文蛤汤证曰∶渴欲得水，而贪饮者。文蛤散证曰∶意欲饮水。反不渴者。又曰∶渴欲饮
水不止者。据此二方证，则文蛤者，不问渴不渴，能治意欲饮水者。
《唐本草》注曰∶文蛤大者圆三寸，小者圆五六分，非海蛤之类也。 按∶圆字疑围字
之误矣。蜀木《图经》云∶背上斑文者，三月中旬采。陈藏器曰∶文蛤，未烂时，壳犹有
文者。 又按∶蛤蜊之小而有紫斑者是也
矾石，白而莹净明亮者为上品。一种自然生者，如柳絮，名柳絮矾，为最上品。我藩阿
苏山垂玉温泉，多产此物。
茯苓戎盐汤。
上一方。
戎盐，即青盐，说详于诸家本草可考。
李时珍本草附方引此方，曰∶小便不通，戎盐汤，用戎盐弹丸大一枚，茯苓半斤，白术
二两，水煎服之。仲景《金匮》方云云。按∶《金匮要略》作小便不利。夫不利与不通，其
证不同，不利者，虽少少利之亦不快利之谓也。不通者，决不通利之谓也。即小便闭是也。
故仲景于此方，谓之不利，而不谓之不通也。今考其病证，有所不同者，又戎盐汤上脱茯苓
二字，唯分两不异而已。至谓水煎服之，则略其煮法，何其疏漏乎？又云∶仲景《金匮》方，
夫时珍之取仲景之方，往往如此。或云张仲景《金匮要略》，或云《金匮玉函方》，引其书各，
亦不一定，录其煮法，不多略之。至如略引其书，则无害于治，今录其煮法服度，则恒医苟
取其法以施之病患，岂惟不无益其病而大害于其治矣。时珍之作本草也，其疏漏亦往往如此。
况至于品目，其庶物亦自有阙略失其真者，天下医人，何其心醉彼人矣乎？
Wen Ge Tang (Clam Shell Decoction), Wen Ge San (Clam Shell Powder).
For the above two formulas, Wen Ge (Venerupis philippinarum) is used in the amount of five he.
The syndrome indication for Wen Ge Tang is: thirst desiring water intake, and drinking greedily. The syndrome indication for Wen Ge San is: a desire to drink water, but actually not feeling thirsty. It also states: thirst desiring water intake that does not cease. Based on these two formula indications, Wen Ge can treat the symptom of desiring to drink water, regardless of whether the patient feels thirsty or not.
Tang Bencao (Tang Materia Medica) notes: Wen Ge, the large ones have a diameter of three cun, the small ones have a diameter of five or six fen; it is not of the same category as Hai Ge (sea clams). Upon examination: the character "yuan" (round) is suspected to be a typo for "wei" (circumference). Shu Mu's Tu Jing (Illustrated Canon) states: those with spotted patterns on the back are harvested in mid-March. Chen Cangqi states: Wen Ge, when not yet decayed, the shell still retains its patterns. Furthermore: it refers to the small clams with purple spots.
Xiong Huang Xun Fang (Realgar Fumigation Formula), Gan Chong Shi Chi Fang (Childhood Malnutrition Insect Eroding Teeth Formula).
For the above two formulas.
Generally speaking, for Xiong Huang (Realgar), the best grade is that which is crystal clear and resembles the color of a rooster's comb, as verifiable in various materia medica texts.
Fan Shi Wan (Alum Stone Pill), Xiao Shi Fan Shi San (Niter Alum Stone Powder), Fan Shi Tang (Alum Stone Decoction).
For the above three formulas.
Fan Shi (Alumen), the best grade is white, crystal clear, clean, and bright. There is a naturally occurring type, resembling willow catkins, named Liu Xu Fan (Willow Catkin Alum), which is the highest grade. My domain's Asu Mountain Chuiyu Hot Spring produces much of this substance.
Fu Ling Rong Yan Tang (Poria and Potash Salt Decoction).
For the above single formula.
Rong Yan (Potash Salt), also known as Qing Yan (Blue/Green Salt), detailed explanations can be found and verified in various materia medica texts.
Li Shizhen's Bencao (Compendium of Materia Medica) appended formula cites this formula, stating: For urinary obstruction, use Rong Yan Tang, taking one piece of Rong Yan the size of a bean, Fu Ling (Poria) half jin, Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome) two liang, decocted in water and taken orally. This is said to be from Zhang Zhongjing's Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essential Prescriptions from the Golden Cabinet). Upon examination: Jin Gui Yao Lue originally writes "urinary difficulty." The distinction between "difficulty" (bu li) and "obstruction" (bu tong) lies in the symptoms: "difficulty" means even if a small amount passes, it is not smooth or relieving; "obstruction" means completely unable to pass urine, i.e., urinary retention. Therefore, Zhang Zhongjing refers to this condition as "difficulty" here, not "obstruction." Now, examining the disease manifestation, there are differences, and furthermore, the character "Fu Ling" is missing from the Rong Yan Tang formula, while the dosages remain unchanged. Regarding the instruction "decoct in water," the boiling method is omitted, which is quite negligent. It also states: Zhang Zhongjing's Jin Gui formula. Li Shizhen's selection of Zhang Zhongjing's formulas is often like this. Sometimes citing Zhang Zhongjing's Jin Gui Yao Lue, sometimes Jin Gui Yu Han Fang (Golden Cabinet Jade Box Formulas), the cited book titles are inconsistent, and the recording of boiling methods is often abbreviated. While abbreviating the source text may not harm treatment, recording the boiling method and dosage now—if quack doctors adopt this method to treat patients—would not only fail to benefit the illness but could cause significant harm to the treatment. Li Shizhen's compilation of the Materia Medica is often so negligent. Moreover, regarding the categories of substances, there are omissions and inaccuracies among the miscellaneous items. Why are physicians of the world so intoxicated by him?