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The discussion on "Stream Poison" (Xidu) in *Zhouhou Beiji Fang* states that Ge Hong said: Water toxin invading the human body is also known as "Zhong Shui" (Water Strike), "Zhong Xi" (Stream Strike), "Zhong Sa", or "Shui Bing" (Water Disease). Its symptoms resemble those of a bite from a Shegong insect (a type of aquatic venomous insect), but no physical object is visible. The diagnostic method is as follows: Initially, there is aversion to cold, slight headache, pain in the eye sockets, mental restlessness and distress, trembling of the four limbs, stiffness of the waist, back, and joints, tendon tension with pain in both knees; or alternatively, fever accompanied by drowsiness, clarity in the morning worsening in the evening, and cold extremities extending up to the elbows and knees. After two or three days, worms may develop in the abdomen, eroding the lower part of the body, causing sores around the anus that are neither painful nor itchy, and imperceptible to the patient unless examined. If not treated immediately, after six or seven days, the lower part will suppurate and ulcerate, the worms will ascend to erode the five zang organs, leading to intense heat, irritability, and toxicity, with uncontrollable diarrhea. By the eighth or ninth day, even a skilled physician cannot cure it. Upon feeling unwell, one should promptly examine the lower region. If the sore is bright red like cut meat, it is classified as Yang Du (Yang Toxicity), which is most urgent. If the sore resembles the teeth of a conch fish, it is classified as Yin Du (Yin Toxicity), which is slightly less acute. However, all such conditions are fatal within twenty days. To determine if it is Zhong Shui poison, boil several dou of water. Add five sheng of chopped small garlic (Allium sativum var. cernuum) to the water. Do not let the water be too hot, as excessive heat reduces efficacy. Strain the residue, adjust the temperature to a comfortable warmth, and use for bathing.

Another prescription for treating Zhong Shui poison:
Crush plum leaves or peach leaves, and squeeze out approximately three sheng of juice. Divide into two doses. If using dried leaves, squeezing juice with water is also excellent. (*Jiyan Fang*, *Wenzhong Fang*, *Beiji Qianjin Yaofang* are identical. Yao Hezhong stated: For children who cannot drink it, apply the juice to the nipple for them to suck.)

Another prescription:
Crush Changsi Cao (Changsi Grass), squeeze out three sheng of juice and drink it. This is effective. Also, wrap the residue in cotton and insert it into the lower orifice (anus) three times daily until recovery. (*Wenzhong Fang*, *Beiji Fang* are identical)

Another prescription:
Crush Lanqing (Indigo plant dye material), mix with a small amount of water, and apply evenly over the head, face, and entire body. (*Wenzhong Fang*, *Qianjin Yifang*, *Beiji Fang* are identical)

Another prescription:
Take a handful of Polygonum (Liao), crush it, mix with one sheng of wine, squeeze out the juice, and take it. No more than three doses are needed. (*Wenzhong Fang*, *Qianjin Yifang*, *Beiji Fang* note that *Zhouhou Fang* later used pear leaves)

Another prescription:
Take Da Mei (Large Berry) including roots. Grind this single herb into powder and take it. Alternatively, add water, crush, squeeze out the juice, and drink one to two sheng. For cases with worms in the lower body, carry this powder frequently when walking outdoors in summer. Before entering water to bathe, throw a small amount of powder upstream to ensure safety. It also repels Shegong insects. Even when bathing in vessels at home, it is common practice to throw this powder into the water.

Currently, people in various mountain prefectures east of the river suffer from Stream Poison every spring. The symptoms resemble Typhoid Fever (Shanghan) in the capital, hence called "Xi Wen" (Stream Warmth). It is not necessarily caused solely by Shegong insects; patients also suffer from sores and dysentery, characterized by chills, fever, irritability, and pain. Without resolution, death ensues. Physicians treat this condition using medications similar to those for Shanghan and Warm Diseases. The following prescriptions are listed:

Stand facing east, take two or three steps, then stir the water to the left with your hand. Take a handful of garlic, cook and crush it thoroughly, soak it in wine, strain the residue, and drink two cups. Vomiting should occur, and recovery follows. This prescription is very effective.

