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[Background Information]
Book: Waitai Miyao (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold for Emergencies)
Author: Wang Tao
Dynasty: Tang Dynasty, Tianbao 11th Year
Chapter: Twenty-One Formulas for Gu Poisoning
Category: Formulas

[Translation]

Disease Origins: The sources of Gu poison are of several types, all being qi of transformation and bewilderment. Some people intentionally create them by collecting various snakes and insects, storing them in vessels, and allowing them to devour each other until only one remains; this survivor is called "Gu." It possesses the power to bewilder and follow food and drink to bring disaster to humans. If it brings disaster to others, the master of the Gu benefits, which is why unrestrained individuals keep and serve them. There are also "Flying Gu," which come and go without trace, gradually resembling ghostly qi. Contracting this is sudden and severe. Generally, those suffering from Gu poisoning tend toward internal heat... [The original text here is severely fragmented and difficult to translate coherently, but generally refers to changes in complexion and internal symptoms]. ...If not newly formed, frost, water, moxibustion, acupuncture, etc., should be considered... Do not let there be sound... Store/visualize the five zang organs, each according to its color and shape... Visualize the stomach as bright and white... Stop when exhausted and sweating... Apply powder to the body... Tomorrow repeat... Visualize great thunder and lightning entering the abdomen... If practiced continuously, the disease will remove itself. (From Volume 25)

The *Qianjin Lun* states: There are thousands of types of Gu poison, all different. Symptoms may include vomiting or defecating fresh blood, preferring to lie in dark rooms and avoiding light, mental aberrations such as sudden anger or joy, heavy limbs, and soreness in all joints. Such manifestations cannot be fully described. Some die after three years, while acute cases may kill within a month... [Text fragmentary].

Another discussion states: Incompetent physicians in the world, seeing patients with Gu distension characterized by unilateral abdominal swelling and fullness, with normal limbs and no significant difficulty in urination, treat them as water diseases. After taking water-draining medicines for over fifty days, hoping for gradual recovery, the condition worsens day by day, leading to sudden death. This happens frequently. Students should carefully seek the meaning of the formulas and apply them appropriately... [Text fragmentary].

*Guangji* Formula for Treating Gu Poisoning: Take this Shengma San (Cimicifuga Powder), and after three or four days, take the previously mentioned Guangsha Wan (Guangsha Pill).
Shengma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae), Jiegeng (Radix Platycodonis), Gualou (Fructus Trichosanthis) (each 5 liang).
Pulverize these three ingredients into a powder. Wash the patient's genitals with hot water decoction, then administer the concentrated juice using a "fangcun bi" (a square-inch measure) orally, twice daily. Gradually increase to two measures for internal resolution. Avoid sticky foods and pork. (From Volume 4)

*Zhouhou* Various Formulas for Treating Gu Poisoning: Some people raise Gu poison to harm patients. Generally, the signs of Gu poisoning cause cutting pain in the heart and abdomen, as if being bitten, or vomiting/defecating blood. If not treated immediately, it eats the five zang organs, and once finished, death occurs. To know if it is Gu or not, have the patient spit into water; what sinks is Gu, what floats is not.
Another formula to know the name of the Gu master: Take a piece of drum skin, burn it to ash, and take with drink. The patient will soon call out the name of the Gu master. Inform the master, and the Gu will leave, curing the disease. There are also cases where snake saliva is mixed with Gu poison in food/drink, causing phlegm masses (Jia Bing). This type takes years to kill, and has specific treatments. People in the mountains of Jiangnan must believe this.
Another formula: Place He Mi (likely a typo for a specific herb or substance, possibly related to lotus or similar) on the patient's sleeping mat, which can also make them call the Gu master's name. (Wen Zhong, Beiji Qianjin Yaofang, and Qianjin Yifang are identical, From Volume 3)

*Duanju* Formula for Treating Gu:
Gupi (Drum Skin, 5 cun wide, 1 chi long), Weiqiang Gen (Root of Rosa multiflora, 5 cun, cut finely. This formula says Langdang Gen / Radix Daturae).
Boil these two ingredients in 1 sheng of water and 3 sheng of clear wine until 1 sheng remains. Take in one dose. The Gu will be expelled, and the patient will recover. (*Qianjin*, *Gujin Luyan* are identical. *Qianjin* treats Gu with vomiting/defecating blood).
Another formula: Tugua Gen (Root of Thlaspi arvense or similar, size of thumb, 3 cun long), cut, soak in half a sheng of wine overnight. One dose causes vomiting/defecation. (*Gujin Luyan* is identical).
Another formula: Zaojiao (Gleditsia Sinensis Fruit, 3 stalks, 1 chi long), roasted, skin and seeds removed, soaked in 1 sheng of fine wine overnight. Strain and take in one dose. (*Gujin Luyan*, Fan Wang are identical. *Zhouhou* says divide 5 sheng of wine into three doses).
Another formula: Qi Gen (Root of Shepherd's Purse), pulverized, taken with drink using a fangcun bi. (*Gujin Luyan* is identical).

