咸甘平小毒。火熬用之。
《本经》主小儿二十种惊痫，蛇痫，癫疾螈 ，弄舌摇头，寒热肠痔，蛊毒。
发明 蛇蜕属巽走肝，故《本经》治小儿惊痫等病，一皆风毒袭于经中之象。其入药有
四义，一能辟恶取其性灵也，故治邪辟鬼魅，蛊疟诸疾。二能驱风取其性窜也，故治惊痫瘢
驳，偏正头风，喉舌诸疾。三能杀虫，故治恶疮痔漏，疥癣诸疾，用其毒也。四有蜕义，故
治眼目翳膜，胎衣不下，皮肤之疾，会意以从其类也。
即南蛇
甘苦寒小毒。
发明 蚺蛇产岭南，禀己土之气，其胆受甲乙风木，其味苦中有甘，所主皆厥阴、太阴
之病。其治心腹 痛者，虫在内攻啮也。下部 疮者，虫在外侵蚀也。湿热则生虫，燥湿则
杀虫，内外施之皆可取用，更能散肿消血，故直谏之臣受廷杖者，临时服少许则血不凝滞于
内。又能明目凉血，除疳杀虫。惜乎，难得真者。
甘咸温有毒。产蕲州者良，禁犯铁。凡用去头尾，酒浸，酥炙，火缓焙，去尽
皮骨，此物甚毒，不可不防。胁有方胜，尾上有拂者真。
发明 蛇性窜，能引药至于风痰处，故能治一切风病。其风善行数变，蛇亦善行数蜕，
所以能透骨搜风，为大风、白癜风、风痹、惊搐、癞癣恶疮要药，取其内走脏腑，外彻皮肤
，无处不到也。阴虚血少内热生风者，非其所宜。凡服蛇酒药，切忌见风。开坛时须避其气
，免致面目浮肿。凡疠风曾服过大枫子仁者，服白花蛇无效。
[She Tui (Snake Slough)]
Taste: Salty, Sweet. Nature: Neutral. Toxicity: Slightly toxic. Preparation: Roast over fire before use.
*Shennong Bencao Jing* records its indications for twenty types of pediatric convulsions and epilepsy, including "snake epilepsy" (epilepsy resembling snake-like convulsions), manic disorders with limb twitching, tongue protrusion and head shaking, alternating chills and fever, intestinal hemorrhoids, and gu poison.
[Invention]
Snake slough belongs to the Xun trigram and enters the Liver meridian. Therefore, the treatments for pediatric convulsions and epilepsy in *Shennong Bencao Jing* all reflect the manifestation of wind-toxin invading the meridians. Its medicinal application has four aspects: First, it can ward off evil spirits due to its spiritual nature, thus treating diseases caused by evil influences, ghosts, gu malaria, etc. Second, it can dispel wind due to its penetrating nature, thus treating convulsions, skin mottling, lateral and frontal headaches, and throat and tongue disorders. Third, it can kill parasites, thus treating malignant sores, hemorrhoids with fistula, scabies, and tinea, utilizing its toxicity. Fourth, it carries the meaning of "shedding," thus treating eye nebulae, retained placenta, and skin diseases, following the principle of similarity.
[Ran She Dan (Python Gallbladder)]
Taste: Sweet, Bitter. Nature: Cold. Toxicity: Slightly toxic.
[Invention]
Python is produced in the Lingnan region, inheriting the Qi of Ji Earth. Its gallbladder receives the Wind-Wood Qi of Jia and Yi. Its taste is bitter with a sweet aftertaste, and it primarily treats diseases of the Jueyin and Taiyin meridians. It treats heart and abdominal pain caused by internal parasites gnawing; it treats lower body ulcers caused by external parasites eroding. Damp-heat generates parasites, while dryness-dampness kills them; both internal and external applications are effective. It can also dissipate swelling and resolve blood stasis. Thus, officials who received imperial beatings for straight advice could take a small amount temporarily to prevent internal blood stagnation. It can also brighten the eyes, cool blood, eliminate childhood malnutrition (gan syndrome), and kill parasites. Unfortunately, genuine products are rare.
[Bai Hua She (Bungarus multicinctus / Chinese Cobra)]
Taste: Sweet, Salty. Nature: Warm. Toxicity: Toxic. Products from Qizhou are superior. Avoid contact with iron. When used, remove the head and tail, soak in wine, roast with butter, slowly bake over fire, and remove all skin and bone. This substance is very toxic and must be handled with caution. Authentic specimens have a square-patterned mark on the flanks and a brush-like tip on the tail.
[Invention]
The nature of snakes is penetrating, allowing them to guide medicines to areas affected by wind-phlegm, thus treating all wind diseases. Wind pathogens move rapidly and change frequently; snakes also crawl swiftly and shed their skins. Therefore, they can penetrate bones and search out wind, making them essential herbs for severe wind diseases (leprosy), vitiligo, wind-bi syndrome, convulsions, and leprous tinea/malignant sores. They work by entering the zang-fu organs internally and reaching the skin externally, going everywhere. They are not suitable for patients with yin deficiency, blood insufficiency, and internal heat generating wind. Those taking snake wine must strictly avoid exposure to wind. When opening the jar, one must avoid inhaling its odor to prevent facial and ocular edema. Patients with leprosy who have previously taken seeds of *Aleurites fordii* (Big Maple Seed) will find Bai Hua She ineffective.