《本草拾遗》云∶蛞蝓咬,取蓼捣敷疮上及浸之。今按∶《本草》云∶蛞蝓一名云蜗。(和
名奈知女久知。)
《病源论》云∶蚕既是人养之物,性非毒害之虫,然时有啮人者,乃令人憎寒壮热,经
时不瘥,亦有因此致毙,斯乃一时之怪异,救解之方愈。
《新录方》云∶螈蚕毒方∶
酢和鼠屎如泥,涂上。
又方∶酢和鸡屎灰封之。
《广济方》疗蚕及蜘蛛啮方∶
葶苈子(四分) 蛇床子(四分) 菟丝子(四分) 盐(四分)
上捣筛,和三年验醋如泥,涂疮上,日三。
《病源论》云∶江南有射工毒虫,一名短狐,一名蜮,常在山涧水内。此虫口中内有横
骨,如角弓形,正黑,如大蜚,生齿发,而有雌雄。雄者,口边有两角,角端有桠,能屈伸,
冬月在土内蛰,其上气蒸休休,有雪落其上不凝,夏月在水内,人行水上及以水洗浴,或因
大雨潦时,逐水流入人家,或遇道上牛马迹内即停住,含沙射人影,便病。初得,或如伤寒,
或如中恶,朝旦小苏,哺夕辄剧,始得三、四日,尚可治,急者七日,缓者二七日,远者三
七日皆死。初未有疮,但恶寒 寒热,盛如针刺,甚成疮,或如豆粒黑子,或如火烧,或
蠼尿疮,皆肉内有穿孔,如火针孔也。
《抱朴子》云∶短狐,一名蜮,一名射工,一名射影。其实水中状,似鸣蜩而大如三合
杯。有翼能飞,无目而利耳云云。
又云∶射工,冬天蛰于谷间,大雪时索之此虫所在其上,无雪,气起如炊蒸,当掘之,
不过入地一尺则得之,阴干末带之,夏天辟射工也。
《短剧方》云∶射公,二名短狐,三名溪毒。其虫形如甲虫,有一长角横在口前,如弩
檐临其角端,曲如上弩,以气为矢,因水势以射人。射人时,人或闻其在水中,铋铋作声也。
要须得水没其口,便能射人。在无水之地,便可捉持戏,无能为害也。此虫从四月始生,至
五月,六月其毒尚微,中人犹缓。七月、八月其毒大盛,中人甚急。入九月许,有寒露微霜
者,其毒向哀,至十月乃息也。此虫畏鹅,鹅能食之,闻鹅声便不敢来也。水上流,有鹅浴
气响,鹅屎、毛羽流下,其便走去也。船行入溪,宜将鹅自随。山溪家居,皆养白鹅也。凡
入山溪水中采伐者,装鹅屎,带鹅毛以避之也,此虫利耳而盲目,凡人入溪源取水及浴,经
涉渡溪者,皆宜以木石遥掷水中作声,其虫应声虚射,毒便泄去也。掷水法,唯多过左右,
广掷之,虫放毒尽,然后过溪也。山源之间,多有此虫,大雨洪潦之时,其逐水流落之人家,
及道上牛、马迹小水中停住。人行陆地,多不意悟,或逐柴薪竹木,来人喜不觉之,得病便
作他治,乃误致死也。射公中人,初始证侯,先寒热恶冷吹KT ,筋急痉强,头痛目疼,
状中伤寒,亦如中尸,便不能语,朝旦小苏,晡夕辄剧,寒热闷KT ,是其证也。初得三、
四
日,尚可活,急者七日死,缓者至二七日,远不过三七日,皆死也。此虫有大小,小者毒微,
射人不即作疮,人多不知是射公毒。其大者,毒猛,中人乃即成疮耳。其疮初或如豆粒黑子,
或如火烧,或如 尿。或痛如针刺,而未见疮处,或成疮,皆肉中有穿空,如火针孔也。
其射人远者及中人影者,毒小宽也。射工中人腰以上,去人近者多死。中人腰以下者小宽也。
纵不死者,皆百日不可保瘥耳。治之如左。
治射公中人寒热,或发疮,或偏在一处有异于常方∶取赤苋合茎叶捣之,绞取汁,服七
合,日四、五服良。此是苋菜之赤大者也。
又方∶单煮犀角,饮以折其毒热也。
治射工中人方∶
取鬼臼目叶一把,纳苦酒中沾湿之竟,熟捣绞取汁,服一升,日三。
又方∶犀屑(二两) 乌扇根(二两) 升麻(三两)
凡三物, 咀,以水四升,煮取一升半,分再服,相去一炊顷,尽,更作。
又方∶取水菘,捣绞取汁,服一升,日三即瘥。
又方∶取生茱萸茎,叶一虎口,握之断去握前后,余握中央,便熟捣绞,以水三升,煮
取一升七合,顿服之,神效。
治射公中人已有疮者方∶
取蜈蚣大者,一枚,小炙之,捣末,苦酒和敷疮上良。
又方∶取斑蝥一枚,火烧捣末,苦酒和敷上。
又方∶取芥子捣令熟,苦酒和浓涂疮上半日。
又方∶取野狼牙叶,冬取根捣之令熟,敷所中处,又饮四、五、六合汁,防毒恐入内也。
《集验方》治射公中人疮,令人寒热方∶
乌扇根(二两) 升麻(二两)
凡二物,以水三升煮得一升,适寒温,尽服之,滓敷上。
《葛氏方》治射工中人方∶
初见此疮,便水摩犀角涂之,燥复涂勿住。
又方∶急周绕去疮一寸,辄一灸,灸一处百壮,疮上亦灸百壮。
又方∶切葫,拓疮上,灸葫上十壮,并取常思草捣绞汁,饮一、二升,以滓敷之。
又方∶白鹅屎,取白者二枚,以少许汤和令相淹,涂上。
《枕中方》治一切虫蛇、射工、沙虱百毒方∶
生胡麻,捣,敷上吉,不过三度愈。
Bencao Shiyi (Supplement to Materia Medica) states: For bites from Agriolimax agrestis (slug), take Polygonum multiflorum (Liao, smartweed), crush and apply to the wound, and soak in it. Current investigation: Bencao states that Agriolimax agrestis is also known as Yunwo. (Japanese name: "Nachiokuchi".)
