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Whenever suffering from idiocy, epilepsy (Chidian), or "sheep-head wind" (Yangtoufeng) and other syndromes, it is caused by phlegm misting the heart orifices. Take ten jin of olive juice, crush the olives, put them in a clay pot and boil for several rolls, remove the pits, put them in a stone mortar and pound until mushy, then return to the original soup to decoct until thick and juice is extracted. Change water and decoct again until there is no taste left, remove the dregs, gather all the juices into one pot, and decoct until concentrated into an ointment/paste. Use eight qian of white alum (Bai Mingfan), grind into powder, mix into the paste. Take three qian of the paste each morning and evening, taken with boiled water. For mild cases at the onset, take an olive, bite off one end, dip it in alum powder, chew and swallow. The taste of the olive will be more pleasant; stop when cured.

Ma said: This prescription not only treats idiocy and epilepsy, but also can be used for children who experience occasional convulsions of the hands and feet, mental dullness, and fixed gaze after infantile convulsions (Jingfeng).

For those with heavy hematemesis (blood vomiting), find a whole Danggui (Angelica sinensis root) weighing over three liang, cut it finely, take one jin of good aged yellow wine, and slowly decoct over low heat until one full bowl remains. Place it in a pot to keep warm, which is ideal. When one feels the urge to vomit blood but has not yet done so, hold the blood in the mouth, take one mouthful of the medicine, and swallow it together with the blood. One dose alone will cure it, and it will not recur.

Ma said: Those without coughing may take this.

Some physicians argue: Hematemesis requires abstinence from alcohol; how can Danggui decocted in wine be taken? If taken, blood will spray uncontrollably, what then? They do not understand the meaning of the name "Danggui": "Dang" means at the right time; "Gui" means to guide blood back to its vessels. Using the whole herb primarily guides blood back to the meridians. This prescription is passed down in my family, having saved many lives without a single error.

Take one hundred live roosters. Every morning on an empty stomach, slaughter one chicken, catch the blood in a bowl, and swallow it immediately. Salt is forbidden. Consume the blood of one hundred chickens over one hundred days without interruption. After finishing, the illness will be cured.

Ma said: Slaughtering a living animal daily is too wasteful, and it may not necessarily lead to a cure. Alternatively, Huilong Tang (Return Dragon Decoction) can be used, which shows considerable efficacy.

Badan Xingren (Almond/Badam seed) one liang, soak to remove skin and tips. Discard any kernels with two embryos. Buy a new mortar and pestle, and pound the almonds into a mud-like paste. Divide into three doses. Add three qian of rock sugar to each dose, place in a covered bowl. Boil spring water separately and pour it into the bowl. Cover for a moment, wait until warm, and consume together with the almond residue. Take once in the morning and once in the evening. Three doses constitute a course of treatment. If Almonds are decocted directly, it is ineffective.

Ma said: This prescription is effective for chronic cough due to dry-phlegm.