《急救仙方》Vol. 6

During the Huichang era of the Tang Dynasty, a wandering ascetic built a thatched hermitage in Zhong Village of Yichun. This man had an ancient, rustic appearance and looked to be 140 or 150 years old. He purchased several acres of land to cultivate millet for sustenance. An old villager named Peng often visited him, and the two became close friends, sometimes working the fields together.

One day, Old Peng's son fell from a tree while pruning branches, breaking his neck and injuring his arm. As the young man groaned in pain, Old Peng sought the Daoist's help. After examining the injuries, the Daoist personally prepared several medicinal ingredients for the youth. The pain subsided almost immediately, and within days he fully recovered. Only then did villagers realize the Daoist possessed medical knowledge, and soon many came seeking treatment. Finding the disturbances bothersome, the Daoist taught his recipes to Old Peng—but only after making him swear three oaths: never charge exorbitant fees, never sell medicines indiscriminately, and never transmit the knowledge to untrustworthy people. From then on, the Peng family became renowned for treating traumatic injuries.

When Old Peng first met the Daoist, he had been just over thirty; now aged, he noticed the Daoist remained unchanged. Asked his name, the recluse would only say "Daoist Lin"; questioned about his origins, he claimed to be from Chang'an. Initially refusing visitors, the Daoist made an exception for a certain Master Deng, who came each spring and autumn with his children bearing wine. A coconut-shell ladle hung on the hermitage wall—when Master Deng visited, they'd take it down to drink together. Old Peng occasionally joined them, and the trio would talk and laugh till sunset, drunkenly singing: "Worldly knowledge proves useless—better till fields merrily in mountains. Share wine from this gourd-ladle, who can rouse us from our thatched stupor? Amid pine shadows, a sudden crane-cry—we rise to find sunlight piercing the woods..." Though Old Peng never grasped the song's deeper meaning, he memorized the tune through repetition.

Later, Master Deng stopped coming. The Daoist said he'd attained immortality, leaving Old Peng perpetually puzzled. When Jiangxi's Surveillance Commissioner inspected Yuanzhou and heard Old Peng singing the strange song, he pressed for details. Learning the Daoist's surname, he sent Old Peng to summon him—only to find the hermitage empty save for that coconut ladle still hanging on the wall. Deeply regretful, the commissioner had Old Peng compile all the injury-treatment formulas for preservation.

The Ji Jiu Xian Fang (Emergency Immortal Formulas) records a comprehensive fourteen-step method for treating bone fractures and external injuries: First, cleanse the wound with decocted medicinal water; carefully examine the injured area; realign displaced bones through traction; apply forceful reduction when necessary to reposition bones; adjust bones to their proper alignment; apply Heilong San (Black Dragon Powder, a blood-activating and stasis-resolving formula) to unblock collaterals; fill the wound with Fengliu San (Wind-Flow Powder, a tissue-regenerating and wound-healing formula); immobilize with splints; administer internal decoctions; cleanse the wound again; reapply both medicinal powders; rebandage and immobilize; continue prescribed herbal treatment.

For cranial fractures, gently smooth bone fragments by hand. If the skin remains intact, apply Heilong San directly; if broken, pack the wound with Fengliu San, wrap with silk cloth, and strictly avoid wind and water exposure to prevent tetanus. Tetanic pathogens invading the brain cause incurable, excruciating headaches. For scalp wounds, trim surrounding hair before medicating. Crucially, fractures at the crown remain treatable, but temple injuries (vital anatomical regions) prove invariably fatal.

Shoulder dislocation requires chair-assisted reduction: secure the patient's armpit against a padded chair back, with one assistant stabilizing the torso while two others apply coordinated arm traction. Post-reduction, flex the wrist and immobilize with silk binding. For fractures of the "golden well bone" below the ribs, avoid rigid splinting—gently flatten the area, apply Heilong San, and wrap with silk; bilateral rib injuries follow the same protocol.

Hip dislocations from the buttock demand reduction by two or three practitioners fixing the leg while applying foot-counterpressure; dislocations through the groin resist manual reduction. Arm dislocations require directional traction—leftward displacement needs rightward pull, and vice versa. Paired limb bones (e.g., ulna-radius) may heal if one breaks, but concurrent fractures of both usually prove untreatable. Severe extremity fractures often defy recovery.

