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Earthworm (Qiuyin), salty in taste, cold in nature, slightly toxic. Those with white necks are of superior quality; they should be washed with salt water before use. It treats high fever and delirious speech caused by warm diseases (Wenbing), as well as muttering due to latent heat in cold damage (Shanghan). The earthworm is crushed, juice is extracted, and taken mixed well-water, resulting in immediate recovery. It also treats urinary obstruction, sudden poisoning from gu toxins (Gu Du), kills snake-related abdominal masses and roundworms, resolves kidney wind (Shen Feng) and Hong Kong foot (Hongxiangjiao - a traditional term for gouty arthritis or severe foot swelling), and treats jaundice. Its ability to resolve dampness is miraculous. If bitten by a snake, soaking the wound in salt water provides relief.

It treats fecal impaction (Shifeng) and dog bite toxicity, showing special efficacy against dog hair embedded in wounds, and is particularly effective for toxic sores. Earthworm is a very minute creature but possesses divine efficacy. For symptoms of mania caused by extreme heat, rather than using Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) to purge fire, it is better to treat it with earthworm juice mixed with water. Although Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum) purges fire, it can damage the stomach; Earthworm purges fire without damaging the spleen/stomach earth element. Since earthworms live in soil, and soil is the mother of the earthworm, the "son" finds peace when seeing the "mother."

One asks: Why does earthworm treat mania so effectively? The answer is: Earthworm excels at clearing fire from the Yangming channel and calming mental disorder, thus treating both aspects with a single herb.

Another question: Why must Dipu (Earth Slurry) be used to assist earthworm? Because Dipu draws upon the supreme yin qi of the north to purge the supreme yang qi of the Yangming channel. Furthermore, earthworms find their nature settled in soil; they use toxicity to attack heat without generating new toxicity through mutual restraint, thereby achieving miraculous results.

Another question: Earthworm is toxic; if used to treat mania, what if the toxicity flares up and exacerbates the madness? The answer is: In cases of mania, encountering toxicity can restore vitality, as fiery heat transforms upon meeting cold toxicity. Using earthworm to purge heat relies precisely on its toxic properties entering the heart to resolve the heat; once heat is resolved, mania subsides naturally. This is a skillful therapeutic method.

Toad venom (Chansu), removes toxins miraculously, employing toxicity to counteract toxicity. It dissolves hardness, breaks masses, resolves stasis, and dissipates abscesses. Although these are primarily external treatment effects, it is an indispensable drug in any medicine cabinet.

Toad venom has major toxicity and seems unsuitable for internal administration. Although some claim it can be taken internally, this is not credible. While "using toxicity to attack toxicity" is valid, it is suitable for external application but not for internal treatment.