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There is a poisonous insect in the Jiangnan region known as "Shegong" (Crossbowman). It is also called "Duanhu" (Short Fox) or "Yu" (Hidden One). This insect often inhabits mountain streams. Inside its mouth, there is a transverse bone shaped like a crossbow. The insect is jet black, resembling a large flying insect, and has male and female distinctions. Males have two transverse horns at the corners of their mouths, which can flex and extend. In winter, they hibernate buried in the soil. When the air becomes warm and humid, they become active.

Those bitten by Shegong experience worsening symptoms in the late afternoon, characterized by alternating chills and fever, and mental restlessness. If treated within three to four days of onset, it is curable; severe cases result in death within seven days; milder cases die within fourteen days; and the longest survival does not exceed twenty-one days.

Initially, the poisoned person has no visible sores but suffers from aversion to wind, chills and fever, or sensations like needle pricks. Once sores form, they initially appear as black spots the size of a bean, or look like burns, or resemble "Qusu" (a type of skin ulceration), with perforations in the flesh similar to large needle holes. Bites on the head and face are particularly critical; injuries above the waist, being closer to the heart, are mostly fatal. Injuries below the waist are slightly less severe, but without treatment, they are also fatal. Even if not fatal, recovery cannot be guaranteed within one hundred days.

It is said that there are several types of sores: First, the sore is jet black like a mole, surrounded by redness, causing sharp pain when touched by clothing. Second, long-standing sores may sink and perforate, often accompanied by chills and fever. Third, the sore resembles meat roasted by fire, emitting smoke, which is the most urgent type and can kill within a few days. Fourth, the sore protrudes like a hard boil; all these types can be fatal.

When entering mountains and grasslands, people traditionally mix lard from the twelfth lunar month with salt and apply it to the calves, dorsum of the feet, and between toes, then wear shoes, preventing leeches and Shegong from biting.

**Jiaxiang San Powder for Treating Sores Caused by Shegong Poisoning:**
Jiaxiang (Clam Shell), Xijiao (Rhinoceros Horn), Shexian (Belamcanda Rhizome), Muxiang (Aucklandia Root), Xunluxiang (Frankincense), Dingxiang (Clove), Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome), Chuan Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Biejia (Tartar Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum - vinegar-processed, remove skirt), Musi (Ostreae Concha - calcined to powder), Lingyangjiao (Saiga Antelope Horn), Gancao (Licorice Root - honey-processed, chopped), Huangqin (Scutellaria Root), Huangbai (Phellodendron Bark - chopped), Wuzhuyu (Evodia Fruit - soaked in water seven times, dried, lightly fried).

Grind the above herbs into a fine powder. For poisoning by Shegong or other toxins, take 1 qian with water, three times daily. Additionally, mix the powder with egg white and apply externally for good effect.

**For Three Types of Sores from Shegong Bites:**
Shexian (2 liang), Chuan Shengma.
Chop the herbs. Decoct in 3 jin of water until reduced to 1 jin. Strain and drink while warm. Apply the residue to the sore.

**Another Prescription:**
Xijiao (2 liang), Chuan Shengma (1 liang), Shexian (1 liang).
Coarsely grind into powder. Take 4 qian per dose, decoct in 1 jin of water until reduced to 0.6 jin. Strain and take warm at any time.

**Another Prescription:**
Take a handful of fresh Eucommia stem and leaves, cut them, discard the ends, and thoroughly pound the remainder. Decoct in 2 jin of water until reduced to 1 jin. Strain and take in one dose.

**Another Prescription:**
This toxin also exists on mountain vegetation. Contact causes penetration and biting of the skin, spreading through the flesh leading to impetiginous dermatitis. Cauterizing the path with fire cures it.

**Another Prescription:**
Zaojiao (Gleditsia Sinensis Fruit - 1 pod, 1 chi 2 cun long).
Pound it, decoct in 1 sheng of vinegar until thick like syrup. Strain and apply to the sore. Excellent.

**Another Prescription:**
Machixian (Portulaca Oleracea).
Pound and squeeze out the juice. Drink 1 jin. Also, pound the residue and apply to the sore, changing 4-5 times daily.

**For Shegong Bites with Chills, Fever, or Localized Sores:**
Take Amaranthus tricolor (Chi Xian) and its stems/leaves. Pound and squeeze out the juice. Take 3 he per dose, 4-5 times daily. Good effect.

**For Early Stage Shegong Poisoning (No Sore Yet, Aversion to Cold) or Later Stage (Sore Resembling Qusu or Carbuncle):**
Pound Mustard Seed (Jiezi) thoroughly. Mix with vinegar to form a thick paste and apply to the sore. Pain stops within half a day.

**Another Prescription:**
Take Ye Langya (Wild Toothwort) leaves, or roots in winter. Pound thoroughly and apply to the bite site. Drinking 4-5 he of the juice is also beneficial.

**For Shegong Bites with Chills, Fever, or Sores:**
Take Guibai (Podophylli Radix et Rhizoma) leaves, a handful. Pound thoroughly, soak in 1 sheng of vinegar, squeeze out the juice, and divide into three doses.

**Treatment for Shegong Poisoning:**
Pound Hucong (Allium fistulosum) thoroughly and apply to the sore. Moxibustion of 10 cones cures it.

**For Existing Sores from Shegong Bites:**
Take one large Centipede (Wugong), burn it, grind into powder, mix with vinegar, and apply to the sore.

**Urgent Treatment for Visible Sores:**
Around the perimeter of the sore (one cun away), place thin moxa sticks and ignite them simultaneously. Burning 100 cones directly on the sore is also effective.

**Another Prescription:**
Take one "Shimu Chong" (Vinegar Bean Mother Insect) floating on water. Place it in the mouth for immediate cure; even the dead revive. This insect is jet black, soybean-sized, floats on water chasing each other. Wrap it in dried white plum peel and swallow. Effect is seen shortly after.