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Ye Dachun, in *Zhenzhuan of Smallpox Studies*, stated: "Zicao Rong (Purple Gromwell Felt)" is not found in ancient pharmacopoeias. Recent editions only mention it under the entry for Zicao (Lithospermum Erythrorhizon), noting that the variety that stains hands is superior, yet failing to realize it is a distinct substance. In my youth, I saw Zicao Rong at the residence of my uncle, Hua Hongqing. It was a miraculous elixir for inducing smallpox eruptions, brought back by his great-grandfather, Academician Hongshan, during an embassy abroad. I collected and stored some. Whenever encountering conditions of blood heat with toxic stagnation, hemorrhage with restlessness, sunken pustules in smallpox, or swelling of smallpox carbuncles, grinding and adding 4-5 fen (approx. 1.5-2g) to heat-clearing and detoxifying prescriptions yielded miraculous results. Regrettably, medical formularies do not record it, so I dared not arbitrarily add it to the Materia Medica. Recently, I saw *Shenying Xinshu* (Divine Response Heart Book) listing Zicao Rong separately. It is pale red, originates from U-Tsang (Tibet), attaches to large tree branches like white wax, and is as expensive as a thousand gold pieces. It not only induces smallpox eruptions miraculously; taken with wine in doses of 1-2 qian (approx. 3-6g), it treats various swellings, toxins, and malignant sores. It further states: grinding 1 qian (approx. 3g) and taking it with wine has the power to facilitate childbirth. This refers to Shuitan Yingmeng's repeated successes and his consultation with a Tibetan tribute monk. In recent times, people know that 'rong' is not the tender shoot of Zicao, but mistakenly identify rouge dregs as Zicao Rong. This view is even more absurd.

Note: In all ancient pharmacopoeias and formulas, the root of Zicao (Lithospermum Erythrorhizon) is used. Wei Zhou's *Duxing Fang* (Single Path Prescription) treated undeveloped pox (smallpox/varioloid) by boiling Zicao decoction for drinking, a method inherited by later generations. Thus, using it to treat smallpox, cool blood, and resolve toxicity began here. Zeng Shirong's *Huoyou Xinshu* (New Book for Living Infants) states: Zicao is cold in nature. For children with solid spleen-stomach qi, it can still be used; for those with deficient spleen qi, it may instead cause diarrhea. Anciently, only Zicao Rong was used, taking advantage of its initial acquisition of yang qi, applying similar to similar, thus using it to induce smallpox eruptions. However, no mention exists of a variety from U-Tsang. Based on Ye's description, it resembles Zimao (Laccifer Lacca, Indian Lac), but there is no definitive explanation. Since he personally tested it with repeated efficacy, I preserve this account to await future extensive investigation.

Indications: Treating smallpox, various swellings/toxins, and malignant sores; facilitating childbirth.

In the winter of the Jihai year, I met Liu Yiqing, Vice Prefect of Yuhang, who said his ancestor served as an official in the Shu province. His family possessed Tibetan Zicao Rong, formed into lumps the size of fingers, red and transparent like amber. This confirmed that Ye's records were not false.

Zhai Liang, in *Shiyi of Smallpox Department*, stated: The smallpox department uses Zicao (Lithospermum Erythrorhizon). Ancient formulas use only its 'rong', valuing its light qi and thin flavor which provide cooling and dispersing effects. When using Zicao, one must always add 50 grains of glutinous rice to restrain its cold nature, thereby preventing damage to stomach qi and subsequent diarrhea. This addition is unnecessary only for cases of intense heat and constipation.