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The *Ziwan Tang* (Aster Decoction) in the *Qianjin Fang* (Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold) states: For infants aged 60 to 100 days, one dose is 2.5 *he* (a unit of volume); for those aged 100 to 200 days, one dose is 3 *he* (If calculated as slightly more than eight modern spoons, can an infant under 100 days old swallow it all at once?).
(Above discusses the ancient unit of *Sheng*)

Using drug scales and measuring vessels (*Sheng*) was the method created by Shennong and Xuanyuan. Since the Jin and Song dynasties, people have lost the original intent of the ancients. Therefore, Tao Hongjing, a gentleman of the Liang Dynasty, wrote the *Mingyi Bielu* (Record of Famous Physicians), discussing the rules for dosage and measurement, strictly following Shennong's scale, and not adopting the system of *zi*, *gu*, and *shu* (tiny units of weight). Sun Simiao honored this intent and established the *Qianjin Fang*, stating at the beginning, "Now we take four *fen* as one *liang* as the standard," and did not follow the Sui Dynasty method of treating three *liang* as one *liang*. After describing the ancient system of measuring vessels for herbs, he immediately said, "People today do not use this when dividing medicines." This likely reflects a desire to preserve the essence of ritual and propriety. Subsequently, Wang Tao, a prefect, compiled the *Waitai Miyao* (Secret Essentials from the Imperial Library), recording the source of every citation. He carefully adhered to the weights, measures, *sheng*, and *he* determined by various masters of the Six Dynasties, and whenever there were large *sheng* or large *liang*, he clearly noted them. Good prescriptions are still available today, but because accurate weights and measures are hard to find, they are discarded like worn-out headgear. Those who act arrogantly and make arbitrary judgments cause the subtle principles of medical orthodoxy to fall into ruin.

The most arbitrary among them is Zhang Jingyue, whose theories are entirely based on the forged Xia laws and the teachings attributed to the Prince of Zheng in the Zhou Dynasty.

What are the subtle principles of medicine? They are the pivot of curing diseases by sages. The ascending, descending, floating, and sinking of *Qi*: if smooth, life prevails; if reversed, death ensues. If one can merely adjust it to restore circulation, matters will be handled effortlessly. Therefore, regarding medication, one seeks balance, not quantity; one seeks gradual progress, not speed. All medicines possess toxicity; without toxicity, one cannot subdue disease; without moderation, one cannot control toxicity. Thus, using smaller scales for weighing herbs is indeed an act of caution.

Tao Hongjing stated: If one herb is toxic, take one pill the size of a fine hemp seed; if two herbs are toxic, take two pills the size of a large hemp seed; if three herbs are toxic, take three pills the size of a broad bean; if four herbs are toxic, take four pills the size of a small bean; if five herbs are toxic, take five pills the size of a soybean; if six herbs are toxic, take six pills the size of a sophora seed. From this up to ten, all are measured by the size of a sophora seed. According to the discussion in the *Qianjin Fang* regarding pills the size of a sophora seed (equivalent to one *fen* in weight in the above discussion), two soybeans are used as a reference; for pills the size of a soybean (weighing five *li*), two small beans are used as a reference; for pills the size of a small bean (weighing 2.5 *li*), three large hemp seeds are used as a reference; for pills the size of a broad bean (weighing 1.7 *hao*), two large hemp seeds are used as a reference; for pills the size of a large hemp seed (weighing 8.5 *hao*), three fine hemp seeds are equivalent (each fine hemp seed weighs 2.8 *si*).

Modern people suspect that ancient prescriptions were too harsh, failing to appreciate their rigorous and precise intent. Instead, they argue that ancients had robust constitutions and could tolerate heavy doses, which is a further inversion of truth. If one understands my explanation and grasps its logic, perhaps one can emulate the intent of the ancients and apply their methods.

The *Qianjin Fang* states: "In ancient times, herbs grew in the soil, maturing naturally over time, possessing authentic aroma and potency. Today, herbal potency is light and insubstantial, and people are often deceitful. Students must pay close attention and repeat the dosage to ensure efficacy." This is also something one must know. However, observing the formulas of Li Dongyuan, although they contain many herbs, the dosages are light. Furthermore, in the Song Dynasty, decoctions made into powders for boiling (*zhusan*) typically had a single dose of five *qian*. This indicates that abundance in quantity was still not prized.

Ancients questioned Han dynasty liquid prescriptions (*tangye*): large doses exceeded thirty *liang*, small doses over ten *liang*, using six or seven *sheng* of water, boiled down to two or three *sheng*, divided into three doses. If using the ancient *yue* measure for seven *sheng* of water, would it even cover thirty *liang* of modern-weighted herbs? They also questioned powdered medicines, where only a *fangcun bi* or *daogui bi* was taken, or pills the size of a sophora seed, up to thirty grains, wondering how liquid prescriptions could differ so drastically. They also questioned the *Fengyin Tang* (Wind-Driving Decoction), where one batch weighed fifty-five *liang*, yet only a pinch taken with three fingers was used with three *sheng* of water, boiled three times, strained, and one *sheng* taken warm. Observing the preparation, taking only a pinch of powder per dose, why such a large batch size? Now, upon examination and correction, these three doubts are fully resolved.

Among ancient prescriptions, only the *Baihe Tang* (Lily Bulb Decoction) uses seven lily bulbs with three *sheng* of water, which seems inconsistent with the previous statement. Recently, a friend mentioned: In front of Chengzhao Temple in Yangshan, Suzhou, lilies grow naturally on a patch of land, only as large as coins. When boiled, they have an exquisite fragrance and are extremely effective in treating diseases. This shows that for medicinal use, smaller lilies are valued.