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Slugs (Kuyu) and snails (Woniú) were recorded as two separate entries in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica). However, upon examining their flavors, properties, and therapeutic indications, there is no difference; only their physical forms differ slightly. Therefore, they are combined into one entry.

The distinction lies merely in the fact that snails carry shells, whereas slugs do not. They are born from yin-damp qi, thus possessing a salty flavor and cold nature, with no toxicity. The *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) states: "If the flesh and pores are closed and resistant, even severe wind-toxins cannot harm it." If yin-blood is deficient and exhausted, and the pores are not tight, pathogenic wind (Zefeng) may invade the meridians due to deficiency, leading to facial paralysis (Koupian), muscle spasms, and tendon contraction. The salty-cold nature can nourish yin, moisten dryness, and soften hardness, thereby relaxing tendons and vessels, unblocking meridians, and eliminating various symptoms. Epileptic convulsions (Jingxian) are caused by wind-heat; rectal prolapse (Tuogang) is caused by heat in the large intestine; carbuncles and sores (Dingzhong) are caused by fire-toxin and heat accumulation. The salty-cold property generally clears all types of heat, hence its use in treating these conditions. Centipedes fear these two creatures and dare not cross their paths; contact with them causes death. Thus, humans collect them to treat centipede bites/poisoning. To treat rectal prolapse due to internal heat in the large intestine, burn one tael of snails to ash, mix with pig fat, and apply externally for immediate retraction. For painful and swollen hemorrhoids, take one snail, add a small amount of Moschus (Shexiang), place in a bowl, and apply the collected mucus the next day. Another method involves applying oil infused with snails or applying the burnt ash. For early-stage back carbuncle (Fabei), take 200 live snails, add one lidful of fresh water, seal in a bottle overnight, extract the mucus, mix with genuine Concha Meretricis (Gafen), and apply to the sore over ten times daily. For hemorrhoidal heat and swelling, grind one large slug into a paste, add one qian of Borneolum Syntheticum (Pian Nao) and half a qian of Carthami Flos (Yanzhi) base, and apply together.

Snails, which are essentially shelled slugs, should be selected as large and round ones for medicinal efficacy. They are preferably stir-fried over fire to neutralize toxicity and primarily treat facial paralysis caused by pathogenic wind. They treat epileptic convulsions, tendon spasms, rectal prolapse, polydipsia (Xiaoke); externally applied for heat-toxin and curing carbuncles.

Spiders (Zhizhu) can cure adult inguinal hernias (Huxian) with unilateral pain and testicular migration. They can heal pediatric abdominal distension with emaciation (Dingxi) and gait impairment. They can interrupt chronic malaria with alternating chills and fever, and dispel vomiting associated with cholera-like syndrome (Huoluan). Juice applied externally treats snake bites; live spiders applied topically treat centipede bites. Paste made from spiders reduces carbuncles. Infused wine for goiter/nodules (Yingliu) helps dissipate them; spider silk treats forgetfulness. Consuming spiders on the Qixi Festival is said to enhance dexterity.