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The physiological and pathological characteristics of children differ from those of adults; the origins of nebula (corneal opacity) and phthisis (eye wasting disease) have distinct sources. Since the divine qi (vital spirit) is not yet fully developed, it is difficult to protect carefully. The use of plica (a surgical knife), scythes, moxibustion, or cauterization may cause crying that injures the pupil.

Do not casually apply irritating eye drops, as crying will exhaust the patient and worsen the condition. If further rubbed by hand, the pain may be unbearable, potentially leading to eyeball rupture and permanent disability or early death.

To seek a stable and convenient method to preserve both eyes, bitter medicines should be decocted for washing/fumigation while avoiding wind. Medicines that nourish the liver must take effect to avoid lifelong dimness of vision.

Generally, eye diseases are mostly caused by the upward rush of heat stagnating in the five zang organs, hence decoctions and infusions are used. These preparations should not be directly exposed to excessive fire. Because medicinal properties become hot when subjected to fire, administering them to the zang-fu organs is like stirring boiling water with a ladle—it appears to cool but is actually ineffective and even harmful. Therefore, herbs must be thoroughly washed and sun-dried. In case of rainy weather, they should be air-dried in the wind. For tonifying and solidifying prescriptions taken before meals, or those requiring frying or roasting, methods must be strictly followed. The specific methods are listed below:

Aconitum carmichaelii (Wutou) and Aconitum lateralare preparatum (Fuzi): When used raw, remove skin and tips. When prepared, crack using ash-fire and remove skin and tips. Ostrea concha (Muli): When used raw, remove mud. When prepared, seal with salt-mud, burn with charcoal until red-hot, then take the pure part. Those with left-facing patterns are preferred.

Various horn materials: First scrape into fine powder, then mix with other medicines. Gemstones are treated similarly.

Rhei Radix et Rhizoma (Dahuang): Ancient formulas also used wet-paper-wrapped baked versions or steamed ones. Modern usage often employs raw material; one should judge based on deficiency or excess whether to use raw or prepared forms.

Asparagi Radix (Tianmendong) and Ophiopogonis Radix (Xiaomendong), Paeonia suffruticosa bark (Mudanpi), Morinda officinalis root (Bajitian), Polygala root (Yuanzhi), and Lycium bark (Digupi): All require removal of the heart/core. Poria cocos (Fuling): Remove skin. Paeonia lactiflora (Shaoyao): Remove core. Use white shaoyao for tonification, red shaoyao for purging. Angelica sinensis (Danggui): Remove rhizome head, wash clean. For tonics, wash with water and dry under the sun; for decoctions or wine infusions, soak for ten nights. Notopterygium root (Qianghuo), Coptis rhizome (Huanglian), and Veratrum nigrum (Lilu): Remove roots and heads, wash clean.

Alumen (Fanshi): Must be boiled on new tiles or in copper vessels until bubbling; stop when juices are exhausted. Pyracantha fortuneana stem (Shinan): Remove tender leaves and large branches.

Cuscutae Semen (Tusizi): Soak in wine, expose to sun until dry, or bake. Alternatively, grind with paper strips into powder. Grinding with salt makes it easier to crush. However, usually soak in wine until soft, grind into paste, bake again, and grind. (Note: "Nian old eagle sound" seems to be a specific empirical note or textual error, translated literally).

Prunus armeniaca seed (Xingren) and Prunus persica kernel (Ruiren): Wet method to remove skin and tips. Bupleurum root (Chaihu), Ligusticum chuanxiong (Ben), and Peucedanum root (Qianhu): Remove sprouts, wash clean. Cinnamon twig (Guixin) and Citrus reticulata peel (Chenpi): Remove skin. Aurantium fruit (Zhiqiao): Remove pulp, stir-fry with bran. Various flowers: Remove calyx and stems, wash clean. Cyperi Rhizoma (Xiangfuzi): Stir-fry with bran, pound to remove hairs. Bombyx batryticatus (Baijiangcan): Select straight ones, remove silk mouth, fry. Saposhnikovia root (Fangfeng): Remove forked parts. Scorpio (Xiescorpion): Remove legs, wings, and poison sac, lightly fry. Schizonepeta spike (Jingjie), Angelica dahurica (Baizhi), Bletilla rhizome (Baiji), and Ampelopsis radix (Bailian): Do not expose to fire. Cicada slough (Chantui): Wash off soil, dry, lightly fry. Asarum root (Xixin): Remove leaves, wash clean.

Boswellia carterii resin (Ruxiang): Commonly ground with fingernails, Juncus effusus (Dengxincao), glutinous rice, etc., and soaked in water. Grinding in a mortar is laborious; instead, wrap in paper and place in wall crevices for a long time until brittle, then crush easily. Moschus (Shexiang): Grind with a little water until extremely fine naturally; no need for sieving.

Refining honey method: Weigh 10 liang of honey and 10 liang of water. Boil together to remove foam. Cook until water is just consumed. Take out the thin residue. Weigh to obtain 10 liang of pure honey. This ensures water loss while preserving honey without burning. Additionally, per jin of honey, only 12.5 liang or slightly less is the actual yield. Fire too weak or too strong renders it unusable.

For plasters using wax: Melt and stir to mix with medicines.

For plasters using animal fat: Refine first to remove grass impurities before use.

For plasters containing realgar (Xionghuang) or cinnabar (Zhusha): Grind separately until fine and sifted like flour. After extracting the plaster juice, add these powders to the plaster and stir rapidly with utensils to prevent hardening or uneven mixing.

For plasters containing mercury (Shuiyin): Grind within the coagulated plaster until dissolved. Baihua (lead carbonate) is treated similarly. If mercury spills on the ground and cannot be collected, use pheasant tail feathers to gather it. Sichuan pepper (Chuanjiao) is also effective.

When using honey in medicines: First weigh the powdered medicine. Then weigh refined honey equal to the weight of the medicine. Knead together. After kneading, pound hundreds of times in a stone mortar. Observe color and texture; harmony indicates success.

Powders for pills must be sifted through fine silk mesh. Powders for decoction pieces must be sifted through bamboo sieves to ensure clear and smooth medicinal liquids.