Library

For splinting fixation, in spring, change every three days; in summer, every two days; in autumn, every three days; in winter, every four days. Soak the bound area with medicinal water to wash off the old medicine, without disturbing the injured site. After washing, apply the previous ointment and re-fixate. If fir tree wood is needed for splinting, soak it until soft and remove the rough bark; for bamboo strips, remove the yellow outer layer and use only the green inner part. Shave them into slices approximately the thickness of a finger. Use fir tree bark as the primary splint (main support) and bamboo strips as secondary splints (auxiliary support), arranging them evenly around the circumference. Bind tightly with small ropes three times. During binding, adjust the tightness according to height and distance to ensure continuity of Qi and blood at the injury site, ensuring both tightness and looseness where appropriate, as explained previously. Change the medication and dressing once every two or three days, continuing this fixation for one month. Thereafter, apply a nourishing ointment for healing injuries, still using fir bark splints to make the bone firm and mature before removing the splints entirely. The order is: fir bark against the skin, medicine applied on the fir bark, paper covering placed over the medicine, and bamboo strips clamping the paper covering externally.

For swelling caused by blood stasis, soak and wash with hot water, then apply dressings. If suitable herbs are unavailable at the moment, applying *Lishang Gao* (Trauma Healing Ointment) is most convenient. When applying splints, spread the medicine evenly on paper, keeping the ends thin so that overlapping areas are not too thick, avoiding obstruction of the skin's flatness, thus preventing uneven pressure. If the edges are uneven, gaps may form where the dressing does not touch the skin, leading to ulceration; remember this well.

For bone-setting pastes, if pain persists, add *Ruxiang* (Frankincense), *Moyao* (Myrrh), *Fengxiang* (Styrax), *Baizhi* (Angelica Dahurica), *Rougui* (Cinnamon Bark), *Nanxing* (Arisaema Cum Bile), and *Duhuo* (Angelica Pubescens) in appropriate amounts to the paste. This warms the flesh and stops pain. For knife or axe wounds, exclude *Rougui*, *Nanxing*, and *Duhuo*. When changing dressings, do not peel them off dryly; moisten with a wet towel to soften, remove piece by piece, clean immediately, and reapply. Do not leave the wound exposed for long, lest tissue decay occur. Prepare the new dressing beforehand and apply it promptly. This is a critical point for severe trauma; remember it well.

For severe injuries, numbness without pain may occur initially. Perform traction and reduction, or incise the skin if necessary. Pain will manifest after two or three days; first, regulate Qi and blood. For blunt force trauma (cane beating) causing swelling and pain without skin breakage, use a *Lingzhen* (tri-edged needle) to bleed. If the skin is broken, do not bleed; instead, crush and apply *Sadi Jinqian* (Lysimachia christinae), *Shan Bohe* (Wild Mint), *Sheng Dihuang* (Rehmannia Root), *Di Bohe* (Ground Mint), *Zhu Er Ye* (Pig Ear Leaf), and *Zelan Ye* (Eupatorium Leaf). For cane-induced ulcers, apply *Hei Gaoyao* (Black Plaster), *Bai Gaoyao* (White Plaster), *Hong Gaoyao* (Red Plaster), *Taiyi Gao* (Taiyi Ointment), or *Niuzhi Gao* (Beef Fat Ointment). For knife or axe wounds, select medicine based on severity: mild cases use *Bujie San* (Muscle-Replenishing Powder); severe cases use *Fengkou Yao* (Wound-Sealing Medicine) with tight binding. For very severe injuries, apply *Sanxue Gao* (Blood-Dispersing Ointment) externally.