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The verse states: The medicinal threads prepared by various schools are not identical; our school's medicinal thread possesses miraculous efficacy. Although arsenic (Bai Pi, Realgar) and alum (Ming Fan) are used similarly, the key lies in mastering the fire temperature to distinguish between "yin" and "yang" (referring to the precision of heat control). Whether dealing with phlegm nodules or bone cavity wind, it demonstrates divine power in resolving putrid tissue and draining pus.

(Prescription) Bai Pi (Realgar/White Arsenic) 3 qian, Ming Fan (Alum) 7 qian.

(Method of Preparation) Grind each ingredient into fine powder separately. First, drip a few drops of sesame oil into a pot. Then, place the arsenic powder into the pot, followed by covering it with the alum powder. Heat the pot over vigorous fire (Wu Huo). When the arsenic and alum dry and form a cake, and the smoke is about to dissipate but has not yet completely vanished, remove it from the heat, grind it into powder, and mix with wheat paste to form thin strips (as thick as silk thread) for future use. After this refining process, the toxicity of arsenic becomes pure. It can be used for conditions such as scrofula (Luo Li) forming hard knots, and carbuncles/furuncles that fail to heal for a long time with persistent pus discharge.

In the "Hemorrhoid Fistula Tube-Removing Medicinal Thread Formula" from *Waike Dacheng* (Great Compendium of Surgery), there is another formula containing only arsenic and alum, with slightly different preparation methods. It is excerpted here to demonstrate the broad applicability of this formula: Bai Pi (White Arsenic) 5 qian, Ming Fan (Alum) 1 liang 5 qian. Spread the white arsenic evenly in an iron pot, cover it with alum powder, and calcine with fire. When the alum becomes dry and brittle, spray one mouthful of cold water onto the arsenic. Immediately cover the arsenic with cotton paper, then spray three to five mouthfuls of cold water onto the paper. Observe from the edge of the pot lid through the paper; the process is complete when white frost appears on the paper. If no white frost appears, continue spraying until it does. Remove the paper, add a small amount of de-oiled Commiphora Myrrha Resin (Ruxiang) and Balsam of Tolub? No, Myrrha (Moyao), cover them on top of the alum, remove from heat, cool completely, take out, grind into powder, and form into strips using wheat paste for reserve. When used, insert this strip into the fistula opening, keeping it in place until the necrotic tube/tissue is expelled. If seven scorpion tails and 1 qian of raw Aconitum carmichaelii root powder (Sheng Caowu) are added to this formula, it becomes the optimal formula for cauterizing hemorrhoids. The editor also frequently uses this formula for hemorrhoid cauterization. The "Dian Xuan Dan" (Point Black Elixir) from *Waike Bai Xiao Shu* (Hundred-Efficacy Book of Surgery) also consists of arsenic and alum, and claims to effectively treat malignant toxic sores. This indicates that this medicinal thread serves primarily as a general agent for removing corrosive, rotting tissue. Stubborn necrotic flesh cannot be removed without such a fierce and potent harsh remedy.

The disadvantage of this thread is that the removal of necrotic tissue is extremely painful, and patients are often unwilling to accept it. Mr. Wang Xiaofang replaced it with "Ge Dou Tiao" (Clam-Bean Strip), which resolves necrosis without pain and is very safe. The method involves roasting one clam until scorched yellow, taking three raw Croton tiglium seeds (Sheng Badou), removing the skin and heart, roasting and grinding them into fine powder, adding a small amount of Borneol (Bingpian), mixing them together, and rolling into strips (adjusting the amount of oil or medicine as needed so that the oil from the croton seeds binds the mixture into a strip). When used, this strip causes ulceration without pain, and its efficacy surpasses that of the medicinal thread.