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Tongzhi Shendan (Universal Elixir): The so-called "Five Extinctions" refer to death by hanging, drowning, freezing, nightmare (death from sleep paralysis), and crushing. For all these conditions, one may use Pinelliae Rhizoma (Banxia) ground into fine powder, mixed with cold water to form pills the size of small beans, inserted into the nostrils, and dry powder blown into the ears. If the heart area remains warm, revival is possible even if death has occurred for a day; this is the method of Bian Que. Unfortunately, people do not understand the principles and often fail to rescue due to apparent cessation of breath, which is regrettable. Additionally, urgently moxa Renzhong (GV26) and the points on both big toes one leek-leaf width away from the nail edge, applying three to five moxa cones each, will lead to revival. (Extracted from the postscript of *Ganying Pian*)

Rescue Method for Hanging: For those who have died by hanging, if it occurs from morning to night, revival is possible even if the body has cooled. From night to morning, it is slightly more difficult. If the lower abdomen remains warm, revival is possible even after more than a day. Do not cut the rope immediately; after untying, lay the person flat between blankets. First, prick the rooster's comb and drip blood into the mouth; use a hen for males and a rooster for females. Then, blow raw Pinelliae Rhizoma (Banxia) powder or Sinomenii Caulis (Zaojiao) powder into the nostrils to clear the airway. One person should massage the neck, straighten the throat, and massage the chest and abdomen. Another person sits facing forward, wrapping their foot in cloth to press against the anus to prevent qi leakage, as leakage leads to death. A third person rubs the arms and legs and gently flexes and extends them; if stiff, slowly force flexion while pressing the abdomen. After about the time it takes to eat a meal, breath will exit the mouth, respiration will return, and eyes will open. Upon waking, take four reed tubes, place bean-sized amounts of dust from roof beams inside each, align the four tubes with the deceased's nose and ears, and have four people blow forcefully into them; none will fail to revive. (Excerpted from various medical texts)

Another method: Use an old goose, smear sesame oil on its beak, insert it into the anus, and the person will naturally revive within one to two hours. If more than thirteen hours have passed, it cannot be saved. (*Xi Yuan Lu*)

Near-death from Self-Hanging: Pierce the ear with the center of a green onion stalk; revival occurs when blood flows from the nose. (*Bencao Gangmu*)

Appendix: Method to Prevent Future Incidents: At the site where hanging occurred, place a large stone to suppress it. Dig deeply around the four sides of the suppressed area. Examine the soil layer by layer, at depths of three to five inches or two to three feet. There will surely be objects like chicken bones; remove and burn them to eliminate future risks. Delaying allows deeper burial, and such places often become sites of repeated hangings. This method has been tested repeatedly and is effective, not false. It was published by Governor Liu of Gansu to save lives.

Rescue Method for Drowning: For drowning victims, only winter cold makes rescue difficult; in other months, if the heart area is warm, rescue is easy. When lifting the victim, do not invert them. Quickly pry open the mouth, insert a chopstick horizontally to allow water drainage, then lay the victim prone on a cow's back, walking slowly while pulling, until water drains from the mouth and bowels/bladder, indicating revival. In cities without cows, use a wide plank, stack cotton quilts on it, place a cotton pillow underneath, shaped high in the middle and low on sides like a cow's back. Lay the victim prone on this. Do not stabilize the plank; prop up one leg and have someone constantly rock it to drain water, which can also save the victim. This method applies to spring, summer, and autumn. For winter drowning, never use fire directly, as forcing heat inward traps cold qi, making rescue impossible. Quickly remove wet clothes and replace them. While frying salt, apply a cloth-wrapped hot salt pack to the umbilicus. Simultaneously, pile thick bedding, cover with hot ash from the stove, place a cotton pillow in the center, and lay the victim prone on the pillow. Pile ash thickly from head to toe, leaving only nose and mouth exposed above the ash. Add more bedding to keep the ash warm. Ash is warm and absorbs water; flies buried in ash after drowning revive quickly, proving this effect. (Excerpted from various medical texts)

Another method: Fry white sand, cover the deceased's face above and below, exposing only the seven orifices; replace when cold. (*Qianjin Fang*)

Drowning Death Surviving One Night Can Still Be Saved: Wrap Zaojiao (Sinomenii Caulis) powder in paper, insert into the lower orifice; water will discharge shortly, leading to revival. (*Waitai Miyao*)

Combined Rescue for Hanging and Drowning: If the heart area remains warm after apparent death, moxa the umbilicus (CV8); dozens of cones will revive. If not awake, continue to over a hundred cones; none will fail. Do not stop midway; this is highly effective. (*Tongshou Lu*)

