凡言锉如麻豆大者，与□咀同意。夫□咀古之制也，古人无铁刀，以口咬细，令如麻
豆，为粗药煎之，使药水清，饮于肠中，则易升易散。今人以刀锉如麻豆大，此□咀
之易成也。
古秤惟有铢两，而无分名。今则以十黍为一铢（每铢今四分一厘七毫），六铢为一分
（去声），四分成一两，十六两为一筋。（李杲曰：六铢为一分，即今之二钱半也，
二十四铢为一两。古云三两即今之一两，云二两即今之六钱半也）
今方家云等分者，非分两之分，谓诸药筋两多少皆同尔，多是丸散用之。
丸散云刀圭者，十分（平声）方寸匕之一，准如梧桐子大也。方寸匕者，作匕正方一
寸，抄散取不落为度。五匕者，即今五铢钱边；五字者，抄之不落为度；一撮者，四
刀圭也。（匕即匙也）
药以升合分者，谓药有虚实轻重，不得用筋两，则以升平之。十撮为一勺，十勺为一
合，十合为一升。升方作上径一寸，下径六分，深八分，内散药物，按抑之正尔，微
动令平尔。（李时珍曰：古之一升，即今之二合半也。）
凡方云巴豆若干枚者，粒有大小，当去心皮柞之，以一分准十六枚。附子、乌头若干
枚者，去皮毕，以半两准一枚。枳实若干枚者，去穣毕，以一分准二枚。橘皮一分准
三枚。枣大小三枚准一两。干姜一累者，以一两为正。
凡方云半夏一升者，洗毕称五两为正。蜀椒一升，三两为正。吴茱萸一升，五两为正
。菟丝子一升，九两为正。庵□子一升，四两为正。蛇床子一升，三两半为正，地肤
子一升，四两为正。其子各有虚实轻重，不可称准者，取平升为正。
凡方云用桂一尺者，削去皮，重半两为正。甘草一尺者，二两为正。云某草一束者，
三两为正。云一把者，二两为正。
凡煎汤药，初欲微火令小沸，其水数根据方多少；大略药二十两用水一斗者，煮取四升
，以此为准。然利汤欲生，少水而多取汁，补汤欲熟，多水而少取汁，服汤宜小沸，
热则易下，冷则呕涌。
凡云分再服三服者，要令势令相及，并视人之强弱羸瘦，病之轻重，为之进退增减，
不必局于方说，则活泼泼地也。
凡丸药云如细麻者，即胡麻也，不必扁扁，略相称尔！黍粟亦然。云如大麻子者，准
三细麻也。如胡豆者，即今青斑豆也，以二大麻准之。如小豆者，今赤小豆也，以三
大麻准之。如大豆者，以二小豆者准之。如梧桐子者，以二大豆准之。如弹丸及鸡子
黄者，以四十梧子准之。
凡方云蜜一筋者，有七合。猪膏一筋者，有一升二合也。
Wherever it is stated that herbs should be "chopped to the size of hemp seeds or beans," this is consistent with the ancient method of "Qiju" (□ju, an ancient preparation technique where herbs were chewed by mouth into fine pieces due to the absence of iron knives). Qiju was the system in ancient times; without iron knives, ancients used their teeth to crush herbs until they resembled hemp seeds or beans for decocting coarse medicines. This ensured the medicinal liquid remained clear, facilitating easier absorption and dispersion within the intestines after ingestion. Today, people use knives to chop herbs to the size of hemp seeds or beans, which serves as a convenient substitute for Qiju.
Ancient weighing systems only utilized Zhu (铢) and Liang (两), lacking the unit of Fen (分). In modern practice, ten grains of millet weigh one Zhu (each Zhu approximates 0.017 milligrams in modern metric terms); six Zhu constitute one Fen (falling tone); four Fen make one Liang; and sixteen Liang make one Jin (李 Guo stated: Six Zhu equal one Fen, which is equivalent to 2.5 Qian today; twenty-four Zhu equal one Liang. Ancient texts stating 'three Liang' correspond to one Liang today, while 'two Liang' corresponds to 6.5 Qian today).
When contemporary prescriptions mention "equal parts" (Dengfen), it does not refer to the weight unit Fen, but rather indicates that the quantity (in Jin/Liang) of each herb is identical. This is predominantly used for preparing Pills (Wan) and Powders (San).