Critical to major trauma management is traction-aligned reduction, occasionally requiring open reduction before medicating and immobilization. Traction must follow the bone's natural orientation—a therapeutic principle universal to all fracture treatments.

This passage from Ji Jiu Xian Fang (Emergency Immortal Formulas) describes ancient Chinese medical methods for treating bone fractures and external injuries, offering highly practical techniques. Here's a modern interpretation:

When handling fractures, one must never recklessly remove broken bone fragments. First assess the dislocation—some cases require straight traction, while others need oblique realignment. By palpating the injury site, practitioners can determine whether the bone alignment is proper through tactile examination.

During reduction, carefully observe the fracture line and apply gentle pressure to guide bones back into position while ensuring the skin conforms naturally. Depending on injury complexity, one to three assistants may be needed for coordinated traction.

For open fractures with exposed bone, if reduction leaves minor gaps (1-2 fen), use sharp tools (engraving or scooping knives) to carefully trim wound edges—never cut living tissue. Allow necrotic flesh to slough off naturally for proper bone alignment. After reduction, apply Heilong San (Black Dragon Powder) around—but not directly on—the wound, using Fengliu San (Ethereal Flow Powder) to dress the opening itself.

The key for comminuted fractures lies in achieving flush realignment. Diagnostic criteria: if bone position appears depressed, it's uninjured; true injury shows lateral asymmetry. Post-reduction, secure with splints to maintain alignment.

Swelling indicates blood stasis—wash with heated herbal decoction before applying Heilong San. Severe injuries require medicinal washing prior to dressing, while minor cases permit direct application. Splint duration: 2-3 days in summer, 3-5 days in winter. Remove to wash off old medication with warm decoction (avoiding the wound), redress, and re-splint.

Use Fengliu San for open wounds and Heilong San for intact skin, both with fir wood splints. Cushion between skin and splints with soft cloth during fixation. For embedded bone fragments, apply only Heilong San externally until necrotic tissue sheds and fragments discharge naturally.

For compound fractures with severed tendons, first pack with Fengliu San, suture the skin, then surround with Heilong San. These methods prove particularly effective for severe trauma.

This passage describes practical ancient methods for treating fractures and external injuries. For splinting, several pieces of fir bark should be tightly wrapped around the injured area while leaving a small gap. The splint must be bound in three layers and secured firmly. For straight fractures on flat body parts with unbroken skin, apply medicinal paste directly before fixing with a tightly wrapped splint. However, flexible joints like ankles shouldn't be completely immobilized—apply Heilong San (a herbal powder) on cloth strips for bandaging while preserving mobility.

Finger fractures only require ramie fiber splints, whereas leg fractures need ramie cord bindings about as thick as sewing thread. When applying medicine, first mix Heilong San with water on wooden boards or oiled paper, spread evenly, then roll and apply to the wound. Soak fir bark until pliable, slice into finger-width strips, arrange them loosely around the injury, and bind with thin cords in three layers. Change dressings every three days after cleaning.

Joint bandaging must preserve mobility—areas like wrists, ankles, and fingers needing frequent movement should be wrapped with silk cloth containing medicinal paste, with regular flexion exercises to prevent stiffness. Immediately after injury when numbness masks pain, first realign bones manually, cutting skin if necessary. Pain typically emerges after 2-3 days. Bone corrections remain possible within a month, becoming difficult thereafter.

Key warnings: Avoid random herbal consumption as it hinders bone healing; abdominal bruises with blood stagnation require blood-dispersing formulas like Siwu Tang first; never administer injury medicine before relieving constipation (use Dacheng Tang with Mutong and Poxiao instead); severe injuries demand qi-regulating formulas like Yunqi San initially; unexplained full-body pain may indicate wind injury requiring Paifeng Tang. Drink injury medicines hot to activate blood circulation and bone regeneration, strictly avoiding raw/cold food, fish, and especially beef (which causes persistent pain).

