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The parasite of the Heart meridian is called Hui Chong (Ascaris); that of the Spleen meridian is Cun Bai Chong (Taenia solium, tapeworm); that of the Kidney meridian resembles a one-cun long piece of cut silk thread; that of the Liver meridian resembles a rotten apricot; and that of the Lung meridian resembles a silkworm. All these parasites can cause death, but the Lung parasite is the most urgent. The Lung parasite resides within the lung lobes, eroding the lung system, thus forming Zhai Ji (consumption/tuberculosis), characterized by hemoptysis (coughing up blood) and hoarseness. Medicines cannot easily reach the site of the disease, making treatment difficult. It is said that in the Daoist Canon (Dao Zang), it is recorded that all parasites have their heads pointing downwards, except from the first to the fifth day of the lunar month, when they move with their heads upward. Therefore, those using medicine often take advantage of the moon phase before the fifth day, which is likely the reason. For example, to treat Cun Bai Chong, using Xisha (Tin Sand), Wuyi (Chrysanthemum indicum fruit), and Binglang (Areca Seed) from the Liang Fang prescription is excellent. Taken at Wu Geng (3-5 AM), the parasites will be completely expelled, followed by nourishing with white congee (Rice Porridge). (From *Ben Shi Fang*)

The so-called Nine Parasites are: 1. Fu Chong (Hidden Worm), four fen long, the leader of the group of worms; 2. Bai Chong (White Worm), one cun long, capable of reproduction, multiplying greatly, and if its mother grows to four or five zhang, it causes death; 3. Rou Chong (Flesh Worm), resembling a rotten apricot, causing irritability and fullness; 4. Fei Chong (Lung Worm), resembling a silkworm, causing cough; 5. Wei Chong (Stomach Worm), resembling a toad, causing vomiting and regurgitation; 6. Ruo Chong (Weak Worm), resembling melon seeds, causing excessive salivation; 7. Chi Chong (Red Worm), resembling raw meat, causing borborygmus (bowel sounds); 8. Tiao Chong (Pinworm), extremely minute and fine, resembling vegetable worms, residing in the large intestine, causing hemorrhoids, fistulas, carbuncles, and various sores when numerous; 9. Hui Chong (Roundworm), one chi long, piercing the heart causes death. There is also Shi Chong (Corpse Worm), born with humans, resembling a dog or horse tail or thin fascia, residing attached to the Spleen, about three cun long, causing great harm. However, these parasites mostly arise due to deficiency-cold of the Zang organs and heat from overwork.

Parasites that can enter the ear are not limited to Yan You (Slug). Bi Shi (Bedbug), Ying Huo (Firefly), Kou Tou Chong (Head-bobbing insect), and Zao Jiao Chong (Soap pod insect) can all cause harm. One person suffered brain pain eaten by parasites; someone advised using Peach Leaf (Tao Ye) as a pillow, and overnight the parasite exited through the nose, shaped like an eagle's beak, unrecognizable to people. Another person had a slug enter his ear; at the peak of discomfort, he hit his head against a pillar until bleeding occurred without feeling pain, claiming the itching was unbearable. Slugs entering the ears often consume the marrow entirely and can reproduce. For any parasite entering the ear, pouring raw oil is effective. (From *Dun Zhai Xian Lan*)

Minister Wu suffered from illness while in the Guanwai region for several months, losing muscle mass. Shortly after swallowing food daily, his abdomen felt as if ten thousand insects were attacking, causing both itching and pain. Everyone believed it was Lao Zhai (Consumption). Zhang Rui was then in Chengdu. Minister Wu sent an express rider to summon him. Upon arriving in Xingyuan, Zhang Rui took his pulse and warned: "Tomorrow morning, endure hunger and do not eat anything. Wait for me to devise a plan." The next morning, upon arrival, the weather was intensely hot. Zhang Rui requested a strong soldier to run ten li away to fetch road soil, using a silver bowl, and instructed the cook to prepare dough on the spot. By noon, the food was ready. Just as he put down his chopsticks to get the soil, it arrived. Zhang Rui then mixed two sheng of warm wine with the soil, extracted one hundred pills, and administered them to Minister Wu. After drinking, Minister Wu felt severe pulling pain in his intestines and stomach, barely tolerable, and hurried to the latrine. Zhang Rui secretly ordered a pit to be dug and supported Minister Wu to walk for a moment. Suddenly, he experienced violent diarrhea, expelling foul matter worth about one dou, containing over a thousand Ma Huang Chong (likely Ascaris or similar intestinal worms), coiled and knotted, half of which were dead. Minister Wu was exhausted, rested on a bamboo couch for a while, and then ate a bowl of congee. He recovered in three days. He later stated that last summer night, during troop deployment, he was thirsty and ordered soldiers to scoop stream water into a horse basin. As soon as he drank, he felt something inside but did not have time to spit it out, swallowing it directly. This led to the illness. Zhang Rui said: "When parasites enter the interior of the Liver and Spleen, they inevitably multiply. Usually, during meal times, they gather in the Dan Tian to suck essence and blood; when full, they disperse to the limbs. If one only knows how to kill them but cannot eradicate them completely, it is of no benefit." Thus, Zhang Rui asked Minister Wu to fast to lure them. These parasites favor wine and, having lacked earth flavor for a long time, gathered together while hungry, allowing one dose of medicine to cleanse them entirely. Minister Wu was overjoyed, gifted him gold and silk, and sent him home. (From *Geng Zhi*)