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Confucius said, "Penetrating the subtle principles to reach a state of divine efficacy is for the purpose of practical application." In the way of medicine and pharmacology, if one does not master these subtle principles, it will be difficult to apply them in practice. To observe phenomena to seek their roots, and to understand subtle changes and adapt accordingly—only those who are the most refined in the world can achieve this? When Zhang Zhongjing appeared, all methods were complete. Although his books still exist, few people understand their profound meaning. Consequently, the key to treating diseases has become merely knowing how to treat according to symptoms, without understanding that observing symptoms follows specific laws. Their discussions on drug properties, formula efficacy, and verification of medicinal effects are mixed together, never distinguishing the inherent nature of the drugs. If one can reach such a state of divine efficacy in this manner, who would not become a good physician? Murai Taishō, from Higo Province, firmly believed in my late father, Mr. Dōtō. He cured chronic illnesses and revived the critically ill, spreading his fame across the four seas. Recently, he collected medicinal materials not included in *Yao Zheng* (Record of Medicinal Properties), examined ancient texts and current practices, carefully assessed their functions, and compiled *Yao Zheng Xu Bian* (Continued Record of Medicinal Properties). This demonstrates Taishō's profound mastery of this path. By reading this book and observing his discussions, one can know this.

Preface by Yasuyoshi Yū of Heian, Mid-winter of Bingchen Year of Kansei (1796).

Chishizhi (Red Halloysite) primarily treats diarrhea caused by water toxicity. Therefore, it also treats dysentery with pus and blood in the stool.

The syndrome for Taohua Tang (Peach Blossom Decoction) states: Diarrhea with pus and blood in the stool.
The syndrome for Chishizhi Yuyuliang Tang (Red Halloysite and Hematite Decoction) states: Unremitting diarrhea.
In the above two formulas, Chishizhi (Red Halloysite) is used in amounts of one jin each.
For Wutou Chishizhi Wan (Aconite Root and Red Halloysite Pill), the corresponding syndrome description is incomplete.
In the above single formula, Chishizhi (Red Halloysite) is used in an amount of one liang.
Based on these three formulas, it is clear that Chishizhi (Red Halloysite) treats unremitting diarrhea and dysentery with pus and blood caused by water toxicity.

When Chishizhi (Red Halloysite) is combined with Ganjiang (Dried Ginger), it treats abdominal pain and diarrhea. If there is no abdominal pain, it is not combined with Ganjiang (Dried Ginger).
For Wutou Chishizhi Wan (Aconite Root and Red Halloysite Pill), the syndrome description is incomplete. It only mentions treating patients with heart pain radiating to the back and back pain radiating to the heart. Although so, does this formula only treat pain radiating between the heart and back? Later generations erroneously recorded it in the "Heart Pain" disease chapter of *Jingui Yaolue* (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet). Thus, physicians of the world believe it is a formula solely for treating heart pain. According to analysis: This formula should originally have been in the Six Channels Disease chapters, under a specific syndrome entry, for treating heart pain radiating to the back and back pain radiating to the heart. Now, examining the preceding and following clauses and disease-syndrome methods, it seems to be for Jueyin Disease (Disease of the Jueyin Channel), Huijue (Roundworm Cold Syndrome), where heart pain radiates to the back and back pain radiates to the heart, accompanied by diarrhea and aversion to cold. It should be placed before and after Wu Mei Wan (Mume Pill), similar to Gancao Fenmi Tang (Licorice and Flour Honey Decoction) and Dajianzhong Tang (Greatly Build the Middle Decoction). *Waitai Miyao* (Secret Essentials of the Outer Palace), Volume 7, in the section on heart-back radiating pain, states: In Zhang Zhongjing's *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage), for heart pain radiating to the back and back pain radiating to the heart, Wutou Chishizhi Wan (Aconite Root and Red Halloysite Pill) is the primary treatment. The small note says: Originates from Volume 15. However, this is a formula from the *Shanghan Lun* Jueyin Disease chapter, and there must have been preceding and following syndrome descriptions. Why do I say this? Because Shujiao (Sichuan Pepper) treats Huijue (Roundworm Cold Syndrome); Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) treats diarrhea and abdominal pain; Wutou (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata) and Fuzi (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata) jointly treat limb coldness and reversal (Jue Ni); Chishizhi (Red Halloysite) only treats diarrhea. From this perspective, does this formula only treat pain radiating between the heart and back? I once suspected that Wumei (Fructus Mume) could treat roundworms. Therefore, if Huijue (Roundworm Cold Syndrome) causes heart pain radiating to the back and back pain radiating to the heart, this formula cannot lack Wumei (Fructus Mume). Then, is Wutou (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata) a miswriting for Wumei (Fructus Mume)? In all of Zhang Zhongjing's formulas, Wutou (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata) and Fuzi (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata) are never used together. This further confirms that Wutou (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata) is a miswriting for Wumei (Fructus Mume). Furthermore, according to *Waitai Miyao* (Secret Essentials of the Outer Palace), Volume 7, in the Chronic Heart Pain section, there is Fan Wang's formula for chronic heart pain, also named Wutou Chishizhi Wan (Aconite Root and Red Halloysite Pill). This formula contains Guixin (Cinnamon Twig Bark, i.e., Guizhi/Cinnamon Twig; Tang dynasty formulas referred to Guizhi as Guixin) but lacks Fuzi (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata); this is the difference. Some suspect that Fuzi (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata) is a miswriting for Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig). Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig) can treat upward rushing Qi leading to Jue Ni (Cold Reversal). Wutou (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata) and Fuzi (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata) originate from the same source and have identical functions; they are preserved side-by-side awaiting experts to test their efficacy.
The Taohua Tang (Peach Blossom Decoction) formula states: Chishizhi (Red Halloysite) one jin, half used whole, half sifted into powder; this divides one jin of Chishizhi (Red Halloysite) into two halves of half a jin each. Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) one liang, Jingmi (Oryza Sativa Germen, Rice) one sheng. Boil in seven sheng of water until the rice is cooked, remove the dregs, take seven ge. Then add half a jin of Chishizhi (Red Halloysite) powder, one fangcun bi per dose, taken warm, three times a day. Regarding the later instruction to add Chishizhi (Red Halloysite) powder, one fangcun bi, the reason is unknown; one should follow Zhang Zhongjing's method for administration. *Waitai Miyao* (Secret Essentials of the Outer Palace) cites Cui Shi's formula and Ruan Shi's Taohua Tang (Peach Blossom Decoction) dosage methods, which differ from this; this can be verified.