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(From *Bencao Shiyi* / Supplement to Materia Medica)

[Names] Yi (蜴)
Chen Zangqi stated: (Pronounced "Zhi Dang"), in *Erya* it is called (Pronounced "Zhi Tang").

[Collected Explanations] Chen Zangqi stated: This insect is found everywhere.
Li Shizhen stated: Yi is the earth spider mentioned in *Erya*, which spins webs in the soil. According to Duan Chengshi's *Youyang Zazu*: After rain before the study, there are often nests of Dian Dang (i.e., Yi), deep like earthworm holes; flip the cover to catch them. Once entered, the nest closes immediately, blending with the ground color, leaving no gap to find, yet bees prey upon them. The folk rhyme in Qin region sings: Dian Dang, Dian Dang, guard the door firmly, thieves have nowhere to flee.

[Properties and Flavors] Toxic.

[Indications] All types of Ding sores (hard, painful skin infections), Fugu Ju (bone-abscessing ulcers), and other corrosive wounds. Also for old flesh polyps and tumors. Burn into powder, mix with lard from the twelfth lunar month, and apply externally. It can also be combined with other herbs to apply on Ding sores; extracting the root is considered superior (Chen Zangqi).

(From *Kaibao Bencao*)

[Names] (Pronounced "Yi Fang Qi", see *Shu Ben*).
Han Baozhi stated: Duan Chengshi's *Youyang Zazu* records: Scorpions were previously absent in Jiangnan; after this insect appeared, it was commonly known as the "Zhubu Insect" (Chief Clerk Insect).
Li Shizhen stated: According to *Tang Shi*: Jianan region originally had no scorpions; after the arrival of the Zhubu (Chief Clerk), they appeared, hence called Zhubu Insect. Furthermore, Zhang Yi's *Guangya* states: Dubo is a scorpion. Lu Ji's commentary on *Shi Jing* states: Chai is also named Dubo, and people in Youzhou call it Xie (Scorpion). Observing this, "Zhubu" is an error for "Dubo", and later generations conflated it with Chai. Ancient saying goes: Bees and Chai hang their stingers, their poison lies in the tail. Now, for medicinal use, some use the whole body, called Quan Xie (Whole Scorpion); some use only the tail, called Xie Shao (Scorpion Tail), whose potency is particularly strong.

[Collected Explanations] Han Baozhi stated: Scorpions are produced in Qingzhou. Those with tight, small bodies are of good quality. Duan Chengshi said: Giant Shufu insects often transform into scorpions. Scorpions often carry young on their backs; the young are white, size like rice grains. There are scorpions in ancient granaries in Chenzhou, shaped like coins, whose sting is fatal. Snails can eat them; first lure them with traces, then they do not leave.
Su Song stated: Now scorpions are found under stones in mountains of Qingzhou. They are forced out by slow fire or dried in intense sunlight. When thirsty, they are fed green mud; once full, they are killed by fire, thus becoming reddish. This is done to increase weight for sale. Users should remove the soil. Su Song also stated: Scorpions are now present in Bianluo, Heshan prefectures. Collection has no fixed time; they are dried and killed by fire for storage. Tao Hongjing's *Jiyan Fang* says: Scorpions have male and female distinctions: Male scorpion stings cause pain localized in one area, treated with well mud; female scorpion stings cause pain radiating throughout the body, treated with mud from under tile roofs. Drawing lines on the ground and reciting spells also proves effective.
Li Shizhen stated: Scorpions resemble water striders, having eight legs and a long segmented tail, colored green. Hunters often feed them salt and mud; for medicine, legs are removed and roasted. *Gujin Luyan* records: For scorpion stings, covering the affected area with a wooden bowl is a miraculous, unshared method.

[Properties and Flavors] Sweet, Pungent, Neutral, Toxic.

[Indications] Various wind-induced urticaria, hemiplegia from stroke, deviation of mouth and eyes, slurred speech, and convulsions of hands and feet (*Kaibao Bencao*). Pediatric epilepsy and wind syndromes.

[Elucidation] Su Song stated: Suitable for both adults and children, indispensable for treating wind convulsions.
Su Song further stated: Ancient and modern formulas for treating stroke convulsions and pediatric wind spasms frequently use this herb. *Qiezhong Fang* contains a formula for pediatric wind epilepsy.
Li Shizhen stated: Scorpions originate from the East, color green corresponds to Wood, making them a drug for the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian, thus treating various Jueyin diseases. Various wind-induced tremors, dizziness, and convulsions, malaria with alternating chills and fever, deafness, all belong to Jueyin Wind-Wood. Therefore, Li Gao of Dongyuan stated: All hernias and leukorrhea belong to wind. Scorpion is a key herb for treating wind syndromes and should be added appropriately.

[Attached Formulas] Four old formulas, nineteen new formulas.

Pediatric Umbilical Wind: Xuanfeng San: Treats wind-damp invasion after umbilical cord cutting in newborns, presenting with cyanotic lips, puckered mouth, white foam, and inability to suckle. Use 21 Whole Scorpions, coat with non-grain alcohol, roast, and grind into powder... (Text implies addition of Musk).

