Library

Now called "Tiao Chong" (Jumping Insect), it grows in wet soil, resembling a flea but more than double the size, with a greenish color and many legs under its abdomen, capable of jumping. Children place containers in water to catch them; once caught and thrown in, they cannot jump out. In autumn, those who keep crickets for fighting often rear them. Whenever crickets are injured in fights or become emaciated and weak, they are fed this insect daily, as it is said to enhance the cricket's strength. Its nature is extremely agile and penetrating, capable of reaching through meridians and everywhere between the skin and fascia.

It treats Wind-Bi syndrome (painful obstruction due to wind-dampness) and removes damp swelling.

No ancient or modern prescriptions include it in medicine. However, Zhu Shi's Effective Prescriptions contains a method for treating anal fistulas: Use one dung beetle (Qianglang), along with ten moths attracted to lamps, placed in a jar overnight. Add one qian of Musk (Shexiang), dry in the shade, and grind into powder. Blow the powder into the fistula tract; pus will naturally drain out, and healing occurs when drainage stops.

Ancient and modern annotations state: Yinghu (Fly Tiger), also known as Yinghu (Fly Fox), resembles a spider but is grayish-white in color and good at catching flies. It is also called Yinghuzi. The *Qianqieju Lexicon* states: Also known as Yingbao (Fly Leopard), it has a black body, double fleshy claws on its mouth to grasp flies for food, and eyes like a tiger's, shining brightly. The *I Ching* says: "Zhen comes with fear." *Yasuku Jiyán* states: "Xixi refers to the Fly Tiger." It appears constantly fearful, hence the symbolic association. Note: Yinghu belongs to the spider family; it has silk-producing abdomens but does not spin webs. It lives on walls, catching and eating flies. Its body is grayish-brown with fine hairs, has two pincers on its mouth that open and close frequently while sucking, and jumps like a tiger. Some are pure white with red eyes, very lovely. Children catch them in containers, feed them flies, and watch their fighting and jumping as entertainment. This creature is not heard of in medicinal use. Therefore, Li Shizhen's *Bencao Gangmu* includes Biqian (Spider Web Money) and Xizi (Long-jawed Orb-weaver), but omits this one. Xu Shi's Verified Prescriptions now states: Its nature is frequent movement without stillness; taken to regulate blood vessels and treat bruises and trauma, thus recording its prescription for inclusion.

Treating Bruises and Trauma - Xu Shunzhi's Verified Prescription: Take several Yinghu, grind them thoroughly, and swallow with good wine.

The current Zao Ma (Stove Cricket), commonly called Zang Lang, or written as Zhang Lang, is what *Bencao Gangmu* calls Feilian. *Bencao Gangmu*'s Insect section also lists Zao Ma, which resembles a cricket; people now call it Zao Bi Ji, distinguishing it from Zhang Lang. Li Shizhen did not list methods for treating Ding sores (carbuncles) or Gan disease (pediatric malnutrition) under the Feilian entry; these are recorded here for completeness.

Extracting Ding Roots - *JiTing*: Any amount of cockroaches from the stove, ground into a paste and applied topically, will cause the root of the carbuncle to emerge spontaneously. *Qingzi Miaofang*: Take several yellow-purple cockroaches with a strong odor. Mix with a few drops of the patient's own saliva, grind into a paste, and apply around the sore, leaving the center exposed to allow toxic gases to exit. Healing occurs in one day. Shao Zhongda's Formula: For treating Ding sores, take seven large cockroaches, remove heads, feet, and shells. Mash with a little sugar and apply around the sore, leaving the head exposed. Healing occurs within a day and night.

*Yaoxing Kao*: Zao Ma is effective for removing splinters when ground and applied.

Resolving Various Ding Toxins - *Chuanxin Fang*: Five red cockroaches from the stove, ground into a paste, mixed with hot wine and taken orally. Induce sweating as the goal.

Red Thread Ding - *Chuanxin Fang*: One cockroach, head removed, mashed with green sugar and applied topically. Immediate effect.

White Huodan - Ye Shi's Formula: Cockroaches from tiles, dried over fire, ground into powder, taken with boiling water. One or two doses yield immediate results; also treats Ding sores.

Duikou Abscess (Carbuncle on the Neck) - *Huo Ren Shu*: Two or three lychee meats from Guizhou; two or three cockroaches. Mash together into a paste and apply, leaving the head exposed. Disperses after several applications.

Unnamed Swelling and Toxicity - *Cihang Huoren Shu*: Ten cockroaches, a pinch of salt. Mash together and apply, leaving the head exposed.

Treating Various Toxic Ulcers - Yan Family Household Formula: Grind cockroaches and apply with Duan Shi (calcined gypsum).

Sha Syndrome (Plague-like illness) - Zhou Yanyuan's Formula: Two or three live cockroaches, wrapped in paper, roasted on the stove until dry, ground finely. Mix with cold water and administer. Vomiting or diarrhea indicates recovery.

Hematemesis (Vomiting Blood) - Xu Yunsheng's Formula: Take five cockroaches, remove wings and clean. Roast on a clean tile over a fire pit until charred (preserve nature), grind into powder. Wrap in paper and bury in earth to preserve properties. Wrap one dose in wet fermented bean curd skin and swallow with boiling water. Do this daily for five days without interruption.

Qi Deficiency with Abdominal Fullness - *Yizong Hui Bian*: Seven cockroaches ground into powder, taken with decoction of Di Ku Lou (Trichosanthes Root). Cured after several doses.

Distension (Ascites) - *Jiabao Fang*: One cockroach roasted dry, a pinch of radish seeds. Stir-fried together into powder, swallowed with good wine for ten days. Fully cured.

All Types of Pediatric Gan Disease (Malnutrition) - *JiTing* states: For any pediatric Gan disease, even in critical condition, it is effective. Roast stove cockroaches and feed to the child. The patient smells only fragrance, unaware of the fishy odor, similar to how a poisoned person tastes no bitterness in beans or alum. Cases treated have all responded well; one or two doses suffice for cure. Post-cure, the body becomes fatter and whiter. Repeated trials confirm efficacy. *Baicao Jing* states: For early-stage pediatric Gan disease, remove heads, feet, and wings of cockroaches, roast on new tiles, and feed regularly. One hundred doses result in cure.