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The *Bing Yuan Lun* (Treatise on the Origins and Manifestations of Diseases) states: Ancient wells, tombs, deep pits, and wells often contain toxic gases and should not be entered casually. This is most severe during the fifth and sixth months due to the accumulation of stagnant qi. If entry is absolutely necessary, first test with chicken or duck feathers; if the feathers spin and do not sink, it indicates toxicity, and one must not enter.

The *Duan Ju Fang* (Short Drama Formulas) states: During the fifth and sixth months, deep wells and deep tombs contain toxic gases that cause suffocation and can be fatal. If entry is mandatory, throw chicken, duck, goose, or mixed feathers into the well or tomb. If the feathers sink naturally to the bottom, there is no toxic gas. If the feathers float upward, spin around the edges, and do not sink, toxic gas is present, and entry is prohibited. Alternatively, place live animals such as chickens, ducks, geese, pigs, dogs, or sheep in the center. If toxic gas is present, the animals will die shortly. If entry is unavoidable, pour several dou of wine or ku jiu (fermented vinegar) around the edge of the pit or tomb, wait for a while, and then enter. If one feels the effects of this gas, experiencing oppression, lethargy, and near-death symptoms, retrieve several hu of water from inside, splash it on the face, hold it in the mouth to drink, and pour it over the head and body from top to toe. The person will revive shortly. If there is no water inside, use water from elsewhere.

The *Qian Jin Fang* (Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold) provides a formula for treating poisoning from entering wells or tombs:
Pour water from another well onto the body; revival occurs within approximately three chen (six hours). Water from an eastern well may be used for someone poisoned by a western well, and vice versa; similarly for north and south.

The *Ge Shi Fang* (Formulas by Master Ge) provides a formula for treating sudden death-like symptoms caused by toxic gases in wells or tombs:
Splash water on the face and have the patient hold water in their mouth. Draw several hu of water from the well or tomb where the incident occurred and pour it over the patient from head to toe; revival occurs shortly.

Another formula: Administer decoctions of various detoxifying herbs such as Xi Jiao (Rhinoceros Horn), Xiong Huang (Realgar), She Xiang (Musk), Dou Chi (Fermented Soybean), Zhu Li (Bamboo Sap), and Sheng Ma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma).

The *Bing Yuan Lun* states: Gu poison (Gu Toxin) comes in several types, all being transformative and bewitching evil qi. Humans intentionally create it by placing insects and snakes in a container, allowing them to devour each other until only one survives; this survivor is named "Gu" and possesses the power to bewitch. It follows food and drink, bringing disaster to others while benefiting the creator. Thus, unruly individuals rear and serve it.

It further states: A bluish-yellow complexion indicates Snake Gu. Heat and oppression in the abdomen with chronic bodily discomfort indicate Lizard Gu. Slight fullness in the waist and back, sores on the tongue, alternating white and blue complexions, and abdominal distension resembling a toad indicate Toad Gu. A predominantly blue complexion with expulsion of toxin resembling a dung beetle indicates Dung Beetle Gu.

It also states: There is Flying Gu, which appears without warning, gradually manifesting like ghostly qi.

It states: Di-Qiang poison is a type of Gu acquired in the Di-Qiang border regions, hence called Di-Qiang Poison Disease. Its symptoms resemble Gu poisoning, with stabbing pain in the heart and abdomen.

It states: Ye Dao (Wild Path) refers to ownerless Gu that haunts people after the creator's death, lingering in fields and roads, harming those who encounter it.

To determine if a condition is caused by Gu, have the patient spit into water. If the saliva sinks, it is Gu; if it floats, it is not.

Have the patient chew a soybean. If it is Gu, the bean skin will peel off; if not, it will not rot or peel.

The *Ge Shi Fang* provides a method to identify the name of the Gu master:
Burn drum skin into fine powder and administer it to the patient. The patient will soon call out the name of the Gu master. Instruct the patient to shout the name to drive it away; upon removal, the illness cures. (Note: *Ji Yao Fang* uses water for drinking.)

Another formula: Place lotus leaves tightly under the patient's sleeping mat; the patient will immediately call out the Gu master's name.

