典藏书目

Medicine and drugs are closely related to human life, and thus require even greater reverence and caution than other matters. Yet nowadays, people pursue novelty and eccentricity, treating it as a child's play! The originators merely wished to astonish the ears and eyes of the ignorant; subsequently, others imitated them, regarding it as a shortcut to medical practice. Patients, in turn, believe that this is where the distinction of famous or extraordinary physicians lies, completely disregarding the profound thoughts and ingenious methods of the ancients. How can such malpractices ever cease? I shall briefly list several examples below.

Renzhonghuang (Human Midsection Yellow): For heat-toxin in the intestines and stomach, Ba Wan San (Eight Pillows Powder) was occasionally used. Now, when added to decoctions, it is akin to pouring fecal juice into a person and disrupting their Stomach Qi.

Renzhongbai (Human Tooth Deposit): When purified by sublimation and ground into powder for external use, it is acceptable. However, if taken orally in decoction, it is like pouring urine into a person.

Lurong (Cervus Nippon Antler) and Mirong (Elk Antler): These are typically used in pill forms. In external diseases or smallpox, they are occasionally included in decoctions. Ancient formulas used them to treat chronic dysentery due to Blood-Cold. Nowadays, people use them to treat epidemic dysentery caused by heat-toxin, leading to intestinal rot and death.

Heche (Placenta Hominis) and Qidai (Umbilical Cord): Occasionally used in kidney-tonifying pills. Now, when added to decoctions, they are foul and repulsive. Moreover, since multiple cords are required, shops often substitute them with sheep intestine or turtle intestine.

Bengshui (Clam Water): Extremely cold and damaging to the Stomach. Predecessors used one or two spoonfuls to treat Yangming heat-toxin. Nowadays, people administer half to a full bowl to children, resulting in eight or nine deaths out of ten.

Diqiu (Pheretima): Using one or two earthworms, washed with wine, for smallpox is already unorthodox. Now, thirty or forty are used. Being highly toxic and extremely cold, most who take them die.

Wugong (Scolopendra), Qicao (Silkworm Chrysalis), Xiezi (Scorpion), and Hufeng (Vespa Orientalis): All are extremely toxic substances. Most users die; those who survive do so only by luck.

Shijueming (Concha Arcae): In ophthalmology, it is polished with salt water and used as a powder. Now, it is added to all kinds of decoctions. What is the rationale?

Bailuoke (Concha Rapae): This is used to absorb dampness in external applications. Why is it now included in decoctions? What is its purpose?

Jizihuang (Ovi Albumen): This is a guiding herb for Shaoyin insomnia. It is rarely used today unless there is a specific indication.

Yanke (Swallow Nest), Haishen (Holothuria), Dancai (Mytilus Edulis), Lujin (Cervus Tendon), Choujin (likely referring to a tendon or connective tissue, contextually grouped with food items), Yudu (Fish Maw), and Wei (Deer Tail): These are all food items, not medicinal herbs. They must be cleaned and soaked thoroughly, then cooked with ginger, pepper, scallion, and wine before consumption. Now, when decocted together with Shudi (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata), Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix), Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata), and Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus), they become foul-smelling and induce vomiting.

Cu Chao Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma processed with vinegar), Cu Zhe Shi (Haematitum processed with vinegar), and Ma You Chao Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma fried with sesame oil): All can damage the Lung, causing hoarseness and death.

Ju Bai (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium album), Ju Nei Jin (Internal membrane of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), He Ye Bian (Marginal part of Nelumbinis Folium), Pipa He (Seed of Eriobotryae Fructus), Zha He (Seed of Crataegi Fructus), and Biandou Ke (Hull of Dolichoris Lablabis Semen): These are all discarded in classical formularies. Nowadays, they are specifically selected to display eccentricity.

Furthermore, some herbs that should be stir-fried are used raw, and those that should be sliced are used whole. Such cases are too numerous to enumerate.

Among the above-mentioned items, those with mild properties may cause no major harm but still result in minor damage. As for the uncommon, fishy, and toxic substances, patients cannot process them properly, leading to foul and inferior quality. If one were to ask the prescriber to taste these preparations themselves, they would surely stick out their tongues, knit their brows, vomit, and experience hiccups. After entering the abdomen, they would cause distension, pain, and mental confusion, making death desirable yet elusive. Only then would they deeply regret subjecting patients to such suffering, wishing they had tasted it earlier to avoid inflicting such torment upon others. Consider that people seek treatment merely to preserve their lives! If one arbitrarily experiments with untested prescriptions and continues to use them without observing whether the patient survives or dies, there will never be a day of repentance. Alas! The dead are gone. Who knows the wailing and grief of their parents, wives, and children, which is unbearable to witness? Reflecting on this, anyone who does not study books and examine antiquity to seek safe and sound methods is devoid of human compassion. The above criticisms refer to current malpractices. If future generations correct this trend, they will hardly believe such medical practices exist and may consider my words exaggerated. Yet, not a single word here is false. Some suspect that I exclusively advocate cold and purgative methods. They do not realize that this warning is directed at the misuse of warm and tonifying methods, not that warm and tonifying methods are universally inadvisable. May physicians in the world be sincere, reverent, and cautious, avoiding illegal or irregular prescriptions. May patients seeking treatment be discerning and perceptive, refusing to take bizarre medicines. Thus, both parties will benefit.