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[Explanatory Names] Zhufozi (Bamboo Louse), Tianyanzi (Heavenly Abandoned Child).

[Collection and Explanation]
Li Shizhen stated: The Bamboo Louse grows on various bamboos and on plants. Initially, it appears like powder spots; after a long time, it becomes mobile, often clustering in groups of hundreds or dozens. It is large like a louse and grayish-blue. Some say it is generated by dampness and heat transformation, others say it comes from insect eggs. It was not used in ancient prescriptions. Only the *Gulou Shenshu* (Divine Book of Mount Gou) by Nangong Cong records: In Baqiong, Wu-Yue, and Jing-Chu regions, during spring and autumn, there are insects resembling lice inside bamboo that are grayish. Collected and dried in the shade, they can treat wind-stroke. This refers to this creature.

[Flavor and Toxicity] Toxic.

[Indications] Wind-stroke, hemiplegia; can penetrate meridians and collaterals, and expel phlegm-saliva (Li Shizhen).

[Attached Prescriptions] One new prescription.
For wind-stroke with hemiplegia and bi-syndrome: Use [text missing/corrupted], ensuring the affected area does not become pasty. Roast the Bamboo Louse into powder [apply internally or externally]. As the medicine acts, one may hear sounds like wind, vomit foul water, and sweat profusely with a foul odor. After several days, the limbs return to normal. (*Gulou Shenshu*)

(23 species of damp-born insects, 7 appended species)

[Explanatory Names] Cuqiu (sound), Chan Chu (Toad/Bufo).

Li Shizhen stated: The Toad is written as "Zhanzhu" in *Shuowen Jiezi*. It explains: Its sound is like "Zhanzhu," its skin is rough, and its movement is [slow/stiff]. The *Classic of Poetry* says: "Obtaining this Qishi." The commentary of *Han Shi* states: Qishi is the Toad. Qishi is pronounced Cu. Later generations called it Ku [something], due to its sound. Ke [something] refers to its skin.

[Collection and Explanation]
*Ben Cao Jing Jiu Yi* (Old Edition of the Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) states: The Toad lives in rivers, lakes, ponds, and marshes. On the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, capture those moving eastward, dry them in the shade for use.

Tao Hongjing stated: These are those with large bellies and bumpy skin. Their skin juice is highly toxic; if a dog bites it, the dog's mouth swells. On the fifth day of the fifth month, capture five east-moving ones, bind them backwards, and seal them in a dark room. Check them the next morning; take those that have freed themselves to make medicine, which can also help bound people free themselves.

Xiao Bing stated: Those with eight red characters under their belly and who draw lines on the ground with their feet are true Toads.

Su Song stated: They are found everywhere now. *Ben Cao Jing Jiu Yi* calls the Frog a Toad, considering them one species, which is incorrect. According to *Erya*: [Character], is the Toad. Guo Pu said: Similar to a frog but lives on land, moves very slowly, cannot jump, and does not croak. Frogs are mostly in ponds and marshes. They are smaller, have black spots on their skin, can jump to catch insects, and move very quickly. Although these two belong to the same category, their medicinal functions differ slightly and should be used separately. The feces of the Toad are called Tubinglang (Earth Areca Nut), often found in damp places, and can also treat diseases.

Chen Cheng stated: It is rumored that three-legged ones are Toads, so people make fake three-legged dried Toads to deceive the public. If soaked in water for half a day, the fraud is revealed, as there are no naturally three-legged Toads.

Li Shizhen stated: The Toad has a pointed head and a round belly, short eyebrows, and a muddy voice. It belongs to the Earth element; some are as large as a plate. *Ziran Lun* says: The Toad gives birth by vomiting feces from its mouth. *Baopuzi* says: A thousand-year-old Toad has horns on its head and red writing on its belly, named Rouzhi (Flesh Mushroom), capable of eating mountain spirits. Humans who eat it can [achieve longevity/immortality], which can be inferred here. Xu Shen's *Shuowen Jiezi* states that three-legged ones are Toads, and Kou Zongshi refutes this, which is correct. However, since turtles and tortoises also have three-legged varieties, a three-legged Toad is not strange. But insisting that only three-legged ones be used for medicine is wrong. The *Gulou Shenshu* records a method to obtain Toad Treasure: Take one large Toad, nail its four legs with four one-foot-long iron nails, and have a person swallow it whole to cross rivers and lakes. I believe that even if such a technique exists, who would dare to swallow it? This is a fraudulent claim by alchemists and is not worthy of deep belief. Recorded here casually to dispel doubts.

