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Dispersing and Unblocking, Opening Orifices.
Pungent in flavor, warm in nature, aromatic and penetrating. It unblocks the meridians, opens all orifices, penetrates muscles and bones, and warms the Water Organ (Kidney). It treats sudden stroke from various wind pathogens, various qi disorders, various blood disorders, various pains, phlegm-jue (syncope due to phlegm), and jing-xian (convulsions and epilepsy). Yan Yonghe stated: For stroke patients who are unconscious, administer musk mixed with clear sesame oil to first open the blocked orifices. Li Dongyuan stated: This is suitable for wind diseases located in the bone marrow. If used in the muscles, it will instead draw the wind pathogen into the bones, like oil entering dough. Li Shizhen stated: Yan’s assertion that wind diseases must be treated with this first, and Dongyuan’s claim that it must never be used, are both not comprehensive theories. If the meridians are congested and blocked, and the orifices are not smooth, how can one refrain from using it as a guide to open them! However, it must not be overused. Wang Ang notes: Based on Li’s words, it seems Yan’s view is superior. The *Guangli Fang* records treating "Zhong E Ke Wu" (sudden severe illness due to evil qi) near death by administering one qian of musk mixed with vinegar. It treats zheng-jia (masses and accumulations), miasma malaria, nasal obstruction, deafness, eye nebulae, and coldness of the yin organs. It repels evil qi, detoxifies, kills parasites, and induces abortion. Because it resolves rotten fruits and spoiled wine, it treats fruit accumulation and wine accumulation. Li Dongyuan stated: Musk enters the Spleen to treat flesh disorders; Niuhuang (Calculus Bovis) enters the Liver to treat tendon disorders; Bingpian (Borneolum Syntheticum) enters the Kidney to treat bone disorders. It should be ground and taken internally. When using musk, the "Dangmenzi" (the high-quality part around the gland opening) is especially excellent. Garlic is contraindicated. Do not let it approach the nose to prevent insects from entering the brain (When hunted, musk deer self-extract their scent glands; this raw musk is particularly rare. Where the scent gathers, grass and trees turn yellow. Market vendors sometimes adulterate it with lychee seeds).

Draining Heat.
Bitter in flavor, cold in nature. Cools the Heart, calms the Liver, brightens the eyes, and kills parasites. It treats jing-xian (convulsions and epilepsy) and the five types of hemorrhoids (apply topically to cure). Transparent and pure quality is preferred. Its nature naturally repels dust. When sprinkled on water, adding a small amount of gallbladder bile causes the surface film to part instantly.

External Use, Astringing Metal Wounds.
Elephant skin swelling: if pricked with a knife, it heals within half a day. To treat metal wounds (traumatic injuries) that do not heal, use the ash of elephant skin, or it can be boiled into an ointment and added to powders. Elephant gall also repels dust and has the same function as Xiongdan (Ursi Fel).

Tonifying Liver and Kidney, Killing Transmitted Corpse Disease.
Sweet and salty in flavor, warm in nature. Nourishes Yin, tonifies deficiency, kills parasites, stops coughing, and treats Chuan Shi Gui Zhu (transmitted corpse disease) with miraculous efficacy. (Shi Zhu and Gui Zhu are types of the Five Zhu diseases, with thirty-three variations, up to ninety-nine. Symptoms cause chills and fever, lethargy and silence, unknown source of pain, yet discomfort everywhere. After death, it transmits to others, potentially wiping out a family. Ancient formulas include Tagan Wan. Dry the liver, roast, and powder. Take two qian with water, three times daily, until cured.) All animal livers have a fixed number of lobes, but the otter’s liver grows one lobe per month, including regressing old lobes, which must be taken from the living otter; otherwise, there are many fakes in the market. Wu Hegao stated: Otters are yin creatures, hiding by day and active by night, thus they treat ghost-related diseases. Wang Ang argues this is incorrect; it is because its liver is uniquely different from other beasts.