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Place Sichuan peppercorns in a urinal, and have the patient sit on top of it. After a long time, the pathogenic factor is expelled, and the mercury has already mixed with the peppercorns. This is because Yin Tang (Silver Decoction) can move mercury without causing stagnation, while Chuanjiao (Sichuan Peppercorn) can attract and gather mercury. Alas!
People say that Kejiuzhi's technique is excellent, but it is a pity that it is not widely transmitted. *Youyang Zazu* states: "Peppercorns can attract mercury," which is confirmed here. (From *Yishuo Xubian*. Can be cross-referenced with the case of treating Mr. Liu.)

Miu Zhongchun said: Zhuang Lianzhi was usually robust and had a good appetite. In the fourth month of the Ding Si year, he suddenly suffered from diarrhea. Whenever medicinal porridge or vegetables entered his throat, he felt as if pierced by needles, and spiciness upon swallowing. Consequently, his abdomen twisted with spicy pain, followed by a sensation of Qi rising first from the left, then from the right, filling his abdomen with miasma, prompting an urgent need to defecate. He passed watery stools with a snapping sound, and his anus felt as if burning with fire. One episode would finish only for another to follow, lasting beyond normal hours before he could leave the toilet. Upon careful observation, what was excreted was clear water filling the vessel, with white fat floating on top. All ingested food was excreted undigested; even during sleep, he lost control of bowel movements. Various physicians attributed this to food stagnation, summerheat, or cold invasion, administering a mix of herbs, yet it was like pouring water on stone—ineffective. After about a month, his muscles wasted away completely, leaving him helpless and awaiting death. At the end of midsummer, I happened to pass through Jintan. Palpating his pulse, which was surging and rapid, I determined it was a disease caused by Fire-Heat. I prescribed a formula using Chuanlianzi (Toosendan Fruit) 3 qian, Baishao (White Peony Root) 5 qian, Juhong (Aged Tangerina Peel) 2 qian, Cheqiancao (Plantago Seed), Bian Dou (Hyacinth Bean), Fuling (Poria), and Shihu (Dendrobium Stem) each 3 qian, and Zhigancao (Prepared Licorice Root) 1 qian. I instructed him to cool the decoction in well water, add one cup of Tongbian (Child's Urine), and then take it. Before leaving, I advised him not to show this prescription to others, fearing contemporary doctors would laugh uncontrollably. If considering his life, he must believe in and take it firmly. He rejected other doctors' advice and strictly took the medicine. Upon entering his throat, it felt like drinking mint juice, subtly penetrating the Heart and Spleen, making his abdomen feel like a cool world. After just one dose, he slept peacefully until dawn, and the profuse diarrhea stopped immediately. After three consecutive doses, his stool became solid. Previously, during diarrhea, warm food intake triggered Qi rising and the urge to defecate, so he preferred cold foods. Now, however, he felt nausea and aversion to cold, finding relief with warmth. I said: "This is a sign that the Fire is retreating." To the previous formula, I added Renshen (Ginseng Root) 2.5 qian, Lianrou (Lotus Seed Flesh) 40 pieces, Hongmian (Red Flour) 1.5 qian, Huangqi (Astragalus Root) 3 qian, Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizome) 0.5 qian, and halved the amount of Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome). After five to six doses, Shengma was removed. After more than thirty doses, the chronic diarrhea ceased, but his Spleen Qi became sluggish, losing awareness of hunger and fullness. Even slight consumption of tea or soup caused blooming, feeling as if bursting. I said: "This is due to the loss of Yin fluids after severe diarrhea. The treatment should involve tonification. If aromatic-drying herbs are used for temporary relief, Yuanqi (Primal Qi) will be damaged, inevitably leading to Guzhang (Drum Distension/Bloating), which would be incurable." I then prescribed a pill formula using Renshen (Ginseng Root) 5 liang, Baishao (White Peony Root) 6 liang, Zhigancao (Prepared Licorice Root) 1 liang, Wuweizi (Schisandra Berry) 6 liang, Huangqi (Astragalus Root) 5 liang, Yurou (Cornus Fruit) 5 liang, Shanyao (Dioscorea Rhizome) 5 liang, Shudi (Prepared Rehmannia Root) 8 liang, Niuxi (Achyranthes Root) 6 liang, and Ziheche (Placenta Hominis) 2 units, made into pills with honey. Taken once when empty-stomached or hungry, alongside the daily decoction (sometimes omitting Huanglian). It took nearly three years for him to regain appetite and gradually regain flesh. When his illness first subsided, I advised him to abstain from sexual activity. Later, upon visiting his wife's family, he uncovered hidden conspiracies among the servants, revealing that the sudden diarrhea was caused by Badou (Croton Seed) toxicity. Materia Medica records that Coptis Rhizome and cold water resolve Badou toxicity. My use of a large dose of cold Huanglian was precisely the counter-treatment. Contemporary doctors, even if believing it was Heat, used only 7-8 fen or up to 1 qian of Huanglian and Huangqin (Scutellaria Root), let alone daring to use 3 qian for a month-long diarrhea. This is why I warned him not to show the prescription. (From *Guang Biji*. The description of symptoms after consuming Badou is vivid. For anyone who has taken this drug, asking about these symptoms reveals Badou toxicity. Huanglian is the key herb for resolving Badou toxicity because its Cold nature counters Badou's Heat. Xiong Annotates: The initial formula was most effective. The view that aromatic-drying herbs are contraindicated after excessive downward discharge due to Yin injury is also insightful. However, the loss of hunger/fullness sensation stems from Stomach Yin injury, as fluids were damaged by Badou and further depleted by profuse diarrhea. The pill formula was too cloying and sticky, delaying recovery for three years, relying finally on bitter-descending herbs to conclude the treatment.)

When I treated Lianzhi, after the diarrhea stopped, fearing his Yuanqi (Primal Qi) had sunk, I urgently needed to lift it, using Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizome) to raise it. Initially, I did not know it was poisoning. However, using Shengma too early caused turbid Qi to mix in the Upper Jiao (Upper Burner). His chest often felt vaguely spicy and vaguely嘈杂 (clamorous/irritated), bewildering and distressing. Sometimes, a drop of wine or any acrid-warm food caused unbearable suffering. Zhuang Yisheng knew the cause and said: "The disease is in the Upper Jiao. Decoctions enter the mouth and flow down immediately, likely ineffective. You should use Qin Hua Wan (Holding-and-Melting Pill)." The formula used Beimu (Fritillaria Bulb) 5 qian, Kushen (Sophora Root) 1 liang, Zhen Longnao (Realborne Camphor) and Boheye (Mint Leaf) 2 qian, Chenxiang (Aquilaria Wood) 4 qian, and Renshen (Ginseng Root) 5 qian, ground into fine powder and formed into pills the size of bullet seeds with honey. One pill was held and melted in the mouth after lunch and before bed. After just four pills, he felt as if something in his chest was pushed down, and the three-year suffering vanished overnight. (Ibid.)