Bingyuan Lun (Treatise on the Pathogenesis and Manifestations of Various Diseases) states: Silkworms are creatures raised by humans; their nature is not that of venomous insects. However, they occasionally bite people, causing aversion to cold and severe fever. If not cured for a long time, it may even lead to death. This is a rare anomaly; effective rescue and detoxification methods are crucial.
Xinlu Fang (Newly Recorded Prescriptions) records a prescription for Yuocan (a type of venomous caterpillar) poisoning:
Mix vinegar with rat feces until paste-like, and apply topically.
Another prescription: Mix vinegar with chicken manure ash and apply as a seal.
Guangji Fang (Guangji Prescriptions) treats bites from silkworms and spiders:
Semen Lepidii et Descurainiae (Tinglizi, 4 fen) Semen Cnidii (Shechuangzi, 4 fen) Semen Cuscutae (Tusizi, 4 fen) Sal (Yan, 4 fen)
Crush and sieve the above ingredients, mix with three-year-old aged vinegar into a paste, apply to the wound, three times daily.
Bingyuan Lun states: In the Jiangnan region, there is a venomous insect called Shegong (Shooting Worker), also known as Duanhu (Short Fox) or Yu (Hidden One). It often lives in mountain stream waters. Inside its mouth, there is a transverse bone shaped like a horn bow, black in color, about the size of a large housefly. It has teeth and hair, and exists in male and female forms. Males have two horns at the corners of their mouths, with forked tips capable of flexion and extension. They hibernate in soil during winter; heat rises from them, preventing snow from melting upon contact. In summer, they live in water. When people walk on water surfaces, bathe, or during heavy rains when floodwaters enter homes, these insects follow the water flow. They may stop in hoof prints of cattle or horses on roads. Holding sand, they shoot at human shadows, causing illness. Initially, symptoms may resemble Taiyang disease (Cold Damage affecting the Taiyang channel) or Zhong'e (sudden evil invasion). The patient may feel slightly better in the morning but worsen in the evening. Within three to four days of onset, treatment is still possible. Acute cases die within seven days, moderate cases within fourteen days, and chronic cases within twenty-one days all result in death. Initially, there are no sores, only aversion to cold, alternating chills and fever, and pain severe as if pierced by needles. Severe cases develop sores resembling black bean-sized spots, burns, or wounds from earwig secretions. All involve perforations in the flesh, similar to holes made by moxibustion needles.
Baopuzi states: Duanhu is also known as Yu, Shegong, or Sheying. Its actual form in water resembles a cicada but is as large as a three-he cup. It has wings and can fly, has no eyes but sensitive ears, etc.
It further states: Shegong hibernates in valleys during winter. During heavy snow, look for areas where snow does not melt due to rising heat like steam. Dig there, not deeper than one chi underground, to find it. Dry it in the shade, powder it, and carry it to ward off Shegong in summer.
