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Fen Zhou (Fen Prefecture) resident surnamed Wang suffered from a disease where sounds resembling those of a toad emanated from his right hypochondrium. He frequently desired to press the area with his hand; otherwise, the sounds would continue incessantly. Local physicians were unable to diagnose the condition. Upon hearing of Zhao Luan, a recluse from Liuyang Mountain, they invited him for consultation. Zhao stated: "This is caused by shock qi (energy resulting from fright) invading the zang-fu organs." He prescribed Zhenjing Zhusha Wan (Calming Fright Cinnabar Pill), administered with Xia Ma Yi (pericarpium of *Momordica charantia*, i.e., bitter melon rind) decocted in Cheqian Cao (Plantago asiatica) soup. The patient subsequently recovered.

He Jieyuan (a title for successful jinshi candidates) from Chen Liu attended a banquet at the residence of Zhao Xiuwu. After drinking several cups of wine, he suddenly saw something resembling a small snake at the bottom of his cup and swallowed it without realizing there was an object, though he felt nothing unusual at the moment. However, he constantly dwelled on this incident with suspicion. Over time, he began experiencing heart pain, fearing that a snake had entered his abdomen, causing significant harm. Later, upon returning to Zhao's residence, he again saw the "small snake" as soon as he lifted his cup. Putting down the cup to examine it closely, he discovered it was actually the shadow of a bow hanging on the beam; the "snake" was merely the shadow of the bow's tip. His suspicion was dispelled, and the pain ceased immediately.

Mi Sigu from Mei Zhou suffered from a disease preventing him from eating. He vomited upon smelling meat or fish, and could only consume light rice soaked in freshly boiled clear broth, eating small amounts frequently. Physicians were unable to treat him. Shi Zaizhi remarked: "Vulgar practitioners who do not read the *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) yet recklessly treat others' illnesses are truly lamentable and astonishing. Your condition is described in the *Suwen* chapter of the classic, named 'Shi Gua' (Food Hanging). In humans, the lungs consist of six lobes that expand and cover downwards over the spleen. When the mother (metal/lung) and child (earth/spleen) qi harmonize, one can eat. If there is any deviation, the lungs cannot expand, and the spleen becomes obstructed, leading to loss of appetite." He then prescribed a formula aimed at clearing qi and moistening the lungs. After three days of medication, the patient found the smell of meat fragrant, ate it, and enjoyed the taste. This story is recorded in Song dynasty biographies. I have verified the *Suwen* and found no mention of a disease called 'Shi Gua'; it may be a fabrication by the recorder.

The *Gou Lou Shen Shu* (Mysterious Book of Gou Lou) states: In the third month, take the root of Tu Gua (*Trichosanthes kirilowii*) from the Ren direction (north), dry it in the shade, and grind it into powder. Soak the face in Jiang Shui (fermented grain water) for washing, then dry it. Mix the Tu Gua root powder with Jiang Shui and apply it to the face. Wash off with Jiang Shui at dawn. After thirty days, the complexion will improve slightly; after one hundred days, the skin will become white and lustrous, so much so that people will not recognize him, nor will his brothers, spouse, or children.

The *Gou Lou Shen Shu* further states: The term "Xue" (Blood) here refers to the blood of the woodpecker. This bird has crest feathers on its head, and its face is red like peach blossoms. On a Geng day, collect its blood, drink it facing west. The cheeks will turn red like cinnabar, the face will resemble that of a child, and the radiance will shine brightly.