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I recently obtained a prescription for treating metal weapon injuries (trauma caused by sharp metal objects) that has great efficacy, promoting muscle growth within three days. The method is to preserve the medicinal properties of a yellow cattle gallbladder, grind it into a fine powder, and apply it externally. This is indeed a miraculous prescription.

A wealthy man had a son in his old age and doted on him greatly. After the child developed smallpox lesions, small sores appeared on his head. He sought medicine from a surgeon who applied medication to the sores. This caused unbearable itching on the head; the child scratched until bleeding occurred, then struck his head against a pillar, and died by evening. Alas! One did not know that the medicine contained arsenic trioxide (arsenic), which harms people upon contact with blood. Is this not something to fear?

The *Chu Shi Yi Shu* states: When men and women unite, their emotions flow smoothly. If the Yin blood arrives first and the Yang essence follows to surge, the blood opens to wrap the essence; the essence enters and forms bone, resulting in a male fetus. If the Yang essence enters first and the Yin blood subsequently participates, the essence opens to wrap the blood; the blood enters and resides at the root, resulting in a female fetus. Previously, Yu Shijian recorded in his casual conversation at a banquet that Guo Boying from Chengjiang tried this method and consecutively had six daughters. Guo Boying said dejectedly, "I have been misled by Chu Shi." According to Wang Mingqing's *Hui Chen Lu*, whenever a woman conceives, if intercourse occurs on the first, third, or fifth day after menstruation ends, specifically after midnight when vital energy arises, it primarily results in a male child. If intercourse occurs on the second, fourth, or sixth day after menstruation ends, it primarily results in a female child. Conception does not occur after the sixth day. This statement seems close to reason. However, regarding Chu Shi's claim that the sequence of Yin blood and Yang essence determines the sex, I do not believe it. Someone asked: Why do noble sons, surrounded by many concubines, often fail to produce heirs, while a fisherman with only one wife often produces many children? It is because abstaining from sexual desire leads to conception, whereas excessive desire leads to infertility. This is like seasoning a bowl of soup; if the salt amount is just right, it tastes good; if there is too little salt, it has no flavor. For scholars and officials wishing to conceive, the method should be to clear the mind and reduce sexual desire; this is the secret art of sowing seeds.

When a woman is pregnant, men should not engage in sexual intercourse with her. If this taboo is not observed, it may lead to miscarriage or difficult labor. Because when a woman engages in intercourse with a man, if sexual desire becomes intense and overwhelms rationality, there will inevitably be seminal emission, and the uterus may become constricted due to this stimulation, leading to miscarriage. I once heard that among animals such as cattle and horses, after conception, if the male approaches, the female kicks him away; this is called "protecting the fetus," which is why they do not suffer miscarriages. Humans, however, indulge in excessive desire without knowing to observe taboos, so such incidents often occur. According to the *Yan Shan Huo You Kou Yi*: After conception, it is highly inappropriate for parents not to abstain from sexual activity. Furthermore, engaging in intercourse before delivery can result in the child being born with a white membrane covering the head (a sign of congenital defect or open fontanelle), which is the beginning of premature death. This must be strictly avoided.