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1. In summer, one must not dig wells. Both wells and deep tombs contain latent summer-heat qi. Entering them can cause oppression and even death. If entry is necessary, first throw chicken, goose, duck, or bird feathers into the well or tomb, placing them to the bottom. This dispels the latent qi. If the feathers hover without sinking, it indicates the presence of toxic gases. Alternatively, place live domestic animals inside; if toxic, the animals will die. If they do not die, it is even more imperative to sprinkle several sheng (a unit of volume) of wine around the edges of the well or tomb, wait for a short while, and then enter. If one feels the qi rushing and threatens to cause fainting, take water from the well and splash it on the person's face, and have them drink it. Then pour this water over the head and entire body to revive them. If well water is unavailable, use other water.

Another method: If already poisoned, wash the face with water, and mix one or two qian of realgar powder (Realgar) with cold water to wash with. If muscle spasms (tetany) occur and pain radiates to the abdomen, causing agony, have four people hold the patient's limbs. Moxibustion should be applied fourteen moxa cones at a point two cun to the left of the umbilicus. Additionally, split one slice of fresh ginger, boil it in five wan (a unit of volume) of wine until concentrated, and administer in one dose. Also, boil cotton wadding in vinegar until thoroughly warm, and wrap it around the area of spasms. Furthermore, prepare a strong saline solution, wash the patient's hands and feet when the temperature is tolerable, and massage the chest and ribs; the patient will recover.

Gudu (Gu poison) refers to several types of diseases caused by malignant, transforming pathogenic qi invading the human body. It causes churning pain in the heart and abdomen, as if something is biting, leading to rotting of flesh and blood. If not treated immediately, it erodes the five zang organs, leading to death. The disease presents in acute and chronic forms. Acute cases result in death within ten days or so, while chronic cases drag on for years, wandering within the abdomen, causing emaciation, weakness, and heaviness in the bones and joints. Upon onset, there is heart and abdominal pain, irritability, and restlessness. The object that caused the Gu transforms into insects, gradually consuming the zang-fu organs until death. To verify: ask the patient to spit into water. If the saliva sinks, it is Gu; if it floats, it is not. Generally, a rapid and thin pulse indicates a poor prognosis, while a floating and moderate pulse indicates survival.

One prescription for treating Gudu: Jinfu San (Jin Fu Powder)
Ingredients: Jin Fan (Alum), Fujian Tea (each 1 liang).
Preparation and Administration: Grind the above ingredients into fine powder. Take 3 qian each time, mixed with fresh drawn water. Vomiting will ensue. If vomiting does not occur, take another dose; vomiting will definitely occur.

Another discussion on resolving all insect poisons and Gudu. This applies to Fox Gu poison, Rat poison, Toxic Mushroom poison, Pufferfish poison, Poison from疫-dead cattle, horses, or donkeys meat, or injuries from snakes, insects, or vicious dogs. It also treats all malignant sores, carbuncles, back abscesses, various wind-induced urticaria, and unclassified swelling and toxicity, providing immediate effect with no failure. This medicine should always be available for home use or travel.

Prescription Name: Wanbing Jiedu Wan (Ten Thousand Diseases Detoxifying Pill)
(Also known as Shenxian Taiyi Zijin Dan, see General Treatments section)

1. For any case of Gudu poisoning, regardless of how long ago it occurred, boil one egg, remove the shell, insert a small silver hairpin into it, and hold it in the mouth. After the time it takes to eat one meal, remove the hairpin and inspect the egg. If both the hairpin and the egg turn black, it confirms Gudu poisoning.

2. Chew raw soybeans. If no fishy smell is perceived, it is Gudu. If the bean skin swells and rots, it is Gudu. Hold white alum in the mouth; if it tastes sweet rather than astringent, it is Gudu. Spit saliva into a bowl of water; if it sinks, it is Gudu; if it floats, it is not.

3. To ward off Gudu, use water chestnuts (Dili). Use large ones produced in Jiangnan. Slice, dry, and grind into powder. Carry it with you constantly. Mix 2 qian with hot water and take orally each time.

4. For stubborn Gudu that does not heal,灌 (administer) blood from a white chicken or white duck into the patient's mouth; this is effective.

5. To resolve drug poison, Gu insects, snake venom, and other toxins, use large licorice root nodes (Gancao Jie). Soak them in true sesame oil; the older the better. Chew the licorice or decoct it in water for oral administration; this yields miraculous effects.

Another method: Gouni San (Filth Powder). Take a piece of white alum and have the patient chew it. If the alum tastes sweet, it indicates Gudu poison. Then, scrape the filth accumulated inside a comb, take an unspecified amount, and have the patient ingest it. This will induce vomiting of evil substances.