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Calcium sulfate hydrate. In ancient times, it was mostly crushed and used raw. Nowadays, some use calcined forms. However, raw gypsum can disperse the exterior and has the efficacy of resolving muscle heat and inducing sweating; in fact, its efficacy is superior.

Indications: Various high fevers of the stomach and lungs, abdominal pain and distension, hematochezia due to Cold Damage (Shanghan), damage by turbid dampness and burning by fire (apply gypsum powder mixed with water externally).

Gypsum and Qingdai Decoction (Shigao Daqing Tang): Gypsum 8 qian, Qingdai (Indigo Naturalis) and Huangqin (Scutellaria Root) 3 qian each, Congbai (White Part of Scallion) 4 stems, Qianhu (Peucedani Radix), Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma), and Zhizi Ren (Gardeniae Semen) 4 qian each. Decoct and take orally. Treats Cold Damage during pregnancy, characterized by severe headache, high fever, and painful joints.

Gypsum and Oyster Shell Decoction (Shigao Muli Tang): Gypsum 5 qian, Muli (Ostreae Concha) 1 liang, ground into powder. Take one fangcun bi (a spoonful measure) per dose, washed down with warm wine. Treats epistaxis.

Gypsum Powder (Shigao San): Gypsum, amount unspecified, ground to an extremely fine powder. Take one fangcun bi per dose, twice daily. Treats bone-steaming tidal fever with external cold and internal heat, slight emaciation of the four limbs, and swelling of the dorsum of the foot. Discontinue when the fever subsides.

Note: When Cold Damage persists for more than ten days, with high and intense fever, restlessness, delirious speech, or hematochezia, this medicine should be used as the principal agent. If cardiac function is weak, it should be supplemented with Dangshen (Codonopsis Root) and Huangqi (Astragali Radix), etc.

(Preparation of Talcum): Scrape clean with a knife, grind into powder, boil together with Mudanpi (Moutan Cortex) for one shichen (two hours), remove the Moutan Cortex, wash with water, and dry in the sun for use.

Indications: Promotes free flow, clears heat, opens orifices, expels coagulated blood, relieves dryness and thirst, treats jaundice, edema, Hongkong foot (tinea pedis) with hematemesis, epistaxis, traumatic bleeding, and various sores and swellings. It is especially a key herb for treating Shi Lin (lithuria/kidney stones).

Talcum Powder (Huashi San): Huashi (Talcum), Luangui (Ash of Human Hair), Cheqianzi (Plantaginis Semen), Mutong (Akebiae Caulis) 1 liang each, Hanshui Shi (Halloysitum Rubrum) 2 liang, Dongkuizi (Malvae Semen) 1 he. Crush into coarse powder. Boil in 1 dou (approx. 10 liters) of water until reduced to 5 sheng (approx. 0.5 liters). Take frequently. Treats Zhuanbao (retention of urine during pregnancy).

Yiyuan San: Huashi (processed by water flotation) 6 liang, Fen Gancao (Licorice Root powder) 1 liang, ground into powder. Take 3 qian per dose. Suitable for summerheat-Cold Damage, dysentery, and excess heat syndromes. Promotes lactation, taken with pork broth and noodle soup; promotes labor, taken with sesame oil.

Indications: Brightens eyes and sharpens hearing, nourishes the Kidneys, strengthens bones.

Cishi Pill (Cishi Wan): Cishi (Magnetitum), Chensha (Cinnabar), Shenqu (Medicated Leaven). First, roast Cishi over strong fire, quench in vinegar seven times, grind finely, process by water flotation, and dry in the sun to obtain 2 liang of purified powder. Grind Chensha finely, process by water flotation, and dry in the sun to obtain 1 liang of purified powder. Mix evenly with powder of raw Shenqu. Use another 1 liang of Shenqu, add water to form cakes, boil until they float, then mix with the previous powders. Form pills the size of wutong seeds using honey. Take 10 pills per dose, increasing up to 30 pills, taken on an empty stomach with rice gruel. Treats dilated pupils, blurred vision as if looking through fog, internal or external visual obstructions, tinnitus, and deafness.

Cishi Wine: Cishi (crushed finely, washed with water to remove red juice) 5 liang, Tianxiong (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, processed, skin and umbilicus removed) and Shanzhuyu (Corni Fructus) 2 liang each, Mutong, Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Shuyu (Dioscoreae Rhizoma), Changpu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma), Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix, heart removed), Xiong (Chuanxiong Rhizome), Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma), Manjingzi (Viticis Fructus), Baifuling (Poria), Jiangjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Praeparatum, processed), Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex), Ganjuhua (Chrysanthemi Flos) 1 liang each, Shudi (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata) 3 liang. Crush finely and mix evenly. Place in a raw silk bag, soak in 2 dou of wine for seven days. Drink freely every day. Treats wind-pathogen invading the brain or entering the ears, lingering for a long time without dispersing, causing blockage of collaterals and impaired hearing.

For accidental swallowing of needles or iron: Immediately take a piece of Cishi the size of a jujube pit, thread it with a string through a hole, swallow it, and pull it out immediately.