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Mr. Liu Jixuan (Liu Huanzhang) from Biling, who served as the magistrate of Langqiong, left a record regarding natural sulfur (Tiansheng Huang), which states roughly as follows: Five miles east of Langqiong county town, there is a hot spring. It is the convergence of the branches of Lake Erhai in Kunming, covering an area of about three to four li around. Sulfur is produced at the bottom of the spring; the water is hot like boiling soup, and an egg thrown in can be cooked. In the middle of the flow stands a flat rock named Ji Qi Tai (Nine-Air Terrace). It is hollow in the center with holes on the sides, totaling nine holes. Hot spring water flows into them, steam rises and condenses on the stone surface, dripping down like hanging milk. After a long time, the substance hardens and becomes very translucent white. After hundreds of years, it turns grayish and accumulates under the rock, appearing exquisite and similar to strange stones. Locals mine it for medicinal use. Its nature is greatly warming and tonifies the True Fire of the Mingmen (Gate of Life). For deficiency-cold syndromes, its efficacy is miraculous. This is because it is formed by the condensation of heat from the sulfur spring; its texture is light and clear, and it takes a long time to form, so its efficacy far exceeds that of mineral sulfur. Currently, locals have built the Wenxing Pavilion on Ji Qi Tai, making it a scenic spot in Langqiong.

Treating Ge Syndrome (obstruction of the chest and diaphragm): Tonifies the decline of Mingmen fire; other effects are the same as Wa Sulfur (Japanese sulfur).

Note: The Western scholar Gao Yizhi (Adam Schall von Bell) stated in *Kongji Gezhi* (Investigation of Things in the Sky): There is man-made sulfur and natural sulfur. Natural sulfur appears gray on the outside and pale yellow mud-like inside. Its body is dense and thick, its taste is bitter and salty, its odor is foul and toxic, and its nature is heating, so it melts easily near fire.

It comes from Eastern countries such as Ryukyu, Japan, and Luzon, with Japanese sulfur being the best. Its color is white like honey, without a strong foul odor, glossy and tender. Gao Lian in *Sishi Xiuhe Fang* (Prescriptions for Four Seasons Preparation) said: "Bo Shang Liu Huang" (Ship-borne sulfur), used by the Wa barbarians as grout for ship seams, is the best. People rarely see it; they usually use market sulfur containing oil. Genuine ship-borne sulfur is honey-colored, with golden-red spots within the yellow. Like the skin of a pomegranate in July, when opened, it looks like lustrous crystal, completely unlike the loose, brittle, and stone-hard fake sulfur. Note: Sulfur produced inland is made by frying earth and oil. It has a fishy smell that irritates the nose and is old yellow in color. Wa-produced sulfur is tender and white. *Binhu Jijie* only cites the two types of stone and earth sulfur recorded in *Gengxin Yuce*, lacking documentation on Wa sulfur, merely stating that Wa imports are best. It does not realize that Wa sulfur is entirely different from inland sulfur. In the attached prescriptions, Ben Shi Fang's Yin Syndrome Cold Damage, Bo Ji Fang's Yin-Yang Two Poisons, Ruizhu Tang Fang's Wine Nasal Redness, and Xuan Ming Fang's Nasal-Facial Purple Wind all use ship-borne sulfur. It absolutely cannot be replaced by inland Tai sulfur. Therefore, I supplement its efficacy here.

*Bai Cao Jing*: White sulfur comes from Ryukyu, named Wa Sulfur. Brought by foreign ships, it is hard as stone, odorless, glossy and smooth. Those shaped like dripping milk are genuine.

*Wuli Xiaoshi*: Ship-borne sulfur is like honey, with golden-red spots in the yellow. When struck open, it shines like crystal. Current green sulfur is inferior. Yang energy enters the ground; meeting water, it dies and becomes sulfur; rising as clouds, it explodes as thunder. It is the source of generating and nourishing all things. Thus, those with golden-red hues are considered the first grade, but must be properly processed. In case of sulfur poisoning, grind pot-bottom coal and drink the decoction, as coal is the dwelling of fire. Sulfur is originally Yang fire; taking it after exposure to sunlight is effective.

