Library

According to the *Zhubing Yuanhou Lun* (Treatise on the Pathogenesis and Symptoms of All Diseases): If a person is bitten by a pit viper (Fushé, Agkistrodon) and does not receive treatment, death will occur within one day. If treatment is not administered early, even if the patient survives, they will often suffer mutilation or amputation of their limbs.

The pit viper is not particularly long in body shape; its head is flat with a pointed mouth, it has neck markings, and its body also features patterns resembling mugwort, with a bluish-black color. When encountered, it crawls with its neck and abdomen pressed against the ground. Its venom is extremely potent.

It is further stated that there is another type of snake, similar to the pit viper but shorter, with four legs, capable of jumping to bite humans. People in the East call this "Thousand-Year Viper" (Qiānsuì Fù). A bite from this snake is invariably fatal. However, after biting a person, it jumps onto a tree and makes sounds. If it says "Zhuo mu, Zhuo mu" (Chop wood, chop wood), it indicates that the victim's family is merely preparing coffins. If it says "Bo shu, Bo shu," emergency treatment may still be effective.

It is also said that the Hui snake (Huǐ, a general term for venomous snakes) is short and flat-bodied, with a bluish-black color. In June and July, it appears on roads at dusk and likes to enter wheel ruts, where it ruptures its belly to give birth to young. Travelers moving in the early morning or at dusk must be vigilant; bites from these snakes can be fatal.

From *Ge Shi Fang* (Prescriptions by Master Ge) for treating pit viper bites:
Crush small garlic, squeeze out the juice for oral administration, and apply the residue to the wound.

Another prescription: Crush fresh chives and apply them to the wound.

Another prescription: Chew salt, spit it onto the wound, then moxa-burn the wound site three times (San Zhuang). Afterward, chew more salt and apply it to the wound.

Another prescription: Grind realgar (Xionghuang) into fine powder and insert it into the wound; apply three to four times.

From *Ji Yan Fang* (Collected Proven Prescriptions) for treating pit viper bites:
Have a woman urinate on the bitten area.

Another prescription: Have a woman sit on the bitten area.

From *Qian Jin Fang* (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold) for treating pit viper bites:
Moxa-burn the affected area twenty-one times (San Qi Zhuang).

Another prescription: Thoroughly crush winter okra (Kui), extract the juice, and administer it orally.

From *Su Jing Bencao Zhu* (Commentary on Materia Medica by Su Jing) for treating pit viper bites:
Crush luoshi (falling stone/mineral), squeeze out the juice to wash the wound, and take it internally for good effect.

From *Qipo Fang* (Prescriptions of Jivaka) for treating pit viper bites:
Apply dried ginger powder (Ganjiang Xie) to the wound.

From *Guang Ji Fang* (Broad Salvation Prescriptions) for treating venomous snake bites:
Take the root of Colocasia esculenta (Cigu), crush it, and apply it to the wound for immediate recovery. This herb grows in water and has leaves resembling swallow tails; it is highly effective and should not be underestimated.

From *Ji Yao Fang* (Extremely Important Prescriptions) for treating pit viper sores:
Grind Paris polyphylla (Zhaoxiu) with vinegar and apply it to the wound.

Another prescription: Crush Polygonum hydropiper (Shuiliao) and apply it to the wound, and also administer its juice orally.

From *Ji Yan Fang* for treating bites from various snakes and Huis:
Place Huixiao la (likely referring to a specific wax or resin preparation, literally "fire-melted wax") into the wound.