Library

In the past, there was a person who loved eating pig and sheep brains for a year. This led to weakness in his hands and feet, inability to walk, and eventually paralysis. According to the *Book of Rites: Neize* (Record of Internal Regulations), "When consuming pork, remove the brain; when consuming fish, remove the 'yi' (likely referring to swim bladder or specific viscera); when consuming soft-shelled turtle, remove the 'chou' (specific internal organs)." Zheng Xuan annotated that these are all detrimental to human health. The *Zuo Zhuan* (Commentary of Zuo) records: Duke Jing of Jin dreamed that the King of Chu lay upon him and bit his brain. The dream interpreter said this was auspicious, stating, "I shall soon make him soft." Du Yu annotated that brains can be used to soften objects. Nowadays, people always use pig brains when cooking leather, hoping to make it soft. Thus, we know that the statements in *Neize* and *Zuo Zhuan* are indeed not false. (From *Xi Shang Fu Tan*)

Zhang Zhongjing stated in the *Jin Gui Yao Lue* (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet): "Green onions and honey must not be consumed together, as doing so causes heart pain." During the Zhengde reign, a man surnamed Wang from Jiaxing returned from a long journey and sent fish to his relatives by marriage. On an occasion where they raised cups and ate, all the diners died. Some suggested it was due to fish toxicity. I speculate, how could fish and honey kill people? In the preparation of the fish, green onions must have been present. It is likely that the combination of green onions and honey is fatal. The ancients said, "Do not store fish in a honey jar; consuming them leads to death." Could this be deceiving us?

When taking wind-dispelling medicines, one must avoid eating taro. Not only is it ineffective, but it is also contrary to the treatment principle. Yang Chengzhai once mentioned this. I have seen people die standing up because of this violation. (From *Li Diao Hang Ji Tan*)

Although there are many prescriptions for treating cloudy white urine (Bai Zhuo), few are effective because the treatment fails to address the root cause. Urine belongs to the category of water; it is clear when still and turbid when agitated. Current physicians, fearing agitation, necessarily nourish the Heart to seek stillness; those seeking stillness necessarily calm the Kidney. They fail to understand the constant principle of the Five Elements: Water without Earth cannot be controlled or stored. Its root lies in the Spleen and Stomach, while its branch manifestation lies in the Bladder. The Spleen and Stomach belong to Earth. If the Spleen and Stomach are agitated, movement inevitably occurs, leading to turbidity. Currently, the factors agitating the Spleen and Stomach are invariably injuries caused by cold, raw, fatty, sweet, or greasy foods. Methods to regulate the Spleen and Stomach invariably involve first removing stagnation and then regulating hunger and fullness. This is certainly correct. However, for children and monks/nuns, treatments differ, and one cannot adhere exclusively to this theory. Agitating their physical movements essentially agitates their Shen (Spirit). The Five Zang Organs each house seven Shens; only the Spleen governs Yi (Intent) and Zhi (Intellect). Unfulfilled matters agitate Yi, and matters concerning planning agitate Zhi. If both Yi and Zhi are injured, and the source of water is agitated, if the source is unclear, the stream will inevitably be unclear. Therefore, the Classics state: "When fluid enters the Stomach, its essence floats and overflows, transporting upwards to the Spleen; the Spleen scatters the essence, sending it upwards to the Lung; [the Lung] regulates the water passages, transmitting downwards to the Bladder; after transformation, it becomes urine." From this, we know that for cloudy white urine, the root lies in the Spleen and Stomach, and the branch manifestation lies in the Bladder. If the turbidity sinks and smells foul, it indicates deterioration of Essence; if floating fat appears, it indicates Kidney Deficiency. The treatment method should be to tonify the Kidney. Once, a patient with cloudy white urine did not recover after taking Xuantan Wan, but recovered after taking Fuzi Liwei Wan. Physicians must be aware of this.