When taking medicinal preparations, there is no need to be particular about the type of wine used—whether it be red wine, ash-free wine (an ancient purified liquor), or raw wine (unheated wine), all are suitable for aiding ingestion.

When preparing medicines, seasonal considerations are crucial: the third and fourth lunar months are ideal for refining medicines, though large batches should not be made at once. The fifth month, with its intense heat, is especially unsuitable for mass production. Pills are best prepared as needed to maintain freshness.

For storing pills and powders, airtight jars should be used, kept in cabinets, and gently dried over low heat if necessary. However, care must be taken—if the herbs are scorched by fire, they lose their efficacy and become unusable.

Among various medicinal preparations, the Small Red Pills and Great Blood-Activating Elixir are particularly valuable because they contain frankincense and myrrh (two prized resin-based medicines). Liquidambar can substitute for up to one-third of the frankincense. Dragon’s blood (a resin-based medicine) is rare; though its absence in the Great Blood-Activating Elixir is acceptable, its inclusion is preferable. Frankincense and myrrh are absolutely indispensable. If myrrh is unavailable, it may be replaced with a substitute called "foreign descending true" (a surrogate); similarly, dragon’s blood can also be substituted with this alternative.

Medicinal herbs vary by origin—for example, Chinese angelica (danggui) comes in both local and Sichuan varieties. Local herbs may be used for pill-making, but high-quality imported herbs are preferable for powders.

For severe external injuries, first cleanse the wound with a decoction of the following ingredients before applying medicine: fresh scallions (cut into sections, one whole stalk, or substitute with ginger), chopped schizonepeta, and local angelica root. Boil these into a warm wash for rinsing the injury.

Black Dragon Powder (for external application) treats injuries from falls, fractures, or dislocations: first cleanse the wound with scallion-infused water or medicinal decoction, realign any broken bones, then mix ginger juice or fresh rehmannia juice with water to form a thin paste. Spread the paste on silk or oiled paper according to the wound’s size and apply. Secure with bark strips as wide as a finger, wrapped in three layers with thin cord. Change the dressing every three days, repeating the cleansing process each time. The splint must remain undisturbed until the bone fully heals—only then should it be removed to ensure complete recovery. For wounds from blades, arrows, insect or animal bites causing ulceration, or swelling and pain from trauma, apply the paste mixed with ginger juice and water. If the wound is open, leave the lesion exposed and fill it with Wind-Dispersing Powder (an external remedy).

Black Dragon Powder formula: pangolin scales (6 liang, stir-fried until yellow or charred to preserve properties), clove bark (6 liang), loquat root (with hairs removed, 0.5 liang; alternatively, wild loquat root may be used), and local angelica root (2 liang).

This scripture records a traditional Chinese medicinal formula called "Great Blood-Activating Elixir" (Da Huoxue Dan) along with its application methods. Primarily used for treating traumatic injuries, bone fractures, tendon damage, blood stasis and swelling, as well as serious suppurative back infections (carbuncles), wind-stroke induced hemiplegia, and postpartum blood stasis in women.

The formula comprises multiple medicinal ingredients: plant soot (Bai Cao Shuang, collected from stove bottoms with hemostatic properties), processed Arisaema rhizome (Tian Nan Xing, soaked in ginger juice overnight then baked dry), red and white peony roots (Chi Bai Shao Yao), dried Psidium guajava leaves (Gu Sui Bu, a kidney-tonifying herb), black soybeans (Hei Dou, wine-boiled then baked), aged chestnuts (Lao Li Zi, peeled and baked), processed Sichuan aconite (Chuan Wu), naturally-occurring copper ore (Zi Ran Tong, calcined and vinegar-quenched), dragon's blood resin (Xue Jie), Asarum root (Xi Xin), Angelica dahurica (Bai Zhi), Momordica cochinchinensis seeds (Mu Bie Zi, shelled and stir-fried), Cyathula root (Chuan Niu Xi, wine-soaked then baked), myrrh (Mo Yao, substitutable with Dalbergia odorifera), frankincense (Ru Xiang, replaceable with triple-quantity Liquidambar resin), and mulberry wood charcoal (Qing Sang Mu, vinegar-quenched).

