Library

[Original Silkworm Sand]
Taste and Nature: Sweet, Pungent, Warm. Non-toxic.
Indications: Intestinal borborygmus (rumbling in the intestines), Xiao Ke (wasting-thirst syndrome) due to heat in the Middle Jiao, Feng Bi (Wind-Bi syndrome characterized by pain and numbness), Yin Zhen (urticaria/hives). (From *Bie Lu*, appended.)

(Original silkworm refers to the mother silkworm of the late-season silkworm, hence named "Original". Hundreds are raised before the first-cocoon silkworm; they emerge as moths and lay eggs. After the first-cocoon silkworms spin their cocoons, these offspring are raised, known as the second-generation silkworm. Because the original silkworm receives the pure essence of mulberry leaves first, its ability to dispel wind, clear heat, and restore severed connections is greatest; thus, its feces (sand) are very rare. Ri Hua Zi interpreted "original silkworm" as "late silkworm," which is an incorrect interpretation. Original silkworm sand is hard to obtain, so modern physicians all use late silkworm sand. Late silkworms are actually the second-generation silkworms raised by the original ones. Rather than using the sand from the second-generation silkworms raised by the original, it would be better to simply use the sand from the first-cocoon silkworms. Although this substance is considered mild and cold in nature, one must understand this principle.

(Note: The *Rites of Zhou* contains provisions prohibiting the breeding of original silkworms. Zheng Chenggao annotated: "Yuan" means again, referring to those bred a second time as original silkworms, a practice existing since ancient times. Yin An's understanding was not precise; ancients used both silkworm moths and silkworm sand. The so-called late silkworm likely derives its efficacy from receiving the deep Qi of the Fire mandate of summer.)

[Chu Ji (Tree Cricket)]
Taste and Nature: Bitter, Neutral. Slightly toxic.
Indications: Evil Qi in the Heart and Abdomen, Impotence (Yin Wei), benefits Essence and strengthens Will, promotes fertility and good complexion, tonifies the Middle Jiao and lightens the body. ("Chu" pronounced like "Hua".)

(Chu Ji is particularly abundant in the borders of Liangzhou, Qizhou, Bianluo, etc. It lives on Chu trees. Its shape resembles a silkworm moth but with a large abdomen, six legs, and heavy wings. The outer wing layer is grayish-yellow with spots, and the inner layer is deep red, with five colors intermingled. There is a variety with red heads and wings, named Hong Niang Zi (Red Lady). Currently, Chu Ji is rarely used, while Hong Niang Zi is occasionally used.)

Chu Ji grows on trees, tastes bitter and appears red, inheriting the Qi transformation of Wood and Fire. Treating evil Qi in the Heart and Abdomen relies on inheriting Fire Qi to treat the Heart and Wood Qi to treat the Abdomen. Benefiting Essence and strengthening Will relies on the mutual interaction of Water and Fire. Promoting fertility and good complexion relies on Wood generating Fire. Tonifying the Middle Jiao and lightening the body relies on Fire generating Earth.

[Tie Chong (Ground Beetle)]
Taste and Nature: Salty, Cold. Toxic.
Indications: Chills and fever sensations in the Heart and Abdomen, Blood accumulation and Zheng Jia (masses), breaks hardness, promotes menstruation in cases of blood obstruction, greatly beneficial for fertility. ("Tie" pronounced like "Zhe".)

(Tie Chong is named Di Bie in *Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing*. In *Bie Lu*, it is named Tu Bie because its shape is flat like a turtle. It is also called Bo Ji Chong due to its similar shape. Lu Nongshi stated: It crosses the street on Shen days, hence also named Guo Jie Chong. It lives in damp soil under houses and in rat mounds, somewhat resembling a woodlouse but rounder, about one cun in size, without a shell but with scales. Li Shizhen stated: It is found everywhere, with male and female counterparts similar to lantern moths.)

In formulas from *Jin Gui Yao Lue*, Da Huang Zhe Chong Wan is used to treat long-standing accumulations. Die Jia Jian Wan is used to treat malaria-related masses. Xia Yu Xue Tang is also used for women. These are agents that break hardness, dissipate accumulations, move blood, and scatter malaria. Students should comprehend them through reasoning.

[Meng Chong (Horsefly)]
Taste and Nature: Bitter, Slightly Cold. Toxic.
Indications: Drives out Stasis Blood, breaks hard Blood accumulations, Zheng Jia, and alternating chills and fever, unblocks and benefits the Mai vessels (blood vessels) and Nine Orifices.

(Meng Chong, also known as Fei Meng, is as large as a honeybee, with a concave and flattened abdomen, slightly yellow-green in color, and sucks the blood of cattle and horses.)

Meng is an insect that sucks blood and has a flying nature; therefore, it treats the expulsion of Stasis Blood and accumulated blood, unblocking the Mai vessels and Nine Orifices. In *Shang Han Lun*: For Tai Yang disease, if the exterior is not resolved, and Stasis-Heat follows the meridians into the interior, Di Dang Tang is the primary treatment. Internally, it uses Meng Chong, Shui Zhi (Leech), Da Huang (Rhubarb), and Tao Ren (Peach Kernel). In recent times, pediatricians often add horseflies when treating smallpox that fails to erupt; this is a less common external application.