Litsch asks specifically about the texts which should be studied for the history of alchemy during the the Thang and Sung; the exchange of information between China and the Hellenistic-Arab tradition; the amount of work done on the 'Tshan Thung Chhi [參同契 / Can Tong Qi]'; the religious or philosophical significance of scientific categories for Taoism; the influence of number-mysticism on the charms or talismans mentioned in the 'Pao Phu Tzu [抱朴子 / Bao Pu Zi]' and 'Tshan Thung Chhi [參同契 / Can Tong Qi] literature.
The related documents comprise a copy of a reply from Ho Peng-Yoke on behalf of Joseph Needham; letter from Ho to Needham originally accompanying the copy reply; Needham's notes from a visit by Litsch, 12 July 1965.