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When a male is born, his head faces downward; when a female is born, her head faces upward. The same applies to their floating state in water after death. Males have internal Yang and external Yin, while females are the reverse. Thus, the *Book of Changes* (I Ching) states: "Kun (Earth) is extremely soft, yet its movement is firm." The *Book of Documents* (Shangshu) states: "Those who are deep and hidden can overcome with firmness." The enlightened ones of ancient times likely understood this principle. Yi He, a physician from Qin, said: "Heaven has six Qi (vital energies); when excessive, they cause six types of diseases. Excessive Yang causes heat diseases; excessive Yin causes cold diseases; excessive Wind causes diseases of the extremities; excessive Rain/Dampness causes abdominal diseases; excess during dark hours (nighttime sexual activity) causes confusion/dizziness diseases; excess during bright hours (daytime sexual activity) causes heart diseases." Females, being associated with Yin but engaging in intercourse at dark hours (night), thus develop internal heat and蛊 (gu, a type of parasitic or mysterious disease/confusion) disorders. While it is widely known that females can cause 蛊 disorders, the fact that females, as Yin entities, can cause internal heat, has rarely been mentioned even by skilled physicians. All five labors and seven injuries generate heat. If the Liver is steamed and subjected to darkness, one will either suffer from 蛊 or wind-stroke, all generated by heat. I once highlighted and listed Yi He's words; here I record them while reading the *Zuo Zhuan*.

[Note: The text segment starting with "Ear" seems disjointed or refers to a specific herb preparation method possibly lost or misaligned in source, translated literally based on context]. Wash the roots, stems, leaves, and fruits thoroughly to remove sand and soil. Hang them in a shady place to dry. Sweep the ground clean and burn them into ash. Pour boiling water over the ash to extract a concentrated liquid. Refine this liquid using two connected stoves without stopping the fire for a day and night. As the ash liquid evaporates, replenish it with boiling ash liquid from an adjacent pot. Gradually, a frost-like substance will form. Store it in a dry porcelain bottle. Take one qianbi (a small spoonful measure) mixed with wine every morning and evening before sleep. It tonifies warmth, expels wind, and preserves youthfulness, benefits beyond description. It is especially effective for skin wind disorders, making the skin smooth and clean. Use a small amount like bath soap when washing face or bathing. There are no taboos. Congjian, father of Changtu, a literary official of Yizhou living in Yongzhou, took this medicine for over ten years. Now in his seventies or eighties, he is ruddy, light, and vigorous, largely due to the power of this medicine.

Du Fu's poetry includes a piece on [Missing Character] Grass; today in Shu region, it is called Maoyan. Its awns are formidable; touching it feels like being stung by bees or scorpions. However, to treat wind-pain, select the earliest sprouts. Applying this grass to the affected area eliminates pain throughout the body. Leaves with purple undersides are used for medicine.

I have an acquaintance who can treat horse back abscesses (ju). A wealthy old man bought a horse worth over one hundred thousand coins. Due to this illness, he acquired it for forty thousand. Later, he hosted a banquet and sought treatment. Before three rounds of wine were finished, the abscess resolved, causing laughter among the guests. The prescription uses only boiled pork broth, warmed and used for bathing the horse. The back straightens immediately upon contact. After some time, rinse with a little cold water. This substance also makes horse tails soft and fine. For treating alopecia (scald baldness), frequent washing yields excellent results within a month. It is extremely miraculous; keep it secret.

When a horse's lung is damaged and pus flows from the nose, physicians cannot treat it. It is said that lung medicines are generally cool/cold in nature and should be taken after meals. When the lung hurts, the horse fears the medicinal properties and refuses to eat herbs. If it does not eat but drinks cool medicine, it accelerates death; hence, it is considered untreatable. An old soldier taught me to cook radish root (Lufu) with glutinous rice to make porridge, adding a little Ejiao (donkey-hide gelatin) for the horse to eat. After eating, administer conventional lung medicine with Heqileli (Pericarpium Terminaliae Chebulae). The astringent nature of Hezi (Terminalia chebula) retains the cool medicine in the upper lungs, leading to recovery. Following his advice proved true.