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Pouring water in reverse and dumping it out is called "reverse-flowing water" (Daoliu). Water that has just emerged from the source without flowing is called "rootless water" (Wugen). Water drawn immediately upon collection is called "freshly drawn water" (Xinji). Well water drawn for the first time at dawn is called "well-flower water" (Jinghua). Whenever water is used to treat diseases, one should always use freshly drawn clear spring water, and never use stagnant, turbid, or warm water. Not only is it ineffective, but it also harms the human body. (Yuxi)

Freshly drawn well water and well-flower water are taken from the pure energy of heaven and earth at their beginning.

Ma Zhiji of the Jin Dynasty recorded in *Shuijie* (Analysis of Water): "Once I visited the Grand Historian of Lingtai [an official in charge of astronomy and calendar] and saw the water dripping from a bronze clepsydra. The historian summoned the person in charge of water and said, 'This water has circulated three times. When water flows smoothly, the leakage is rapid; when leakage is rapid, the time measurement deviates. You must change to fresh water.' From this, I realized: All water in the world acts similarly in extinguishing fire and similarly in moistening withered things. However, its nature changes according to the land, and its quality shifts according to the vessel, so they are never identical. Thus, the rivers of Shu make brocade bright when washing it; the springs of Jiyuan [make paper] soft when cooking it; the ponds of Nanyang steep chrysanthemums, and its people live long lives; the streams of Liaodong connect to the sea, and its people suffer from hair loss; the mountains of Jin produce alum stones, and the spring water can cure carbuncles; the foothills of Rong harbor sulfur, and the hot springs can treat leprosy; the Yangtze River is suitable for brewing wine; Huai and Lai regions are suitable for making fermented rice wine; saline brine can produce salt; the A Well can produce gelatin. Bathing with dirty water removes grime; bitter soil enriches fields; goiters dissipate in the waves of kelp and algae; phlegm is broken by the juice of Pinellia ternata (Banxia); swallowing ice water stops cholera; drinking flowing water unblocks urinary retention; washing eyes with snow water reduces redness; bathing skin with salty water dries up sores. Vegetables become pickles; iron becomes rust; yeast turns into wine; grains ferment into vinegar. There are thousands of sources and varieties, which words cannot fully exhaust. As for well water alone, there are already so many names listed, let alone other water sources.

In the past, there was a patient suffering from difficulty in urination (Xiao Xiao), whom everyone failed to cure. Zhang Hezi changed the method by using the rapid current of a long river to decoct the previous prescription. After one drink, urination was immediately restored. This agrees with the principle in *Ling Shu* (Spiritual Pivot) regarding treating insomnia by using water from a thousand-mile flow to decoct Banxia Tang. Those who use water for treatment in later generations should adopt Zhang Hezi's method as the standard.

Earth slurry (Di Jiang) is also called soil slurry. Dig a pit in yellow earth, three chi deep, pour in freshly drawn water, stir until turbid, and after a short while, take the clear supernatant for use. (Zhenbai)

Its flavor is sweet and cold. It resolves toxicity-induced restlessness and fullness, as well as all toxins from fish, meat, fruits, vegetables, medicines, and various fungi. It treats cholera and sudden death due to heatstroke. Heatstroke and cholera are caused by internal injury from summer-heat, leading to confusion of the seven spirits. Yin qi being quiet allows the spirit to be stored; agitation causes the spirit to perish. Earth slurry is made in pits in the shade of walls, representing yin within yin, capable of draining yang within yang. (Binhu)

For Gan Huoluan (Dry Cholera), characterized by neither vomiting nor diarrhea, abdominal distension and pain causing a desire to die, taking three to five cups of earth slurry leads to recovery. Rice soup is strictly contraindicated. For arsenic poisoning, mixing earth slurry with lead powder and ingesting it provides immediate relief.