《急救仙方》Vol. 9

This passage describes a secret formula for treating hemorrhoids, divided into preventive and therapeutic steps.

First is the protective Water-Clarifying Ointment recipe: Take one liang each of turmeric root and bletilla tuber (some versions add coptis root), ground into fine powder. When internal hemorrhoids prolapse during bowel movements, first wash the affected area with warm water while the patient lies sideways on a bed. Mix the powder with fresh honey water into a paste, then use a fine comb to gently apply it around the healthy skin of the anus, leaving only the hemorrhoid exposed. Cover with thin paper moistened by a brush dipped in water to prevent ointment spread. Re-moisten when dry before applying the treatment.

The therapeutic formula contains: four liang of alum, two and a half qian of raw arsenic (arsenic trioxide), and one qian of cinnabar, all finely powdered. The preparation requires precision: place arsenic in a Jianzhan teacup, cover with alum powder, then calcine over fire until smoke ceases—this volatilizes the arsenic while retaining its medicinal properties in the alum. Regrind the processed alum, take an amount proportionate to the hemorrhoid size, mix with minimal cinnabar and saliva, then apply evenly with a comb three times daily. Effectiveness is indicated when the hemorrhoid turns charred black. Nighttime discharge of yellow fluid is normal; reapply medication after it ceases around midnight. Continue thrice-daily application the next day—mild pain is expected. When changing dressings, keep a bowl of clean or warm water nearby to gently wash off old medication with a brush before reapplying.

Critical warning: Raw arsenic is highly toxic—extreme caution must be taken to avoid contact with healthy tissue. Note that these historical methods carry risks by modern medical standards and should not be attempted. This translation is presented solely for academic documentation.

This passage documents several traditional Chinese medicinal formulas and their application methods for treating hemorrhoids, which I will explain one by one:

First is the Protective Medicinal Formula, primarily using arsenic (a highly toxic substance) combined with cinnabar. Before application, wash the affected area with Schizonepeta Decoction. After 2-3 days when yellowish discharge ceases, adjust the formula ratio—increase cinnabar and reduce alum to make the medication milder. Application thickness should be adjusted according to color changes of the hemorrhoids.

Schizonepeta Decoction preparation: Chop Schizonepeta tenuifolia and decoct with three bowls of water. This decoction can be reused 3-5 times—after each washing, pour it back into the bottle and keep warm over gentle heat.

Intestine-Moistening Pill consists of three equal parts: rhubarb (wrapped in damp paper and baked before chopping), Citrus aurantium with pulp removed, and honey-processed Angelica sinensis, ground into powder and formed into honey pills. Take 20-30 pills per dose, adjusting according to constitution. This formula prepares the bowels after using corrosive medications to prevent dry, difficult stools.

Dragon-Stone Powder combines equal parts calcined dragon's bone (toxin-removed), Angelica dahurica, minium, and calcined gypsum (toxin-removed), ground fine. Used for wound astringency after hemorrhoid sloughing. Keep powdered dragon's blood resin ready for immediate hemostasis.

Redness-Guiding Powder uses two liang of raw Rehmannia glutinosa and three liang of Scutellaria baicalensis (chopped). Decoct three qian per dose. If reddish, painful urination occurs, add talcum, licorice, and rush pith to the decoction.

Double-Gold Powder mixes equal parts Coptis chinensis and Curcuma aromatica powder, applied with honey water. For weak constitutions experiencing pain after corrosive medications, this formula relieves discomfort. Alternatively, pure borneol powder can be applied externally.

Internal Tonifying Powder regulates qi-blood, expels pus, and promotes tissue regeneration during late-stage recovery. Composed of two liang each of ginseng, Astragalus membranaceus, and Angelica sinensis, it aids wound healing by harmonizing qi-blood for natural recovery.

This records ancient prescriptions and treatments for hemorrhoids, primarily comprising several therapeutic approaches:

First are internal herbal formulas. Using equal parts of ten medicinal ingredients including platycodon root (桔梗), ligusticum root (川芎), magnolia bark (厚朴), cinnamon bark (肉桂), saposhnikovia root (防风), angelica root (白芷), and licorice root (甘草), all ground into fine powder. The powder can be taken with aucklandia root decoction or warm wine, administered two to three times daily. Special mention is made of "Gulao Decoction" (国老汤) - a licorice root decoction frequently used for fumigation and washing of hemorrhoids. Licorice itself is a key medicinal for treating hemorrhoids and can also counteract arsenic poisoning. When the wound itches abnormally during healing, this decoction should be particularly used for pouring and washing, with temperature adjustable as needed.

