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(Recorded in the Lower Grade of *Bie Lu*)
**Names:** Fanbi She (Reverse-nose Snake).
Li Shizhen states: According to Wang Anshi's *Zi Shuo* (Explanation of Characters), "Fu" implies that upon touching it, it retaliates. Since it harms humans and humans also retaliate against it, it is called "Fu".
**Collected Explanations:**
Tao Hongjing says: The Fu snake is yellow-black like soil, with white spots, a yellow chin, and a pointed mouth; its venom is the most potent. The Hui snake is short and flat in shape, with similar toxicity. Among the many types of snakes, only these two species and the Qing snake are fierce; if not treated immediately, death often ensues.
Su Gong says: The Fu snake takes on the color of the earth, has a reverse nose, a long mouth, and a short body; its head and tail resemble each other. It is abundant in the regions south of the mountains between the Han and Mian rivers. It is also known as [missing character] She, implying there is no distinction into two species.
Su Song says: The Fu snake is not long, with a flat head and pointed mouth, spotted head, and red body with patterns; some are blue-black. When bitten by it, the affected limbs become stiff and attached. They are very common in the mountains of Jiangdong; one must be cautious when walking through grass.
Chen Zangqi says: The Fu snake has brocade-like patterns on its skin, though some blend with the ground color. Among all snakes, it alone gives birth to live young. If the foot is bitten, the foot is severed; if the hand is bitten, the hand is severed; otherwise, the whole body rots and disintegrates. During July and August when the venom is strongest, it bites trees to excrete its poison, causing the trees to die. It also spits saliva onto plants; if this contacts human skin, it causes sores and swelling, known as [missing character].
Li Shizhen states: Regarding the Fu and Hui, Tao Hongjing considered them two species, while Su Gong considered them one. Upon examination: *Er Ya* states, "The Fu Hui is three inches wide, with a head as large as a thumb," thus treating Fu and Hui as one species. Guo Pu said: "The Fu snake exists only in the South, also named Fanbi. It has a slender neck, large head, scorched tail, a needle-like projection on the nose, brocade patterns like a ribbon, and bristles like pig hair among the patterns. Large ones are seven or eight chi long." The Hui is found everywhere, commonly named [missing character] colored. Yan Shigu stated: Verifying with common names, Guo's description is correct. Furthermore, in *Bei Shi*, Gao Daomu told Yuan Rong: "[Missing character] Ling [Missing character]", and Yuan Hao re-equipped his defenses, thereby nurturing the Hui into a snake. These instances treat Fu and Hui as two species. Generally, the Fu is larger, while the Hui is smaller, supporting Tao's view. Liu Zongyuan's *You Fushu Wen* (Essay on Pardoning the Viper) describes: "Eyes combining the sting of bees and scorpions, color mixed with mud. Its neck is constrained and ashamed, its belly moves haltingly. Lifting its nose [missing character], emerging from caves to dwell in hazel thickets. Accumulating anger while coiling, advancing while holding poison." This roughly captures its appearance. *Baopuzi* states: "Among snakes, few bite as urgently as the Fu. If one immediately cuts away the flesh of the wound and throws it on the ground, the flesh boils like fire-roasted meat and burns to ash in an instant, allowing the person to survive." Wang Chong's *Lunheng* states: "The Fu snake [missing character] gallbladder [missing character]"
**Flavor and Properties:** Bitter, slightly cold, toxic.
**Indications:** Treats malignant sores (*Bie Lu*). Kills lower-body parasites (Zhen Quan). Treats various fistulas by grinding and applying externally. If pain occurs, rub with crushed apricot kernels (Li Shizhen, citing *Waitai Miyao*).
**Meat of the Fu Snake**
**Flavor and Properties:** Sweet, warm, toxic.
**Indications:** Brewed into wine to treat leprosy and other severe diseases, epigastric/abdominal pain, resolves stagnant Qi, and eliminates gu poison (*Bie Lu*). Treats five types of hemorrhoids and intestinal wind with bloody stool (Zhen Quan).
**Preparation of Live Snake:** Place one live snake in a vessel, add one dou of strong wine, seal tightly, and bury in a horse urine pit. After one year, open it; the snake will have digested, leaving the wine flavor intact. Those suffering from various conditions should take no more than one sheng; they will feel a tingling sensation throughout the body and recover. However, it has slight toxicity and should not be taken all at once. If other medicines are taken subsequently, they will lose efficacy. It is also said: For those with leprosy, take one snake (or another snake may suffice), heat it thoroughly, and sit on it. Red worms resembling horse tails should emerge. Insert the snake meat into the nostrils.
**Elucidation:**
Li Shizhen states: Leprosy arises from the influence of the heaven and earth's austere and killing qi; it is a malignant disease. The Fu snake is born from the heaven and earth's yin-yang toxic and fierce qi; it is a malevolent creature. Using a malevolent creature to attack a malignant disease follows the principle of similarity.
**Attached Prescriptions:** One old prescription.
**White Leprosy:** Take one large Fu snake, ensure it is unharmed, and soak it in one dou of wine. Warm it over chaff fire until slightly hot. Take one cun of snake meat, mix with lard rendered in the twelfth lunar month, grind together, and apply externally (*Zhouhou Beiji Fang*).
**Fat of the Fu Snake**
Chen Zangqi says: When rubbed, it penetrates everything.
**Indications:** Wrap in cotton and insert into the ear for deafness. Also applicable for external application on swellings and toxins (Li Shizhen).
**Skin of the Fu Snake**
**Indications:** Burn to ash to treat ding sores, malignant ulcers, and bone abscesses (Su Gong).
**Shed Skin of the Fu Snake**
**Indications:** Treats body itching, scabies, tinea, and [missing character] sores (Su Gong).
**Bone of the Fu Snake**
**Indications:** Treats bloody dysentery. Burn to ash, take three qian with water. Mixed snake bones are also acceptable (Chen Zangqi).
**Excrement of the Fu Snake** (Collected from captive breeding)
**Indications:** Treats hemorrhoidal fissures (Su Gong).
**Indications:** Treats scrofula (*Bie Lu*. *Qianjin Fang* states: Burn to powder, take one fangcun bi with wine, twice daily. Significant effect within three days.)
**Appendix: Qiansui Fu**
Su Song says: In Jiangdong, there is a type called Qiansui Fu. It resembles the Fu snake but is shorter, has four legs, and can jump to bite humans. If bitten, death is certain. After biting, it jumps onto a tree and makes sounds. If it cries "Zhuo Mu, Zhuo Mu" (Chop wood, chop wood), it is incurable. If it cries "Bo Shu, Bo Shu", urgent treatment is still possible. Grind equal parts of Xixin (Asari Radix) and Xionghuang (Realgar) into powder, apply into the wound, changing 3-4 times daily. Also, place Gualougen (Trichosanthis Radix) and Guimo (Cinnamon Bark) in a tube, seal tightly to prevent gas escape, and wear it. Apply urgently upon poisoning; delay leads to death.
Li Shizhen states: According to *Zilin*: "[Missing character] Ting" resembles a lizard and originates from Weixing. It lives in trees and jumps down to bite people when seen. After biting, it returns to the tree, hangs its head listening, and leaves only upon hearing crying sounds. This is that creature. Its head and tail are uniform in size, as large as a laundry pestle, commonly known as Hemu She (Wood-joint Snake), measuring one or two chi. Tan Yeweng's formula calls it Zhuomu She (Chop-wood Snake) or Wangbang Gui. To treat envenomation, use tender Huangjingye (Vitex Negundo leaves)...