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Sweet and cold, non-toxic. For medicinal use, the raw form is preferred.

Invention: *Daimao* (Hawksbill Turtle Shell) enters the Heart meridian and governs blood, possessing the functions of detoxification and heat-clearing. Therefore, Su Song used it ground into juice for oral administration to resolve gu poison. The *Ri Hua Ben Cao* records its ability to break up masses and accumulations (*zhijia*), dissipate carbuncle toxins, and stop convulsions and epilepsy. Shi Liang treated wind affecting the heart, relieved vexatious heat, promoted the circulation of qi and blood, and facilitated the large and small intestines. Shizhen treated delirious speech caused by heat accumulation in typhoid fever; its efficacy in detoxification and clearing heat is equal to that of *Xijiao* (Rhinoceros Horn), and when combined with *Xijiao*, it resolves chickenpox toxins. Black depression of chickenpox lesions results from hot blood coagulation; using raw *Xijiao* and *Daimao* ground into juice, mixed with a small amount of pig heart blood, and taken with *Zicao* (Arnebiae Radix seu Rhizoma) decoction, the heat resolves and blood harmonizes, causing the pustules to rise. However, if the depression is due to deficiency-cold, it should not be used.

Also known as Shangjia. Salty and neutral, non-toxic. Those with nine or seven ribs are superior because they correspond to yang numbers. However, many are adulterated by removing lower ribs to fake seven ribs, or have half single-ribbed and half double-ribbed sides; these result from the mating of softshell turtles and hard-shelled turtles, and are inferior to those with purely single ribs. Vinegar-fried or butter-fried preparations follow specific formulas. To treat malaria spleen enlargement (*numother*), boil until mushy like maltose; for tortoises, larger size yields stronger potency, while for softshell turtles, smaller size yields superior potency. Pregnant women should avoid eating softshell turtle meat. Consumption with amaranth and duck eggs is particularly contraindicated.

The *Shennong Bencao Jing* states it treats hard accumulations of masses and nodules in the heart and abdomen accompanied by alternating cold and heat, removes痞疾 (痞疾 refers to abdominal masses or polyps), yin erosion, hemorrhoids, and malignant flesh.

Invention: The shell of the softshell turtle is green, entering the Jueyin Liver meridian and the Chong vessel, representing yang within yin. Yang is odd, yin is even; thus, the single ribs serve as a guide for the Liver meridian. Its indications—malaria, malaria spleen enlargement, deficiency-wasting with cold and heat, masses and nodules, menstrual disorders, and yin sores—are all covered by the indications of the *Bencao Jing*. It is used for bone-steaming fever, wasting syndrome, and spontaneous sweating because it can nourish fire in the Liver meridian. It is similar to *Guiban* (Tortoise Shell) and jointly treats diseases of the blood aspect of yin meridians. Tortoise shell uses the plastron, which belongs to the Kidney. Softshell turtle shell uses the marginal scutes (ribs), which belong to the Liver. However, it is ultimately an agent that reduces/scrapes Liver qi, not a Liver-nourishing herb. Pregnant women must avoid it because it damages the Liver and breaks blood. It is contraindicated in cases of Liver deficiency without heat. Ground into extremely fine powder, it treats burns with ruptured skin and exposed flesh effectively; apply with sesame oil if dry, or sprinkle directly if moist, stopping pain immediately. Its efficacy in clearing fire toxins, treating bone-steaming fever, and killing tuberculosis worms can be intuitively understood. Burned to ash and taken with wine, the head of the softshell turtle treats pediatric rectal prolapse and uterine prolapse in women, utilizing its property of contraction; applying fresh blood is especially effective. Shen Shengfu stated that among food items, the softshell turtle is the most unpredictable; many possess great toxicity rivaling the pufferfish, such as those with three legs and two heads, which people discard. Neck stiffness and red abdomen indicate toxicity harmful to humans. My neighbor Yu Zitan once saw a snake coiling repeatedly and falling, transforming into a softshell turtle. Among the four categories of living beings, all things undergo transformation, which is not surprising. There is also a theory about "turtle treasure" growing inside the softshell turtle's abdomen; proponents consider this absurd, so I shall ignore it. Recently, the Wu family in Fengjiang bought a softshell turtle that spoke like a human when boiled. Thinking it was a怪 (strange omen), they added fuel to the fire. Upon opening the belly, they found an object about three inches long with distinct eyebrows and beard. Shengfu invited me to inspect it; the turtle's back was unusually high and arched. Shengfu wrote this record as a warning against harming life for the sake of taste.