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The *Qianjin Fang* (Thousand Gold Formulas) records: The Yellow Emperor said, "If moxibustion is not three *fen* in thickness, it is a futile injustice." Therefore, the moxa cone must be large; if the patient is weak, it may be made smaller. It is also stated that for infants older than seven days, if treated correctly, they can be cured; this implies that moxa cones should be as large as possible, except for the head and limbs, where they should be small. The *Mingtang Shangjing* (Upper Classic of the Mingtang) states, however, that the size of the moxa cone should correspond to the head of a small chopstick. If the disease pulse is fine and thread-like, as long as the moxa is applied directly on the vessel, even a cone the size of a sparrow's egg can cure the disease. There is another category, such as abdominal hernia (*shan*), masses (*jia*), accumulations (*pi*), and Fu-Liang Qi, which require large moxa cones. Thus, the *Duanju* (Short Treatise) states that the abdomen and back can be burned deeply (scorched), while the limbs only need to dispel wind pathogens and should not undergo excessive heat. For example, at the Juque (CV14) and Jiutui (CV15) acupoints, moxibustion should not exceed 28 cones (four times seven), sized according to the head of a bamboo chopstick, applied directly on the vessel. If the moxa cones are too large and the number of applications is excessive, the person will permanently lack heart and strength. Excessive moxibustion on the head causes loss of spirit; excessive moxibustion on the back and feet causes exhaustion of blood vessels, resulting in thin and weak limbs. Losing one's spirit and adding to these deficits shortens life. Wang Jiezhai said, "Moxa cones on the face must be small, but those on the hands and feet can be coarser."

The *Xiajing* (Lower Classic) records: Since ancient times, in treating diseases with moxibustion, one must avoid the fire from eight types of wood: pine, cypress, zanthoxylum, citrus, elm, jujube, mulberry, and bamboo. One must strictly avoid them. If there is a fire lens (fire pearl) to focus sunlight and ignite the mugwort, that is ideal. In emergencies when these are unavailable, it is better not to use wood fire at all. One can light a lamp with pure hemp oil and burn the stem of the mugwort on the flame for point moxibustion; this also moistens the moxa sore, ensuring it heals without pain. Using candles is even better. The *Liangfang* (Good Prescriptions) records: When obtaining fire, it is appropriate to strike flint to create sparks, or to use a crystal mirror to catch solar fire under the sun, which is excellent. On cloudy days, locust wood (*huai mu*) is used to obtain fire. Nowadays, boatmen use a dull iron knife to strike stones, placing paper ash pills underneath to catch the spark, which also yields fire.

According to the *Rites of Zhou* (Zhou Li), Chapter Xia Guan (Summer Officials): "Those in charge of fire administration issue orders to change national fires according to the four seasons to save people from seasonal illnesses." Zou Yan said: "In spring, take fire from elm and willow; in summer, take fire from jujube and apricot..." Only these five fires are taken. From the Qin and Han dynasties onward, medical practitioners no longer understood this meaning.