Next are external applications. For stubborn, non-detaching hemorrhoidal masses, a mixture of plant soot (百草霜), dried ginger powder (白姜末), and aconite root (川乌头) can be ground into powder, diluted with well water, and applied to the hemorrhoids using a brush tip. The hemorrhoidal mass will detach shortly afterward.

The text also describes a heat-compress pain relief method: After using hemorrhoid-withering medicine, if sharp needle-like pain occurs during urination or defecation - even radiating to the kidney region - clothing can be heated over fire and used to compress the painful area three to five times for immediate relief.

Additionally, it explains the use of "Water-Clarifying Ointment" (水澄膏). This prevents toxic fluids from the hemorrhoid base from contaminating healthy flesh and causing sores. After applying the ointment, the area should be protected with oiled paper wrapping, though the paper need not adhere directly.

Finally, it records a "Hemorrhoid-Summoning" formula and mnemonic verses describing twenty-four types of hemorrhoids. The summoning formula uses magnetite (真磁石), white ginger, alum, and aconite powder mixed with scallion juice and applied to the rectal opening to protrude hemorrhoids for treatment. The twenty-four hemorrhoid verses vividly describe various forms - rhomboid-shaped, lotus-shaped, intestinal-piercing, mouse-nipple types - all associated with excessive alcohol and sexual indulgence.

This records several ancient prescriptions and treatment methods for hemorrhoids. First is the preparation of "Red Flesh Ointment": one qian each of cinnabar (chensha) and yellow lead oxide (huangdan), half qian of frankincense (ruxiang) ground separately, one liang of alum, half liang of arsenic (pishuang, which must be calcined to 70% maturity with alum as a base), plus three croton seeds. Grind these ingredients into powder. For each application, take two qian of this powder, combine with three blister beetles and one liang of sesame oil, and decoct until the beetles and croton seeds turn red. Filter out these two ingredients, using only the oil to blend the powder into an ointment. Apply according to the size of the hemorrhoid, changing every one or two days. After about six or seven days, the hemorrhoid will turn charred black—at which point discontinue application. If unruptured, use a stimulant; for ruptured hemorrhoids, insert medicated paper twists into the wound.

Next is the "Golden Flower Powder" wash: half qian of pyrolusite (wumingyi), one liang of phellodendron bark (huangbo), half liang of raw coptis (huanglian), and half sheng of black soybeans, ground into powder and rinsed over the affected area with warm water, followed by external application of "Sea Clam Powder." The latter consists of one liang of elm fruit (wuyi), one qian each of calcined dragon bone (longgu) and sea clam shell (hahai), and half qian of litharge (mituseng), also ground into powder. First sprinkle this powder on the wound, then apply the hemorrhoid ointment, changing daily.

The "Frankincense Ointment" formula includes equal parts of evodia fruit (zhuyu), bletilla tuber (baiji), ampelopsis root (bailian), coptis, phellodendron bark, and Chinese angelica (danggui). Decoct four liang of sesame oil with a three-foot-four-inch willow branch until the branch blackens, then add the previously ground powder and continue decocting until the liquid turns purple. Strain through cloth, bring to a boil several more times, and finally add one or two qian of yellow lead oxide and frankincense to form a plaster, stored in an earthenware jar. A small amount applied to the wound yields immediate results.

Before treatment, take blood-stasis-dispersing medicine twice daily. The formula for resolving blood stagnation: half liang each of coptis, hemp seeds (huomazi), and Chinese angelica, ground into powder. Take one qian per dose with warm wine. At bedtime, additionally ingest one "Tongzhen Pill." The "Tongzhen Baked Ginger Pill" includes processed galangal (liangjiang), processed chebula fruit (hezi), and peeled cinnamon bark (rougui).

These prescriptions employ common ancient mineral drugs and toxic substances like arsenic and cinnabar, now medically confirmed as hazardous—do not attempt replication. The text meticulously documents pharmaceutical techniques, decoction durations, and application methods, reflecting the extensive experience of ancient physicians in treating hemorrhoids.

