirit) in the brain and the Shi Shen (Conscious Spirit) in the heart can assist each other in maintaining normal function, preventing confusion of the mind. In Fengtian, I once treated a man near thirty years old suffering from mania and loss of mental clarity. He had undergone multiple treatments by both TCM and Western doctors for four years with no effect. He came to my clinic seeking treatment. His pulse was deep and solid. I prescribed the aforementioned formula, adding 2.5 qian of Kansui Radix per dose. It was taken every other day (medications containing Kansui Radix must not be taken consecutively). On the days when he did not take the decoction, he took 5 qian each of finely powdered Hematitum and Natrii Sulfas, divided into two doses. After about ten days, he recovered.

Epilepsy (Xianfeng) is a condition difficult to cure since ancient times. Western physicians use anesthetics for brain nerves, administered several times daily, which can often forcibly prevent seizures. However, seizures may still occur occasionally, and long-term use over years fails to eradicate the root cause. Moreover, chronic use of such drugs has the drawback of dulling the spirit and reducing appetite. In the year Gengshen, while consulting on such cases in Fengtian, I studied several formulas and combined them. Several patients were cured. One formula consists of Hematitum, 6 qian; Atractylodis Rhizoma (Baizhu), Jiuqu (Fermented Wheat Mass, note: Shenqu is ineffective and raw form is preferred); Rhizoma Pinelliae; Gentianae Radix; and Resina Myrrhae (Moyao), each 3 qian. This is a decoction. Another formula uses 4 liang of pure black lead, melted in an iron pot, with 2 liang of fine sulfur powder sprinkled onto the lead. The sulfur adheres completely. Stir-fry rapidly with an iron shovel. The lead, calcined by sulfur, turns red and forms granules due to stirring. Remove these, cool, and roll into cakes (these are partially fused lead). Discard them. Grind the remainder to an extremely fine powder using a mortar, mix equally with Cinnabar (Zhusha) powder, add a small amount of steamed wheat flour (just enough to form pills), and bind with water into pills weighing 0.5 fen each (dry weight). A third formula uses Kalii Bromidum (Xi Yao Chou Bo), Natrii Bromidum (Xi Yao Chou Su), and Chloral Hydratum (An Mu Ni Mo), each 2 qian, plus Chloralum Hydratum (Bao Shui Guo Lu La Er), 1 qian. Grind together finely, mix with 4 qian of steamed wheat flour, bind with water into pills the size of sesame seeds. Take 14 grains of the Western medicines morning and evening, and 12 pills of the Lead-Sulfur-Cinnabar pills at noon. Take three doses daily, all washed down with the decoction. One dose of decoction can be boiled three times to deliver the three sets of pills. After about a month of this regimen, epilepsy can be eradicated. *Neijing* states: "All wind tremors and dizziness belong to the Liver." When wind-fire of the Liver channel rushes upward carrying phlegm, the brain nerves suddenly lose their control, causing whole-body convulsions and total loss of sensation. Hematitum contains iron, which soothes the Liver effectively, and its descending power assists Black Lead and Cinnabar in settling phlegm and calming fright. This is why it is effective. Western medicines like bromides are used additionally because they forcibly inhibit brain nerves to treat the symptoms, preventing recurrence in the short term, allowing time to subsequently use herbs that strengthen the Spleen, resolve phlegm, dispel wind, and clear heat to eradicate the root cause.

For individuals with poor appetite, tonifying the Spleen with Spleen-strengthening herbs is appropriate. However, purely using Spleen-tonifying herbs often hinders the descending of Stomach Qi, leading to distension and fullness. Therefore, when tonifying the Spleen, it is advisable to assist with herbs that descend Stomach Qi. Yet, herbs that descend Stomach Qi are generally unsuitable for those with deficient Qi. Only Hematitum descends Stomach Qi without damaging Qi at all. Furthermore, tonifying herbs are often warm and prone to generating floating heat. Although Hematitum is not inherently cold, it guides heat downward (which is why many materia medica texts describe it as cold). Thus, I habitually use Hematitum not only to descend Stomach Qi but also for any condition involving deficiency-heat, or cough due to phlegm-heat, or palpitations due to heat, provided the patient does not have loose stools. Adding Hematitum to the formula ensures rapid efficacy.

