主治小便不利也，旁治渴也。
考 证
猪苓汤证曰∶渴欲饮水、小便不利。
以上一方滑石一两。
上此一方，斯可见滑石所主治也。滑石白鱼散证曰∶小便不利。蒲灰散证曰∶小便不利。
余未试二方，是以不取征焉。
互 考
余尝治淋家，痛不可忍而渴者，用滑石矾甘散，其痛立息。屡试屡效，不可不知也。
品 考
滑石和、汉共有焉，处处山谷多出之也。软滑而白者，入药有效。宗 曰∶滑石今之画
石，因其软滑，可写画也。时珍曰∶其质滑腻，故以名之。
主软坚也。故能治心下痞坚、心下石硬、小腹急结、结胸、燥屎大便硬。而旁治宿食腹
满、小腹肿痞之等诸般难解之毒也。
考 证
大陷胸汤证曰∶心下痛、按之石硬。
以上一方，芒硝一升，分量可疑。故从《千金方》大陷胸丸。作大黄八两、芒硝五两。
大陷胸丸证曰∶结胸，项亦强。
以上一方。芒硝半斤、分量亦可疑，故从《千金方》作五两。
调胃承气汤证曰∶腹胀满。又曰∶大便不通。又曰∶不吐不下心烦。
以上一方。芒硝半斤、分量亦可疑。今考《千金方》、《外台秘要》，此方无有焉。故姑
从桃核承气汤，以定芒硝分量。
柴胡加芒硝汤证，不审备也。（说在互考中）
以上一方，芒硝六两。
大承气汤证曰∶燥屎。又曰∶大便硬。又曰∶腹满。又曰∶宿食。
大黄牡丹汤证曰∶小腹肿痞。
木防己去石膏加茯苓芒硝汤证曰∶心下痞坚云云。复与不愈者。
以上三方，芒硝皆三合。
大黄硝石汤证曰∶腹满。
以上一方。硝石四两。
橘皮大黄朴硝汤证曰∶ 食之在心胸间不化、吐复不出。
桃核承气汤证曰∶少腹急结。
以上二方，朴硝、芒硝皆二两。
硝矾散证曰∶腹胀。
以上一方，硝石等分。
上历观此数方，芒硝主治坚块明矣，有软坚之功也。故旁治宿食腹满，少腹肿痞之等诸
般难解者也。
互 考
柴胡加芒硝汤，是小柴胡汤而加芒硝者也。而小柴胡汤主治胸胁苦满，不能治其块，所
以加
品 考
硝石 和、汉无别；朴硝、芒硝、硝石，本是一物，而各以形状名之也，其能无异，而
芒硝之功胜矣，故余家用之。
It primarily treats difficulty in urination and secondarily treats thirst.
Textual Research
The syndrome of Zhu Ling Tang (Polyporus Decoction) is described as: desire to drink water, yet difficulty in urination.
In the above-mentioned prescription, the dosage of Huashi (Talcum) is one liang.
From this single prescription, it can be seen what Huashi (Talcum) primarily treats. The syndrome of Huashi Baiyu San (Talcum, White Fish, and Licorice Powder) is described as: difficulty in urination. The syndrome of Puhui San (Acorus and Mume Ash Powder) is described as: difficulty in urination.
I have not tested these two prescriptions myself, so I do not adopt them as evidence.
Cross-Reference
I once treated a patient with Lin disease (dysuria), who suffered from unbearable pain and thirst. After administering Huashi Fangan San (Talcum, Alum, and Glycyrrhiza Powder), the pain ceased immediately. This has been repeatedly tried and proven effective; one must not overlook this.
Product Research
Huashi (Talcum) is available in both China and Japan, and is abundantly produced in valleys everywhere. Those that are soft, smooth, and white are effective for medicinal use. Zong said: Huashi (Talcum) is the painting stone of today; because it is soft and smooth, it can be used for drawing. Shizhen said: Its texture is slippery and greasy, hence its name.