[Processing] *Shu Tujing* states: Capture on the fifth day of the fifth month, sun-dry or oven-dry for use. Another method: Remove skin and claws, soak in wine overnight, then process with natural [juice of Huangjing/Polygonatum].

Li Shizhen stated: People today capture them on Dragon Boat Festival day, air-dry them, seal them firmly with yellow mud, and use them retaining their original nature. *Yonglei Qianfang* states: Toads with red eyes and no eight-character pattern on the belly should not be used. Cui Shi's *Simin Yueling* states: Capture Toads on the fifth day of the fifth month to treat malignant sores. This refers to this. Some soak them in wine to extract the meat. Qian Zhongyang treated pediatric cold-heat gan-wasting diarrhea using Rusheng Wan, made from dried Toad boiled in wine into a paste pill, which is another method.

[Flavor and Toxicity] Pungent, cool, slightly toxic.

[Indications] Yin erosion, carbuncles, leprosy, malignant sores, dog bite wounds; can unite jade and stone (*Ben Cao Jing Jiu Yi*). Burned to ash and applied to sores, it works immediately. Also treats severe cases of warm disease with macules. Remove intestines [and organs].

Meng Shen stated: Pound and squeeze juice to drink, or burn to ash and take orally. Kills gan-worms, treats rat-fistula malignant sores. Burned to ash, applied to all sores caused by worms with itching and proliferation (*Yaoxing Lun*). Treats gan-qi, pediatric sallow complexion and pi-qi, breaks up masses. Burned [to ash] for emaciated gan-disease, it is best (Su Song).

[Elucidation] Li Shizhen stated: The Toad is the essence of Earth. It corresponds to the moon's soul and has a spiritual nature. It burrows in soil, eats insects, subdues mountain spirits, and controls centipedes; therefore, it enters the Yangming Meridian, clears deficiency heat, moves dampness, kills parasites, and is an essential herb for treating gan-diseases, carbuncles, and various sores. *Ben Cao Jing Jiu Yi* says "treats dog bites," and *Zhouhou Beiji Fang* also has methods. Checking Shen Yue's *Book of Song*, Zhang Mu was bitten by a dog, and someone suggested eating frog sashimi, after which he recovered. This aligns with treating carbuncles and furuncles; generally, this creature can attack and extract toxins. Ancient and modern prescriptions do not distinguish much between frogs and toads, mostly using Toads. Readers should use them carefully and not be confused by names.

[Attached Prescriptions] Eight old, seventeen new.
Cold mass in abdomen: Food and water stagnation, phlegm retention in the epigastrium, fullness in both hypochondria, rumbling upon pressure, hindering diet. One large Toad, remove skin and intestines, dissect. Mangxiao (Mirabilite): Strong persons 1 sheng, medium persons 7 ge, weak persons 5 ge. Add 7 sheng of water, boil to 4 sheng, take in one dose. Stop when bowel movement occurs. (*Zhouhou Beiji Fang*)

Pediatric Gan-Ji: Treat pediatric Gan-Ji with abdominal distension, sallow emaciation, and head sores like wheat ears. Take a large frog after Start of Autumn, remove head, feet, and intestines, coat with clear oil, roast on yin-yang tiles until cooked, and consume. Accumulated filth will descend naturally. Consume 5-6 consecutively; after one month, appearance changes miraculously.

