中书侍郎薛曜论曰，夫金石之性，坚刚而急烈，又性清净而恶滓秽，凡服乳石讫，即须
以意消息，寻检旧法，不可无备忌也，但人性或冷或热，或宽或急，皆须量性将卫，不可轻
有犯触，凡乳石一服之后，常在肠胃，若人气力衰，石气强即发动，若人气力盛，石气安即
强健，谨按古法，皆令五十以上，始服乳石，殊谓不然，今验所见，年少服者得力速。兼无
病患，何以言者，年少筋力满盛，饮食饱饫，弥益精明壮健，终无发理，年岁迟暮，气候衰
竭，食饮失宜，此石气胜人，无不发动，历观得失，莫过于此，夫人年少纵不吃饮食。血气
自强
如
或可以生姜刮碎和少茱萸饮之，令遍体热熏熏，又作热羹粥 之，使肠胃通利，即石气流行
，其初服石一二百日，尤宜作此将息，是古法服石不取夏月。只取冬月所以然者，石有发动
，与服时皆背，此又殊乖通论，今验服石，饮食失时，劳役过度，立即发动，岂待背时今
历见将卫得宜，并不发动，复见名医平章服石之人，常作热将息。傥发调适乃易耳，脱若石
气发动，暂须宣泄，服少冷药，便得转泻，若得通畅，热气并除，若常作冷将息，脱若石气
发动，用冷药无由得转，此一曲之说，今古存之，但欲广闻见尔。其将息皆须自量本性冷热
为候，务取安稳。不可拘执古论，舍己从人，庶通幽君子以此为意也，按本草石钟乳味甘温
无毒，主咳逆上气，明目益精，安五脏，通百节，利九窍，下乳汁，益气补虚损，疗脚弱疼
冷，下焦伤竭，强阴，久服延年益寿，好颜色不老，令人有子，不炼食之，令人淋，一名公
乳，一名芦石，一名夏石，生少室山谷及太山，采无时，蛇床子为之使，恶牡丹玄石牡蒙，
畏紫石蓑草，少室犹连嵩山也，今第一出始兴，而江陵及东境名山石洞，亦皆有之，唯通中
轻薄如鹅翎管，碎之如爪甲，中无雁齿。光明者为善，长挺乃有一二尺者，黄色，以苦酒洗
刷则白，仙经用之少俗法所重，亦甚贵之。谨按钟乳，第一始兴，其次广连澧朗柳等州者，
虽浓而光润可爱，饵之并佳，今硖州清溪房州三涧出者。恶（本草作亚）于始兴，自余非其
土
地，不可轻服，多发淋渴，只可捣筛，白练裹之，合诸草药，酒浸服之耳，陶云钟乳一二尺
者，谬说也。
中书侍郎薛曜论述道：金石药性的特点是坚硬刚烈且作用急迫，同时性质清净而厌恶污秽。凡是服用乳石之后，必须用心斟酌调养，遵循查找旧有的法则，不可不预备禁忌事项。但人的体质有的偏寒、有的偏热，有的性格宽缓、有的急躁，都必须根据体质进行养护，不可轻易触犯禁忌。
凡是乳石服下之后，常停留在肠胃之中。如果人气力衰弱，石气强盛就会引发疾病；如果人气力强盛，石气安定则身体强健。谨按古法，都规定五十岁以上的人才开始服用乳石，这实在是不对的。如今验证所见，年轻人服用见效更快。兼之没有病患，为何这样说呢？因为年轻人筋力充满旺盛，饮食充足，更加益于精明壮健，最终没有发病的道理；年岁衰老时，气候精力衰竭，饮食失宜，这时石气胜过人体，无不引发疾病。纵观得失，莫过于此。
人年少时即使不吃（某些忌口食物），血气自然强盛。或者可以用生姜刮碎，和少许茱萸一起饮用，使全身热气熏蒸；又做热羹粥食用，使肠胃通畅便利，这样石气就能流行。在初服石的一二百天内，尤其适宜这样做来调养。这是古法服用石药不选夏季，只选冬季的原因。之所以如此，是因为石药有发动之时，与服药时间相背。这又特别违背通论。如今验证服用石药，若饮食失时、劳役过度，立即就会发动，岂必等到季节相背之时？如今历见调养得宜的，并不发动；又见名医平章所服的石药之人，常作热性调养。倘若发作，调适就容易了。倘若石气发动，暂时需要宣泄，服用少量冷药，便能转泻；若得通畅，热气一并消除。若常作冷性调养，倘若石气发动，用冷药无法使其转泻。这是一隅之说，古今保留它，只是为了广博见闻罢了。其调养都必须自行衡量本性的冷热为候，务必取安稳。不可拘执古论，舍己从人，希望通达幽微的君子以此在意。
按《本草》，石钟乳味甘、温、无毒，主治咳逆上气，明目益精，安五脏，通百节，利九窍，下乳汁，益气补虚损，疗脚弱疼冷，下焦伤竭，强阴，久服延年益寿，好颜色不老，令人有子。不炼食之，令人淋。一名公乳，一名芦石，一名夏石。生于少室山谷及太山，采无定时。蛇床子为之使，恶牡丹、玄石、牡蒙，畏紫石蓑草。少室犹连嵩山也。今第一出产于始兴，而江陵及东境名山石洞，也都有。唯有通中轻薄如鹅翎管，碎之如爪甲，中无雁齿，光明者为善。长挺乃有一二尺者，黄色，以苦酒洗刷则白。仙经用之，少俗法所重，亦甚贵之。
谨按钟乳，第一产于始兴，其次广、连、澧、朗、柳等州者，虽浓而光润可爱，饵之并佳。今硖州清溪、房州三涧出者，恶（《本草》作亚）于始兴。自余非其土地，不可轻服，多发淋渴。只可捣筛，白练裹之，合诸草药，酒浸服之耳。陶云钟乳一二尺者，谬说也。
Mr. Xue Yao, Vice Director of the Secretariat, discussed: The nature of mineral and stone drugs is hard, rigid, urgent, and fierce; their nature is pure and clean but abhors impurity. After taking Ru Shi (Milky Stone), one must carefully adjust and regulate according to one's condition, consult old methods, and cannot neglect precautions. However, human constitutions vary—some are cold, some hot; some are relaxed, some impatient. One must nurture and protect according to one's constitution and not lightly violate taboos.
