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(Stone Category)
There are differences in size and hardness, leading to different efficacies. Its primary functions are to open orifices, expel dampness, and resolve heat. Therefore, for conditions such as corneal opacity (nebula) not clearing, painful urinary dysfunction due to heat (hot strangury), and difficult labor in women, this drug should be used in treatment, with no failure of efficacy. (However, one must carefully verify that the diseases are indeed caused by damp-heat before use.) The text claims that having a woman in difficult labor hold one piece in each hand will cause immediate delivery; this seems absurd and unscientific, and should not be fully trusted. It should be ground into juice and taken orally. (The text states that these stones fall from rock caves during thunderstorms carried by rain, which is incorrect.)

(Beast Category)
Expels damp-hot blood stasis from the intestines and stomach.
Ci Pi (Thorns Skin) (Specifically enters the Intestine and Stomach meridians). Its skin resembles thorns, hence the name "Ci" (Thorn). This beast corresponds to the Stomach meridian and enters the Stomach, thus named after the thorn. (Li Shizhen stated: Ci Pi treats rebellious Stomach Qi and is effective in opening Stomach Qi.) Why do some texts record its ability to treat five types of hemorrhoids and genital erosion? Because damp-heat sinks downward, and given its pungent flavor entering the Intestines, and its correspondence to Metal and the Large Intestine in Five Elements theory, it can break up blood stasis. Why do other texts record its ability to treat dysphagia (yige) and regurgitation (fanwei)? (Pu Ji Fang treats regurgitation by burning Ci Pi to ash and taking it with wine, or boiling it in water, or marinating and roasting it with five flavors.) Since Ci Pi belongs to the beast category and possesses both pungent and bitter flavors, it can disperse pathogenic factors and drain heat, harmonizing Stomach Qi so it does not rebel upward. However, when consuming the meat, bones must be removed. Ingestion of bones causes emaciation and progressive wasting of the body segments. This beast resembles a mouse but is round, reddish-brown in color, with clustered fur and external spines like a chestnut burr. Use it after carbonizing it while retaining its original properties (Hei Cun Xing).

Drugs for draining water are indicated because the water retention is urgent and severe, not resolvable by sweet and bland diuretics or bitter-cold purgatives. Just as a raging flood cannot be controlled easily, one must employ drugs that are extremely pungent, bitter, salty, cold, and yin-natured to act as dredging agents, so that the water level may subside. This is the origin of the concept of "draining water." However, water within the human organs has specific distributions, and even when using drugs to treat urgent water retention, there are distinctions. For example, Da Ji (Knoxia Root), Yuan Hua (Genkwa Flower), and Gan Sui (Euphorbia Lathyris Root) are all drugs for treating water retention. Yet, Da Ji drains water-dampness from the Zang-Fu organs; Yuan Hua unblocks the water pathways inside and outside; Rao Hua (often confused with Yuan Hua in ancient texts, here distinguished as draining internal/external water-dampness); and Gan Sui drains water-dampness from the collaterals and channels. Ting Li Zi (Semen Lepidii) and Bai Qian (Radix Cynanchi Stauntoniae) both enter the Lung to treat water issues. However, Ting Li Zi treats water qi accumulated in the Lung, whereas Bai Qian searches out wind-water in the Lung. Shang Lu (Radix Phytolaccae) enters the Spleen to promote water metabolism, with efficacy comparable to Da Ji; therefore, Zhang Zhongjing uses it in Mu Li Ze Xie San (Oyster and Alisma Powder). Hai Zao (Sargassum), Hai Dai (Laminaria), and Kun Bu (Ecklonia) have similar flavors and actions, specializing in draining heat, dissipating nodules, and softening hardness. Thus, they are essential for treating scrofula (luojia), goiter (ying), hernia, and obstruction of the collaterals. Lou Gu (Mole Cricket) has an urgent and unique nature, enabling it to reduce edema and extract toxins. Tian Luo (Apple Snail) possesses extreme yin nature, enabling it to promote urination to reduce distension. Xu Sui Zi (Radix Euphorbiae Lathyridis) has rapid descending Qi effects; for various stagnations such as accumulations and distension, it is effective immediately upon ingestion. Zi Bei (Concha Arcae) has the ability to benefit water passages and resolve blood stasis; thus, it is beneficial for edema, gu poison, and corneal opacity. As for Qu Mai (Herba Dianthi) draining Heart fire, and Shi Wei (Folium Pyrrosiae) clearing Lung heat, although they are not the most potent diuretics, their use in patients with deficient constitution and weak Qi may cause harm. They should not be regarded as mild diuretics to be used without assessing excess patterns.