Commissioner Yue Cuofu (Xiu Feng) once told me: In Beijing, I saw Wa sulfur shaped like plum blossoms, formed into cakes, not very white. Holding it in hand and placing it to the ear, one hears a rustling sound like insects chirping. This type was imported by Wa ships; I record it here for verification. Its nature is greatly hot, taste slightly sour, slightly toxic. It tonifies the lower origin, assists the Yang pathway, and benefits the decline of Mingmen fire, especially suitable for the elderly. It eliminates macules and kills parasites, treating sores.

Tong Nuan Du Feng Qi Gao (Warm-Belly Navel-Sealing Plaster): Zhou Shi Jia Bao records: Applying it in summer prevents dysentery in autumn. Ingredients: Leek seeds, Cnidium fruit, large Aconite root each 1 liang; Cinnamon twig 1 liang; Sichuan pepper 3 liang; Wa Sulfur 1 liang; Musk 3 fen; Single garlic clove 1 piece; Sesame oil 3 jin. Soak coarse herbs for half a month, boil until withered, strain, boil again until dripping water forms beads. Add Lead tetroxide (Huang Dan) 12 liang, continue boiling. Cool, then add fine herbs. Pregnant women should avoid application.

Deng Xian Gao (Immortal-Ascending Plaster): Wan Shi Jia Chao records: This medicine preserves essence without leakage, consolidates the root, strengthens Yang, builds physique and strength. For those who do not ejaculate during intercourse, it allows harvesting essence from ten women. Also treats lower back pain. Suitable for lower origin deficiency, five labors and seven injuries, hemiplegia, bladder hernia, cold qi in the lower jiao, descending intestines, chronic leg pain and numbness lasting decades, impotence, leukorrhea, bloody strangury, yin pain, and metrorrhagia. Ingredients: Sesame oil 1 jin 4 liang, Licorice root 2 liang. Boil to 60% reduction. Add ingredients in stages: First, Sesame seed 4 liang. Second, Licorice root 2 qian. Third, Asparagus tuber (soaked in wine, heart removed), Ophiopogon tuber, Polygala root (both soaked in wine, hearts removed), Rehmannia root (washed in wine), Prepared Rehmannia root (steamed in wine), Achyranthes root (stalks removed, soaked in wine), Cnidium fruit (washed in wine), Tiger bone (fried in fat), Dodder seed (soaked in wine), Deer antler (fried in fat), Cistanche (washed in wine, scales removed), Drynaria rhizome, Pedicularis flower, Momordica charantia seed (shell removed), Apricot kernel (skin and tip removed), Valerian flower, Cinnamon bark (skin removed) — each 3 qian. Boil over mild to strong fire until black and withered, strain. Add Calcined Lead tetroxide 0.5 jin. Fourth, Pine rosin 8 liang, stir constantly with locust and willow branches until water drop test passes. Fifth, Wa Sulfur, Realgar, Dragon bone, Halloysitum rubrum — each powdered to 2 qian, boil for half an hour. Sixth, Frankincense, Myrrh, Costus root, Clove bud — each powdered to 5 qian, boil, remove from fire, cool. Seventh, Toad venom, Musk, Stilbite — each 2 qian, pass water drop test. Eighth, Yellow rosin 1 liang, store in porcelain jar, seal with wax. Immerse in well for three days to remove fire toxicity. Apply to navel with red silk. If ejaculation is imminent during intercourse, wipe off plaster with female saliva to allow release, facilitating conception. (Ying Chang notes: The theory of mastering women leads to licentiousness; the theory of seed generation also promotes lust. Errors outweigh successes; readers should be cautious.)

