Library

[Mercuric Chloride / Calomel (Qingfen)]
Non-toxic. Prepared by sublimation.
Mercuric chloride (Qingfen) primarily promotes bowel movement and, when applied externally, treats pediatric malnutrition (Gan syndrome) and scrofula; it kills parasites causing sores, scabies, tinea, and dry itching associated with rhinophyma on the nose (Recorded by Famous Physicians).

[Nomenclature]
Mercury (Hong), Powder (Fen), Calomel (Qingfen), Qiaofen.

[Preparation Method]
According to records: To prepare Calomel (Qingfen) from mercury using local methods in Fuling, one must first prepare a "qu" (catalyst/mixture). The method for preparing "qu" is as follows: Take one jin of green vitriol (Sulfur Ferri Sulfas) and half a jin of salt. Place these two ingredients into an old iron pot and stir-fry over low heat, constantly stirring with an iron spatula until dry and turning willow-leaf green.
The sublimation process is as follows: First, set up a platform approximately three chi high and two chi in diameter, made of brick or stone. Take one jin of Jinchai charcoal, crushed to walnut size, and heat it intensely on the platform. For each batch of powder to be sublimated, use 1.2 qian of mercury and 2.2 qian of the prepared "qu". Grind them together in a stone mortar with a pestle until no visible mercury particles remain. Then add 2.3 qian of coarse alum powder. Mix the three ingredients evenly and spread them flat in the center of an iron pan (ao), about 0.3 fen thick. Poke small holes all over with a goose feather quill. Cover with a glazed earthenware basin containing clarified slurry, sealing the joints with salt mud. Do not seal too tightly, or the powder will not rise. Place the iron pan on the hot fire. When slightly warm, lightly wipe the seams and basin with water-dipped hands. Stand bricks loosely around the pan to shield the fire. When the fire burns out and the basin becomes warm, uncover it. Avoid heavy movements to prevent shaking off the powder. The powder condenses at the bottom of the basin, resembling snowflakes, crystal clear and white. Sweep it into porcelain containers for storage. The dregs remaining in the basin and pan can be used for the next batch. This method has been verified through practice; the detailed process is as described above.

[Harvesting and Storage]
Store in porcelain containers.

[Identification Standards]
[Usage] Those with sharp edges and which do not sink in water are superior.
[Texture] Resembles snowflakes.
[Color] White.
[Taste] Pungent.
[Nature] Cold.
[Aroma/Property] Light aroma, belonging to Yin within Yang.
[Action] Kills parasites.
[Antagonism] Feared by magnetite (Cishi) and yellow ochre (Shihuang).
[Processing] Grind into fine powder before use.
[Indications] According to *Yanyi*: Primary treatment for infantile salivary flooding and convulsions.

[Contraindications]
[Forbidden] Not suitable for persons with deficiency.
[Avoid] All blood disorders.
[Fake/Substitute] Counterfeits are made from calcined gypsum (Hanshuishi), rice flour, and broken tiles (Mingwa xie).

[Cinnabar (Lingsha)]
Non-toxic. Prepared by sublimation.
Cinnabar (Lingsha) primarily regulates diseases of the five zang organs and hundred ailments, nourishes the spirit, calms the hun and po, benefits qi, improves vision, unifies the vessels, relieves irritability and fullness, enhances mental energy, expels evil spirits and demonic influences. Long-term use clarifies the mind, prevents aging, lightens the body like an immortal, and makes the heart agile (Recorded by Famous Physicians).

[Nomenclature]
Two-Qi Cinnabar (Erqi Sha).

[Origin and Preparation Method]
[Origin] According to records: The sublimation method uses four liang of mercury from Fuling plain. Put it into an iron pot and slowly add one liang of sulfur powder. Stir-fry over low heat until it turns into "green sand head" (Qingshatou). After cooling, grind it finely and place it into a Yangcheng jar. Place an iron lid on top, wrap tightly with iron wire several times, and secure with nails. Tightness is confirmed if the sound when tapped is clear. Seal the joints with red stone脂 (Chishizhi) mixed with salt, and reinforce the entire surface with salt mud mixed with pig hair, about one finger-thick. Dry it in the sun. Use an iron stand as a furnace, apply gentle fire from below to heat the bottom of the jar until red for about one cun, burning one incense stick's time. Then increase to strong fire gradually to the top of the jar, burning two incense sticks' time. Add water to the iron lid; if shallow, replenish it, following the principle of Ji Ji (Hexagram 63). After cooling, remove it. The cinnabar sublimes to the bottom of the lid; those showing "bundled needle" patterns are considered successfully prepared.

[Harvesting and Storage]
Store in porcelain containers.

[Identification Standards]
[Usage] Those with bundled needle patterns are superior.
[Texture] Similar to litharge but redder.
[Color] Purple-red.
[Taste] Sweet.
[Nature] Warm and mild.
[Aroma/Property] Strong aroma and taste, purely Yang.
[Odor] Fishy.
[Action] Calms the hun and po, benefits the spirit.
[Antagonism] Feared by salty water, disliked by magnetite.
[Processing] Grind into fine powder before use.
[Indications] According to *Bielu*: Expels wind-cold.