Preparation method: First grind the six primary ingredients (mulberry wood, chestnuts, black soybeans, Psidium leaves, Arisaema rhizome, and peony roots) into powder, then mix thoroughly with other powdered ingredients. Combine with glutinous rice paste cooked in rice vinegar, pounding the mixture a thousand times until properly amalgamated. For application, half a pill is ground in pure alcohol (ash-free wine), lightly boiled for three to five boils, then taken warm without strict timing restrictions.

Precautions: Contraindicated for pregnant women; administer after meals for upper-body injuries, before meals for lower-body injuries; severe cases may disregard timing. Store the medicine in gauze or kudzu bags hung in clean locations for long-term preservation and future use.

This passage describes the preparation methods and efficacy of two types of trauma-healing pills. First is the Small Red Pill: The medicine must be swiftly kneaded into pellets—delayed action will cause them to crumble. After preparation, air-dry them for half a month, then either sun-dry or lightly roast them for a day. Each large pill weighs six wen (an ancient unit of measurement), or three wen when wet. Once dried, dip your fingers in lacquer and roll two or three pills in it to create a protective coating. Take half a pill per dose. During preparation, avoid letting four people witness the process, and strictly keep away chickens, dogs, and women, as their presence will nullify the medicine’s potency.

The Small Red Pill specializes in treating severe injuries like broken bones, torn tendons, and lacerated flesh, alleviating relentless day-and-night pain. It also addresses chronic conditions such as misaligned joints, stiffness, hemiplegia, as well as overuse injuries causing shoulder/back pain and limb weakness. Long-term use strengthens tendons and bones, unblocks meridians, and replenishes Qi and blood. Take thirty pills per dose, swallowed with ginger-infused wine or saltwater, with no fixed schedule—though pregnant women must avoid it.

Ingredients include: six taels each of local angelica root, prepared Sichuan aconite, and baked white poplar bark; four taels of cinnamon (never exposed to fire); two taels each of baked zedoary and baked cloves; two taels of baked dried ginger; one tael of Sichuan lovage; four taels of baked asarum; three qian of myrrh (ground separately); three-and-a-half taels of prepared aconite (peeled); three qian of frankincense (ground separately without baking); six taels of baked peony root; six taels of baked psoralea (processed with ginger juice). Among these, angelica and three other herbs use locally sourced varieties. Grind the remaining eight ingredients finely, separately prepare frankincense and myrrh, mix with vinegar into a paste, shape into mung bean-sized pills, and coat with cinnabar. Take thirty pills per dose with warm wine, or ginger juice decoction/saltwater, timing unrestricted.

The Large Red Pill treats all traumatic injuries—fractures, torn tendons, internal/external wounds, blood stasis, swelling, and joint cold-pain—regardless of recency. Prolonged use repairs damage, fortifies bones/tendons, and enhances blood/strength with miraculous effects. Similarly, take thirty pills per dose.

This scripture records three medicinal formulas for treating traumatic injuries and their applications:

The first pill preparation method: Take arisaema rhizome (tiannanxing), peony root (shaoyao), native angelica (tudanggui), achyranthes root (niuxi), asarum herb (xixin), red bean (chixiaodou), fleeceflower root (heshouwu, also called chilian), aconite root (chuanwu), mulberry bark (qingsangpi), pyrite (zirantong), and drynaria rhizome (gusuibu). Process these herbs through specific methods (such as dry-roasting, wine-soaking, or vinegar-quenching). Grind the first seven ingredients with the others into powder, then make into wutong seed-sized pills using vinegar-cooked flour paste, coated with cinnabar. Take 30 pills per dose with warm wine or vinegar soup. Contraindicated for pregnant women. Depending on the injury location, take after meals or on an empty stomach. For severe injuries, may be taken anytime or alternated with Small Red Pills. This formula treats various traumatic injuries, bone fractures, tendon ruptures, joint pain, blood stasis swelling, and wind-damp obstruction pain.