In the context of Pills and Powders, "Dao Gui" refers to one-tenth of a "Fang Cun Bi" (square-inch spoon), with a volume equivalent to a Sophora japonica seed (Wutongzi). A Fang Cun Bi is a square spoon with sides measuring one inch; when scooping powder, the standard is to fill it without spilling. "Five Bi" corresponds to the rim width of a modern Wuzhu coin; "Wu Zi" (a specific measure) implies filling without spilling; "One Cuo" (one pinch) equals four Dao Gui. (Bi is synonymous with Chi/spoon).
For herbs measured by Sheng (升) and He (合), this accounts for variations in density and weight, as Jin/Liang cannot always be applied. Ten Cuo make one Shao (勺); ten Shao make one He; ten He make one Sheng. The Sheng vessel has an upper diameter of one cun, a lower diameter of six fen, and a depth of eight fen. When filled with powder, it should be pressed flat and leveled gently. (Li Shizhen noted: One ancient Sheng equals 2.5 He today.)
For prescriptions specifying "Ba Dou" (Croton seed) by count, since sizes vary, the heart, skin, and husk must be removed. One Fen weighs approximately sixteen seeds. For "Fuzi" (Aconite) or "Wutou" (Aconite root), after removing the skin, half a Liang weighs approximately one seed. For "Zhishi" (Immature Bitter Orange), after removing the pulp, one Fen weighs two seeds. "Jupi" (Tangerine peel): one Fen weighs three pieces. "Zao" (Jujube): three pieces (regardless of size) weigh one Liang. "Ganjiang" (Dried Ginger): one bundle weighs one Liang.
For "Banxia" (Pinellia rhizome) specified as one Sheng, after washing, five Liang is the standard. "Shujiao" (Sichuan pepper) one Sheng equals three Liang. "Wuzhuyu" (Evodia fruit) one Sheng equals five Liang. "Tusizi" (Dodder seed) one Sheng equals nine Liang. "Tinglizi" (Lepidium seed) one Sheng equals four Liang. "Shechuangzi" (Cnidium fruit) one Sheng equals 3.5 Liang; " Difuzi" (Kochia fruit) one Sheng equals four Liang. Since these seeds vary in density and weight, if precise weighing is difficult, a level Sheng is taken as the standard.
For "Guizhi" (Cinnamon twig) specified as one chi (foot/ruler length), after peeling, half a Liang is the standard. "Gancao" (Licorice root) one chi equals two Liang. "Yi Cao Yi Shu" (One bundle of certain grasses) equals three Liang. "Yi Ba" (One handful) equals two Liang.
When decocting Tangyao (Decoctions), initially use low heat to bring the water to a gentle boil. The water quantity depends on the prescription. Generally, for twenty Liang of herbs using one Dou (ten Sheng) of water, the yield should be four Sheng. However, for purgative decoctions, less water and more juice are desired to preserve raw potency; for tonic decoctions, more water and less juice are preferred to ensure thorough cooking. Decoctions should be taken warm; hot liquids are easier to swallow, while cold ones may induce vomiting.
When instructions specify taking the dose twice or thrice, the timing should maintain therapeutic momentum. Adjustments must be made based on the patient's constitution (strong/weak, thin/emaciated) and disease severity, increasing or decreasing doses flexibly rather than rigidly adhering to the prescription text, thereby ensuring dynamic efficacy.
Pills described as "size of fine hemp" refer to Sesamum indicum (Hu Ma/Hong Ma); they need not be perfectly flat, merely comparable in size. Millet and broomcorn millet follow similar sizing rules. "Size of large hemp seeds" equates to three fine hemp seeds. "Size of broad beans" refers to Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis (Qing Ban Dou), equating to two large hemp seeds. "Size of small beans" refers to Vigna umbellata (Chi Xiao Dou), equating to three large hemp seeds. "Size of large soybeans" equates to two small beans. "Size of Sophora japonica seeds" equates to two large soybeans. "Size of bullet pellets or egg yolks" equates to forty Sophora japonica seeds.
"Honey" specified as one Jin equals seven He. "Zhogao" (Pig lard) specified as one Jin equals one Sheng and two He.