气味辛温，有毒。主治鬼疰蛊毒 ，诸蛇虫鱼毒，杀鬼物老精，温疟，去三虫。
（蜈蚣江以南处处有之，春出冬蛰，节节有足，双须岐尾，头上有毒钳。入以头足赤者
为良。蜈蚣一名天龙，能制
龙蛇蜥蜴，畏虾蟆、蛞蝓、蜘蛛、雄鸡。《庄子》所谓∶物畏其天
在气也。）
蜈蚣色赤性温，双钳两尾，头尾咸红。生于南方，禀火毒之性，故《本经》主治皆是以
火毒
而攻阴毒之用也。
愚按∶蛇属金，蜈蚣属火，故能制之。鸡应昴宿，是又太阳出而爝火灭之义矣。
气味咸寒，无毒。主治蛇瘕，去三虫，伏尸鬼疰，蛊毒，杀长虫。
（蚯蚓生湿土中，凡平泽膏壤地中皆有之，孟夏始出，仲冬蛰藏，雨则先出，晴则夜鸣，
其
如丘，其行也引而后伸，故名蚯蚓。能穿地穴，故又名地龙。入药宜大而白颈，是其老
者有力。日华子曰∶路上踏杀者，名千人踏，入药更良。）
蚯蚓冬藏夏出，屈而后伸，上食稿壤，下饮黄泉，气味咸寒，宿应轸水，禀水土之气化。
主
治尸疰虫蛊，盖以泉下之水气上升，地中之土气上达，则阴类皆从之而消灭矣。蜈蚣属火，
名曰天龙。蚯蚓属水，名曰地龙。皆治鬼疰，蛊毒，蛇虫毒者，天地相交，则水火相济，故
禀性虽有不同，而主治乃不相殊。
[Flavor, Nature, and Indications]
The flavor is pungent and the nature is warm; it is toxic. It treats Guizhu (a contagious, chronic wasting disease caused by pathogenic factors), Gudistoxin (poisoning caused by insect toxins or evil qi), various snake, insect, and fish poisons, kills ancient spirits of ghosts (pathogenic factors lingering for a long time), treats Warm Malaria (malaria characterized primarily by fever with alternating chills and heat), and expels the Three Worms (general term for intestinal parasites).
(Wugong [Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans] is found everywhere south of the Yangtze River. It emerges in spring and hibernates in winter. Its body is segmented with legs at each segment, has bifid antennae, a forked tail, and poisonous pincers on its head. For medicinal use, those with red heads and feet are considered superior. Wugong is also known as Tianlong (Heavenly Dragon); it can subdue dragons, snakes, and lizards, but fears toads, slugs, spiders, and roosters. The "Zhuangzi" refers to this as "creatures fear their natural counterparts," meaning all things have natural predators.)
Wugong is red in color and warm in nature, possessing double pincers and a forked tail, with both head and tail being red. It grows in the south and inherits the nature of fire toxicity. Therefore, the indications recorded in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* utilize its fire-toxic nature to attack yin-toxic pathogens.
Commentary: Snakes belong to Metal, while Wugong belongs to Fire; thus, Fire overcomes Metal, enabling Wugong to subdue snakes. The Rooster corresponds to the Mao constellation, illustrating the principle that when the sun rises, the flickering fire is extinguished (i.e., when Yang energy prevails, Yin pathogens recede).
[Flavor, Nature, and Indications]
The flavor is salty and the nature is cold; it is non-toxic. It treats Shejia (abdominal masses formed by snake toxin or dampness accumulation), expels the Three Worms, treats Fushi Guizhu (Guizhu latent within the body), Gudistoxin, and kills Changchong (large intestinal parasites).
(Qiuyin [Pheretima aspergillum] lives in moist soil and is found in flat marshes or fertile lands. It emerges in early summer and hibernates in mid-winter. It appears first after rain and croaks at night during clear weather. Its shape resembles a mound, and it moves by contracting and then extending, hence the name Qiuyin (Earthworm). It can burrow into the ground, so it is also called Dilong (Earth Dragon). For medicinal use, large specimens with white necks are preferred, as they are old and potent. Ri Huazi stated: Earthworms crushed underfoot on roads are called "Qianrenta" (Tread-by-Thousands) and are even more effective medicinally.)
Qiuyin hibernates in winter and emerges in summer, moving from contracted to extended positions. It feeds on decaying soil above and drinks underground springs below. Its flavor is salty and cold, corresponding to the Zhen constellation (one of the Twenty-Eight Mansions, associated with Water), inheriting the Qi transformation of Earth and Water. It treats Shizhu (corpse-transmission disease) and insect/Gu toxins because the water Qi from below rises and the Earth Qi from the middle reaches upward, causing Yin-type pathogens to be eliminated. Wugong belongs to Fire and is named Tianlong (Heavenly Dragon); Qiuyin belongs to Water and is named Dilong (Earth Dragon). Both treat Guizhu, Gudistoxin, and snake/insect poisons because Heaven and Earth interact, leading to the mutual assistance of Water and Fire. Thus, although their inherited natures differ, their therapeutic indications are similar.