Rescue Method for Freezing: For those near death from cold, quickly stir-fry warm ash in a large pot, place in a bag, and apply to the heart area; replace when cool. If the heart is not warmed first and fire is applied directly, cold and heat will clash, causing death. For those frozen in water, with stiff limbs, clenched jaws, and faint breath, quickly remove wet clothes, wrap in the hot cotton clothes of a living person, then roll in a felt sheet or straw mat, tie securely, and place on level ground. Have two people gently roll the victim back and forth, like rolling a felt mat, until limbs are warm. (Excerpted from various medical texts)

Also, for winter drowning or extreme freezing, even if unconscious, if there is slight warmth in the chest, rescue is possible. If smiling appears, immediately cover the mouth and nose; otherwise, continuous smiling indicates incurability. Never approach fire suddenly, as seeing fire may cause uncontrollable laughter, leading to death. (*Xi Yuan Lu*)

Rescue Method for Nightmare Death: Do not shine lights on the victim nor call urgently nearby. Bite firmly on the heel and big toe, call the name frequently, spit on the face. If not awake, move the sleeping position slightly, call gently. Upon slight revival, blow Zaojiao (Sinomenii Caulis) powder into the nose to induce sneezing. For nighttime nightmares, keep existing lights; do not light new ones. (*Jiuji Fang*)

Another method: Drip blood from a Black-bone Hen (Wuji) into the mouth to revive. (*Rihua Bencao*)

Frequent Nightmares: Place ash from a pyre in the pillow; nightmares will cease. (*Bencao Shiyi*)

Bad Dreams and Frequent Nightmares: Sleep with one shoe upright and one upside down; no nightmares or bad dreams will occur. (*Qiju Zajie*)

Expelling Nightmares and Demons: Wear Realgar (Xionghuang) on the head, or tie a date-sized piece under the left armpit; lifelong protection from nightmares. (*Bencao Leifang*)

Rescue Method for Crushing Injuries: For sudden severe crushing injuries with bleeding from mouth/ears and faintness, if the complexion shows signs of life and the body is soft, rescue is possible. Do not crowd around in panic, as this disturbs the spirit. Have relatives call and support the victim to sit on the ground. Firmly grasp hands and feet, holding tight. After a moment, gently transfer to another person who presses their knee against the anus to prevent qi leakage. If consciousness returns, move to the usual sleeping place, darken the room with closed windows, keep limbs grasped and held, do not let lie down. Quickly steam five sheng of clean earth, wrap in old cloth to make two packs, and alternately apply hot packs to the chest and injury site; none will fail to revive. (*Xi Yuan Lu*)

Death by Crushing: If the heart area is warm, revival is possible even after a day. First, curl the deceased on the ground like a monk in meditation. Have one person pull the hair back and low, while another presses the knee against the anus to prevent qi leakage. Blow Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) powder into the nose. If revived, administer a mixture of fresh Ginger Juice (Shengjiang Zhi) and Sesame Oil (Mahu You). Or quickly remove clothes and moxa the umbilicus. If bleeding persists, apply powder of best-quality Dowia Wood (Xiang, specifically Jiangxiang). If blood rush causes near-death, strictly avoid cold water. (*Jiuliang Fang*)

Crushing Injury Near Death: In Hangzhou, Mr. Xiang's family had twelve people crushed by a collapsing house during repairs. They used Jinchuang Teshan San (Golden Wound Iron Fan Powder), applied the powder to wounds, and fanned the injury site once; all healed in one day. (*Haichang Shen Shi Yi An*)

Appendix: Formula for Jinchuang Teshan San (Golden Wound Iron Fan Powder): Elephant Skin (Xiangpi) 5 qian (slice thinly, bake in a small pot until yellow and dry, do not burn) Dragon Bone (Longgu) 5 qian (use top-grade white, grind raw) Old Timber Fragrance (Laocai Xiang) 1 liang (In Shanxi/Shaanxi, lacquer is scarce; pine resin and beeswax are used for coffins. After decades, when exhumed, the old coffin's resin/wax is called Laocai Xiang. In Southeast provinces, substitute with century-old Calcined Alumina (Chenduanshi) 1 liang, with similar efficacy) Inch Cypress Fragrance (Cunbai Xiang) 1 liang (black pine resin) Pine Resin (Songxiang) 1 liang (melt together with Cunbai Xiang, pour into cold water, remove and dry) Refined Alum (Feifan) 1 liang (boil white alum in a pot until fully dissolved). Grind all six ingredients into fine powder, store in a porcelain jar. For falls, pressure, cuts, or stone injuries, apply powder to the wound and fan the site for immediate healing. Avoid lying in warm places. If swelling occurs, decoct Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian) water, apply with a feather; swelling will subside. (Transmitted from Shanxi by the Xia Family)