蜗牛，味咸，气寒，有小毒。杀虫，主贼风口眼 斜，治惊痫筋脉拘挛，收脱肛，止消
渴。
此物治病亦神，用必须制。用甘草些须，同火炒焙干，存于药笼中，以治前症实奇。
蜗牛善杀虫，以蜗牛活者投麻油中，自化为油，以油涂虫疮，效如神。
或问蜗牛治杨梅疮毒有神，何子之不言也？曰∶蜗牛解毒，而气过寒凉，杨梅热毒，似
乎相
宜，然则杨梅热毒，实出诸肾，用蜗牛未免直入肾中以泻火，火去而寒留，往往有阳痿不振
，不能生子之忧。予所以略而不言也。（〔批〕人但知食蜗牛之解毒，何知有绝嗣之祸哉。）
蝎，味甘、辛，有毒。疗小儿风痫，手足抽掣，祛大人中风，口眼 斜，却风痰耳聋，
解风
毒瘾疹。然不可多服，以其辛而散气也。少少用之，以治 斜之症，正相宜耳。
蝎毒伤人，每有痛入心者，以蜗牛涂上即安。（〔批〕效极。）
或问全蝎可治漏疮，何子略之？夫全蝎何能消漏也。治漏疮者用之，必药用蜈蚣、穿山甲，
使之相制而相成耳。
九香虫，味甘、辛，气微温。入肾经命门。专兴阳益精，且能安神魄，亦虫中之至佳者。
入
丸散中，以扶衰弱最宜，但不宜入于汤剂，以其性滑，恐动大便耳。
九香虫亦兴阳之物，然外人参、白术、巴戟天、肉苁蓉、破故纸之类，亦未见其大效也。
或问九香虫产于西蜀，得其真者为佳，近人不知真假，何能奏效？曰∶九香虫不止西蜀有之
，江南未尝不生。但生于江南者，无香气耳，无香气者即无效。
*Helix aspersa* (Snail), salty in flavor, cold in nature, slightly toxic. It eliminates parasites, primarily treats facial paralysis (facial deviation) caused by thief wind, manages convulsions and muscle spasms due to fright epilepsy, retracts prolapsed rectum, and stops wasting-thirst.
This substance is also miraculous in treating diseases, but it must be processed before use. Mix a small amount of *Gancao* (Licorice Root) with the snail, stir-fry over fire until dry, store in the medicine cabinet, and it is truly wonderful for treating the aforementioned conditions.
Snails excel at eliminating parasites; place live snails into sesame oil, where they will naturally transform into oil. Apply this oil to insect sores, and the effect is like magic.
One might ask: "Snails are miraculous in treating the toxicity of yaws (yangmei chuang), why do you omit this?" I reply: Snails resolve toxicity, but their nature is excessively cold and cooling. The heat-toxin of yaws seems compatible with them; however, the heat-toxin of yaws actually originates from the Kidney. Using snails would inevitably enter the Kidney directly to drain fire. Once the fire is removed, cold remains, often leading to concerns of impotence and infertility. Therefore, I briefly omit mentioning it. [Commentary: People only know that eating snails resolves toxicity; how could they know the disaster of ending one's lineage?]
*Scorpio* (Scorpion), sweet and pungent in flavor, toxic. It treats pediatric wind-epilepsy, twitching and pulling of hands and feet, dispels stroke-induced facial deviation in adults, expels wind-phlegm causing deafness, and resolves wind-toxin urticaria. However, it should not be taken in large doses, as its pungency disperses Qi. Used in small amounts to treat facial deviation, it is perfectly suitable.
Scorpion venom injuring people often causes pain penetrating to the heart; applying snail paste brings immediate relief. [Commentary: Extremely effective.]
One might ask: "Whole scorpions can treat fistulas, why do you omit this?" How can whole scorpions eliminate fistulas? When using whole scorpions to treat fistulas, they must be combined with *Wugong* (Centipede) and *Chuanshanjia* (Pangolin Scales) so that they mutually restrain and mutually achieve efficacy.
*Aspongopus chinensis* (Stink Bug), sweet and pungent in flavor, slightly warm in nature. Enters the Kidney meridian and Mingmen. It specifically boosts Yang and benefits Essence, and can also calm the spirit and stabilize the soul; it is among the best of insect medicines. When included in pills and powders, it is most suitable for supporting debility, but it is not suitable for decoctions because its slippery nature may induce loose stools.
*Aspongopus chinensis* is also a substance that boosts Yang; however, apart from *Renshen* (Ginseng), *Baizhu* (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome), *Bajitian* (Morinda Officinalis Root), *Roucongrong* (Cistanche Deserticola), and *Poguzhi* (Psoralea Corylifolia Fruit), no other substances show significant efficacy when combined with it.
One might ask: "*Aspongopus chinensis* is produced in Xishu; obtaining the authentic source is best. Modern people do not know whether it is genuine or fake, how can it produce effects?" I say: *Aspongopus chinensis* is not only found in Xishu; it also grows in Jiangnan. However, those growing in Jiangnan lack fragrance; those without fragrance have no medicinal effect.