Library

Mangxiao (Mirabilite), its detailed description is listed under the entry for Puxiao (Thenardite).

Xiaoshi (Saltpeter), its detailed description is listed under the entry for Puxiao.

Shengxiao (Raw Mirabilite), its detailed description is listed under the entry for Puxiao.

Mayaxiao (Horse-tooth Crystal, a crystalline form of Mangxiao), its content has been fully detailed in the entry for Paxiao (Puxiao).

Fanshi (Alum), originally produced in the valleys of Hexi, as well as Longxi, Wudu, and Shimen. Currently, white alum (Bai Fan) is produced in Jinzhou, Cizhou, and Wuwei Jun; green alum (Lv Fan) is produced in Xizhou Wenquan County and Chizhou Tongling County; these are all places where alum is refined. Initially, they are stones; after mining, they are crushed and then refined into alum. There are five types in total, each with different colors: white alum, green alum, yellow alum, black alum, and crimson alum. White alum is used for medicinal purposes and by dyers; green alum is also used in medicines for the throat, mouth, and teeth, as well as for dyeing; yellow alum is required by alchemists and is sometimes used medicinally; black alum comes only from the Western Regions, also known as zao fan (black alum), and is occasionally used in medicines for dyeing hair and eyebrows; crimson alum was originally green, also known as shidan (copper sulfate), turns red when calcined, hence the name crimson alum, but it is rarely seen today. There are also fanshing (alum essence) and fanhudie (alum butterfly). These are obtained during the refining of white alum when it boils vigorously; splashes on the center of the pan fly out like objects. Catching them with an iron spoon forms insect-like shapes called fanhudie; those that form solid, glassy, crystal-clear lumps are called fanshing. Both are used medicinally and have stronger potency than common alum. Another type is liuxu fan (willow catkin alum), also found in alum-producing areas, formed through refining, light and fluffy like cotton, hence the name. Currently, physicians use it to treat phlegm obstruction, and it is very effective for excessive heat in the heart and lungs. Liu Yuxi's *Chuanxin Fang* treats qi dysentery with Bashishi Wan (Ba Stone Pill): take one large jin of white alum, burn it over clean charcoal fire on the ground until the juices are exhausted, turning it snow-white, called Bashishi. Take one da liang, grind finely, mix with cooked pig liver to make pills, swallow on an empty stomach, adjusting the number of pills according to physical strength; using water buffalo liver is even better. For vegetarians, steamed dough pills are also acceptable. Some say the dark-greenish-black parts of white alum are called Bashishi. Additionally, for snake bites and scorpion stings, heat the head of a knife until red, place white alum on it, melt it into liquid, and drip it hot onto the wound for immediate cure. This method is extremely miraculous, benefiting dozens of people. In the 13th year of Zhengyuan, two monks exiled south reached Dengzhou, both bitten by snakes. They were treated with this method, cured immediately after application, with no other suffering. Also, Cui Shi's formula treats jazu (ungual paronychia/clubbed toe infection), caused by cutting nails too short injuring the flesh or nails growing into the meat, leading to swollen, painful sores. Due to tight boots rubbing the swollen edges, yellow fluid oozes and spreads, rotting all five fingers, gradually extending to the instep, with blisters rising around like burns, worsening day and night, unresponsive to medical treatment. Use five liang of Lv Fanshi (Green Alum), which resembles Puxiao in shape but is green. Place this substance on an iron plate, surround with charcoal, seal with a bag, and blow air to intensify the fire. The alum will boil, flowing out a red liquid resembling molten gold, indicating authenticity. Once boiling stops and juices are exhausted, remove from fire, let cool, take out, and grind into powder, resembling huandan (red lead), and store. First wash the sore with salt water, dry it, apply the powder generously. Cover loosely with soft cloth. The discharge stops and the sore dries on the same day. If pain is urgent, apply a little su (clarified butter) to keep it moist, once daily, washing with salt water. Keep pus-filled areas clean by frequent washing; do not touch dry scabs. After each wash, reapply medicine as before. Apply su if pain is urgent. After five days, scabs begin to peel off. Continue washing and applying medicine. After ten days, scabs fall off completely. If soft spots produce white pus blisters, press them open and apply medicine; natural healing follows. Vice Minister Zhang of the Ministry of Justice personally suffered from this disease, bedridden for sixty days, too weak to speak. Many doctors in the capital visited and prescribed remedies, all ineffective. Only this method worked miraculously, so it is recorded here for those interested. There is also zaojia fan (Gleditsia alum), also used medicinally, some say it is green alum. *Chuanxin Fang* uses it for hou bi (sore throat/laryngeal obstruction): mix zaojia fan with good rice vinegar or strong vinegar, grind together, and swallow for immediate relief. If pain is localized to one side of the throat, lie on the side, hold the mixture near the painful area without swallowing. This method is said to originate from Li Mo and is quite unique. Huangfan (Yellow Alum) is used medicinally, see Cui Yuanliang's *Haishang Fang* Miebcan Gao (Scar-Removing Ointment): calcine Huangfanshi until juices flow, stir-fry hufen (lead carbonate) until yellow, each eight fen, grind finely. Mix with pig fat from the twelfth lunar month, grind into a paste. First rub the area with raw cloth until it feels painful, then apply the medicine five times. Then take eagle droppings and grass from white swallow nests, burn to ash, mix in equal parts with human milk, and apply. Scars will naturally disappear, and skin will return to smoothness.