New Exegeses on the Fifty-Two Remedies (Wushier Bingfang), a Silk Manuscript Excavated from a Han Dynasty Tomb at Mawangdui

Several of the prescriptions in the Wushier Bingfang (五十二病方, Fifty-two Remedies), a silk manuscript found in a Han dynasty tomb at Mawangdui, can be better interpreted by means of witchcraft. For instance, in line 56, the so-called hengshi (恒石) in the “rabid dog bite” formula is changshi (常石), that is, common stone. Grinding common stones together to treat rabies is in imitation of the symptom of grinding teeth common with rabies, as is treating it with powdered stone chips shaped like dog teeth. In line 84, the “don't dare to look up and down” in the “chai () formula”, refers to commanding the scorpion venom not to spread, and reflects a simple understanding by ancient peoples of the rapid spread of the venom through the body. In line 193-194 of the zhongnang (肿囊) prescription, suanjiang (酸浆) is not the materia medica suanjiang, but an ancient drink suanjiang. In line 109-110 of the you (疣) prescription, jianjie (楬) means jianhai (翦), picking random plants from the side of the road, and so forth.