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(Compendium of Materia Medica)

[Names] Li Shizhen said: Flies buzz when flying, and the sound seems to be self-calling, hence the name.

[Collected Explanations] Li Shizhen said: Flies are found everywhere. They emerge in summer and hibernate in winter; they prefer warmth and dislike cold. Those that are dark gray have a robust buzzing sound; those with a metallic sheen have a clear and crisp sound; those that are green can spoil food with their excrement; those that are large have heads as red as fire; those that are mottled are transformed from the roots of cogon grass. The sense of hearing of flies is located in the nose, but their legs are fond of copulation. Their larvae, maggots, are viviparous. Maggots transform into flies after molting within ashes, similar to how silkworms and scorpions transform into moths. Flies die when drowning in water but revive upon contact with ashes. Thus, *Huainanzi* states: "Rotten ashes contain many methods for warding off evil." There is a type of small spider that specifically preys on flies, known as the "fly tiger" (Philodromidae).

[Therapeutic Actions] For inverted eyelashes (entropion), grind dried flies hibernated in the twelfth lunar month into powder. Frequently allow the patient to sniff it, and it will heal (Li Shizhen).

[Elucidation] Li Shizhen said: Flies were not used in ancient prescriptions. Recently, *Puji Fang* recorded this method, stating it originated from...

(Compendium of Materia Medica)

[Collected Explanations] Li Shizhen said: Dog fleas live on dogs. They resemble flies, are yellow and capable of flight, have tough skin and sharp beaks, and bite inside the dog's ears.

[Flavor and Properties] Missing.

[Therapeutic Actions] For persistent phlegm-malaria (Tan Nue), capture one alive, remove wings and legs, wrap in flour paste to make pills, and coat with lead tetroxide (Huang Dan). Take early on the day of onset; stop once vomiting occurs. Alternatively, make wax pills and take with wine. Or, grind with wine and take orally to treat inverted smallpox lesions (Li Shizhen).

[Elucidation] Li Shizhen said: Dog fleas were not used in ancient prescriptions. In recent times, *Yi Fang Da Cheng* recorded prescriptions for treating malaria and smallpox. These are likely similar to rat fleas or cattle lice. Zhou Mi said: A colleague, Chen Po from Kuocang, an elderly scholar, told me that his grandson contracted smallpox at age three with inverted lesions. The spots were black, and lips and mouth were ice-cold, indicating a critical condition. Various medicines failed. Fortunately, there was a medicine that could cure this disease, which was quite remarkable. He prepared a small amount and took it home to administer. After a short while, the child's complexion turned rosy. He frequently begged for the prescription, which turned out to be seven dog fleas ground finely, mixed with a little unfiltered wine and taken orally. Although smallpox is indeed a dangerous condition, one must not disturb the body's vital energy. The key lies in consolidating the qi of the zang-fu organs and allowing nature to take its course. However, if complications arise, medicinal intervention becomes necessary.

[Appendix] Bedbugs (Bi Shi) Li Shizhen said: These are bedbugs. They resemble tartary buckthorn seeds and suck human blood. Like fleas, they can be repelled by placing musk (Moschus), realgar (Xiong Huang), or powders of calamus (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma), fern (Asplenii Rhizoma), chinaberry flowers (Meliae Flos), or smartweed (Polygoni Orientalis Herba) under bedding. Alternatively, burning smoke from papaya, phellodendron bark (Phellodendri Cortex), buffalo horn, or horse hooves can repel them.