Five Gans and Eight Dysenteries: Sallow face, emaciated muscles, craving dirt, loss of appetite for milk/food. One large dried Toad (burned to retain nature), 1 qian of Zaojiao (soap pod, remove skin and seeds, burned to retain nature), 3 qian of Ge Fen (clam powder, water-classified), 1 qian of Shexiang (Musk). Grind to powder, make pills with paste the size of millet seeds. Take 30-40 pills on an empty stomach with rice water, twice daily. Named Wugan Baotong Wan. (*Quanying Fang*)

Pediatric Gan-Diarrhea and Dysentery: Burn frog to retain nature, grind to powder, take with water, one cunbi dose. (*Zimu Milu*)

Zouma Yangan (Racing Horse Gum Disease), eroding mouth and nose: Gan Ke (dried Toad, wrapped in yellow mud and calcined), Huanglian (Coptis Rhizoma), each 2.5 qian; Qingdai (Indigo Naturalis), 1 qian. Grind to powder, add a little Shexiang (Musk), mix, and apply. (*Zhengshi Xia'er Fang*)

Gan-Erosion of Cheek and Perforation: Jinbian San: Treats gan-sores, cheek perforation, and tooth loss. Wrap a live ground beetle in soft white membrane from a hatching egg, place inside a large frog's mouth, bind with grass and seal with mud, calcine, remove, grind to powder, and apply until healed. (*Puji Fang*)

Pediatric Mouth Ulcers: Roast frog captured on the fifth day of the fifth month, grind to powder, apply, heals immediately. (*Milu*)

All Gan Diseases: Wherever located, can treat them. Burn frog to ash, mix with vinegar, apply 3-5 times daily. (*Meishi Fang*)

Yin Erosion Almost Complete: Equal parts frog ash and rabbit feces, grind to powder, apply. (*Zhouhou Beiji Fang*)

Lunar Eclipse Ear Sores: Frog captured on the fifth day of the fifth month, burned to ash, mixed with pig fat, apply. (*Waitai Fang*)

Pediatric Postpartum Sores: Capture Toad on the fifth day of the fifth month, roast, grind to powder, apply, heals immediately. (*Milu*)

Pediatric Umbilical Sores with Discharge, Chronic: Burn frog to ash, apply, three times daily, very effective. Alternatively, add equal parts Musli (Ostrea Shell). (*Waitai*)

All Damp Sores: Burn Toad to ash, mix with pig fat, apply. (*Qianjin Fang*)

Pediatric Tinea: Burn Toad to ash, mix with pig fat, apply. (*Waitai Fang*)

Lai Feng Chong Chuang (Leprous Worm Sores): 1 liang of dried frog (roasted), 1 strip of Chang Feizao (long soap fruit, roasted, remove skin and seeds, dip in wine and roast again). Grind to powder. Insert into sheep intestine via bamboo tube, tie securely. Place bran in steamer, put medicine on bran, steam until cooked. Add Shexiang [Musk], take 21 pills with wine. (*Zhizhi*) ... Hair the size of a chicken egg, 4 [taels] of pig oil, bone powder sprinkled on edges, apply previous ointment.

Back Carbuncle Swelling Not Yet Suppurated: Tie one live Toad onto the sore. After half a day, the Toad will become lethargic. Place it in water as before; it will stagger. Replace with another; if the Toad remains normal, the toxin has dispersed. Highly effective. For severe cases, split open one (or 2-3) live Toads, press the warm belly onto the sore. It will soon smell unbearable. Replace 2-3 times. (*Yilin Jiyao*)

Initial Swelling and Toxicity: Chop one large frog into pieces, stir-fry with Duanshi (Calcined Alumen), grind into paste, apply. Change frequently. (Yu Jushi Fang)

Strychnism (Poison Injury Wind): Use 2.5 liang of Toad, cut [up]. Soon, sweat will flow from the whole body, miraculous effect.

Dog Bite: *Zhouhou Beiji Fang*: Treats [mad dog bites]. The author knows this. It will not recur. *Xiuzhen*: Treats mad dog bites. Pound frog hind legs into paste, mix with water, take orally. First, pull out three bloody hairs from the crown.

Intestinal Prolapse: Burn smoke from one piece of Toad skin in a bottle, fumigate and apply.

Wearing Away Malaria: Collect large frogs on the fifth day of the fifth month, sun-dry. Seal in paper, store in crimson pouch, [wear for protection]. (*Yangshi Jiacang Fang*)

Fractures and Bone Setting: Pound fresh large frog into paste, wrap around broken bone with split bamboo, self-heals. (*Xinang Beijifang*)

Large Intestine Hemorrhoids: One Toad, build a square brick enclosure, place inside, seal with mud, fire-calcine to retain nature, grind to powder. Take one section of pig large intestine, tie both ends, boil, chop, dip in Toad powder, and eat. Do this [several times]... Head [cured].