The second Black Pill formula uses ampelopsis root (bailian), bletilla tuber (baiji), arisaema rhizome (nanxing), peony root (shaoyao), native angelica (tudanggui), drynaria rhizome (gusuibu), aconite root (chuanwu), achyranthes root (niuxi), plant soot (baicaoshuang), and red bean (chixiaodou), with some ingredients requiring locally sourced varieties. Grind the herbs into powder and form vinegar-paste pills the size of wutong seeds. Take 20-30 pills per dose with scallion-infused wine or tea. Contraindicated for pregnant women. Treats various traumatic injuries, fracture pain, blood stasis swelling, wind-damp obstruction pain, limb weakness, and is also effective for women's blood-wind exhaustion.

The third Angelica Powder (danggui san) treats skin and muscle damage, bone and tendon fractures, blood stasis swelling, and even suppuration. Though the exact formula isn't detailed, the name suggests angelica root as the primary herb for severe external injuries with swelling and pain.

This scripture records three herbal formulas for treating different conditions, all emergency remedies for external injuries and internal disorders.

The first formula, called "Frankincense Powder" (Ruxiang San), specifically treats various symptoms caused by traumatic injuries: broken skin and flesh, fractured bones and tendons, blood stasis and swelling, as well as festering wounds with pain. It also applies to chronic fatigue-induced pain in shoulders, back and limbs, and post-traumatic wind stroke symptoms like numbness in extremities or muscle contractions restricting movement. This formula excels at rejoining broken bones and reconnecting tendons, showing rapid effects. The dosage is two qian (about 6 grams) of powder taken with warm wine, without strict timing restrictions.

The second formula also bears the name "Frankincense Powder" but features a modified composition. It adds myrrh (Moyao) and fleeceflower root (Heshouwu) while omitting momordica seed (Mubiezi). Its indications resemble the previous formula, with special emphasis on activating blood circulation, relieving pain and restoring vitality. The administration method remains two qian doses taken with warm water.

The third formula, named "Turtle Shell Powder" (Biejia San), addresses broader conditions: overexertion (the five strains and seven injuries), seasonal colds and fevers (with chills, fever and joint pain), phlegmy coughs, fatigue from alcohol and sexual indulgence, as well as miasmal malaria in mountainous regions and digestive disorders (abdominal distension, vomiting and diarrhea) among various wind syndromes. Key ingredients include cinnamon (Rougui), Sichuan lovage root (Chuanxiong) and angelica dahurica (Baizhi), notably featuring turtle carapace (Biejia) processed through triple vinegar-frying—a traditional Chinese medicinal preparation method.

All formulas emphasize grinding herbs into extremely fine powder for easy ingestion and absorption. They incorporate multiple blood-activating, stasis-resolving and tendon-bone-repairing herbs like frankincense (Ruxiang), myrrh (Moyao), Chinese angelica (Danggui) and achyranthes root (Niuxi), while containing potentially toxic substances such as Sichuan aconite (Chuanwu) and wild aconite (Caowu) that require professional medical supervision.

This scripture records four ancient medicinal formulas for treating wind-cold disorders, fatigue-induced pain, and physical injuries.

The first formula requires the following ingredients: 4 liang each of aster root (washed and baked), ephedra (with nodes retained), notopterygium root (or angelica pubescens), Chinese angelica (tail removed), dried ginger, perilla leaf (unroasted), and tangerine peel; 7 liang each of lindera root, bupleurum root, and schisandra; 3.5 jin of atractylodes rhizome (baked) and platycodon root (baked); and half a Sichuan aconite (baked). Grind these into fine powder. For each dose, take 2 qian of the powder, decoct with one bowl of water, three slices of ginger, and one dark plum until 70% reduced. For cold-damage disorders, add scallion whites during decoction. For fatigue conditions, mix with heated wine and salt.

The second formula, Small Red Pills, contains: one aconite, plus 1 liang each of fleeceflower root, atractylodes rhizome, cnidium fruit, trogopterus dung, achyranthes root, red bean, fragrant resin, and Chinese angelica, with 2 qian of frankincense. Grind and cook with wine into paste, forming mung bean-sized pills. Take 30 pills per dose with warm wine.