Bao Zhu Gao (Precious Pearl Plaster): *Xing Qie Jian Mi* records: This medicine supports sinews and bones, nourishes blood, builds muscle, and consolidates the origin. Before applying this plaster, rub Yao Yan (lower back) with Ca Jiu Yi Dan for three days. Ingredients: Halloysitum rubrum, Asparagus tuber, Ophiopogon tuber, Rehmannia root (raw and prepared), Pedicularis flower, Cnidium fruit, Deer antler, Valerian flower, Saposhnikovia root, Scrophularia root, Magnolia bark, Tiger bone, Dodder seed, Costus root — each 1 liang. Clove bud, Cinnamon twig, Drynaria rhizome, Red Peony root, Scutellaria root, Cistanche, White Dragon bone, Eucommia bark — each 1.5 qian. Raw Aconite root 1 piece, Castor seed 100 grains (oil removed), Pangolin scale 1.5 qian, Earthworm (earth removed) 2 qian, Momordica charantia seed (shell removed, oil retained, sliced), Wa Sulfur, Myrrh — each 1 qian, Dragon's blood 1 qian, Frankincense 2 qian, Pine rosin and Yellow rosin each 4 qian, Musk a little. Use Sesame oil 2 jin. Soak herbs in oil for three days, boil in pot until black, strain, stir with locust/willow branches. Add rosin and wax, then fine herb oil. Stop when water drop forms a bead. Store in porcelain. Apply to lower back with silk/cotton cloth. Efficacy is miraculous.

Ca Jiu Yi Dan (Long-Rubbing Easy-Changing Pill): Cistanche, Galangal, Cnidium fruit, Clove, Iris flower, Camphor each 1 liang. Momordica seed and Toad venom a little, powdered. Form pills with refined honey, size of a bullet. Use one pill per application. Rub lower back thousands of times, cover with soft silk/velvet, keep on for one day. After three days, apply Bao Zhu Gao.

Qi Bao Dan (Seven-Treasure Pill): Gao Lian's Prescription: Treats chronic diarrhea and dysentery unresponsive to other treatments; effective immediately. Suitable for elderly and spleen-deficiency diarrhea. Ingredients: Aconite root processed with child's urine and yellow clay 5 qian, Angelica root 1 liang, Dried ginger 5 qian, Evodia fruit, Magnolia bark, Ginger-processed Sichuan pepper each 3 qian, Ship-borne sulfur 8 qian. Powder the seven ingredients. Mix with rice vinegar into two balls. Wrap in dough like sugar-filled pastries. Cook over mild-strong fire until dough is done. Remove dough, powder pills. Take 20 pills with rice porridge water, fasting at noon. For food stagnation and qi pain, take with ginger-salt water.

Shen Xiao Gan Dan (Miraculous Dry Pill): *Yan She Er Ji* records: Solidifies Yang, benefits Kidney, strengthens sinews and muscles, harmonizes blood vessels, aids conception. Ingredients: Aconitum lateral root (Tianxiong) 3 qian (skin and tip removed), Realgar 3 qian, Opium 3 qian, Toad venom 3 qian, Large Clove buds 4 pieces, Ginseng 3 qian, Refined Camphor frost 3 qian, Frankincense and Myrrh (oil removed) each 5 fen, Wa Sulfur 3 qian. Grind finely, wrap in silk gauze. Outside, Musk 2 qian (finely powdered, separately packed). Bletilla striata bulb (amount sufficient for application) soaked in boiling water in a bowl. Place bulb in silk bag, squeeze juice, discard residue. Mix juice with 3 qian Benzoin resin and medicine powder. Sprinkle Musk powder on top. Form into sticks, dry in shade in porcelain box, or seal and sun-dry slightly. Grind and rub when dry.

Jian Gen Wan (Root-Cutting Pill): *Jingyan Guang Ji* records: Treats stomach qi pain, cures root with one dose, especially effective for cold pain. Ingredients: Corydalis rhizome, Black pepper, Trogopterus dung, White cardamom each 5 qian. Wa Sulfur (if unavailable, use mineral sulfur: soak in water, change morning and evening, take out, boil in porcelain vessel several times, cool on earth, wash with water again) 1 liang, Costus root slices dried 2.5 qian. Grind to fine powder, mix and store. Strong constitution: take 1 fen. Weak: 8 li. Elderly/children: 5 li. Mix with warm liquor (half small cup), enter sealed room, abstain from all food. Next day eat thin rice soup. After five days, resume solid food. Never recurs. Pregnant women forbidden.