These records document several commonly used medicinal formulas and administration methods in ancient Daoist medicine, all prepared with readily available herbs as simple remedies.

The first formula uses costus root, nutmeg, psoralea fruit, fennel, and fenugreek, ground into fine powder and mixed with vinegar to form pills the size of phoenix tree seeds. When taken, it should be wrapped with papaya and ginger in moist paper, gently heated, and swallowed with warm wine. This prescription primarily treats poor appetite.

The second formula features sophora root, processed zedoary, peeled alpinia fruit, and fried schizonepeta spikes. Ground into powder, take one qian (about 3.7g) each dose, simmer with ginger slices, honey and water until the liquid reduces to 80% volume, then add a pinch of salt and take on an empty stomach. This serves to cleanse the digestive system.

The pain-relief formula uses talc, turtle shell, peeled aconite root, gentian, and peucedanum root. Take two qian (about 7.4g) with thirty-five wheat grains, simmer until the liquid reduces to 70% volume, and take as needed. Effects typically appear after three or four doses.

Particularly noteworthy is the preparation method for Black Spirit Astragalus Powder: place the herbs inside five hollowed-out trichosanthes fruits, seal in a new clay jar with yellow mud, calcine until smoke ceases, then add myrrh and costus root. Take with walnut wine or tea.

The final Wind-Dispersing Powder uses defatted croton seeds, processed rhubarb, mirabilitum, bitter orange peel and aged tangerine peel in equal parts, ground and decocted in water. The instructions specifically note that if constipation occurs for two or three days after taking, the treatment may be continued.

All formulas meticulously specify herb quantities (e.g. "one liang" ≈37g, "half qian" ≈1.85g), processing methods (e.g. "pao" - dry-fried, "chao" - stir-fried) and administration instructions (e.g. "kongxin fu" - take on empty stomach, "wen jiu xia" - swallow with warm wine), embodying the Daoist medical principles of simplicity, convenience, effectiveness and affordability.

This records several medicinal formulas and treatments commonly used by ancient Daoist physicians, primarily targeting conditions like sores, toxins, and hemorrhoids. Some of these prescriptions appear rather peculiar by modern standards:

The Mutong Powder formula includes ginseng, blister beetles (stir-fried after removing shells, legs, and wings), and carrot weed, combined with equal parts of rhubarb, calcined oyster shell, and bitter orange, plus half an ounce of cubeb pepper and a small amount of clove. These ingredients are ground into powder, mixed with glutinous rice paste to form pills the size of phoenix tree seeds. The dosage is five pills taken with brown sugar water. However, the text notably warns "this medicine may be inadvisable for use," likely due to its excessively potent nature.

The Pus-Absorbing Ointment for suppurating wounds uses equal parts of climbing fern spores, frankincense, bletilla tuber, and realgar. The powdered mixture is applied directly to wounds before covering with frankincense ointment.

The Plantago Powder formula combines one qian each of edible evodia, plantain seeds, realgar, frankincense, red halloysite, and raw dragon bone (os draconis). The powder is sprinkled on sores and secured with frankincense ointment, changed twice daily. For dry sores, only the ointment is applied; if clear fluid exudes, the subsequent Zhuiqing Ointment is used instead.

Zhuiqing Ointment contains three raw Chinese gallnuts, one qian each of corydalis tuber and alum, ground finely. A small amount is applied—when clear fluid appears, medicated paper is inserted into the wound.

The hemorrhoid treatment protocol is particularly detailed: First apply Congxian Ointment, followed by Intestine-Cleansing Angelica Pills, then Blood-Removing Angelica Powder, next Blood-Removing Coptis Pills, and finally Red Flesh Ointment. Special dietary restrictions prohibit pork blood and toxic foods during treatment, while massage is forbidden during wind-elimination phases. If foul discharge appears or healthy flesh develops sores, Hefeng Ointment is applied. To prevent hemorrhoid prolapse, medicated cotton balls are inserted and secured with cloth bindings, changed twice daily. Severe cases require ten days of treatment, milder cases eight. For hemorrhoids connected to intestines or worsening conditions...

