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Musk Deer Meat (Milou) is sweet and cold in nature, while Sika Deer Meat (Lu Rou) is sweet and warm. Both are non-toxic.

[Invention] All beasts that possess horns can assist the liver and kidneys in strengthening sinews and bones. Since the horns of Musk Deer and Sika Deer are highly branched, their strength is sufficient to resist tigers, making them the leaders among horned beasts. Therefore, the yang-nourishing properties of Sika Deer meat and the yin-nourishing properties of Musk Deer meat are self-evident. The entire body of the Sika Deer is endowed with yang energy, which is most beneficial to humans, as human life relies primarily on yang qi. The entire body of the Musk Deer is endowed with yin energy; only its horn represents yang within yin. Compared to the pure yang and absence of yin in Sika Deer horn, the Musk Deer horn is superior, whereas the flesh, blood, tendons, and bones of the rest of the Musk Deer's body are not worth using. Raw Sika Deer meat treats facial paralysis (Zhong Feng Kou Pi Bu Zheng) caused by wind-stroke. It should be crushed and applied thinly to the paralyzed side. Once corrected, remove it immediately; otherwise, it may cause the muscles to pull back toward the unaffected side. Deer blood promotes sexual function (Qi Yin Qi), stops lower back pain, and treats fractures. Taken with wine, it treats Lung Consumption (Fei Wei) and various stabbing pains due to qi stagnation in metrorrhagia (Beng Zhong); drinking it brings immediate relief. Deer tendon greatly strengthens sinews and bones; consuming it makes one resistant to cold. However, one must distinguish between deer and musk deer: fine-boned animals are deer, while coarse-boned ones are musk deer. Accidental consumption of musk deer tendon often leads to impotence (Yin Wei). Those taking cinnabar and sulfur pills (Dan Shi Yao) should avoid eating deer meat, as deer consume poisonous herbs and can neutralize various drug properties.

Zhang Meat (Zhang Rou) is sweet, cold, and non-toxic.

[Invention] The character of the Zhi (Chital or similar antelope) is timid and fearful of humans because its gallbladder is white and prone to fright. Although its meat is fatty, it only moistens and lustrifies the human face but cannot enhance physical strength, as it is agile in leaping but lacks enduring power. Zhi gallbladder can treat a rash and bold temperament; however, it is strictly contraindicated for those who are naturally timid. Zhi bone treats emaciation (Xu Lei) and seminal emission (Xie Jing); since Zhi is endowed with biased yin energy, its bone governs essence and qi. *Ben Cao Gang Mu* states it is sweet and warm, which contradicts the logic of having a white gallbladder prone to fright yet possessing a sweet and warm nature.

Moschus (She Qi / Musk) is acrid, warm, and non-toxic. Do not expose to fire. Contraindicated in pregnancy, as it has the power to induce abortion. Currently, some people burn Lychee seeds to ash, mix them with distilled liquor, and use this mixture to adulterate musk; this must be carefully distinguished.

*Shennong Ben Cao Jing* records that it dispels evil qi, kills ghostly spirits, removes three types of parasites, gu poison, warm malaria, and convulsive epilepsy.

[Invention] Musk is acrid, warm, and intensely aromatic, serving as a specialized medicine for unblocking orifices and facilitating flow. When pathogenic factors adhere to the body and remain latent, causing blockage of orifices, the acrid and aromatic nature allows it to penetrate from the interior to the exterior, opening hair follicles and bone joints, allowing the pathogens to exit. Thus, *Ben Cao Jing* mentions its ability to dispel evil qi, kill ghostly spirits, and remove parasites and gu poison. Its treatment of warm malaria and convulsive epilepsy relies on its aroma reaching the site of the disease. Yan Shuo stated that wind diseases must first use musk. Danxi claimed that wind diseases absolutely cannot use musk; neither view is comprehensive. Generally, musk penetrates orifices and enters tendons, capable of unblocking obstructed sinew orifices and clearing meridian congestion. For various wind syndromes, qi disorders, blood disorders, pain syndromes, convulsive epilepsy, and mass formations (Zheng Jia), where meridians are congested and orifices are blocked, how can one fail to use it as a guiding agent to open and unblock them? However, if used mistakenly when the exterior syndrome of wind-stroke (Zhong Feng) has not been resolved, it will draw pathogens inward, resembling oil penetrating into dough, impossible to extract, leading to chronic stubborn diseases. This is a strict prohibition. Regarding *Jiu Ku Dan* (Pain-Relieving Pill) for treating swelling and nodules, the formula uses Realgar (Chen Sha) and Sulfur melted with musk, pressed into thin sheets between paper, and applied sparingly via moxibustion to the affected area, yielding immediate results. *Ji Sheng Fang* uses it for abdominal distension caused by accumulation from eating fruits and vegetables, and for Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst) resulting from alcohol consumption. Essentially, fruit rots when exposed to musk, and wine spoils when exposed to musk; this illustrates the rationale behind using musk.