The third formula, Small Black Pills, combines: 10 liang each of ampelopsis root, bletilla tuber, arisaema rhizome, and peony root; 5 liang of Chinese angelica; 3 liang of asarum root; 1 sheng of red beans; and 6 liang of plant soot. Grind and mix with vinegar paste to form firmiana seed-sized pills. Take 30 pills per dose with warm wine.

The fourth includes Wind-Searching Pills (for wind-damage back/head pain) and Wind-Expelling Pills (similar efficacy to Black Pills). Wind-Searching Pills contain: half a jin each of fleeceflower root, arisaema rhizome, drynaria rhizome, and Sichuan aconite; 5 liang (or 2 liang) each of achyranthes root and peony root; 3 liang of asarum root; 10 liang of Chinese angelica; and dictamnus root. Wind-Expelling Pills use: 5 liang of drynaria rhizome; 1 liang of chuanxiong rhizome; 2 liang each of aconite kusnezoffii, Sichuan angelica, achyranthes root, and momordica seed; 4 liang of fleeceflower root; and 4 liang of plant soot (or ink stick). Both are ground with vinegar paste into firmiana seed-sized pills. Take 30 pills with warm wine or salted broth, without strict timing.

These formulas employ traditional methods of grinding herbs into powders and forming pills. Warm wine is typically used to enhance medicinal dispersion. Note that toxic herbs like aconite appear in these formulas—modern usage requires strict medical supervision.

These records document several medicinal formulas commonly used in ancient Daoist medicine along with their administration methods:

The first is Black Tiger Elixir (Heihu Dan), used to treat numbness in limbs. The formula includes:

• 1 jin each of Sichuan aconite (Chuanwu) and momordica seed (Mubiezi)
• 10 liang of earthworm (Dilong)
• 0.5 sheng of black beans
• 2 liang of flying squirrel feces (Wulingzhi)
• 2 liang of pine soot ink (Songmo), stir-fried with vinegar

Preparation: Grind the first four ingredients into powder. Crush Wulingzhi with vinegar and mix with flour paste to form pills the size of longan fruits. Dosage: 1-2 pills per dose, taken with wine or peppermint tea, without time restrictions.

The second is Fleeceflower Root Pill (Heshouwu Wan), primarily for treating wind-damp injuries and relaxing tendons. The formula contains:

• 10 jin of fleeceflower root (Heshouwu) steamed with 0.5 sheng black beans
• 10 liang of stir-fried morning glory seed (Qianniuzi)
• 20 liang each of achyranthes root (Niuxi) and peppermint (Bohe)
• 2 liang of Sichuan aconite (Chuanwu)
• 5 liang of costus root (Qingmuxiang)
• 2 jin of honeylocust fruit (Zaojiao) (half charred, half honey-fried)

Grind into powder, mix with wine and flour paste to form firmiana seed-sized pills. Dosage: 30 pills per dose, taken with scallion or peppermint decoction.

The third is Qi-Balancing Powder (Yunqi San), used for serious injuries to regulate Qi and blood first. The formula includes:

• 0.5 liang each of fennel (Xiaohuixiang), green tangerine peel (Qingpi), magnolia bark (Houpo), angelica root (Baizhi), lindera root (Wuyao), and peeled apricot kernel (Xingren)
• 1 liang each of tangerine peel (Chenpi), malt (Maiya), peucedanum root (Qianhu), platycodon root (Jiegeng), atractylodes rhizome (Cangzhu), and licorice (Gancao)

Dosage: 2 qian of powder decocted with 1 cup water, 3 slices ginger and jujubes until reduced to 80%. Take on empty stomach.

The fourth is Four-Substance Decoction (Siwu Tang), specifically for blood stasis after severe injury. Equal parts of:

• White peony root (Baishao)
• Sichuan lovage root (Chuandanggui)
• Prepared rehmannia root (Shudihuang)
• Ligusticum rhizome (Chuanxiong)

Dosage: 3 qian decocted with 1.5 cups water until reduced to 70%. Take warm on empty stomach. A simplified version uses only lovage root (Danggui) and rhubarb (Dahuang).

