Library

Treats carbuncles and sores that have just begun to ulcerate. Sheng Huangqi (Astragali Radix) 2 qian, Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Zhi Bai Zhu (Prepared Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Chao Bai Shao (Stir-fried Paeoniae Radix Alba), Yin Hua (Lonicerae Japonicae Flos), Lian Qiao (Forsythiae Fructus), Fu Ling (Poria), Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Bei Mu (Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus) each 1 qian, Bai Zhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), Jie Geng (Platycodonis Radix) each 1.5 qian, Gui Xin (Cinnamomi Ramulus), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) each 5 fen.

Treats brain carbuncle and various other toxic eruptions and malignant sores; for those where pus has already formed, taking this formula facilitates ulceration. Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Sheng Huangqi (Astragali Radix), Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Chuan Xiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Fang Feng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Yin Hua (Lonicerae Japonicae Flos), Hua Fen (Trichosanthis Radix), Bai Zhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), Jie Geng (Platycodonis Radix) each 1 qian, Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Gui Xin (Cinnamomi Ramulus) each 5 fen. If pain is severe, add Ru Xiang (Olibanum) and Mo Yao (Myrrha).

Treats fever and aversion to cold after ulceration, or fatigue and emaciation, sallow complexion, shortness of breath, lack of taste in food, and all weak pulse and symptom patterns. Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Mi Huang Qi (Honey-processed Astragali Radix), Jiao Bai Zhu (Charred Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Fu Ling (Poria), Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Zhi Rou (Corni Fructus), Chao Wu Wei Zi (Stir-fried Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus) each 1 qian, Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmanniae Radix) each 1.5 qian, Gui Xin (Cinnamomi Ramulus) 8 fen, with Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) and Zao (Jujubae Fructus) as guides.

Treats brain carbuncle and various other toxic eruptions that have ulcerated and discharged pus; when necrotic tissue has been completely expelled, spleen and stomach are weak, muscle growth is slow, or qi and blood have been deficient for a long time, wound flesh is pale white, unable to heal and contract over time. For any large sore after ulceration, it is advisable to take this formula to promote muscle growth and moisturize the skin. Renshen (Ginseng Radix) 1 liang, Jiao Bai Zhu (Charred Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmanniae Radix), Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) each 5 qian, Tian Dong (Asparagi Radix), Gou Qi Zi (Lycii Fructus), Yuan Zhi Rou (Polygalae Radix Flesh), Bai Zi Ren (Biota Semen) (de-oiled) each 3 qian. Finely chop together, place in a silk bag, tie the mouth tightly with thread, and soak in 5 jin of wine in a porcelain jar.

Among the thirteen specialties, throat and dental departments have specialized disciplines. Is it not true that the epiglottis serves as the hub connecting the eleven meridians? Swallowing food and drink, digestion and respiration, play an extremely important role, which cannot be handled by mere broad-hipped individuals. However, practitioners specializing in these fields often demand exorbitant fees for treating a single condition; administering a measure of medicine yields profits worth countless coins. When patients suffer from throat obstruction, unable to swallow food, crying out in agony that they cannot endure even for a moment, hearing of someone who can cure them, they eagerly wish to avoid suffering, pouring out their granaries and emptying their coffers, offering everything without hesitation, solely hoping to see some effect. They delay treatment to prolong the duration, only feeling satisfied when their wealth is exhausted like filling a valley. Alas! Treating human ailments as a source of profit is the mindset of shamans and craftsmen. I privately feel pity; thinking of ways to encourage them, yet finding no suitable formula. Someone presented Zhang's and Wu's "Secret Collection of Throat Diseases," which includes illustrations, detailed symptoms, and original prescriptions, clear and unquestionable. Even those unfamiliar with medical practice could achieve results by using the medicines described. There are three conveniences: carrying books on boats or carts, if illness strikes suddenly, consulting the book according to symptoms allows one to distinguish severity and danger, avoiding rigid fear and anxiety (Convenience 1); writing down instructions, sending servants to markets to purchase herbs, ensuring immediate availability without the hardship of lacking major medicines (Convenience 2); secrets from the "Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold" are transmitted via copies; water from Shangchi is sought widely among physicians. The balance of softness and hardness, the convergence of five zang and six fu organs. This book worries that its theories might be undervalued. A sword worth a thousand gold is known by more than one person; excellent formulas should not command exorbitant prices (Convenience 3). Summarizing these three points, we urgently publish this book to encourage those who hoard secret recipes like treasuring a broom. Although the proverb says: "If the lungs and bowels could speak, the physician's face would turn pale"; with this book circulating, perhaps those who treat this profession as a secret treasure hidden in grain-saving formulas will sigh about having nowhere to hide.
Written by Zhang Shaotang (You Tang Pu) of Hefei in mid-autumn of the Guiwei year of Guangxu, at Zui Qiu Jian.