Library

Commentary states: It is passed down in the world that the shadow of the "Qu Niao Ren" (a mythical creature associated with a specific type of skin ulcer) can cause people to develop sores. The appearance of these sores resembles millet seeds, clustering together; they are stinging and painful like thorns. Larger ones are the size of cornelian cherry fruits, with redness surrounding them and white fluid in the center. This condition causes the skin and flesh to feel tight and contracted, accompanied by aversion to cold and high fever. Treatment methods include applying powder made from ground rhinoceros horn, or drawing the image of the Qu Niao on the ground, taking the soil from the belly area of the drawn figure, mixing it into mud, and applying it. Alternatively, one may treat it according to the method for Huo Dan (erysipelas/fire carbuncle). These medicinal applications and apotropaic rituals are used concurrently by the public and should not be neglected.

Deer Horn Ointment for Treating Qu Niao Sores:
Lu Jiao (Deer Antler, burned to ash, 3 liang)
Process the single ingredient by grinding it finely, mix with vinegar (Ku Jiu), and apply topically. If the sore has exudate, burn old rush mats to ash, powder them, and apply to the sore.

Sophora Bark Slurry for Treating Qu Niao Sores:
Huai Bai Pi (Bark of Sophora tonkinensis, half jin, sliced and soaked in 2 sheng of vinegar for half a day)
Wash the sore with the vinegar solution several times a day. Then, powder Chi Xiao Dou (Adzuki Bean), mix with this vinegar solution, and apply topically.

Cornelian Cherry Ointment for Treating Exudative and Painful Qu Niao Sores:
Zhu Yu Dong Xing Gen (Root of Cornelian Cherry growing towards the east, washed and chopped)
Grind the single ingredient into powder, mix with vinegar, and apply as a poultice.

Sheep Beard Ointment for Treating Exudative and Painful Qu Niao Sores:
Ling Yang Xu (Horn of Saiga Antelope, appropriate amount, burned to ash)
Grind the single ingredient finely, mix with lard from the twelfth lunar month (La Yue), and seal/apply to the affected area.

Tea Powder Poultice for Early-Stage Painful Qu Niao Sores:
Hao Cha Mo (Fine powder of good quality tea)
Mix the single ingredient with sesame oil, apply topically, and change frequently.

Fermented Soybean Ointment for Treating Qu Niao Sores:
Chi Dou (Fermented Soybean, half liang)
Powder the single ingredient, mix with vinegar, and apply to the sore.

Toon Branch Ash for Treating Qu Niao Sores:
Lian Zhi (Branches of Toona sinensis, burned to ash)
Powder the single ingredient. If the sore is wet, apply dry powder; if dry, mix with vinegar and apply.

Adzuki Bean Powder Poultice for Treating Painful, Exudative Qu Niao Sores:
Xiao Dou (Small beans/Adzuki Bean)
Powder the single ingredient, apply to the sore, and change frequently.

Gleditsia Sinensis Fat for Treating Chronic Non-Healing Qu Niao Sores:
Zhu Ya Zao Jia (Fruit of Gleditsia sinensis)
Heat the single ingredient until fat/oil oozes out. Apply the hot oil topically immediately.

Barley Poultice for Treating Qu Niao Sores:
Da Mai (Hordeum vulgare, one he)
Chew the single ingredient thoroughly and apply the paste to the sore.

Verbenaceae Herb Poultice for Treating Qu Niao Sores:
Ma Bian Cao (Verbena officinalis, one liang)
Grind the single ingredient into powder and apply to the sore.

Licorice Poultice for Treating Qu Niao Sores:
Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae, one liang)
Powder the single ingredient, mix with juice from Chinese chives (Jiu Cai), and apply topically.

Rhinoceros Horn Application for Treating Qu Niao Sores:
Xi Jiao (Horn of Rhinoceros, fine shavings)
Grind the single ingredient into powder, mix with water, and apply topically.

Apotropaic Method for Treating Qu Niao Sores:
It is suitable to draw the shape of the Qu Niao on the ground, use a knife to dig up the soil from the belly area of the drawing, and at the spot where the soil was taken, mix the soil with saliva to form mud. Apply this mud to the sore, and it will heal.