*Qianjin* Xijiao Wan (Rhinoceros Horn Pill) for Treating Hundred Diseases of Gu Poisoning, Sudden Abdominal Pain, Feishi (Flying Corpse), Evil Qi Swelling:
Xijiao (Horn of Rhinoceros, powdered), Lingyangjiao (Horn of Saiga Antelope, powdered), Jiubai (Rhizoma Typhonii), Guixin (Cortex Cinnamomi, quantity: 4 qianbi), Tianxiong (Radix Aconiti Kusnezoffii, processed), Mangcao (Herba Agrimoniae, roasted), Zhenzhu (Margarita, ground), Xionghuang (Realgar, ground, each 1 liang), Shexiang (Moschus, half liang, ground), Beichi (Shell of Concha Haliotidis, burned to ash, 5 pieces), Chizu Wugong (Red-footed Centipede, 5 segments, roasted), Shewang (Aconitum alkaloid paste, amount equal to 3 chicken egg yolks), Badou (Seed of Croton tiglium, 50 seeds, skin and heart removed, roasted).
Pulverize and sieve these thirteen ingredients separately, mix, and bind with honey to form pills the size of small beans. Take one pill; if ineffective, increase by one pill. For sudden abdominal pain or Feishi, take two pills the size of soybeans. For Evil Qi swelling, mix with vinegar and apply externally; this is very good. Store the medicine in a crimson bag and tie it to the left arm of men and right arm of women to ward off evil, for preparation... [Text fragmentary].

*Qianjin Yifang* Formula for Treating Gu Poisoning:
Take a large handful of the white inner bark of Hu Mu (Oak Tree) from the north shade, 5 cun long. Boil in 3 sheng of water until 1 sheng remains. Take on an empty stomach to vomit out the Gu. Also treats Gu with bleeding. (From Volume 15)

Cui Shi Formula for Treating Gu:
Dry Huang Gualou Gen (Root of Trichosanthes kirilowii), 2 liang, pulverized. Wrap in silk, soak in 1 sheng of wine for one day. Strain and take warm. Soon after, vomiting and diarrhea occur, and the Gu is expelled. Then drink one or two cups of porridge soup to stop the vomiting/diarrhea. If it does not stop, decoct Renshen (Radix Ginseng), Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae), and Zhi Shengjiang (Prepared Fresh Ginger), each 1 liang, and take. The root from South Shan is best. (From Volume 3)

Beiji Formula for Treating Gu:
Burn the feathers and feces of white pigeons to ash, mix with drink and take. Good effect.
Another formula for treating Gu: Although families hide this formula, they do not know its efficacy. Pulverize fresh Gualou Gen, extract 1 sheng of juice, mix with a little sauce, take warm. Soon vomit out the Gu. Tested. (Both from Volume 16)

Bixiao Greatly Effective Formula for Gu Poisoning:
Daji (Radix Euphorbiae Pekinensis), Taobaipi (Inner Bark of Peach Tree, from east-facing branch, roasted), Banmao (Mylabris, legs and wings removed, roasted), equal parts.
Pulverize and sieve these three ingredients. Take half a fangcun bi with cold water. One dose expels the poison. If not expelled, take another dose to expel both. Li Raozhou's method claims miraculous effect: if contracted via wine, take with wine; if via food, take with drink. (*Cui Shi*, *Qianjin* are identical. *Zhouhou* says Banmao 1 part, Taopi/Daji 2 parts each, mix with date pit rice clear drink to vomit Gu. If not cured in 10 days, take again. *Qianjin* Cui Shi says take 8 nianni).
Another formula: Hudie Gen (Root of Coriandrum sativum), pulverized, extract half a sheng of juice, mix with wine and take to induce immediate expulsion.
Another formula: Take 14 Si Xiang Zi (Acacia Seeds) that have not been drilled, pulverize, mix with half a cup of warm water, stir, and take in one dose. You will feel the urge to vomit; suppress it. If you cannot bear it, open mouth wide and vomit. The poison comes out. Afterward, eat thin porridge, avoid meat. Mild cases cure with 7 seeds. Regardless of duration, this is extremely effective, do not轻视 (underestimate) it.
Another method to test for Gu: Hold a silver spoon, chopsticks, or hairpin in the mouth overnight. If it turns black, it is Gu; if not, it is not. (From Volume 3)

Gujin Luyan Formula for Treating Gu:
Badou (10 seeds, heart and skin removed, roasted), Chi (Fermented Soybeans, half a sheng, roasted), Fudi Mo (Soot from the bottom of the cauldron, 1 fangcun bi).
Pulverize and sieve these three ingredients. Early morning, take the size of a hairpin head with wine. Walk slightly. The Gu master will come to the door. Do not answer. When he returns home, he will immediately know his own name.
Another Xionghuang Wan (Realgar Pill) for Severe Gu Poisoning Near Death:
Xionghuang (Realgar, ground), Zhusha (Cinnabar, ground), Lilu (Rhizoma Veratri, roasted), Mumu Dougong (Toxic substance, likely a specific mineral/herb), Zaojiao (Gleditsia Sinensis, roasted, skin/seeds removed, 2 fen), Mangcao (Agrimony, roasted, 2 fen), Badou (Croton seed, heart/skin removed, roasted, 2 fen).
Pulverize and sieve these seven ingredients, bind with honey to form pills the size of soybeans. Take three pills. Expect downward movement. First clear water, then snakes/etc. emerge. If feeling stifled, supplement with duck soup according to usual methods. Dietary restrictions as usual.
Another formula for treating Gu: Take Mudan Gen (Root of Paeonia suffruticosa), pulverize, take 1 qianbi, three times daily. Good effect. Avoid Coriander. (Fan Wang is identical).
Another formula for treating Gu by Hu Qia: Use Pig Gallbladder to guide into the lower orifice. Very good. (*Zhouhou*, *Jiyi*, Fan Wang are identical, From Volume 45)