Internal stroke presents as sudden fainting and unconsciousness, described in *Neijing* as "Great Jue" where blood and Qi rush upward together. It is also the "Shi Jue" (Corpse-like Faint) mentioned in *Records of the Grand Historian* biography of Bian Que: "Above, the Yang meridians are severed; below, the Yin knots are broken." The wind here is not external; it arises from violent Liver Fire merging with Qi and Blood, rushing up to the brain (Western autopsy reveals dead blood or fluid accumulation in the brain). By using medication to calm and restrain Liver Fire and extinguish internal wind, and guiding the rushing Qi and Blood back down, the condition can be reversed. This explains why *Jinkui Yaolue* uses Longgu (Fossilized Bones) and Muli (Oyster Shell) in Fengyin Decoction. However, although Longgu and Muli can restrain fire and extinguish wind, their nature is astringent and lacks descending power. Assisting them with Hematitum provides rapid descending force, bringing the rebellious Qi and Blood down with it. I once treated Du XX from Fengtian who suddenly experienced dizziness, facial paralysis, stiff tongue, and inability to speak. His pulse was wiry, long, and forceful on both sides. His tongue coating was thick white with slight yellow, and he had not had a bowel movement for several days. I diagnosed him with combined internal and external stroke. I advised him to first take Aspirin, 0.5 grain, with sweet water to induce sweating. Then, take a decoction of Hematitum, Raw Longgu, Raw Muli, Fructus Trichosanthis (Gualou Ren), each 1 liang; Raw Gypsum (Shigao), 1.5 liang; Chrysanthemi Flos (Juhua) and Forsythiae Fructum (Lianqiao), each 2 qian. Take this while sweating. After one dose, his condition improved significantly, and his bowels moved. With modifications, he took several more doses and fully recovered.

An elderly woman surnamed Han from a neighboring village, aged sixty, suddenly developed distension in the chest and epigastrium connected to the heart, sunken abdomen and umbilicus, dizziness, stiff neck, delirium, and hallucinations resembling madness after recovering from an exterior pathogenic invasion. Her radial pulses at the Chi position were imperceptible; the pulses before the Guan position were shaky and rootless, beating six times per breath. This indicated deficiency and exhaustion of the Lower Jiao, failure of the Chong Mai to secure Qi, and floating heat from the Liver and Gallbladder harassing the brain and disturbing the spirit. I prescribed Hematitum, Longgu, Muli, Dioscoreae Rhizoma (Shanyao), and Rehmanniae Radix (Dihuang), all raw, each 1 liang; Wild Taishen (Codonopsis/Panax), and Corni Fructus (Shanzhuyu), each 8 qian. She recovered after one dose. A slightly modified second dose ensured complete recovery.

Liu XX from a neighboring village, around thirty years old, fainted and lost consciousness suddenly after becoming angry. His jaw was clenched, and saliva frothed from his lips with exhalation. All six pulses were occluded and imperceptible. I urgently blew a sneezing powder into his nose. After a moment, he sneezed, and his jaw opened. I then warmed over 2 liang of sesame oil, mixed with 1 fen of Moschus (Shexiang) powder, and administered it orally. Half an hour later, he regained some consciousness and moaned. His pulses reappeared, beating five times per breath, but the Chi positions were very weak and could not withstand heavy pressure. I diagnosed Kidney Yin deficiency, allowing Liver and Gallbladder fire to rush upward easily. I prescribed Hematitum, Prepared Rehmanniae Radix (Shudi), and Raw Dioscoreae Rhizoma, each 1 liang; Longgu, Muli, and Cleaned Corni Fructus, each 6 qian. He recovered instantly after one dose. Subsequently, I prescribed several doses of herbs to regulate the Liver and tonify the Kidney to ensure full recovery.

Note: In such conditions, when phlegm-fire, Qi, and Blood are congested upward, herbs like Ginseng Radix, Rehmanniae Radix, and Dioscoreae Rhizoma seem inappropriate. However, if accurately diagnosed as excess above and deficiency below, as described in the biography of Bian Que, using a heavy dose of Hematitum to assist allows the tonifying power to direct straight to the Lower Jiao. The crisis of excess above and deficiency below is reversed rapidly, yielding immediate results.

Appendix:
Letter from Zhang XX of Qing County, Zhili:
My clan sister-in-law, over thirty years old, is physically weak. In late spring, she suddenly suffered from headaches, worse on the right side, causing pain in both upper and lower eyelids. She constantly drooled saliva, spitting it on the floor. Her menstruation had been absent for two months. Her tongue coating was sticky. Her left pulse was wiry, hard, and floating; her right pulse was deep and slippery. I determined this was dual deficiency of Qi and Blood, with internal latent heat, carried upward by Liver and Gallbladder fire to the head and eyes, and blocked by phlegm-heat in the Middle Jiao. I prescribed a modified version of the formula treating Ms. He recorded in the "Hematitum Explanation" section: Finely powdered Raw Hematitum, 6 qian; Cleaned Corni Fructus, 5 qian; Wild Taishen, Raw Hangshaoyao (Paeonia Lactiflora), Raw Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum (Guiban), and Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui Shen), each 3 qian. After one dose, the left-sided headache decreased sharply, but the right-sided pain remained unchanged. I added Moutan Cortex (Danpi), 2 qian, and increased Hematitum to 8 qian. After taking this, the headache completely resolved, and salivation ceased. However, menstruation still had not started. I increased Hematitum to 1 liang and added Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuanxiong), 2 qian. After taking this, her menstruation began the next day.
Hematitum has historically been a rarely used herb. Yet, in this formula, it successfully treated headache, phlegm obstruction, and amenorrhea, yielding immediate results. This is largely due to the power of Hematitum.