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The daughter of Yang Sicheng from Mozhou suffered from *Guzheng* (Bone-steaming fever, a type of chronic consumption fever characterized by internal heat and external chills). When the condition flared up, she experienced external cold; after the cold subsided, internal heat would arise. During periods of intense bone-steaming heat, her limbs were slightly emaciated, and her dorsum pedis (instep) was swollen. The pathogenic factor was located within the five zang organs and six fu organs. Many physicians failed to cure her. Eventually, a physician from Chuzhou examined her and said, "Allow me to treat you." He prescribed only *Shigao San* (Gypsum Powder). After taking it, her body felt slightly cool, and the symptoms resolved as if nothing had happened. This prescription originates from *Waitai Miyao* (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold for Emergencies). It uses only gypsum, ground into an extremely fine powder resembling flour, mixed with freshly drawn cold water and taken orally. Each dose is one *cunbi* (a square-inch measure), administered until the body no longer feels hot. (From *Mingyi Lu*)

Qi deficiency leads to *Jue* syndrome (reversal cold, characterized by cold extremities), while blood deficiency leads to fever. *Jue* refers to cold hands and feet. Qi belongs to Yang; when Yang qi is deficient, Yin pathogens encroach, resulting in *Jue*. Blood belongs to Yin; when blood is deficient, Yang pathogens encroach, resulting in fever. For *Jue* caused by Qi deficiency, warm herbs should be used. For fever caused by blood deficiency, cooling herbs are inappropriate; instead, warm herbs that nourish Qi and blood should be used for tonification. Formulas such as *Huangqi Jianzhong Tang* (Astragalus Decoction for Building the Middle) are suitable. Additionally, there is a condition where extreme excess heat causes cold extremities, known as "the deeper the heat, the deeper the reversal cold." In such cases, cooling herbs must be used, and differentiation must be made based on the pulse. This is the most difficult aspect to distinguish; a slight error can be fatal, so caution is essential. (From *Yiyu*)

During the Kaiyuan era of Emperor Xuanzong's reign, Chen Cangqi from Mingzhou compiled *Bencao Shiyi* (Supplement to Materia Medica), stating that human flesh could treat wasting diseases. Consequently, common people began imitating this practice, cutting flesh from their thighs or arms for medicinal use.

A clerk from Renhe County suffered from premature aging, emaciation, and continuous tooth loss. He obtained a simple prescription from a traveling medicine seller: grind raw sulfur (*Liuhuang*) into a fine powder, stuff it into pig intestines, boil until the intestines are rotten, then grind finely again. Mix with aged steamed bread pills to form pills the size of paulownia seeds, and take at will. After two months, his appetite doubled, his gait became light and agile, and although he lived past ninety, he showed no signs of old age and retained his ability to work. Later, while accompanying the county magistrate to a village, he ate cow's blood while drunk. He subsequently suffered severe diarrhea dozens of times, with excrement resembling golden water. He became emaciated and died a few days later. Li Juyuan learned of this incident from Guan Fan, an imperial palace physician in Lin'an. Guan Fan had mentioned it to Chancellor Wang. Chancellor Wang remarked, "I have only heard that pork lard can neutralize the toxicity of sulfur. Using pig intestines to contain the sulfur is even more logical and consistent with principles; long-term administration should yield results." (From *Leibian*)

*Jiancao* (Scissor Grass) resembles *Qiancao* (Rubia cordifolia root) and also looks like *Xixin* (Asarum). It grows in both Wuzhou and Taizhou, but only the variety from Wuzhou is usable. The preparation method is as follows: Take one jin (approx. 500g), wash it thoroughly, crush it into powder, and mix with one jin of raw honey to form a paste. Store in a ceramic vessel, avoiding contact with iron. Steam and sun-dry once daily for nine days. This remedy treats *Laozai* (consumption tuberculosis) with hemoptysis, lung injury, and reckless bleeding. It is named *Shenchuan Gao* (Divine Transmission Paste). The patient should rise at *Wugeng* (1-3 AM), sit facing east, and remain silent. Use a spoon to take the medicine as one would eat porridge. Each dose is four spoonsful. Afterward, drink some thin millet porridge to settle the medicine. The medicine should be taken cold; the millet drink should not be too hot. Vomiting or diarrhea are harmless side effects. For chronic lung damage causing hemoptysis, a single dose brings immediate relief. (From *Benshi Fang*)