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Gu (a type of venomous poison or parasitic disease) refers to a toxic substance deliberately created and accumulated by humans. It is typically made by collecting various insects and snakes, placing them in porcelain vessels, and allowing them to devour each other until only one survives. This remaining creature is called "Gu." It is used to harm others, usually entering the body through food and drink. Once infected, symptoms include chest oppression and abdominal pain; if it erodes the five Zang organs completely, death ensues. The condition varies in urgency: acute cases may lead to death within ten days, while chronic cases may drag on for months or years, with the pathogen wandering inside the abdomen. Patients often suffer from physical weakness and fatigue, heavy sensations in the joints, and upon onset, dryness and pain in the heart and abdomen. Even ingested food can transform into Gu toxin, gradually eroding the Zang and Fu organs until death. After death, the disease spreads as Zhu (infectious wasting disease), infecting others nearby, hence termed Gu Du (Gu Poison).

Prescriptions:

Zishen Wan (Cistanche Pill, from *Shenghui Fang*): Treats various diseases caused by Gu Du, including Zheng Jia Ji Ju (masses and accumulations), difficulty in urination and defecation, sudden exposure to evil wind, abdominal distension, and the transmission of pathogenic Qi between individuals.
Ingredients: Zishen (Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae), Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, remove the rhizome), Banxia (Pinelliae Tuber, wash seven times with hot water to remove slipperiness), Lilu (Veratri Rhizoma, remove the rhizome), Daizhe (Haematitum, finely ground), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix, remove the rhizome), Naosha (Natrii Chlorum et Nitrum, above ingredients each 3 fen). Preparation: Mix the above ingredients, stir-fry with vinegar until cooked, add Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, 1 liang, processed and added to the powder), blend evenly, and mix with refined honey to form pills the size of tung tree seeds. Dosage: Take a small amount each time. For bee or scorpion stings, applying this externally is also effective.

Jiaoyu Pi San (Shark Skin Powder, from *Shenghui Fang*): Treats Gu Zhu Qi (Gu infectious Qi), which changes unpredictably.
Ingredients: Jiaoyu Pi (Squama Histiophori, slightly roasted), Xijiao (Rhino Ceratoss, sliced), Shexiang (Moschus, finely ground), Bailonggu (Os Draconis et Ossis Mastodi, finely ground), Zhusha (Cinnabaris, finely ground), Xionghuang (Realgar, finely ground), Hegen (Puerariae Radix), Lu Jiao (Cervi Cornus Pantotrichum). Preparation: Grind into fine powder. Dosage: Take one fang cun bi (measure approx. 2-3 grams), mixed with warm wine, taken before meals.

Xionghuang Wan (Realgar Pill, from *Shenghui Fang*): Treats Gu Zhu, characterized by edema of the four limbs, emaciation of skin and flesh, cough and rebellious Qi, and abdominal distension resembling water accumulation. This disease can transmit to other households after the patient's death.
Ingredients: Xionghuang (Realgar, 1 liang, finely ground and washed with water via floating method), Badou (Crotonis Fructus, 1 fen, peeled, seeded, pounded, wrapped in paper to press out oil), Mangcao (Chelidonii Herba, 1 liang, slightly roasted), Guijiao (Podophylli Fructus, 1 liang, remove hairs). Preparation: Seal tightly for storage. Dosage: Take a small amount, size of a soybean or a spoiled chicken egg yolk.

Luanfa Hui San (Hair Ash Powder, from *Qianjin Fang*): Treats sudden onset of Gu Zhu, where toxic Qi moves back and forth.
Ingredients: Luanfa Hui (Ash of Human Hair, 1 fen), Xingren (Pruni Armeniaci Semen, 1 fen, soaked in hot water, peel removed, tips removed, use double-kernel almonds), Shexiang (Moschus, 1 qian, finely ground). Preparation: Grind all ingredients into a paste-like consistency. Dosage: Take at any time without restriction.