Pediatric Wind Epilepsy: Take 5 Scorpions, cut the top off a large pomegranate and hollow it out. Place scorpions inside, cover with the top. Seal with paper pulp and yellow mud. Roast slowly over low heat until charred red. Cool, remove mud, take the charred center, and grind finely. Mix with half a qian of milk and administer to stop seizures. For older children, administer with Fangfeng Decoction (*Qiezhong Fang*).

Slow Spleen Wind Convulsion: Following prolonged illness or vomiting/diarrhea in children, leading to Slow Spleen Wind. Use 1 liang of Xie Shao (Scorpion Tail), grind to powder. Hollow out one pomegranate, mix powder with non-grain alcohol, fill into pomegranate, and cover. Simmer over mild fire, stirring occasionally, until paste forms. Cool. Administer one zi dose with Jin Yin Hua (Honeysuckle) and Bohe (Mint) decoction. *Benshi Fang*: Treats post-vomiting/diarrhea weakness, lethargy, and impending wind... (Text incomplete).

Tian Diao Wind Convulsion, Eyes Rolling Upward: Use 1 Dry Scorpion (whole, roasted on tile), Cinnabar equivalent to 3 mung beans. Grind into powder, form pills the size of mung beans with rice paste. Externally, dissolve one pill in wine with a little Cinnabar and drink at once for immediate cure (*Shenghui Fang*).

Pediatric Congenital Shock: 1 Scorpion wrapped in Mint leaves, roasted and ground. Add a little Cinnabar and Musk. Mix with Ophiopogon Decoction, administer one zi dose for effect (*Tangye*).

Pediatric Wind Convulsion: Use 1 Scorpion (head and tail intact), wrap in 4 Mint leaves, roast until scorched. Administer with plain boiled water (*Jingyan Fang*).

Adult Wind Phlegm: Same as above, taken as one dose.

Wind-Damp Bi Syndrome: Inability to lift limbs, tendon joint spasms and pain. First administer Tongguan medicine, then use 7 Whole Scorpions (roasted on tile) mixed with one zi of Musk. Mix with three zhan of wine, take on empty stomach. Stop if efficacy penetrates; repeat if not. If disease persists, subsequently wash with Po Hao Root... (Text incomplete) two doses (*Zhizhi Fang*).

Traumatic Wind Stroke: *Puji Fang*: Use 1 fen each of Dry Scorpion and Musk, grind to powder. Apply to affected area to expel wind quickly. *Shenghui Fang*: Use 0.5 liang each of Dry Scorpion (wine-fried) and Tianma (Gastrodia), grind to powder. Mix with 2 qian of Toad Venom... (Text incomplete) Doulin Wine to induce sweating (add up to 3 pills for severe cases).

Kidney Qi Cold Pain: *Shenghui Fang* Dingtong Wan: Treats Kidney deficiency with cold qi attacking navel/abdomen causing unbearable pain, and hypochondriac pain. Use 7.5 qian of Dry Scorpion, roast and grind. Decoct with wine and child's urine (3 sheng each) until thick paste forms. Make pills the size of wutong seeds. Take 20 pills with warm wine. Another formula: Use... (Text incomplete) ...pour in vinegar. Wait for absorption, arrange evenly in pit... 30 Pepper grains, 1 each of Areca Nut and Nutmeg.

Small Intestine Hernia: Use tight, small Whole Scorpions, roast and grind. Take 1 qian at onset of attack, add half a zi of Musk, mix with warm wine. Effective.

Kidney Deficiency Deafness: Ten-year duration can be cured in two doses. Use 49 small Scorpions, raw... (Text incomplete) ...grind to powder, take with warm wine. At midnight, take another dose until drunk (*Ren Fang*).

Sudden Ear Deafness/Closure: Whole Scorpion, detoxified, ground to powder. Take 1 qian with wine; effective when water sound is heard in ear (Zhou Mi *Zhiyatang Zacao*).

Suppurative Ear Pain: Xie Shao (Scorpion Tail)... (Text incomplete) ...for degree (*Yang Shi*).

Bi-occipital Headache, Unbearable Rising Qi: Use 21 Whole Scorpions, 6 Earthworms, 3 Ground Beetles, 5 qian Wubeizi (Gallnut). Grind to powder. Mix with wine, apply to Taiyang acupoints (*Deshengtang Jingyan Fang*).

Wind Toothache: 3 Whole Scorpions, 2 qian Beehive, stir-fry and grind, rub on affected area (*Zhizhi Fang*).

Intestinal Wind Bleeding: Dry Scorpion (stir-fried), White Alum (calcined)... (Text incomplete).

Rectal Prolapse: Whole Scorpion, stir-fried, ground to powder. Hold water in mouth, blow powder into nose for immediate effect (*Weisheng Baojian*).

Various Hemorrhoid Itching: Use any amount of Whole Scorpion, burn smoke to fumigate for immediate effect, a secret method (*Xiuzhen Fang*).

Various Carbuncles and Swellings: 7 Whole Scorpions, 7 Gardenias. Fry in Sesame Oil until black, strain, add Beeswax, melt into ointment, apply (*Danliao Fang*).