Library

The *Bozhai Bian* records: Mao Jing, a military officer in the yamen of Yongzhou Prefecture, suffered from a strange disease. Whenever he spoke, an object in his throat would make a sound in response. A Daoist priest instructed him to recite the names of herbs from the *Bencao* (Materia Medica). When he reached the name "Lan" (Orchid), he fell silent (the throat object ceased responding). He then drank the juice extracted from Lan, and shortly after, vomited out a piece of flesh-like matter, slightly over two cun long, with a complete human form. Liu Si witnessed this event personally in Yongzhou. The *Qianjin Yifang* states that Lan treats gan erosion (ulcerative conditions caused by parasites or deficiency heat); thus, it is indeed an insecticidal substance.

Chen Zhengmin's *Dunzhai Xianlan* records: A man surnamed Yang developed a bizarre illness in middle age. Whenever he spoke or answered, small insects in his abdomen mimicked his voice. Over several years, the sound gradually grew louder. A Daoist priest saw this and exclaimed in surprise, "This is a 'responding-sound insect' (Yingsheng Chong)." If left untreated for a long time, it will spread to his wife and children. One should recite the *Bencao*; when encountering a herb name that does not elicit a response from the insect, that herb will cure the condition. (Note: The original text here is incomplete, implying that finding the non-responding herb identifies the cure).

Cai Kang, son of Cai Dingfu Kan, suffered bitterly from Ascaris lumbricoides (specifically referring to tapeworms/segmented worms, known as Cunbai Chong). The physician instructed him to roast a piece of pork on the third day before the beginning of the lunar month. He was to place it in his mouth, chew and swallow the saliva without swallowing the meat. The various insects, attracted by the aroma, would swarm to suck at it like arrows gathering. Then, one liang of fine powder of Areca Seed (Binglang) should be taken, mixed with a decoction made from the eastward-growing roots of Pomegranate Bark (Shiliu Pi), and administered orally. Cai followed these instructions. Within less than two shi (four hours), thunderous sounds erupted in his abdomen accompanied by urgent diarrhea. The worms were expelled in great quantities; when probed with a stick, they were found to be connected in long chains, nearly ten zhang in length, still wriggling. They were all thrown into fire and burned, and his chronic ailment was instantly cured.

Ancient texts describe nine types of intestinal parasites: 1. Fu Chong (Hidden Worm), four cun long, is the leader of the group of worms. 2. Bai Chong (White Worm), reproduces excessively, one cun long in shape, while its mother can reach four or five chi in length. 3. Rou Chong (Flesh Worm), shaped like a rotten apricot, causes mental restlessness and oppression. 4. Fei Chong (Lung Worm), shaped like a silkworm, causes coughing and hoarseness. 5. Wei Chong (Stomach Worm), shaped like a toad, causes vomiting and regurgitation. 6. Ruo Chong (Weak Worm), shaped like melon seeds, causes excessive salivation. 7. Chi Chong (Red Worm), shaped like raw meat, causes borborygmus (bowel sounds). 8. Tiao Chong (Pinworm), extremely minute and shaped like vegetable worms, resides in the intestinal cavities; its presence leads to hemorrhoids, fistulas, carbuncles, sores, and other ulcers. 9. Hui Chong (Roundworm), one chi long; if it pierces the heart, it causes death. There are also three types of Shī Chong (Corpse Worms), shaped like large horse tails, thin and attached to the tendons, relying on the Spleen for residence, possessing both head and tail, each three cun long. Additionally, there are Lao Chong (Consumption Worms), Ge Ye Chong (Dysphagia Worms), Lai Chong (Leprosy Worms), Gu Chong (Gu Poison Worms), and Hu Huo Chong (Fox-Haunting Worms), which are difficult to list completely. Physicians may treat them by inferring their categories.