[Indications] Functions same as Toad.

Chan Su (Toad Venom)

[Collection and Processing]
Chen Cheng stated: White juice from between the eyebrows is called Chan Su. Wrap the eyebrow fissure with oil-paper; the juice exudes onto the paper. Dry in shade for use.

Li Shizhen stated: Methods to collect Chan Su vary: Pinch the brow ridge to extract white juice onto oil-paper or mulberry leaves, place in shade; it dries white overnight. Store in bamboo tubes. Genuine Chan Su is light and sweet-tasting. Alternatively, place garlic, pepper, or other spicy substances in the mouth to induce secretion of white juice from the Toad's body. Scrape down with a bamboo comb, mix with flour to form blocks, and dry. The juice must not enter the eyes, as it causes redness, swelling, and blindness. Wash with purple gromwell juice to dissipate.

[Flavor and Toxicity] Sweet, pungent, warm, toxic.

[Indications] Pediatric gan-disease, brain gan (Zhen Quan stated: Collect eyebrow grease on the fifth day of the fifth month, mix with Zhusha (Cinnabar) and Shexiang (Musk), make pills the size of hemp seeds. Take one pill on an empty stomach for pediatric emaciation. For brain gan, mix with milk juice and drip into the nose, very excellent). Mix Chan Su with beef suet or juice of Evodia seedlings, rub on waist eyes and [genitals]. Press lightly, stops immediately (Chen Cheng). Hair [line].

[Attached Prescriptions] Eleven new.

Extract Ding Yellow: Make Toad into pills the size of wuizi (walnut seeds) with flour. Place one pill under the tongue, yellow substance will discharge. (*Qingnang Zazuan*)

Extract Ding Toxicity: Mix Chan Su with white flour and Huangdan (Red Lead) into a dough. Make pills the size of wheat grains. Insert into the sore with a finger. Press heavily. Cover with water-purified ointment. (Wei Shi Fang)

Carbuncle and Malignant Swelling: 1 qian Chan Su, 4 [Badi beans?], [take with] Xugen (Agrimonia Root) and Huangjingzi (Vitex Fruit) ground in wine, half bowl. (*Text corrupted*)

All Hard Swellings: Zhentou San: Mix 1 qian Chan Su and 1 qian Musk evenly, blend with milk, dry in a jar. Take a little, moisten with saliva, apply. Cover with plaster externally so toxins exit naturally. (*Text corrupted*)

All Sores and Toxins: 1 qian Chan Su, 2 qian white flour, a little Zhusha (Cinnabar). Mix with well-water into small pellets the size of wheat. Take one pellet with well-water. For urgent cases, take 5-7 pellets. Onion soup is also acceptable; heal when sweating.

Throat Bi and Tonsillitis: For such conditions: Mix Lai Han Ma Mei Su (Toad Eyebrow Juice) with Caowu Jian (Aconite Tip Powder) and Zhuya Zaojiao (Pig Tooth Soap Pod Powder) in equal parts. Make small [bean-sized] pills, apply to affected area, miraculous effect. (*Huoren Xintong*)

All Toothaches, Gan Erosion, Caries, Stasis Swelling: Take one Ke [Toad/Frog], whip its head and back, scrape between eyebrows with a bamboo comb. There will be [juice], apply a little, stops immediately. (*Leibian*)

Unbearable Wind-Worm Toothache: *Shenghui* [Formula], wrap and bite, spit saliva to heal. Another formula: Use Hu [Coriander?]. Avoid hot food, effective in half a day. Dry form, dissolve in hot water.

Strychnism: 2 qian Chan Su, dissolve in water into paste; 0.5 liang each of Ganxie (Dried Scorpion, wine-fried) and Tianma (Gastrodia Rhizoma). Grind to powder, mix and pound, make pills the size of mung beans. Take 1-2 pills with Doulin Wine. (*Puji Fang*)