This passage describes several methods for treating hemorrhoids. First, for cases with accompanying lower back pain, cinnamon paste should be applied to the painful area to regulate Qi (vital energy) and blood circulation. Daily oral medications include Dingge Powder, Baked Ginger Pills, and Bitter Orange Peel Powder, combined with external washes using Sea Clam Powder and topical application of Frankincense Paste to reduce hemorrhoid swelling.

For chronic hemorrhoids (potentially developing into anal fistulas), strict abstinence from alcohol and sexual activity is emphasized. The treatment begins with paper probes to examine the ulcer's size and depth, followed by oral administration of Tongzhen Pills and Astragalus Powder. The specific procedure involves: applying Red Meat Paste to the ulcer, changing the dressing five to six times daily; then inserting medicated wicks made from Frankincense Paste into the ulcer once daily for three to five consecutive days. This continues until necrotic tissue is expelled and bloody fluid drains. Subsequently, switch to Pus-Absorbing Paste for three days, followed by three days of medicinal washes. Finally, alternate applications of Dragon Bone-Sea Clam Powder and Plantago Powder twice daily. If purulent discharge appears after three doses, the treatment is proving effective.

Another potent prescription: Combine 0.5 qian each of arsenic, myrrh, and frankincense with 1 liang each of alum, crude saltpeter, and green vitriol, adding a small amount of musk. Preparation method: Layer arsenic at the bottom of a copper pot, successively covering it with alum, green vitriol, and crude saltpeter. Heat until melted into liquid, then stir in powdered frankincense. After cooling and solidifying, let it rest overnight to neutralize toxicity. Finally, add musk and a small quantity of borneol, mixing with saliva for application around the ulcer three times daily—the hemorrhoid will naturally dry and slough off.

Another method: Soak bitter orange peel in water, remove the pulp, sandwich one croton seed between every two slices, tie with thread, and cook in rice vinegar in a silver/stone vessel until dry. Remove the croton seeds, roast the peel dry, grind into powder, and form into pills with vinegar paste. Take 15 pills on an empty stomach with clear tea.

For intestinal wind with bloody stool: Decoct Pingwei Powder with Himalayan teasel root. An alternative replaces the teasel root with 49 wheat grains. For ulcerated hemorrhoids, slowly fumigate with equal amounts of lotus seed pods over low heat. For toxic heat causing bloody stool, take 2 qian of gallnut powder with musk-infused wine.

Finally, an external treatment: Combine 4 liang of alum, 0.1 liang of green vitriol, and 0.5 liang of arsenic (specific usage detailed earlier). These methods reflect ancient surgical principles of "corrosive necrotization," using medicinals to induce hemorrhoid necrosis and detachment.

This passage describes external medicinal treatments and cleansing methods for hemorrhoids. The primary ingredients are crude saltpeter (a mineral medicine) and alum, with the following preparation method:

Mix half an ounce of crude saltpeter with alum, then take a small portion and place it in a Jianzhan tea bowl. Add lumps of arsenic ore (realgar), then apply the remaining mixture on top. Surround the bowl with about two catties of charcoal and heat until the medicine boils and nearly dries. Cover it with fine powder and store in a sand container. This medicine becomes effective and painless only after being stored for a year when the fiery qi dissipates and turns it yellow—if it appears red, it should not be used.

For external hemorrhoids, reduce the alum quantity by half. For faster results, mix with saliva for topical application to avoid pain; mixing with licorice decoction allows long-term preservation of efficacy without discomfort. Before application, wash the affected area with hot cogongrass root decoction, then apply the medicine, changing the dressing three to five times daily. If pain occurs—often due to constipation—take Kuanchang Pills to relieve bowel movement, but never use smoke fumigation as it harms the intestines.

In summer, add plant soot (from stove bottoms) and minium (lead oxide) when preparing the mixture. For prolapsed hemorrhoids with anal swelling and pain, wash with pagoda tree bark decoction or mix citrus peel powder with saliva, grind on a tile, and apply topically. For irreducible anal prolapse, apply decoction of scouring rush and crude saltpeter—results appear after one or two applications. Before hemorrhoid detachment, use phellodendron bark and mint decoction mixed with saliva; this method works particularly well in summer.

Supplementary cleansing formula (for initial use):

Decoct akebia stem, scutellaria, phellodendron bark, and black beans, then wash the area three times with the heated solution.