Library

Xilin Zhi (Silver Mine Resin) primarily treats pterygium (a growth of fleshy tissue on the eye). It is applied by lightly dabbing the affected area with a copper needle heated in fire, followed by applying the medicine; this causes no pain. It also treats various wind-pathogenic factors and Sanjiao Xiao Ke (Sanjiao Wasting-Thirst Syndrome, characterized by excessive thirst, hunger, and urination), and can be incorporated into pill formulations for oral administration.

(Compendium of Materia Medica) [Name] Yin Kuang Xi Lin Zhi (Silver Ore Xi Lin Zhi). [Origin] (Li Shizhen states) This is the silver rivet from Persia, also written as "Xi Lin Zhi". [Preparation and Treatment] (Pu Ji Fang) For treating infant Tian Diao disease (a type of convulsive disorder characterized by opisthotonos and head retraction), excessive phlegm-saliva, and irregular spasms: Take 1 liang of Xilin Zhi, wash it with water until the black liquid runs clear; 1 fen of Mercury (Hydrargyrum), grind it with the flesh of a small jujube until no metallic stars are visible; 0.5 fen of Niuhuang (Calculus Bovis, Bezoar); 0.5 fen of Shexiang (Moschus, Musk). Grind them uniformly together, mix with rice porridge to form pills the size of millet seeds. Administer 32 pills per dose, washed down with fresh well-water. This formula is named Baoming Dan (Life-Preserving Pill).

Tie Fu (Iron Axe) primarily treats difficult labor in women, malpresentation, and retained placenta. Heat the iron axe red-hot, quench it in wine, and drink the wine. It is also used to treat postpartum blood masses (abdominal masses due to blood stasis) and lower back/abdominal pain. (Recorded in the General Record of Iron Utensils within Compendium of Materia Medica)

[Usage] (Li Shizhen states) The ancients had a method to change the sex of the fetus: At three months of pregnancy, known as "Shi Tai" (Initial Fetus), the blood vessels have not yet fully circulated, and the fetus's form changes according to what it encounters. At this time, one should take specific medicines or measures, placing an axe under the bed with the blade facing downward, without letting the pregnant woman know. If she doubts it, one can test it with chickens; the result is that all chicks in a clutch will become male. This is likely the natural principle of fetal transformation. Therefore, eating rooster meat extracts the pure yang essence from animals in nature; wearing Realgar (Realgar, Orpiment) extracts the pure yang essence from minerals produced by the earth; holding bows/arrows or using axes/hatchets extracts the yang qi from rigid objects in human affairs. Due to the mutual感应 (sympathetic resonance) of similar qi, creation shifts secretly, which is an inevitable physical law. Thus, if a pregnant woman sees divine statues or strange objects, she may develop delusions of ghosts, which is a sign. Ivory patterns grow following the shape of the elephant; Chinese yam (Dioscoreae Rhizoma) changes shape following human forms; telling the stove god about chicken eggs leads to hatching chicks; sweeping a cat with a broom leads to pregnancy. Even things have such influences, let alone humans.

[Treatment] (Chen Cangqi states) For any skin excrescences (such as warts or moles) on the body, one can listen for the sound of an axe striking nails when coffin boards are being nailed. At that moment, immediately rub the lesion continuously for fourteen times (two sets of seven). Afterwards, it will naturally flatten and disappear. This should not be used by postpartum women.

Da Dao Huan (Large Sword Ring) primarily treats prolonged difficult labor where the fetus has not been delivered after several days. Heat the large sword ring red-hot, quench it in one cup of wine, and consume it in one dose. (Recorded in the General Record of Iron Utensils within Compendium of Materia Medica)

Jian Dao Gu (Scissor Shank) primarily treats infantile convulsions (Xiao Er Jing Feng). Qian Yi (Qian Shi) had a Jian Dao Gu Wan (Scissor Shank Pill). The usage involves grinding the ring part of the scissor shank, decocting it in water, and using the liquid to administer other medicines. (Recorded in the General Record of Iron Utensils within Compendium of Materia Medica)

Tie Zu (Iron Arrowhead) primarily treats hiccups caused by Stomach Heat. Use 72 iron arrowheads, decoct them in water, and drink the soup. (Recorded in the General Record of Iron Utensils within Compendium of Materia Medica)