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Knee Dust (from *Bencao Gangmu*): Mainly treats ulcers with tight lips. Wrap in cotton, burn to ash, grind into powder, and apply externally (from *Waitai Miyao*).

Pishi Stone: Mainly treats dissolving accumulations and managing Yige (dysphagia/esophageal obstruction) (from *Bencao Gangmu*). [Origin/Nature] (Li Shizhen said) Some people develop obsessions through intense focus, and pathological masses condense into stones, similar to Niu Huang (Calculus Bovis), Gou Bao, or Da. These are diseases of various beasts. Observing that meteorites fall and become stones, Sha Lin Shi (sand-lithiasis stones), Shi Lin (urinary calculi), and the Sarira (relics) formed in the fontanelle of Buddhist practitioners, all result from the condensation of Jing Qi (Essence and Qi). Thus, *Gewu Lun* states: "Stones are the core of Qi." Records in various books mention treasures turning into stone and old trees petrifying; these are transformations of inanimate objects. Fish, snakes, shrimp, and crabs can also petrify; these are transformations of animate beings. [Texture] (Cheng Yi's *Yishu* says) Persians excavated an ancient tomb and found that while the flesh had completely decomposed, the heart remained hard as stone. When sawn open, it contained patterns resembling landscapes, with a woman leaning on a railing gazing intently. This was likely because this woman had an obsession with mountains and waters, causing her body to melt and condense thusly. (Song Lian said) A monk sailing a large boat practiced Samadhi. After his passing, upon cremation, only his heart did not burn, taking the shape of a Buddha statue, neither metal nor stone. Another person practiced Chan meditation; after death and cremation, his heart contained an image of Guanyin (Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva), complete in every detail. (Medical texts say) A person died of Zhen Pi (masses and accumulations); upon cremation, a stone-like mass remained. These are all instances of stubborn pathological masses condensing into stones, recorded here together. [Nature/Principle] (*Shishuo Xinyu*) records a chaste woman who climbed a mountain waiting for her husband until she turned into stone. This is likely due to undivided will, where extreme emotion in animate beings reverses into insensitivity. (*History of Song*) records a stonecutter who fell into a stone cave and was dug out alive three years later; upon exposure to wind, he turned into stone. This is likely due to long-term inhalation of Stone Qi, leading to transformation into one with it. Since living forms remain whole, petrification implies stubbornness; thus, mental obsessions transforming into stones follows the same logic.

Toxic. Human Sweat entering food or drink causes those who consume it to develop Ding Du (furuncles/carbuncles) (from *Bencao Gangmu*). [Origin/Nature] (Li Shizhen said) Sweat originates from the Heart; internally it becomes Blood, externally it becomes Sweat. Hence it is said: "Those deprived of sweat have no blood; those deprived of blood have no sweat." [Taste] Salty. [Nature] Warm.

Toxic. Tears: If a mother's tears fall into an infant's eyes while crying, it damages the infant's eyes and causes Opacity (nebulization of the cornea) (from *Bencao Gangmu*). [Origin/Nature] (Li Shizhen said) Tears are the fluid of the Liver. The Jin Ye (Body Fluids) of the five zang and six fu organs all seep upwards into the eyes. Whenever there is sorrow, laughter, or coughing, Fire stirs at the center, the Xin Mai (Heart Vessel) becomes tense, and the zang-fu organs tremble. Consequently, the Zong Mai (Gathering Vessels) are stimulated, the fluid pathways open, Jin Ye overflows upwards, resulting in the discharge of mucus and tears. This is analogous to water droplets forming on top of a steamer. [Taste] Salty.