The fifth is Seven-Qi Decoction (Qiqi Tang), containing:

• 5 liang of pinellia rhizome (Banxia)
• 1 liang each of ginseng (Renshen), cinnamon bark (Rougui), and honey-fried licorice (Zhigancao)

Dosage: 3 qian decocted with 1 cup water and 3 ginger slices until reduced to 70%. Take warm before meals.

Lastly, Five-Accumulation Powder (Wuji San) treats overexertion injuries and wind-cold headaches. Primary ingredients:

• 20 liang each of atractylodes rhizome (Cangzhu) and platycodon root (Jiegeng)
• Bitter orange (Zhike) and other herbs

Dosage: 2 qian decocted with ginger and scallion white. Take warm after meals.

This passage records several ancient medicinal formulas for treating external and internal injuries, along with their preparation methods.

The first is Dacheng Tang (also called Dachengqi Tang), used for treating severe external injuries causing urinary and fecal retention. The formula includes tangerine peel, ephedra, peony root, angelica dahurica, chuanxiong rhizome, Chinese angelica, licorice, cinnamon bark, poria cocos, pinellia ternata, magnolia bark, and dried ginger. The herbs should be stir-fried over low heat until their color changes. Take three qian (about 9 grams) per dose, decocted with three slices of ginger. Special note: contraindicated for pregnant women and children.

The second is a detailed variant of Dacheng Tang containing rhubarb, bitter orange, mirabilitum, licorice, tangerine peel, safflower, Chinese angelica, sappan wood, and akebia stem. It primarily treats severe male injuries causing persistent blood stasis, abdominal distension, and excretory obstruction. The text emphasizes that other injury medicines should only be taken after normal excretory functions resume, and that injury formulas must never be decocted with alcohol.

The third is Xiaochengqi Tang, with similar effects to Dacheng Tang but milder potency. Containing rhubarb, mirabilitum, immature bitter orange, and magnolia bark, it's suitable for women and children.

Finally, Paifeng Tang addresses wind-pathogen-induced injuries, comprising dictamnus root, white atractylodes, peony root, cinnamon bark, chuanxiong rhizome, bitter apricot kernel, Chinese angelica, saposhnikovia root, licorice, pubescent angelica root, ephedra, and white poria. Decoct with four ginger slices, ideally combined with Xuming Tang and Xiaofeng San.

These formulas meticulously document ingredient quantities, processing techniques, and administration methods, reflecting traditional Chinese medicine's sophisticated approach to trauma treatment. Particularly noteworthy are the detailed contraindications (e.g., pregnancy prohibitions) and treatment sequences (first restoring excretory functions before addressing injuries).

Here are several medicinal formulas for treating bone fractures and external injuries. First, the bone-setting prescription: Take the bone of an owl (also known as a fish hawk), char it to ash, then combine it with an ancient copper coin. Quench the mixture in vinegar seven times, then grind it into fine powder. After setting the bone, administer one qian (approx. 3.75g) of the powder mixed with wine—never exceed this dose. For lower body injuries, take it on an empty stomach; for upper body injuries, take it after meals. This formula proves remarkably effective.

A common bone-setting remedy uses processed monkshood (a toxic herb) scraped of its outer skin and ground into fine powder. Take half a qian per dose with warm wine. If no effect is observed, increase by two fen (0.2 qian) with wine as the medium.

Another formula combines two liang (approx. 75g) each of frankincense and myrrh (separately ground), plus one liang each of dragon's blood resin, native copper, pyrolusite (a mineral medicine), and momordica seeds boiled in vinegar, along with two liang of earthworms (lumbricus). Grind all ingredients into powder, then bind with honey to form longan-sized pills. Chew the pill before swallowing with heated wine, followed by raw scallion to counteract toxicity.

Zhizhen Powder (also called Life-Seizing Powder) specifically treats head trauma and tetanus, particularly when symptoms manifest as opisthotonos (rigid arching of the body). The formula combines equal parts of processed arisaema rhizome and siler root (with tops removed), ground fine. For tetanus, first apply powder to the wound, then take one qian orally with warm wine. If jaw lock occurs, mix two qian with boy's urine for ingestion. Even when the patient appears moribund, if warmth remains over the heart, administer two qian mixed with boy's urine in three consecutive doses.