Library

The prescription is found within the "Treating Various Poisons" section, under the formula for abdominal distension caused by eating dog or horse meat.

Treat according to the various formulas for parasitic diseases.

(1) Clear Water Edema: Swelling begins first from the left and right ribs; the root lies in the Liver, with *Radix Euphorbiae Pekinensis* (Daji, 大戟) as the Sovereign herb. (2) Red Water Edema: Swelling begins first from the root of the tongue; the root lies in the Heart. (3) Yellow Water Edema: Swelling begins first from the abdomen; the root lies in the Spleen. (4) White Water Edema: Swelling begins first from the four limbs; the root lies in the Lung. (5) Black Water (Stone Water): Swelling begins from the Kidney, with *Radix Phytolaccae* (Shanglu, 商陆) and *Cortex Mori* (Sangbaipi, 桑白皮) as the Sovereign herbs. (10) Qi Water: Regarding the root of this disease, besides doubling the dose of the Sovereign herb, one should also swallow three pills, at any time, three times daily. [Text missing here regarding specific ingredients, likely referring to *Rhizoma Chuanxiong* (Chuanxiong, 川芎) and *Flos Platycodonis* (Jiegeng, 桔梗) in equal parts, ground into powder...]

Another formula: Use Seven-Star Fish (also known as Chai Fish) with green onion and winter melon peel, boiled and eaten; it will subside immediately.

Another formula: Use a male green-headed chicken, boil in water to make soup for drinking, or cook into porridge for drinking. Cover thickly with blankets and sleep to induce sweating (this method is suitable only for edema affecting the upper body); recovery will follow.

Take one living toad, place seven seeds of *Semen Crotonis* (Badou, 巴豆) inside its mouth wrapped in paper, hang it in a ventilated place without direct sunlight to dry in the shade. Cut open, remove the paper, divide the head and feet into five portions, and equally divide the liver and intestines into five portions. Store in a porcelain jar, ensuring no air escapes. When needed, take out, bake until dry, grind into powder, and take with wine. Start eating from the head; the disease will recede from the head. Start from the front two feet; the disease will recede from the hands. Start from the back two feet; the disease will recede from the legs. It is not necessary to separate them if preferred. Mild cases resolve in one or two days; severe cases resolve completely in five days. Avoid eating toads for life. This is the first divine secret recipe for treating edema; treasure it. Avoid salt and soy sauce for 120 days. Various types of drum-like distension can also be treated.

Another formula: Take one live carp (weighing 7-8 taels, scales removed, belly cut open and cleaned), insert 5 fen of good Green Vitriol (*Lapis Chalcanthitis* / Lvfan, 绿矾), 3 qian of Song Luo Tea, 8 cloves of garlic for men, or 7 cloves of garlic for women. Place all together inside the fish belly, steam in a porcelain vessel until cooked. Have the patient eat the fish, consuming the tea and garlic along with it is even better. Start eating from the head; the disease will recede from the head. Start eating from the tail; the disease will recede from the feet. The efficacy is unparalleled.

Another case/formula: An eleven-year-old boy suffered from generalized edema of the hands, feet, arms, legs, fingers, face, and whole body. After several days, he gradually felt heavy, experienced asthma (wheezing/shortness of breath), and insomnia. Use one Huangpi Citron (*Citrus reticulata* 'Huangpi'), boil together with 2 jin of sweet fermented rice wine until nearly dry. Remove the inner core of the citron, and have the patient consume the citron flesh along with the wine. Complete recovery was achieved after two doses. This is an empirical formula from Linwu Mountain Man.