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(Note: Conditions involving the craving to eat wall mud, raw rice, and tea leaves)

Insects (Chong) are animals. They are suitable to exist within grass, trees, soil, and water. Why do they appear in the human intestines and stomach? It is said that insects also acquire the Qi of Heaven and Earth to form their shapes. Shapes do not form by themselves; they must rely on external things to take shape. For example, fireflies emerge from rotting grass; clams transform from dead sparrows; maggots arise from rotting fish and meat. These are all things that already had form, which, upon sensing the Qi of Yin and Yang, subsequently formed their bodies. The human body is a microcosm, and the Qi of humans is the Qi of Heaven and Earth. Therefore, how could insects born in the intestines and stomach form without relying on anything? When food enters the stomach and cannot be digested, such as fish, meat, meat paste, raw dough, or hard rice, it stagnates and accumulates within. Dampness and Heat interact, becoming thick, sticky, and solid. Nourished by hot blood and tempered by vital Qi, inert matter transforms into moving forms, with heads and tails complete, becoming a unified class of insects. Initially, they change due to diet; subsequently, they rely on diet for nourishment. They twist and knot, consuming the person's Jing and Qi, drinking their marrow and blood, damaging the Zang-Fu organs, and shortening life expectancy. Can the harm caused by insects be fully described? Generally, indigestible substances can generate insects, not just meat paste and hard rice. If hair or feathers are accidentally swallowed, they are especially prone to generating insects. Not only that, even substanceless entities can generate them. For instance, strong tea and turbid wine originally lack substance, but the sediment at the bottom is most capable of causing disease. Thus, there are conditions like "tea addiction" (Cha Pi) and "wine accumulation" (Jiu Ji). Over time, these also transform into insects. Those formed from tea often crave tea; those formed from wine become intensely addicted to alcohol. If they do not obtain what they desire for a day, they cannot feel at ease for a moment. This is their symptom pattern.

There is also what is called the "Tuberculosis Worm" (Lao Chong). From where does it originate? The Tuberculosis Worm is essentially the Corpse Worm (Shi Chong). Patients suffering from consumption (Lao Ji) often have stagnant blood. If this stagnant blood is not resolved and is refined by Fire, it transforms into minute insects. Their color turns red; though wingless, they can fly. They may hide or appear, and their arrival is unpredictable. All are transformed from blood. Because they are transformed from blood, these various insects are very agile. Blood belongs to the Liver, which stores the Hun (Ethereal Soul); thus, these insects are the basis of the Hun. After the patient dies, the Hun exits with the insect, seeking kin with similar Qi. Relatives with similar Qi, unfortunately, may contract it, resulting in the condition of Transmitted Consumption (Chuan Shi Lao). This is another aspect of why insects are feared. However, patients with intestinal worms are common. How can one accurately identify the true nature of the disease and treat it? There must be visible signs and symptoms. Patients with intestinal worms present with sallow complexion and emaciation, white lips, erect hair, lusterless facial features, and frequent white spots on the face. They may experience nausea and vomit clear fluid, abdominal distension and pain, failure of food intake to nourish the flesh and skin, bristling hair, chills and shivering, or sores on the forehead and face accompanied by continuous damp itching. These are all symptoms. By examining these in detail, appropriate medication can be administered.