Library

Yang Suyuan Formula: This is the thread spun from herbaceous cotton. People in Wusong use it to weave cloth, calling it "Mian Sha" (Cotton Yarn). The natural color is white, or it can be dyed with indigo to a blue-green hue, used for women's sewing. In ancient times, kapok was used; now, herbaceous cotton is used. The "Mian" (Cotton) recorded in the Vessels and Utensils section of *Bencao Gangmu* (Compendium of Materia Medica) has the silk radical, referring to silk cotton. It has a neutral nature and can promote the eruption of macules and rashes. *Chuanxin Fang* (Transmission of Trusting Formulas) records: For wind-rash macules that fail to erupt smoothly and quickly, use two liang of white cotton yarn and one liang of *Tougu Cao* (Tectaria japonica), decoct together to make a bath liquid, avoid wind, and they will erupt within moments. If *Tougu Cao* is unavailable, cherry pits can be substituted, which can also be decocted and taken orally.

Blue Cotton Yarn: This is dyed with indigo. Decocted into a liquid for detoxification, its efficacy is the same as that of indigo juice.

Baicao Jing: Commonly known as "Zhagen," it is used by women to tie their hair. For medicinal use, the part discarded after oil extraction is preferred. *Bencao Gangmu* mentions towels and foot-wrapping cloths but not this item. It treats "Hongsi Ding" (Red Thread Carbuncle) and snakebites; when tied around the affected flesh, it prevents the spread of toxic factors. For various scalp sores in children, practitioners in the Qinzhong region say: burn to ash, mix with oil, and apply; healing occurs immediately. To treat difficult labor, *Jingyan Guangji* (Extensive Collection of Experienced Prescriptions) records: take one old hair rope from a woman, burn to ash, add one liang of *Renshen* (Ginseng), decoct and administer; regardless of breech or malpresentation, administration facilitates delivery, exceeding expectations.

Produced in Guandong, it is green-bean colored, pearl-like granules; those that make a ringing sound when thrown into a bowl are authentic. It brightens the eyes. Treating all eye diseases, *Hongqing Yuanfang* records: Use five fen of "Mingmu Sha" (Eye-brightening Mineral, preferably red when pierced with a needle), three qian of "Beiyansha" (Northern Goose Mineral), and one sheep liver (with gallbladder, do not wash in water, puncture with several holes without cutting open). Grind the two minerals into fine powder, place inside the liver, steam with two jin of unfermented wine until cooked, reduce to two bowls. Take one dose on an empty stomach and one dose after dinner, consuming as much as possible. The sheep liver aids absorption; complete in one course. Whether internal cataract, external opacity, or darkness/blindness, it is miraculously effective.

Pijin Zhi (Skin-Gold Paper): In paper-making areas of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, there is paper black on both sides like lacquer, smooth, crisp, and thin, unsuitable for calligraphy and painting. Market shops use it as lining paper to wrap treasures and medicines. It is also called "Xunjin Zhi" (Smoked Gold Paper) because it is smoked, beaten, and polished to shine. *Wuli Xiaoshi* (Small Knowledge of Physical Principles) records: When making gold leaf, crushed gold is separated by medicinal paper; wielding a large axe to hammer, the gold becomes leaf while the paper remains undamaged. The paper is initially brownish, turning dark gold over time. Wei Liangzai stated: Dark gold paper is only produced in Hangzhou Prefecture. The water from around Chunyou Bridge east of the city is essential for its production. The method involves first creating "Dark Gold Water" to brush the paper, waiting until it is black as lacquer, then smoking it, and polishing it with a beating stone. It is extremely tough. Whenever gold leaf is hammered, the gold sheet wrapped in this paper allows the gold to become leaf without damaging the paper. Transported to distant places, its price is high, as only people in Zhejiang provincial capital can produce this paper. Treating chancres, *Jiting* records: stir-fry dark gold paper in a copper spoon until powdered, add a small amount of "Bingpian" (Borneol), and apply.

Fuming San (Vision-Returning Powder): Chen Jiamu’s *Yanke Yaolan* (Essentials of Ophthalmology) records: Specifically treats corneal opacities covering the pupil; even the blind can regain sight. Take one roundworm expelled by a seven- or eight-year-old boy, cut open with a bamboo knife, wash clean with clear water, dry on a new tile over charcoal fire (do not burn), grind to an extremely fine powder, and wrap in dark gold paper. Then, take four liang of "Pengsha" (Borax), bury the wrapped worm inside, leave for seven days, then retrieve. Dip a bone awl in the medicine to apply to the eyes, three times a day. Afterwards, use the tip of the bone awl to gently remove the opacity from the eye, wash with hot water, wait a moment, and apply again. After completing this medication, double vision is invariably restored.