Library

The *Zhouhou Beiji Fang* (Emergency Prescriptions Kept Up the Sleeve) discusses Sha Li poison, stating: In mountainous and water-rich areas, there are many "Sha Li" (sand lice), which are extremely fine insects invisible to the naked eye. When people enter water to bathe or draw water for washing, these insects attach to humans in the water. If one walks through grass on rainy days, they also attach to people and burrow into the skin. The diagnostic method is as follows: initially, a bright red spot appears on the skin, resembling a small bean, millet grain, or broomcorn millet. Rubbing the red area causes pain like a needle prick. After three days, it causes stiffness and pain in all joints, accompanied by chills and fever, and sores develop at the red spots. The insect gradually penetrates to the bone. Once it reaches the bone, it can be fatal.

After bathing in mountain stream water, one should thoroughly wipe the body with a towel several times, then wipe again with an old cloth, and finally apply powder. Currently, water in the Jiangdong region invariably contains these insects. After bathing, if wiping with a towel feels like being pricked by fine hairs, carefully inspect the affected area and gently brush it off with bamboo leaves. Recently, people in Lingnan who first contracted this disease scraped the affected area with thatch leaves; it is best to cause slight skin injury, then apply juice of *Sonchus oleraceus* (common sow-thistle) multiple times until recovery. If the condition is deep, use a needle to pick out the insect. Like *Sarcoptes scabiei* (scabies mite), it can only be seen moving when held against the light on a fingernail. If it cannot be picked out, moxibustion of three to four cones should be applied to the site; once the insect dies, the disease will cease. If only two or three areas are infected, it will not cause significant harm. However, if multiple areas are infected and cannot all be treated by picking or moxibustion, and if severe pain persists indicating deep penetration, one should immediately follow local customs to extract the toxin using specific methods or decoctions. Typically, several sheng (a unit of volume) of sand-like substance can be expelled, continuing until completely clear. If such methods are unavailable, drinking large amounts of foreign wine until intoxication is also beneficial. If even that is unavailable, treat according to this prescription, and simultaneously employ emergency measures used for treating Xi Du (stream poison) and She Gong (archer fish poison). Recovery is expected within seven days; otherwise, it may transform into Xi Du resembling the size of a leek leaf, four to five cun long. Initially, swelling and stabbing pain occur in the abdomen and flanks. A chicken should be broken open and placed over the lesion; the insects emerge to feed on the chicken. Repeat this three or four times until all insects are removed. Concurrently, administer Musk (*Moschus*) and Rhinoceros Horn (*Rhinocerotis Cornu*) to protect the internal organs. This treatment is effective, as many locals have been poisoned by this condition, calling it "HT" (pronounced 'gu qie') Sha Chong (sand worm). In Wu dialect, "Sha" is pronounced as "Dao" (thief), sounding like a bird's long tail. "Dao" implies that this insect can attract stream qi. In the mountains of Jiangdong, these insects are ubiquitous, attaching to human flesh without causing immediate pain. If not noticed immediately, they lay eggs in the skin over time. Slight invasion leads to symptoms. When walking in mountains, it is advisable to carry salt in a bamboo tube and frequently check the body. Applying salt to detected insects causes them to detach. Mixing with a small amount of smelted iron oxide ore (*Haematitum*) is particularly effective. This is another prescription for Sha Li poison.

Apply a small amount of Musk (*Moschus*) to the sore. If not healed after five days, administer *Croton tiglium* (Ba Dou) decoction. On the first day, take one seed of *Croton tiglium*; on the second day, two seeds, calculating the total number accordingly. Remove the skin and heart of the seeds, boil in three sheng of water, reduce to one sheng, and drink the entire dose. If not healed, prepare and administer again. (Same as *Wenzhong Beijifang*).

Another prescription:
Two *Mylabris* (Ban Mao) beetles. Roast one, grind into powder, and ingest. Burn the other until smoke ceases, and apply the ash to the sore. (Same as *Qianjin Fang* and *Wenzhong Beijifang*).

Another prescription:
Grind Musk (*Moschus*) and garlic together. Mix with sheep fat (*Ovis aries Adip*), place in a tube, and carry it while traveling. This is highly effective. (Same as *Qianjin Fang*).

Simplified prescription for Sha Li:
Use five he of salt, boil in ten dou of water for one boil, and use the liquid to soak and wash the sore. (From Volume 10).

Bixiao Fang for Sha Li:
When initial red spots appear like rice grains, apply a mixture of salt and Musk (*Moschus*) to heal.