Compendium of Materia Medica
Page Five

To the right [preceding] are 18 old formulas and 47 new ones

In traditional Chinese layout, "to the right" refers to the text that appeared previously in the scroll or book. "Old formulas" refer to those inherited from earlier medical texts like the Classified Materia Medica (Zhenglei Bencao), while "new" formulas were those added by the author, Li Shizhen.

Cross-References

original: 互攷 (Hùkǎo). This section acts as an index for liquids that are listed in other volumes of the work but have medicinal properties related to the "Water" category.

Explanation of Cross-Referenced Liquids

Rouge Water original: 臙漿 (Yanjian). The water produced when washing rouge or cosmetic pigments. It was used in folk medicine for treating certain types of poisoning or skin conditions.

Chrysanthemum Pool Water original: 菊潭水 (Jutan shui). Famous water from Nanyang in Henan province, where wild chrysanthemums grew by the banks. Legends claimed those who drank it lived to be over a hundred years old.

Iron-tempering Water original: 淬鐵水 (Cuite shui). The water used by blacksmiths to quench red-hot iron. It was believed to contain the "spirit" of the metal and was used to treat conditions of the liver or as a sedative.

Water inside Yellow Stones original: 石中黃水 (Shizhong huangshui). A rare liquid found inside hollow "yellow stones" (likely geodes containing limonite or similar minerals). It was highly prized for its purported cooling and detoxifying properties.

Silk-reeling Water original: 繰絲湯 (Saosi tang). The hot water used to boil silkworm cocoons to loosen the silk. In medicine, it was sometimes used to treat digestive ailments or externally for skin irritation.

Hemp-retting Water original: 漚麻湯 (Ouma tang). The fetid water resulting from soaking hemp stalks to separate the fibers. Despite its smell, it was used in specific topical applications.

Petroleum original: 石腦油 (Shinaoyou, literally "stone brain oil"). An early reference to crude oil or mineral oil. Li Shizhen notes its use as a fuel and its medicinal application for skin diseases and "scabies."

Lacquer-dissolving Crab Liquid original: 蟹化漆水 (Xie hua qi shui). Based on the observation that certain crab tissues could dissolve or soften lacquer, this liquid was used as a remedy for lacquer-induced rashes (contact dermatitis).

Amniotic Fluid original: 胞衣水 (Baoyi shui). Literally "water from the placental robe." It was used in extreme cases to treat "heat-exhaustion" or specific pediatric crises.