Wu Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Sickness (bìng) Dian Kangxi Stroke Count: 18 Page 781, Entry 41 Correct Pronunciation (Zhengzitong): Pronounced dian. The sound is identical to the character for hall (dian). Dian refers to skin conditions appearing as wind-rash patches or spots. These occur in both purple and white varieties. Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu): Li Shizhen states that to treat dian conditions, one may use an eggplant stem dipped in sulfur powder and apply it to the affected area, as this method dissipates stagnant blood. For white skin patches, use the stem of a white eggplant; for purple skin patches, use the stem of a purple eggplant, as each corresponds to the color of the affliction. Another recipe for treating purple skin patches is to grind anemarrhena (zhimu) with vinegar and wipe the affected area three times daily, which is effective.