For treating Gu poison ingested through food and drink, causing hard abdominal pain, bluish-yellow complexion, emaciation, and variable facial colors:
Use Xiong Huang (Realgar), Dan Sha (Cinnabar), and Li Lu (Veratrum) each in 1 liang. Pound and sieve. Take 1 dao gui with well water in the morning. One should vomit up the Gu poison. (Note: *Ji Yan Fang* states: Use equal parts of the three herbs; if Gu is present, vomiting will occur; if not, it is not Gu.)

If Gu has eroded the lower body, causing anal destruction and intestinal prolapse:
Apply pig bile internally and pack with cotton soaked in it.

For treating hematemesis or hematochezia resembling rotten liver due to Gu poisoning:
Mix 1 sheng of salt with 1 sheng of pure ku jiu (vinegar). Take once; discharge occurs immediately, and cure follows.

Another formula: Use Qian Cao Gen (Rubiae Radix) and He Gen (Nelumbinis Rhizoma) each in 3 liang. Cut into pieces, decoct in 4 sheng of water to obtain 2 sheng. Strain and take at once for cure. The patient will spontaneously call out the Gu master's name. Qian Cao is the red dye plant Rubia cordifolia.

The *Duan Ju Fang* provides a formula for Gu:
Cut Ju Pi (Quercus variabilis bark) 5 cun wide and 1 chi long, and Lu Wei Gen (likely a root herb) 5 cun long, sized like a human toe. Decoct these two ingredients in 1 sheng of water and 3 sheng of clear wine to obtain 1 sheng. Take at once to expel Gu worms.

Another formula: Use Tu Gua Gen (Trichosanthes kirilowii root), large as a thumb and 3 cun long. Cut into pieces, soak in half a sheng of wine overnight, strain, and take at once.

The *Ji Yan Fang* treats Gu erosion of the lower body with visible intestinal prolapse from the anus:
Roast the green-backed long-bodied toad and black chicken bone into ash. Mix equal parts and insufflate into the anal opening. This is highly effective.

For sudden Gu poisoning with hematochezia resembling chicken liver, losing more than a shi of blood day and night, damaging four zang organs while the heart remains intact, or nasal rupture awaiting death:
Pound Jie Geng (Platycodonis Radix), sieve, and take 1 fang cun bi with wine, three times daily.

Another formula: Yin Ren Gen (likely Cimicifugae Rhizoma sprout), pound to extract 2 sheng of juice. Divide into three doses. This is the sprout of Jie Geng.

The *Qian Jin Fang* provides a formula for Gu:
Take Qu Pi (Quercus variabilis bark) from the shady north side, remove coarse skin, cut to 1 cun length. Decoct in 3 sheng of water to obtain 1 sheng. Take on an empty stomach to expel Gu worms.

Another formula: He Ye Hui (Lotus Leaf Ash), take 1 fang cun bi with water.

The *Yi Men Fang* provides a formula for Gu poison:
Take 1 Ba Dou (Crotonis Fructus), remove the core, add 3 Dou Chi (Fermented Soybean), and 1 fang cun bi of Fu Di Hei (soot from the pot bottom). Pound together, form pills, and take. Vomiting of worms occurs; this is very effective.

Another formula: Decoct He Ye (Lotus Leaf) and drink the juice. Fresh or dried roots can be used in any quantity.

The *Ji Yao Fang* treats Gu poison:
Decoct Du Xing Gen (likely a specific root) 1-2 liang, extract juice, and take to vomit out Gu poison.

The *Jiu Ji Dan Yan Fang* treats Gu poison:
Pound 3 Yao Zi (Medicinal seeds/fruits) and take for immediate effect.

The *Xu Bo Fang* treats Gu:
Take Qian Cao (Rubiae Radix), crush fresh, squeeze juice. Drink 2-3 sheng daily. Juice can also be added to meals and congee.

The *Seng Shen Fang* treats sudden urgent Gu poisoning with violent vomiting:
Crush fresh Suo Zhuo Ming Gen Jing (root/stem), squeeze to obtain 1 sheng of juice. Take at once. Repeat no more than twice; this is miraculous.

The *Fan Wang Fang* treats Gu:
Shi Pu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma) 2 liang, Hai Piao Xiao (Sepiae Endoconcha) 2 fen.
Pound and sieve the above two ingredients. Take 1 fang cun bi with wine, three times daily.