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(Li Shizhen said: "Beasts" is the general term for animals with hair. Those living in mountains and plains are called beasts, while those kept by humans are called livestock. In the rites of the Zhou Dynasty, the kitchen officials supplied six types of livestock for sacrificial offerings, which was quite detailed. Moreover, the nature and principles of all things are vastly different, and human use and rejection should be cautious. It is not merely about knowing their names.)

Musk (Moschi Moschiferi)
Pungent, warm, aromatic, and bitter. It can open orifices to search out and expel pathogenic factors. It treats internal closure caused by stroke due to wind-phlegm, convulsions, and epilepsy. It resolves accumulation from fruits and melons and detoxifies alcohol. It dissipates swelling and ulcers and removes gu poison. (The musk deer resembles a muntjac, is small in size, and has black fur. Musk is its secretion from the umbilical region. The area where it lives causes grass and trees nearby to become fragrant; however, the vegetation at its dwelling site does not grow lushly, and fruits do not set. Due to its pungent, warm, and aromatic-penetrating nature, it unblocks orifices, opens closures, dispels evil, and eliminates pathogens, reaching everywhere. For all types of "stroke-like" conditions, regardless of whether the pathology is in the zang-fu organs or meridians, if it belongs to pathogenic closure, it can be used. For external conditions involving swelling and toxins, it is used for its ability to open skin pores and its pungent-aromatic dispersing power.)

Calculus Bovis (Niu Huang)
Sweet, slightly bitter, slightly cool, aromatic, and non-toxic. It clears irritant heat from the Heart and Liver, reaches orifices, and searches out pathogens. It is formed through spiritual energy. It disperses wind and detoxifies. It must be used for convulsions, epilepsy, and phlegm misting the mind. It is most suitable for throat inflammation (hou dan) and after chickenpox/smallpox eruptions. (There are two types of Niu Huang: Guang Huang and Xi Huang, named after their places of origin. However, research shows that this substance generally forms yellow concretions when cattle are ill, often accumulating between the liver and gallbladder. It is frequently obtained from the gallbladders of slaughtered sick cattle. Regardless of the beast, if it suffers from such yellow formations, they exist internally; humans are similar. Therefore, the diseases treated by Niu Huang—such as wind-epilepsy and cold-heat disorders—and its functions of calming the soul and settling fright all belong to liver and gallbladder pathologies. This is akin to "using the method of the person to treat the person," just as bladder stones can treat strangury. If one insists it is generated from cattle eating immortal herbs, this may not be accurate. Users should re-examine this carefully.)

Donkey-Hide Gelatin (Ejiao)
Prepared by decocting with Ji River water. It cleanses filth and promotes blood circulation, with efficacy specialized in treating coughs. Relying on the function of donkey hide, it tonifies yin and benefits blood, with strength primarily in dispelling wind. It also moistens dryness and transforms phlegm. Its taste is sweet and salty, and its nature is neutral. It enters the Liver and Lung meridians. It treats flaccidity syndromes (wei ruo) and consumptive diseases (xu lao). (Ejiao is made by decocting black donkey hide with water from A Well. A Well is located in Shandong, where the Ji River flows underground. The water there is clear and heavy; any dust or impurities settle down. Even adding a small amount to turbid water clarifies it immediately. Black donkey hide enters the Lung meridian; black color enters the Kidney meridian. As a product of flesh and blood with emotional affinity, it facilitates the mutual generation of Metal (Lung) and Water (Kidney), nourishing blood. The Liver stores blood; when blood is sufficient, Liver Wood receives prosperity, and wind pathogens subside. When blended and decocted into gelatin, it becomes an essential medicine for treating consumptive cough and all blood-related syndromes. It tastes sweet, salty, and neutral. The best quality is crisp, bright, without fishy or foul odors, and not soft.)