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Non-toxic. Appendix: Baicaoshuang (Barn-soot).

Dangmo (Pot-bottom soot) treats gu poison (parasitic disease), zhong'e (sudden severe illness due to evil qi), blood vertigo, and hematemesis. Grind finely with wine or water and take warm; it can also be applied externally to metal wounds to generate flesh and stop bleeding. (Recorded by Famous Physicians) [Origin] Respectfully note: Dangmo is the soot from the bottom of a pot. There is also soot on the stove lintel called Baicaoshuang (Herb-collected soot). However, when Baicaoshuang is used in medicine, the soot from the pots of mountain households must be preferred because it is collected from cooking with miscellaneous weeds, thereby gathering the properties of many herbs, hence the name. Zhang Zhongjing's Heinu Wan (Black Slave Pill) uses these two substances (referring to Dangmo and Baicaoshuang) along with dust from roof beams together, likely because their efficacies are similar. The indications for Baicaoshuang were previously mixed into the entry for "Forged Stove Ash" in old editions; now it is moved and attached here. [Season] (Growth) No fixed season. (Harvest) No fixed season. [Usage] As powder/soot. [Texture] Resembles kiln coal. [Color] Black. [Odor] Rotten odor. [Main Action] Stops bleeding. [Preparation] Grind into fine powder. [Treatment] (Therapy) (According to *Bielu*): Treats nasal congestion and obstruction by mixing with water and taking orally. Also treats difficult labor; dip the middle finger in ink and draw crosswise on the infant's feet to facilitate normal delivery. [Combined Therapy] Mix with wine and apply under the tongue to treat sudden tongue swelling resembling a pig bladder filling the mouth; if not treated promptly, death will occur within moments. ○ Mix with hot urine, take 2 qian bi (measure), to treat heart pain. ○ Take 5 qian of Baicaoshuang combined with 1 qian of salt, mix with boiled water and take in one dose to treat sudden severe abdominal pain. ○ Take with wine to treat muscle cramps moving into the intestines. ○ Take 2 qian of Baicaoshuang mixed with dog bile, divide into two doses, taken with Danggui wine (Cinnamon Twig and Angelica Decoction) to treat metrorrhagia in women. ○ Take 2 qian of Baicaoshuang powder mixed with rice water to treat acute diarrhea and dysentery. ○ Take equal parts of Baicaoshuang and Baizhi (Angelica Dahurica), 2 qian per dose, mixed with a little child's urine and vinegar, then dissolved and taken with hot water to treat breech presentation, transverse lie, thin fetus pregnancy, as well as deficiency after childbirth, irregular menstruation, and metrorrhagia; usually cured in one dose. ○ Mix Baicaoshuang with a small amount of Nifen (Calomel), grind finely, and apply with raw oil to treat head sores and various heat sores. First wash off scabs with a little vinegar and water, rinse with water, dry, then apply. [Contraindications] Do not apply if the sore is on the face. The black pigment may penetrate the flesh leaving an印-like mark.

Toxic. Mineral origin.

Sha (Arsenic sulfide ore) treats accumulations, breaks blood stasis, aborts fetuses, relieves pain, directs rebellious Qi downward, treats cough and chronic cold, removes foul flesh, generates good flesh, and softens gold and silver for soldering (pronounced 'han'). (Recorded by Famous Physicians) [Names] Beitingsha (Beiting Arsenic), Dixian (Di Salt), Nongsha (Thick Sand), Qisha (Gas Sand). [Origin] (According to *Tujing*): Produced in Xirong (Western Barbarians); currently found in Xiliang Xia Kingdom and bordering prefectures of Hedong and Shaanxi. Those from Beiting are superior. However, those coming from Xirong come in bright granular lumps, large ones like fists weighing three to five liang, small ones like fingers; they are dense and potent for medicine, capable of dissolving the five metals and eight minerals. Those from border regions are hard to crush, like hemp seeds, often mixed with sand and stone; after flying and clarifying to remove earth and stones, they lose potency. Locals call this Qisha. Consuming this substance in large quantities rots human intestines and stomachs. Raw use can turn human heart into blood; thus, it is certainly not for casual daily consumption. People in the Western Regions use it to pickle meat and roast as salt without harm, likely due to long-term habituation, similar to the story of Emperor Wu of Wei eating wild ginseng without toxicity. *Benjing* states it softens gold and silver for soldering. Nowadays, people use Borax for soldering, making this less necessary. (According to *Yanyi*): If fake gold or silver is thrown into the melting pot, the fake material dissolves completely; how much more would it rot and dissolve long-standing accumulations in the human abdomen? [Season] (Growth) No fixed season. (Harvest) No fixed season. [Storage] Store in porcelain jars. [Usage] Bright and large pieces are best. [Texture] Resembles Yaxiao (Saltpeter). [Color] White. [Taste] Salty, bitter, pungent. [Nature] Warm and soft. [Qi/Odor] Strong odor, Yin within Yang. [Smell] Fishy. [Main Action] Breaks accumulations and blood stasis, removes foul flesh, generates flesh. [Incompatibility] Incompatible with Jiangshui (fermented grain liquid) and all acidic substances. [Preparation] (According to *Ri Hua Zi*): For preparation, use Huangdan (Red Lead) and Duanshi (Calcined Alum) to make a cabinet, calcine until red, then it becomes non-toxic. Or, wash with water, place in porcelain, boil in a double boiler until dry to reduce toxicity and remove impurities. [Treatment] (Therapy) (According to *Yaoxing Lun*): Calcined form removes cold diseases and greatly benefits Yang function. (According to *Ri Hua Zi*): Benefits Shu Zang (Kidney), warms the uterus, eliminates cold phlegm, blood stasis, undigested food, Qi masses, and treats metrorrhagia, leukorrhea, malignant sores, polyps, bloating after eating meat, and women's Qi-blood heart pain; must be prepared before use. (According to Chen Cangqi): Treats accumulations in men and women, Qi-blood imbalance, phlegm-fluid accumulation, Qi knotting in the throat, regurgitation, and vomiting of water. [Contraindications] Accidental ingestion causes carbuncles; excessive consumption rots intestines and stomachs. [Dietary Taboo] Mutton blood. [Antidote]: To detoxify, drink one to two sheng of fresh mung bean juice.