Library

[Names] Li Shizhen stated: In ancient times, bamboo slips were roasted to remove moisture (a process called "sweating green") for writing characters, hence the radical of characters such as "jian" (bamboo slip) and "ce" (records) is "bamboo". By the Qin and Han dynasties, silk fabrics were used for recording events, called "fan zhi", thus the character "zhi" (paper) has the radical "silk" or "cloth". The component "shi" serves as the phonetic element. Liu Xi in *Shiming* (Explanation of Names) said: "Zhi is like a whetstone," meaning it is as flat as a whetstone. During the reign of Emperor He of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Cai Lun from Leiyang began using tree bark, old silk, fishnets, and hemp cloth, boiling them down to make paper, which then became universally used throughout the realm. Su Yijian in *Zhi Pu* (Chronicle of Paper) stated: People in Shu use hemp, people in Min use young bamboo, people in the North use mulberry bark, people in Shanxi use rattan, coastal people use moss, people in Zhejiang use wheat bran and rice straw, people in Wu use silkworm cocoons, and people in Chu use paper mulberry (*Broussonetia papyrifera*) to make paper. It also states: When calcining medicinal materials, wrapping them in paper coated with ink can best resist fire. There is a type of medicine called "Shandao Zhi" (Flash-knife Paper), which refers to a corner folded inside during the folding of paper that craftsmen did not notice was left uncut; physicians take this for medicinal use. Why is this not seen in current prescriptions?

[Flavor and Toxicity] Various papers: Sweet in flavor, neutral in nature, non-toxic.

[Indications] *Chuzhi* (Paper Mulberry Paper): Burned to ash, it stops hematemesis (vomiting blood), epistaxis (nosebleed), metrorrhagia (uterine bleeding), and hemorrhage from traumatic wounds (Li Shizhen).

*Bamboo Paper*: Wrap dog hair in it, burn to ash, and administer with wine to stop malaria (*Shenghui Fang*).

*Rattan Paper*: Burned to ash and applied externally to bleeding traumatic wounds; also treats internal heat in adults and children, and persistent epistaxis. Take two qian of old rattan paper (calcined in a bottle until only the essence remains), add a small amount of Moschus (She Xiang), and administer with wine. Also, wrap Moschus in a paper wick, ignite it, and smoke the nose (Li Shizhen).

*Grass Paper*: Formed into wicks for carbuncles and sores, it is most effective at drawing out pus. Dip in oil, light as a lamp, and shine on various malignant ulcers with exudative, wet, and rotting lesions to drain yellow fluid; effectiveness is achieved after several applications (Li Shizhen).

*Hemp Paper*: Stops various types of blood loss; burned to ash for use (Li Shizhen).

*Joss Paper*: Mainly indicated for carbuncles and sores about to ulcerate. Burn it in a tube and apply suction to the affected area while hot. Its ash stops bleeding. Long-term inhalation of its smoke damages the lung qi of humans (Li Shizhen).

[Attached Prescriptions] Two old prescriptions, six new ones.

Persistent hematemesis: Burn five sheets of thin white paper to ash, administer with water. The effect is indescribable (*Puji Fang*).

Persistent epistaxis: Burn old paper from room dividers to ash, administer one qian with wine to stop immediately (*Puji Fang*).

Blood spurting from skin lesions: Take paper from the mouth of a wine-jar, tear it into pieces like willow catkins, spread it over the bleeding area, and press to stop bleeding (Wang Shuo, *Baiyi Xuanfang*).

Persistent bloody dysentery: Wrap three sheets of white paper with one spoonful of salt, burn red, and grind to powder. Divide into three doses, taken with rice decoction (*Shenghui Fang*).

Menstruation flowing continuously without regular timing: Burn thirty sheets of desk paper to ash, mix with half a sheng of clear wine, and drink once to settle immediately. In winter, take with warm wine (Liu Xi, *Chuanxin Fang*).

Postpartum blood syncope: The above prescription takes immediate effect. Even if death has occurred for one day, removing the incisor teeth and instilling the liquid can revive the patient.

Various insects entering the ear: Plug the nostrils and the opposite ear with paper, leaving the ear with the insect open. Keep the mouth closed and do not speak; the insect will come out shortly (*Jixuan Fang*).

Enuresis in elderly and children: Lay a sheet of white paper under the mat. Once urination occurs on top, take the paper, dry and burn it, then administer with wine (*Jijian Fang*).