姜石,所在皆有。须不见日色旋取,微白者佳。治疔肿殊效。
有人饲折翅雁,后遂飞去。今人打扑损,研极细,水飞过,同当归、没药各半钱,
以酒调,频服,仍以手摩痛处。
今人用者如蚬蛤之状,色如土,坚重则石也。既无羽翼,焉能自石穴中飞出,何故只
堕沙滩上?此说近妄。《唐本》注∶永州土岗上掘深丈余取之,形似坩而小,重如石。则此
自是一物,余说不可取。溃、虚、积药中多用。
疟家或用,才过剂,则吐泻兼作,须浓研绿豆汁,仍兼冷水饮,得石脑油即伏。今信
州凿坑井,下取之。其坑常封锁,坑中有浊绿水,先绞水尽,然后下凿取。生砒谓之砒黄,
其色如牛肉,或有淡白路,谓石非石,谓土非土,磨研酒饮,治癖积气有功。才见火,便有
毒,不可造次服也。取砒之法∶将生砒就置火上,以器覆之,令砒烟上飞着覆器,遂凝结,
累然下垂如乳,尖长者为胜,平短者次之。《图经》言大块者。其大块者已是下等,片如细
屑者极下也。入药当用如乳尖长者,直须详谨。
水飞,治目中翳。今皮作家用之,磨皮上垢,无出此石。石蟹条中云∶浮石,平,无
毒,止渴,治淋,杀野兽毒,合于此条收入。
治大风疾。别有法,须烧用。金星石于苍石内,外有金色麸片。银星石,
有如银色麸片。又一种深青色,坚润,中有金色如麸片,不入药,工人碾为器,或妇人首饰
。余如经。
Jiangshi (Rhizolith), is available everywhere. It must be dug up immediately without exposure to sunlight; those with a slightly white color are of the best quality. It has remarkable efficacy in treating dingzhong (carbuncles and sores).
There is a story that someone raised a wild goose with a broken wing, which later flew away. Nowadays, when people suffer from contusions or injuries due to falls or blows, Jiangshi is ground into an extremely fine powder, processed by water levigation (shuifei), and mixed with equal parts (half qian, approx. 1.5g) of Danggui (Angelica sinensis) and Moyao (Myrrha). The mixture is taken frequently with wine, accompanied by manual massage of the painful area.
The Jiangshi used today resembles clams or cockles in shape, has a soil-like color, and if hard and heavy, it is stone. Since it lacks feathers and wings, how could it fly out from a stone cave? Why would it only fall onto sandy beaches? This explanation is close to absurdity. The commentary in *Xinxiu Bencao* states: "It is dug from earthen ridges in Yongzhou at a depth of more than one zhang (approx. 3 meters); its shape resembles a small jar but is smaller, and it is as heavy as stone." Thus, this is naturally a different substance, and other descriptions should not be accepted. Jiangshi is frequently used in formulations for resolving accumulations.
Patients with nue (malaria) sometimes use Jiangshi. If the dosage is exceeded even slightly, vomiting and diarrhea occur simultaneously. In such cases, a concentrated decoction of Lüdou (Mung Bean) must be prepared, and cold water should be drunk concurrently. If Shinao You (naphtha/mineral oil) is obtained, the toxicity can be subdued. Currently, in Xinzhou, pits and wells are dug to extract it. These pits are usually sealed; they contain turbid green water. The water is first drained, and then excavation takes place underground. Raw Piyin (Realgar/Orpiment derivative known as 'Pi Huang') has a color resembling beef, sometimes with pale white veins. It is described as neither stone nor earth. When ground and taken with wine, it is effective for treating pixiji qi (stubborn accumulative gas/pathogens). Once exposed to fire, it becomes toxic and must not be taken hastily. The method for obtaining Piyin: Place raw Piyin on fire, cover it with a vessel, allowing the fumes of Piyin to rise and adhere to the inverted vessel, where they condense. They accumulate and hang down like milk droplets; those that are long and pointed are superior, while flat and short ones are inferior. *Tujing* refers to large chunks. Large chunks are already of lower grade, and flakes resembling fine dust are of the lowest grade. For medicinal use, the form resembling long, pointed milk droplets should be selected, requiring utmost caution and precision.
Processed by water levigation, it treats yi (nebulae/opacities) in the eyes. Leather craftsmen also use it to grind off dirt from leather; no other stone is better for this purpose. In the section on Shixie (Stone Crab), it mentions: Fushi (Pumice), neutral in nature, non-toxic, relieves thirst, treats lin syndrome (dysuria), and kills toxins from wild beasts. This entry should be merged here.
For treating Dafeng ji (leprosy/great wind disease). There is another method requiring calcination. Jin Xingshi (Gold-star Stone) is found within Cangshi (Grey Stone), having golden bran-like flakes on the exterior. Yin Xingshi (Silver-star Stone) has silver-colored bran-like flakes. Another variety is deep cyan, hard and moist, containing golden bran-like flakes inside. This variety is not used medicinally; artisans grind it to make vessels or women's hair ornaments. The rest follows the classic records.