Duanju Fang states: Shegong is also known as Duanhu and Xidu (Stream Poison). Its shape resembles a beetle, with a long horn protruding horizontally before its mouth, covered like a crossbow guard. Curved like a drawn bow, it uses qi as arrows and water current as propulsion to shoot at people. When shooting, one might hear a "bi-bi" sound in the water. It must submerge its mouth in water to shoot. On dry land, it can be handled playfully without harm. These insects hatch in April; toxicity is mild in May and June, causing slow reactions. Toxicity peaks in July and August, causing urgent and severe symptoms. By September, with cold dew and light frost, toxicity declines, ceasing entirely by October. These insects fear geese, which eat them; hearing goose sounds keeps them away. Water flowing with the scent of bathing geese, goose droppings, or feathers cause them to flee. When boating into streams, bring geese along. Households near mountain streams keep white geese. Those entering mountain streams for logging should carry goose droppings and feathers for protection. These insects have keen hearing but poor vision. When people enter stream sources to fetch water or bathe, or wade across, they should throw stones or wood into the water from a distance to create noise. The insects will shoot vacuously at the sound, expelling their toxin. Throw water widely to left and right until the insect releases all toxins, then cross. Such insects are common in mountain sources. During heavy floods, they drift into homes or settle in hoof prints on roads. People walking on land often fail to notice, especially when gathering firewood or bamboo. Victims may misdiagnose the condition and die due to incorrect treatment. Initial symptoms of Shegong envenomation include chills, fever, aversion to cold, dyspnea, muscle spasms, stiffness, headache, and eye pain, resembling Cold Damage or corpse-possession syndrome (Zhongshi), leading to aphonia. Patients may feel slightly better in the morning but worsen in the evening, suffering from oppressive chills and fever. Within three to four days, survival is possible. Acute cases die in seven days, moderate in fourteen, and chronic in twenty-one. Small insects have mild toxicity and do not immediately form sores, often going unrecognized. Large insects have potent toxicity and cause immediate sores. Sores initially appear as black bean-like spots, burns, or earwig-wound-like lesions. Pain is needle-like. Even before visible sores, flesh perforations resembling moxa burn holes may occur. Distant shots or shadow-shots have milder toxicity. Shots to the upper body close to the source are often fatal. Shots to the lower body are less severe. Even if not fatal, recovery is not guaranteed within one hundred days. Treatment follows below.
For Shegong envenomation causing chills, fever, or localized sores differing from standard presentations: Crush fresh Amaranthus tricolor (Chixian, red amaranth) including stems and leaves, extract juice, drink 7 he, taken four to five times daily for good effect. Use the larger red variety of amaranth.
Another prescription: Decalone Rhinocerotis Cornu (Xijiao, rhinoceros horn) alone and drink to reduce toxic heat.
Prescription for Shegong envenomation:
Take one handful of Akebiae Caulis Folium (Guijiu, Akebia leaf), moisten in vinegar, thoroughly crush, extract juice, drink 1 sheng, three times daily.
Another prescription: Rhinocerotis Cornu Fragmentum (Xixie, rhinoceros horn powder, 2 liang) Belamcandae Radix (Wushangen, blackberry lily root, 2 liang) Cimicifugae Rhizoma (Shengma, black cohosh rhizome, 3 liang)
Chop the three ingredients, decoct in 4 sheng of water to obtain 1.5 sheng. Divide into two doses, taken one meal interval apart. Prepare again after completion.
Another prescription: Extract juice from Brassica pekinensis var. rugosa (Shui-song, Chinese cabbage), drink 1 sheng, three times daily for cure.
Another prescription: Take fresh Eucommiae Ramulus et Folium (Zhenzhu, eucommia stem/leaf) equivalent to a tiger's mouth grip. Break off ends, retain the center. Thoroughly crush, decoct in 3 sheng of water to obtain 1.7 sheng. Drink in one dose for miraculous effect.
Prescription for Shegong envenomation with existing sores:
Take one large Scolopendra (Wugong, centipede), lightly roast, powder it, mix with vinegar, and apply to the sore for good effect.
Another prescription: Take one Mylabris (Banmao, blister beetle), roast over fire, powder it, mix with vinegar, and apply.
Another prescription: Crush Sinapis Albae Semen (Jiezi, mustard seed) thoroughly, mix with thick vinegar, apply to the sore for half a day.
Another prescription: Take leaves of Achyranthes bidentata var. wild (Yelangya, wild achyranthes). In winter, use roots, crush thoroughly, apply to the affected area. Also drink 4-6 he of juice to prevent internal penetration of toxin.
Jiyan Fang (Collected Proven Prescriptions) treats sores from Shegong envenomation causing chills and fever:
Belamcandae Radix (Wushangen, 2 liang) Cimicifugae Rhizoma (Shengma, 2 liang)
Decoct the two ingredients in 3 sheng of water to obtain 1 sheng. Adjust temperature to suitability, drink completely. Apply the dregs topically.
Ge Shi Fang (Ge's Prescriptions) treats Shegong envenomation:
Upon first seeing the sore, rub with Rhinocerotis Cornu (Xijiao) dipped in water and apply. Reapply when dry without stopping.
Another prescription: Urgently moxa around the sore at a distance of one cun. Apply one moxa cone per spot, 100 cones per spot. Also apply 100 cones directly on the sore.
Another prescription: Slice Allium sativum (Hu, garlic), apply to the sore. Apply 10 moxa cones on the garlic. Also extract juice from Houttuynia cordata (Changsicao, fish mint), drink 1-2 sheng, apply dregs topically.
Another prescription: Take two white Anseris Domesticii Excrementum (Baie shi, white goose droppings), mix with a little hot water to cover, and apply.
Zhenzhong Fang (Prescriptions from the Pillow) treats all insect/snake, Shegong, and Sand Louse (Shashi) hundred-toxin conditions:
Crush Sesamum indicum (Huma, sesame) raw, apply topically. Auspicious. Cure within three applications.