Library

Mr. Tiren said: "Why is this book referred to as a secret and prohibited text?" It is because there is no exclusive secrecy for the outside world, hence it is named a 'prohibited book'. It is not kept secret to prevent its use.

The reason lies in the fact that during the Yuan Dynasty, chaos prevailed in the Central Plains. Our dynasty's founding emperor, Taizu, had compassion for the people's suffering, pacified the Hu tribes, and swept away the barbaric filth. The ministers were not only fearful but also invincible in their advances. However, after battles where they burned their boats and smashed their cauldrons (decisive battles), wounds and hardships were inevitable. When Emperor Taizu personally led troops, he felt deep pain, akin to flesh being cut; thus, he often spent vast sums of money and grain to recruit renowned experts from outside mainstream society and various miraculous physicians. He sought diverse skills such as bone setting, arrow extraction, treatment of internal injuries from falls, and metal wounds, searching extensively for miraculous secrets to revive the dying. His earnest heart was self-evident. He then selected empirically effective methods, recorded them into volumes, and stored them in the imperial palace as reserves for national campaigns and combat. At that time, Mr. Qingtian (Liu Bowen) participated in state affairs, enjoying a harmonious relationship with the ruler like fish in water, thereby obtaining permission to keep these prohibited prescriptions at home. I have been on good terms with his descendant, Old Man Songshi, for decades. One day, while discussing Qihuang medicine (Traditional Chinese Medicine), we sighed that the secret prescriptions of Qingnang (TCM) could no longer be seen in the times. Old Man Songshi said, "My ancestor had a volume of prohibited prescriptions, which was rarely shown to others, yet its application always yielded miraculous results." He then took out this book and gave it to me to view. Although the book was not large, all contents originated outside standard Qihuang teachings, representing secretly transmitted unique formulas and methods, inaccessible to ordinary physicians. How fortunate I am to possess it; I shall treasure it generation after generation without neglect. Fearing that future descendants might not know or might discard it, I specially preface this account of its origin and lineage.

Respectfully prefaced on the 15th day of the first month of winter in the second year of Xuande.

When a person falls from a height, commonly known as falling headfirst ("倒栽葱"), if the vertex (Tianlinggai) is not broken, it can be saved; if penetrated, the Three Souls are scattered and Seven Pores are lost. Even if breathing remains, it is a sign of impending death. The treatment method is moxibustion on the Dantian acupoint. If a person falls backward onto their back and breaks the spine, they will be restless sitting or lying down. Although the injury is severe, their spirit/consciousness remains intact, so urgent treatment is feasible. If treatment is delayed beyond seven days, rescue becomes difficult, and death is certain. The treatment method: Use an empty room with a sturdy overhead support. Hang ropes from the beam. Assist the patient into a supine position facing down. Loop two leg straps under both armpits, bringing them up over the arms to suspend the body. Use two front straps and two rear straps to hoist the patient until their body straightens naturally. Place a sea board (a flat wooden board), approximately three chi long, on the patient's back. Additionally, bind one strap across the chest, one below the waist, and one internally around the torso, totaling three straps, securing both the person and the board together. Once suspended, the body straightens significantly. Bind tightly against the board to ensure maximum alignment. Gently lower the patient to lie supine, ensuring no movement. Administer seven doses of medicine. After seven days, gently remove the leg straps, but do not remove the board. Continue for another seven days, then gently remove the board. Only after twenty-one days should the waist and spine be allowed to move, allowing natural realignment. Subsequently, administer other medicines to resolve trauma and tonify the body.

If the sternum/collarbone area is injured or fractured by a fall, lift the patient and place them supine without manual manipulation. Administer seven doses of Jiegu Dan (Bone-Setting Pill); the bones will knit naturally, regardless of other factors. If bones are not fractured, administer three doses of Qili San (Seven-Centigram Powder); recovery occurs without needing other medications. For fractured ribs, no manual manipulation is needed; treat according to the previous method. First, apply a plaster to the affected area. Then, use Xingshang Da Yao (Trauma-Removing Medicine) to eliminate blood stasis. Follow with seven doses of Jiegu Dan. If bones protrude, follow with medicinal wine therapy for one month for full recovery. For depressed fractures of the vertex bone, decoct four liang of fresh tiger fat and five qian of Chuanxiong (Sichuan Lovage Rhizome) in wine for oral administration. For crushed vertex wounds, avoid herbal applications to prevent ulceration; instead, apply Zhixue San (Hemostatic Powder). Subsequently, administer Upper Body Powder Medicines. Injuries to the esophagus are incurable. Injuries to the trachea (Qi Hou): First suture with silver wire, then apply external herbal compresses, changing twice daily. Once skin and flesh merge, apply Shengji San (Flesh-Generating Powder), cover with plaster, and administer Upper Body Powder Decoction.

For evisceration (intestines protruding): Moisten green cloth with sesame oil until soft. Support the intestines manually. Have an assistant hold water in their mouth and suddenly spray it toward the patient's face. The shock causes the intestines to retract naturally. Suture with silver wire, apply external herbs, and administer Middle Body Powder Decoction internally. Alternative method for evisceration: Soak cloth in several jin of original rice wine. Place wet cloth on intestines. Observe slight warmth rising through the cloth. Brew hot ginger soup and give to the patient orally. As the ginger soup enters, the intestines retract. Continue until fully retracted. For perforated intestines: Use thread spun from fresh Mulberry Root Bark (Sangbaipi) to suture abdominal wounds. Apply Xuejie Powder (Dragon's Blood Powder) externally for spontaneous healing. This method is secretly transmitted. For severed fingers: Realign and wrap with the inner membrane of Water Candle (Typha stem). Once internal bones knit, apply Shengji San and cover with plaster. For initial traumatic bleeding from falls: Internally administer Upper Body Powder mixed with three fen of Jiegu Dan. For initial mid-body trauma: Administer Middle Body Powder mixed with five fen of Jiegu Dan. For mild cases, administer decoctions after seven days; for severe cases, after fourteen days.

For initial lower body trauma, the treatment is similar to mid-body trauma; administer Lower Body Powder Medicines. For accidental sprains or strains anywhere on the body, patients should self-treat based on severity, using compresses, plasters, or oral medications. For severe cases, add three fen of Jiegu Dan; for mild cases, do not use it.