*Beiji Fang* prescription for Stream Poison:
Burn Wujiagen (Acanthopanacis Cortex/Radix) into ash/powder, and administer one fangcun bi (a square inch measure) with wine or grain wash. (*Zhouhou Fang*, *Wenzhong Fang*, *Beiji Fang* are identical)

Another prescription:
Burn Jiaoyu Pi (Shark Skin), and administer one fangcun bi with drinks. Recovery is immediate.

Another prescription:
Crush Jing Ye (Evodiae Folium/Herba Evodiae) and drink the juice. (*Zhouhou Fang* is identical)

Another prescription:
Crush Qigu (a local plant) and apply it to the waist and back. Qigu grows in the eastern regions, with fine leaves resembling garlic leaves.

Another prescription:
Take one Wusuan (Black Garlic/Allium), crush it, mix with wine, and take half a sheng. Vomiting indicates recovery. Wusuan is also known as Wujiu (Black Leek) and is abundant in mountains.

For cases where sores in the lower body have already ulcerated and opened:
Take one sheng of Shumi (Millet/Sorghum), five sheng of salt, and one dan of water. Boil into a thick porridge. Sit in it for immediate healing. (*Wenzhong Fang*, *Beiji Fang* are identical; *Zhouhou Fang* is also identical)

Another prescription:
Crush Tao Ye (Peach Leaf) and Ai Ye (Artemisiae Argyi Folium) until cooked/soft. Soak in water, extract concentrated juice, strain, pour into a basin, and sit in it. White worms will emerge, indicating recovery. (*Wenzhong Fang*, *Beiji Fang* are identical. *Zhouhou Fang* specifies using peach bark/leaves without mugwort)

Another prescription:
Burn Zaojiao (Gleditsiae Fructus), grind into powder, wrap in cotton, and insert into the lower orifice.

Another prescription:
Mix salt with Zaojiao powder, crush together, wrap in cotton, and insert into the lower orifice.

Another prescription:
Grind Mudanpi (Moutan Cortex) into powder, take one fangcun bi with drinks, three times daily.

Local folk treatment methods:
Upon first feeling unwell, take Xisuan (Stream Garlic) and crushed Taoye (Peach Leaf), one jin. Steam until thoroughly hot, spread on a cloth mat, undress, lie on it, cover with thick quilts, and induce profuse sweating for a long time. Afterward, wipe dry and avoid wind exposure for recovery. If five or six days have passed, the toxin may have entered the abdomen, making it incurable. Medication should be taken first. Large trees named Litán grow in the eastern mountains; harvest and dry them in advance. Alternatively, use Qigen (Qiancao Radix), Baihegen (Lili Bulbus), or Lanqing juice alone, all of which are good. If roots/bark are unavailable, pure Lanqing juice can be used. It can be ingested or boiled with other herbs for topical application. If abdominal pain occurs, fearing transformation into Gu (Gu Poison) eating internal organs, take two sheng of Zhizhi (Porcine Fat), render until dry, add one dou of water, squeeze out juice, and take slowly. (All from Volume 8)

*Qianjin Yaofang* prescription for Stream Poison:
Take ten cloves of Datasuan (Garlic), keep the skin on, roast in hot ashes until hot. Cut off the root end with a knife, and press the cut surface onto the poisoned area. (*Wenzhong Fang*, *Beiji Fang*, *Cui Shi Fang* are identical)

Another prescription:
Xionghuang (Realgar), Zhusha (Cinnabar), Changshan (Radix Dichroae) (equal parts).
On the noon hour of the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, have a young boy crush and mix these three ingredients. (From Volume 26)

Zhang Wenzhong's prescription for Stream Poison:
Crush Liao (Polygonum) to extract juice, drink one to two sheng. Apply externally to the whole body for recovery.

Another prescription:
Take a handful of Xiong Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix - male variety) roots, crush them. Soak in one sheng of mixed water and wine, squeeze out juice, and drink three times daily. The stem of the male Niuxi is white and purple. (From Volume 10)