Library

(Recorded in the Lower Category of *Shennong Bencao Jing*)

**Names:** Ma (pronounced like "Jing", also pronounced like "Jia").
Li Shizhen states: According to Wang Anshi's *Zishuo*, folk sayings state: "The frog loves its native soil; if taken and placed far away, it returns to its original location overnight. Even if distant, it often longs for and returns, hence named 'Xia Ma' (shrimp-frog)." Some write it as "Ge"; "Ge" refers to its sound.

**Collection and Explanation:**
Su Gong says: The *Bielu* states that Ge Ma is one name for Chan Chu (Toad), which is incorrect. Ge Ma and Chan Chu are two distinct creatures. Tao Hongjing annotated Ge Ma with Chan Chu, leading to confusion. Ge Ma makes a "ga ga" sound and moves very quickly. Chan Chu lives in damp places around houses, has a larger body, black back without spots, many warts, cannot jump, does not make sounds, and moves slowly. There are also types such as Wa Ge, Lou Guo, Chang Gong, Shi Bang, and Qu Zi, some found in rice fields, others by ditches, with no other observed efficacy. The *Rites of Zhou* states: There are many types of frogs/amphibians, do not use them incorrectly. Among them is Hei Hu (Black Tiger), small black body, small mouth and feet with spots. There is Huang [missing character], large front legs, small hind legs, spotted color, with one tail. There is Huang KT [missing character], yellow all over, with umbilical-like fluid flowing from under the belly. There is Lou Guo, which cries at night, thin waist, large mouth, gray-black skin. There is Chan, which is yellow-spotted with fleshy horns on the head. The so-called Ge Ma has spots on its skin and underbelly, short legs, and is the type that does not croak.
Li Shizhen states: Ge Ma can transform into a quail, as recorded in *Huainanzi*. Ge Ma and Qing Wa (Green Frog) fear snakes but control centipedes. When these three creatures meet, none can move. Thus, Guan Yinzi said: "Leeches eat snakes, snakes eat frogs, frogs eat leeches." Some say: In the *Yueling* ("Lou Guo cries, Fan She falls silent"), this refers to Ge Ma.
Wu Rui states: Chang Gong is Shi Ji (Stone Chicken), also known as Jin Ao Zi, found in valleys during the sixth and seventh months, with nature and flavor similar to Shui Ji (Water Chicken).

**Processing:**
Lei Xiao states: When using Ge Ma, first remove the skin, intestines, and claws, and dry in the shade. For each specimen, apply one fen of true beef suet, roast until dry. If using Hei Hu, dry the head, tail, skin, and claws together in the shade, soak in wine for three days, strain, and bake for use.

**Nature and Flavor:** Acrid, Cold, Toxic.
Meng Shen states: Cold, Non-toxic.

**Indications:** Evil qi, breaking accumulation and hard blood stasis, carbuncles, and yin sores. Taking it prevents heat diseases (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). It primarily repels various evil spirits and demons, and is applied topically for carbuncles and...

**Elucidation:**
Su Song states: Although Ge Ma and Chan Chu belong to the same category, their functions differ slightly and should be used separately.
Li Shizhen states: Ancient formulas mostly used Ge Ma, while recent formulas mostly use Chan Chu, likely because ancients generally referred to Chan as Ge Ma. Now examining their functions, they are not far apart; thus, what ancients used was mostly Chan Chu. Moreover, modern people only find Chan Chu effective, and Ge Ma is no longer used in medicine. According to Zhang Gao's *Yishuo*, recorded in *Zhicao Shang*, being touched by snake mating saliva causes a sore containing snake offspring, which hibernate in winter and emerge in summer. Applying crushed fresh Ge Ma to the site, changing 3-4 times daily, results in a small snake emerging from the sore after three days, which is removed with iron tweezers, curing the disease.
Zhu Zhenheng states: Ge Ma belongs to Earth and Water, with sweet taste and cold nature; southerners enjoy eating it. The Materia Medica states that taking it prevents heat diseases, so patients also boil and eat it. The intent of the Materia Medica is to use it roasted, dried, or charred for medicinal purposes, not like common people who boil it into soup with pepper and salt. This substance is inherently damp, greatly inducing dampness, which eventually transforms into heat due to prolonged exposure. This is because the Earth Qi is dense, naturally generating fire.

**Attached Prescriptions:** Three old prescriptions, three new prescriptions.
Disease caused by Wind Evil: Ge Ma (charred to ash) and Cinnabar in equal parts, ground into powder. Take one qian per dose, mixed with water, 3-4 times daily, highly effective (*Shenghui Fang*).
Manic speech, ghostly talk, sudden death: Use Ge Ma burnt to powder, taken with wine, one fangcun bi per dose, three times daily (*Waitai Miyao*).
Dysphagia and vomiting food: Wrap Ge Ma with Shehan Stone, seal with mud, calcine preserving its nature, grind to powder. Take one qian per dose, washed down with wine (*Shouyu Fang*).
Scrofula ulceration: Use one black Ge Ma, remove intestines, bake and grind, mix with oil for topical application. Avoid iron vessels.
Soft boil on head: Peel Ge Ma and apply to the site; removing the toxin leads to cure (*Huoyou Quan Shu*).
Viper bite: Crush one fresh Ge Ma and apply (*Shenghui Fang*).

Liver
**Indications:** Snake bites where teeth remain in flesh, unbearable pain. Crush and apply; teeth are immediately expelled (Li Shizhen, citing *Zhouhou Beiji Fang*).
Gallbladder
**Indications:** Infantile aphonia. Extract juice and apply to tongue; immediate cure.
Brain
**Indications:** Qing Mang (blindness), brightens eyes (*Bielu*).