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(Introduction to *Bencao Gangmu*)

[Collected Explanations]
Li Shizhen states: According to the *Chunzhu Jiwen*, during the reign of Emperor Huizong of Song, General Xiao Zhu defeated the Southern Barbarians and obtained a "Salt Dragon" they had raised. It was slightly over one chi in length. A dose of one qianbi (a small spoonful) was taken. Later, this dragon fell into the possession of Cai Jing. After its death, it was sealed with salt; when retrieved after several days for use, it still possessed potency. I have investigated that this substance originates from remote regions and is not recorded in ancient texts, yet...

(Seventeen species of snakes)

(Under-grade Materia Medica from *Shennong Bencao Jing*)

[Names]
Shepi (Zhen Quan), Sheke (common name), Gongpi (*Shennong Bencao Jing*), Shefu, Shejin. These are all obscure names used in later periods.
Li Shizhen says: The character "She" (Snake) in ancient script depicts its winding and coiling shape. "Tui" (Molt/Shed skin) is pronounced like "tuo" or "tui," meaning to shed or retreat. Terms such as Long (Dragon), Gong (Bow), Fu (Talisman), and Jin (Sinew) are merely obscure appellations coined in later eras.

[Collected Explanations]
*Mianning Bie Lu* states: It grows in the rivers, valleys, and fields of Jingzhou. Collected on the fifth or fifteenth day of the fifth lunar month, it is of superior quality.
Tao Hongjing states: Molted skins of venomous snakes like Hui and Fu are rarely found in grass; those that are long usually belong to snakes with red scales or yellow throats, whose skins are hard to distinguish. It is best to collect complete specimens found on stones.
Su Song states: They are abundant on trees and rocks in the south, as well as on house walls and roofs. Snakes shed their skins at any time, often when adhering to unclean places or after eating too much.

[Processing]
Lei Xiao states: When preparing, do not use green, yellow, or grayish ones; only use white ones resembling silver. First, dig a pit underground, one chi two cun deep...
Li Shizhen states: Currently, people prepare snake molt by first washing it with soap pod water and wrapping it around bamboo, or soaking it in wine, vinegar, or honey, then roasting until yellow before use. Alternatively, it may be calcined to retain its properties ("cun xing") or sealed with salt mud, depending on the specific prescription.

[Properties and Flavors]
Salty, sweet, neutral, non-toxic. Roasting over fire enhances its efficacy.
Zhen Quan states: Toxic. Adversely affected by magnetite and alcohol. Contraindicated for pregnant women.

[Indications]
For pediatric convulsions, epilepsy, and snake-like spasms of various kinds; manic disorders with tongue protrusion and head shaking; alternating chills and fever; intestinal hemorrhoids; gu poison; adult "five evils" with erratic speech; stopping vomiting and regurgitation; brightening the eyes. Calcined powder treats various malignant sores.
Used to ward off evil spirits and stop pediatric fright and alien qi invasion. (On the day of onset, insert into both ears, hold a small amount in hand, and drink salt-vinegar juice to induce vomiting.) Wards off evil, expels wind, and kills parasites. Calcined powder taken internally treats puerperal mastitis ("chui nai"), adult throat wind, reduces corneal opacity, and resolves wooden tongue. Applied topically to pediatric double tongue, double gums, tight lips, craniolysis, facial sores, tinea capitis, and bullous impetigo. Treats adult carbuncles, fistulas, and swollen toxins. Decoction washes wounds from malicious insect bites. (Supplemented by Li Shizhen).

[Elucidation]
Kou Zongshi states: Snake molt is expelled from the mouth, and the eyes are also cleared. This principle is applied in eye medicines and treatments for removing corneal opacities.
Li Shizhen states: There are four reasons for its medicinal use: First, it wards off evil due to its transformative and spiritual nature, thus treating aberrant diseases, demonic influences, and gu malaria. Second, it expels wind due to its association with the Xun trigram and its penetrating nature, thus treating convulsions, skin patches, and throat/tongue disorders. Third, it kills parasites, thus treating malignant sores and parasitic diseases, utilizing its inherent toxicity. Fourth, it embodies the concept of shedding/molt, thus treating corneal opacities, obstetric issues, and skin diseases, following the principle of sympathetic magic and classification.

[Attached Prescriptions] Sixteen old prescriptions, twenty new prescriptions.
Throat Bi (*Houbi*): *Xin Jing*: Treats pediatric throat Bi with swelling and pain. Calcined to powder, taken with milk, one qian.
Use roasted She Tui and Dang Gui in equal parts, powdered. Taken with warm wine, one qian, to induce vomiting. Another prescription: Crush snake skin, burn to smoke, and inhale through a bamboo tube to break up obstruction.
Another prescription: Wrap a white plum in snake skin and swallow while holding in the mouth.
Medicated plaster applied to the sole of the foot. (*Yinghan Baojian*)
Golden wound bleeding: Snake molt burned to ash, wiped clean, and applied. (*Qianjin Fang*)
... Change four times. (*Qianjin Fang*)
Mix and apply. (*Zhouhou Beiji Fang*)
Zhou Mi's *Qidong Yeyu* states: For corneal opacity after smallpox in children. Use one strip of washed and dried She Tui, five fen of Tian Hua Fen, powdered. Apply... bind tightly, boil in rice water and eat. My daughter and nephew both recovered using this formula; truly a miraculous prescription.
Cut finely, mix with white flour to make cakes, roast until black, powder. Take one qian with warm water after meals, twice daily. (*Shenghui Fang*)
One whole She Tui, calcined to retain properties, powdered, taken with warm wine. (*Qianjin Fang*)
... *Shiquan Bojiu Fang*: Use one strip of snake skin, seal in a bottle with salt mud, powder two qian, take with Ulmi Cortex decoction. *Jisheng Milan*: Treats breech presentation. Rub the infant's sole thirty-seven times with a little salt, delivery ensues immediately.
One chi seven cun of snake skin, burned to powder, taken with one cup of warm wine. (*Chanru*)
Stone abscess without pus, hard as stone: Apply She Tui skin; healed overnight. (*Qianjin Fang*)
Apply, and the matter will exit through the pore. (*Qianjin Yi*)
Cure is immediate. *Zhizhi*: Treats fish-umbilicus sore with discharge and floating foam around edges. Calcined She Tui powder mixed with egg white for application.
If not cured: Burn one whole molt to ash, mix with lard for application. Also burn one strip, take with warm wine. (*Qianjin Fang*)
Burn snake skin to ash, mix with vinegar for topical application. *Waitai*: Rub She Tui hundreds of times until hot... Pain: Burn one whole snake skin to ash, mix with realgar the size of a bullet, powder together. Wash sore with warm grain water, puncture, and apply. (Chu Yushi Fang)
Sudden severe pain, as if insects running inside, or blood/water discharge, or unbearable dry pain: Calcined snake molt powder blown into the area with a goose feather brings immediate relief. An empirical secret recipe. (Yang Gong...)