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Jinye Dan (Golden Liquid Pill) is refined from Sulfur (Liu Huang, 硫黄), which is a purely Yang substance. If people take it in large doses during the Summer Solstice, it will instead cause great harm; it is suitable only for those suffering from chronic cold conditions (Chen Leng, 痼冷). (From *Bo Zhai Bian*)

People in Sichuan are fond of taking elixirs, largely because the land in the northwest is dense and heavy, and people there possess robust constitutions that can withstand the elixirs without being harmed by them. In contrast, the south is a region of fish, salt, yin, and dampness, making it unsuitable for such consumption. Generally speaking, the Spleen (Pi, 脾) dislikes dampness, and the Kidney (Shen, 肾) dislikes dryness. Long-term use damages the Kidneys, causing particularly severe harm. (From *Suo Cui Lu*)

Long-term consumption of Qiushi (Autumn Stone) leads to thirst disorders. This is because the salty flavor guides blood movement; when blood moves recklessly, it causes thirst and an inability to control water, leading to the reckless flow of fluids. (Ibid.)

Li Gan, Doctor of the Imperial Academy, who held the position of Official in E-Yue as a Jinshi degree holder, learned the method of taking medicines from the alchemist Liu Gui. After taking them, he often suffered from bloody stools. Four years later, his illness became critical, and he died. His method involved filling a cauldron with Lead (Qian, 铅), pressing a hollow space in the center, filling it with Mercury (Shui Yin, 水银), covering and sealing the edges, and firing it to produce Cinnabar (Dan Sha, 丹砂). I do not know since which era the practice of taking elixirs for longevity began. It has killed countless people, yet the world's admiration for it has reached such extremes; this is truly bewildering. Such beliefs are recorded in texts and passed down through hearsay. Here, I directly cite six or seven high officials whom I personally knew and who were ruined by drug-taking, to serve as a warning to the world: Gui Deng, Minister of Works (Gongbu Shangshu, 工部尚书); Li Xuzhong, Censor-in-Chief (Dianzhong Yushi, 殿中御史); Li Xun, Minister of Justice (Xingbu Shangshu, 刑部尚书); Li Jian, Vice Minister of Justice (Xingbu Shilang, 刑部侍郎) and brother of Li Xun; Meng Jian, Military Governor of Xiangyang and Minister of Works; Lu Tan, Military Governor of Dongchuan and Grand Censor; and Li Daogu, General of the Jinyu Guards. All these men held prominent positions and were well-known to the public. Minister of Works Gui Deng fell ill after consuming mercury; he described feeling as if a red-hot iron rod had pierced him from head to toe, turning into fire and shooting out through his orifices. He was mad with pain, screaming and begging for death. His bedding was often stained with mercury, and he vomited blood during attacks, dying after more than ten years. Censor-in-Chief Li Xuzhong died of a carbuncle on his back. Before dying, he told me, "I was misled by medicine." His younger brother, Li Jian, died suddenly without prior illness. Lu Tan, Military Governor of Xiangyang, was demoted to Sima (Assistant Administrator) of Jizhou. When I returned to the capital from Yuanzhou, Lu Tan invited me aboard his boat at Xiaozhou. Dismissing attendants, he said, "I have obtained a secret elixir and cannot keep it to myself alone. I give you this vessel; make pills using jujube flesh and take them." A year later, his family arrived to inquire, stating that the previous medicine was incorrect; the prescription should have induced bowel movements to relieve the condition. Lu Tan died two years after falling ill. When Dr. Lu died, he urinated blood and flesh, suffering unbearable pain, and begged for death. General Li Daogu died at sea at the age of fifty after eating medicine given to him by Liu Ben, who had been implicated in a crime. These cases serve as warnings. Seeking immortality but hastening death—can this be called wisdom? Grains, meats (San Sheng, 三牲), salt, vinegar, fruits, and vegetables are commonly consumed by people. People encourage each other to eat heartily. Yet, the deluded claim that grains shorten life. While one cannot avoid eating, one should strive to reduce and moderate intake. Salt and vinegar balance flavors; pork, fish, chicken, and duck were used by ancients for nourishing the elderly, yet now they are claimed to be lethal and inedible. At a banquet, dietary taboos prevent eating two or three out of every ten dishes. They reject normal dietary principles and pursue superstitions, regretting only at the moment of death. Later enthusiasts argue, "Those who died did so because they lacked the correct method; I am different." Initially, they say, "The medicine activates," causing illness; then, "When the illness leaves, the medicine works, and I will not die." Finally, nearing death, they regret it. Alas, how tragic! (From the writings of Han Yu of Changli. Although Han Tui-zhi knew of the harms, he took sulfur in his later years and died; see *Yu Yin Cong Hua*.)