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Sweet and cold in nature, it guides turbid pathogens downward. For *Yin Yang Yi* (a condition occurring after recovery from a febrile disease due to sexual intercourse), this method helps to dissipate the pathogenic factors. Salty and bitter properties promote blood circulation and resolve stasis; *Shushi Tang* (Mouse Dropping Decoction) can treat *Jia Shan* (abdominal masses and hernial disorders). It eliminates breast abscesses and clears corneal opacities. It enters the Shaoyin and Jueyin meridians. (Male mouse droppings are sweet, bitter, and salty, cold in nature, non-toxic. They enter the Liver and Kidney meridians. Their function is specifically to guide out turbidity and move stagnation. All diseases mentioned above are caused by Liver and Kidney stasis. By resolving and guiding them out, the diseases heal themselves. Those with pointed ends at both sides are male; males are superior in efficacy.)

*Cipi* (Bark of *Cucumis melo*) has a bitter taste and neutral qi, capable of dispersing rebellious Stomach qi. It widens the intestines, treats hemorrhoids, and scatters pathogenic stasis. (*Cipi* is found everywhere, commonly known as the bark of the "melon thief" plant. Its skin is like that of a porcupine with spines; when approached by humans, it hides its head and feet inside and can prick people. Bitter and neutral, non-toxic. It enters the Blood aspect of the Stomach and Large Intestine meridians. It can disperse rebellious qi and stasis in the Stomach. It treats hemorrhoidal fistulas and bleeding in the intestines. Examining its efficacy, it merely drives out stasis; removing fistulous tracts is its strongest effect, while calming rebellious Stomach qi is secondary. That is all.)

Invigorates blood and dispels trauma. Taken with wine, it promotes movement and dispersion. Heals tendons and connects bones; salty and warm properties allow for free flow and harmonization. (Goat blood is sweet, salty, and warm. It enters the Blood aspect of the Heart and Liver meridians. For any cases of fractures, injuries, or lingering blood stasis, using this substance to move and disperse it reaches everywhere. Substances derived from blood are more potent than those derived from herbs and trees.)

Moistens the Five Viscera, benefits the Small and Large Intestines. When various medicines are roasted with butter, they can penetrate into the bones. Disperses wind-bi, reaches the collaterals; nature is neutral, non-toxic, taste purely sweet. (Butter is the cream formed from cow or sheep milk. Sweet and neutral, moistening and lubricating, it belongs to the category of blood substances. It can permeate, irrigate, and moisten all viscera and collaterals. Therefore, it can disperse wind-bi and eliminate heat pathogens. Thus, for materials such as Turtle Shell, Carapax Testudinis, and Tiger Bone, applying butter before roasting takes advantage of their becoming brittle and easily penetrating into the bone marrow.)

(Li Shizhen said: Scales and shells refer to distinct categories among the five insects/creatures. There are distinctions between aquatic and terrestrial types, possessing natures ranging from beneficial to toxic. Scale-covered creatures mostly lay eggs, whereas pit vipers give birth to live young. Aquatic creatures mostly do not close their eyes, whereas pufferfish blink. The *Monthly Ordinances* record cutting dragons and taking alligators, collecting turtles and soft-shelled turtles, instructing fishermen not to miss the proper seasons. The *Rites of Zhou* records presenting clams and giant clams in spring, and turtles and fish in autumn, handing them over to the *Hai Ren* (official in charge of minced meat) to prepare sacrificial offerings. Since then, scale and shell creatures have never been excluded from the diet of a sage era. Moreover, how much more so can they serve as medicinal materials?)