Once Ru Shi enters the body, it often remains in the intestines and stomach. If a person's vital energy is weak and the stone's qi is strong, disease will be triggered; if a person's vital energy is strong and the stone's qi is stable, health will be enhanced. According to ancient methods, it was stipulated that only those over fifty should take Ru Shi, which is indeed incorrect. Current observations show that younger people derive benefits faster. Why is this? Young people have abundant sinews and strength, sufficient diet, which further promotes mental clarity and robust health, making illness unlikely. In old age, when climate and vitality decline and diet becomes improper, the stone's qi overwhelms the body, inevitably triggering symptoms. Observing gains and losses, nothing surpasses this principle.
Even if young people do not strictly observe dietary restrictions, their blood and qi remain naturally strong. One may crush fresh ginger and drink it with a little Zuyu (Cornus officinalis) to induce a warming sensation throughout the body, or consume hot soups and porridges to promote intestinal and gastric smoothness, allowing the stone's qi to circulate freely. During the first one to two hundred days of initial intake, such care is especially appropriate. This explains why ancient methods for taking stone drugs avoided summer and preferred winter. The reasoning was that the stone's activation might conflict with the season of intake. This contradicts general principles. Current verification shows that improper diet and excessive labor trigger activation immediately, without waiting for seasonal conflicts. Those who manage their regimen well do not experience activation. Furthermore, patients treated by renowned physicians like Pingzhang, who took stone drugs, often used warm regimens. If activation occurs, adjustment is easier. If the stone's qi activates, temporary release is needed; taking a small amount of cold medicine induces diarrhea, clearing heat and achieving smoothness. However, if one maintains a cold regimen and activation occurs, cold medicine cannot facilitate release. This is a partial view preserved from ancient and modern times merely to broaden knowledge. Regimen adjustments must be based on self-assessment of one's inherent constitution (cold or hot), aiming for stability. One should not rigidly adhere to ancient theories or follow others at the expense of oneself. It is hoped that wise gentlemen pay attention to this.
According to the *Bencao* (Materia Medica), Shizhongru (Stalactite/Gypsum Concretion) is sweet, warm, and non-toxic. It treats cough and rebellious qi, brightens the eyes and benefits essence, calms the five zang organs, unblocks all joints, opens the nine orifices, promotes lactation, tonifies qi and supplements deficiency, treats weak and cold painful legs, lower jiao exhaustion, strengthens yin, and prolongs life and youthfulness with long-term use, improving complexion and aiding fertility. Unrefined consumption causes strangury. It is also known as Gongru, Lushi, and Xiashi. It grows in the valleys of Mount Shaoshi and Mount Tai, with no specific harvesting time. Shechuangzi (Cnidii Fructus) serves as its guide drug. It is incompatible with Mudan (Paeoniae Radix Rubra), Xuanshi (Lapis Haematitum), and Mumeng (Gastrodiae Rhizoma). It fears Zhisuicao (likely referring to a specific herb associated with purple stones). Mount Shaoshi is connected to Mount Song. Currently, the best quality comes from Shixing, while Jiangling and famous mountains/caves in the eastern regions also produce it. The best quality is thin and light like a goose feather quill, breaks like a fingernail, lacks "goose teeth" structures inside, and is luminous. Some stalks are one to two chi long, yellow in color, turning white when washed with vinegar (Ku Jiu). It is valued in immortal texts and highly prized in common practice.
Specifically regarding Shizhongru, the best originates from Shixing. Those from Guang, Lian, Li, Lang, Liu, and other prefectures are thick, lustrous, and lovely, and are also good for ingestion. Those from Qingxi in Xia Prefecture and Sanjian in Fang Prefecture are inferior (the *Bencao* records this as "ya") to those from Shixing. Those from other non-native lands should not be taken lightly, as they easily cause strangury and thirst. They can only be ground into powder, wrapped in white silk, combined with various herbal medicines, soaked in wine, and ingested. Tao Hongjing's claim that Shizhongru stalks are one to two chi long is erroneous.