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(Recorded in the Superior Class of *Shennong Bencao Jing*)

[Names] Nine-Hole Snail (*Ri Hua Ben Cao*), Shell named Qianliguang.
Li Shizhen stated: Jue Ming and Qianliguang are named after their efficacy. Nine-Hole Snail is named after its morphology.

[Collection and Explanation] Tao Hongjing said: Folklore claims it is Zi Bei (Purple Shell). People soak it in water and use it to compress the eyes, which significantly improves vision. It is also said to be the shell of the Abalone (Fou Yu). It grows attached to rocks; large specimens are as big as a hand, shining with five colors, and may contain pearls inside.
Su Gong said: This is indeed the shell of the Abalone. It grows attached to rocks, resembling a clam, consisting of a single unpaired valve. Those with seven holes are of good quality. The Zi Bei used in current practice is entirely different.
Su Song said: It is found in various prefectures in Lingnan and along the coast of Laizhou. It can be harvested at any time. Old annotations vary between identifying it as Zi Bei or Abalone shell. Upon examination: Zi Bei refers to the Ya Luo (polished snail) currently known, which is definitely not this category. The Abalone was a delicacy favored by Wang Mang; it adheres to one side of the rock, is bright and attractive, and is a distinct species similar to Jue Ming. The shell of Jue Ming is as large as a hand, with smaller ones being the size of two or three fingers. It can be soaked for washing the eyes; those with seven or nine holes are superior. Its meat is edible for humans.
Kou Zongshi said: It is abundant along the coasts of Dengzhou and Laizhou. People harvest its meat for food and dry it for packaging materials. Both the meat and the shell are useful.
Li Shizhen said: Shi Jue Ming has an elongated shape like a small mussel but is flattened. The outer skin is very rough with scattered fine pores, while the interior is lustrous. There is a row of holes on the dorsal side that appear perforated. It grows on rocky cliffs. Divers obtain it by surprise; otherwise, it adheres tightly and is difficult to detach. Tao Hongjing identified it as Zi Bei, Lei Xiao as Mother-of-Pearl, and Yang Xiu (commentator on *Xunzi*) as Turtle Foot; all were incorrect. Only the Abalone represents one organism with two names, hence identical functions. In Wu and Yue regions, pickled Jue Ming and wine-cooked Clam are considered delicacies, referring to this substance.

[Preparation] Lei Xiao said: For usage, wrap in flour and roast until cooked. Grind off the rough skin, pound thoroughly, and mill into a fine powder resembling flour before medicinal use.
Zhang Shi said: Take 5 liang of the material with 0.5 fen of salt, boil in flowing water from the east in a porcelain vessel for one shichen (2 hours). Pound and grind into powder. Then add 10 liang each of Wuhua Pi, Di Yu, and E-Jiao. Wash these three herbs three times with flowing water from the east, sun-dry, and grind ten thousand times before incorporating into medicine. After consuming up to 10 liang, one must never eat Mountain Peach (Prunus davidiana), as it causes blindness.
Li Shizhen said: Current practitioners only boil with salt and flowing water from the east for one shichen, then grind into powder and use wet-pulverization (shui fei).

Shell

[Flavor and Nature] Salty, Neutral, Non-toxic. Bao Sheng said: Cold. Kou Zongshi said: The meat and shell have the same function.

[Indications] Eyelid obstruction, pain from nebulae, Qing Mang (blindness). Long-term consumption benefits essence and lightens the body (*Shennong Bencao Jing*).
Li Chan said: Heat syndromes, internal cataracts in Qing Mang, bone-steaming consumptive fever.

[Attached Prescriptions] One old prescription, five new prescriptions.
Photophobia: Use Qianliguang, Yellow Chrysanthemum Flower, and Gan Cao (Licorice Root), each 1 qian. Decoct in water. Take cold (*Ming Mu Ji Yan Fang*).
Nebula after Smallpox: Use Shi Jue Ming (calcined and ground) and Gu Jing Cao (Cibotium Rhizome) in equal parts. Grind into fine powder. Dip pork liver in the powder and consume (*Hong Fei Ji*).
Five Types of Lin Syndrome (Dysuria): Remove the rough skin of Shi Jue Ming, grind into powder, and wet-pulverize. Take 2 qian with warm water, twice daily. If hard or soft objects are present in the urine, add 5 fen of Xiu Mu Mo (rotten wood powder) (*Sheng Jin Fang*).
Liver Deficiency Nebula: Applicable to Qi deficiency, Blood deficiency, and Liver deficiency presenting with red sclera, sensation of chicken-pecking at night, and floating nebulae. Use Hai Bang Ke (Seashell of Hainan Mussel, calcined to ash) and Mu Zei (Equisetum Hiemale, dried) in equal parts. Grind into powder. Take 3 qian per dose, decoct with Ginger and Jujube in water, and swallow the dregs. Once daily (*Yan Fang*).
Qing Mang and Night Blindness: Use 1 liang of Shi Jue Ming (calcined to retain nature) and 3 liang of Cang Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizome, peeled). Grind into powder. Take 3 qian per dose. Slice open a pig liver, insert the powder, tie securely, and cook in a clay pot. Steam the eyes with the vapor. When cool, eat the liver and drink the broth (*Long Mu Lun*).
Neutralizing Sour White Wine: Use several pieces of Shi Jue Ming (quantity unspecified). Calcine over fire and grind into fine powder. Heat the wine, stir in the Shi Jue Ming powder, cover, and let stand for one shichen. Drink; the sour taste will disappear.