It primarily treats the softening of hardness. Therefore, it can treat epigastric fullness and hardness, epigastric rigidity like a stone, lower abdominal urgency and binding, Jie Xiong (Chest Binding), and dry stool with hard defecation. It also secondarily treats various difficult-to-resolve toxic conditions such as abdominal fullness due to retained food, and swelling and fullness in the lower abdomen.
Textual Research
The syndrome of Da Xianxiong Tang (Major Downward Draining Chest Decoction) is described as: pain in the epigastrium, feeling hard like a stone upon pressure.
In the above-mentioned prescription, the dosage of Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas) is one sheng, which is questionable. Therefore, referring to Da Xianxiong Wan (Major Downward Draining Chest Pill) in Qianjin Fang, the dosage is adjusted to Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) eight liang and Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas) five liang.
The syndrome of Da Xianxiong Wan (Major Downward Draining Chest Pill) is described as: Jie Xiong (Chest Binding), with stiffness in the neck.
In the above-mentioned prescription, the dosage of Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas) is half a jin, which is also questionable. Therefore, referring to Qianjin Fang, it is adjusted to five liang.
The syndrome of Tiaowei Chengqi Tang (Regulating the Stomach and Harmonizing the Qi Decoction) is described as: abdominal fullness. It also states: constipation. It also states: vexation without vomiting or purging.
In the above-mentioned prescription, the dosage of Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas) is half a jin, which is also questionable. Upon examining Qianjin Fang and Waitai Miyao, this prescription is absent. Therefore, tentatively referring to Taohe Chengqi Tang (Peach Kernel and Aurantium Decoction), the dosage of Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas) is determined.
The syndrome of Chaihu Jia Mangxiao Tang (Bupleurum Decoction with Added Natrii Sulfas) is not thoroughly examined. (See Cross-Reference).
In the above-mentioned prescription, the dosage of Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas) is six liang.
The syndrome of Dachengqi Tang (Major Order the Qi Decoction) is described as: dry stool. It also states: hard defecation. It also states: abdominal fullness. It also states: retained food.
The syndrome of Dahuang Mudan Tang (Rhubarb and Moutan Decoction) is described as: swelling and fullness in the lower abdomen.
The syndrome of Mugufang Qu Shigao Jia Fuling Mangxiao Tang (Mugufang Removing Gypsum and Adding Alisma and Natrii Sulfas Decoction) is described as: epigastric fullness and hardness, etc. For those who did not recover after repeated administration.
In the above three prescriptions, the dosage of Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas) is three he.
The syndrome of Dahuang Xiaoshi Tang (Rhubarb and Saltpeter Decoction) is described as: abdominal fullness.
In the above-mentioned prescription, the dosage of Xiaoshi (Saltpeter) is four liang.
The syndrome of JuPi Dahuang Pu Xiao Tang (Citrus Peel, Rhubarb, and Glauber Salt Decoction) is described as: food stuck in the chest and heart region unable to digest, vomiting but unable to expel.
The syndrome of Taohe Chengqi Tang (Peach Kernel and Aurantium Decoction) is described as: urgency and binding in the lower abdomen.
In the above two prescriptions, the dosages of Puxiao (Glauber Salt) and Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas) are both two liang.
The syndrome of Xiao Fan San (Saltpeter and Alum Powder) is described as: abdominal fullness.
In the above-mentioned prescription, Xiaoshi (Saltpeter) is used in equal parts.
Having reviewed these prescriptions, it is clear that Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas) primarily treats hard masses, possessing the efficacy of softening hardness. Therefore, it secondarily treats various difficult-to-resolve conditions such as abdominal fullness due to retained food and swelling and fullness in the lower abdomen.
Cross-Reference
Chaihu Jia Mangxiao Tang (Bupleurum Decoction with Added Natrii Sulfas) is Xiao Chaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) with added Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas). Since Xiao Chaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) primarily treats bitter fullness in the chest and hypochondrium and cannot treat masses, Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas) is added.
Product Research
Xiaoshi (Saltpeter) is identical in China and Japan. Puxiao (Glauber Salt), Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas), and Xiaoshi (Saltpeter) are originally the same substance, named differently according to their shapes. Their efficacy is no different, but the efficacy of Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas) is superior, so my family uses it.