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[Names] Li Shizhen stated: Xu Shen recorded in *Shuowen Jiezi* (Explanation of Graphs and Analysis of Characters): The seal script character for "Xiang" (Elephant) depicts the shape of its ears, tusks, trunk, and feet. Wang Anshi wrote in *Zishuo* (Explanation of Characters): Elephant ivory develops patterns upon sensing thunder; celestial phenomena display patterns upon sensing qi. Therefore, the term "celestial phenomenon" also uses this character. *Nanyue Zhi* (Records of Southern Yue) states: When elephants hear thunder, their gums suddenly protrude, only to recede shortly after. Ancient sayings state: Rhinoceros horns develop patterns by gazing at the moon; elephant teeth sprout patterns upon hearing thunder. Jiaye (from *Buhu Lu*).

[Collected Explanations] Su Song stated: *Erya* records: Among the beautiful products of the South are the rhino horns and elephant tusks from Liang Mountain. Currently, these are mostly produced in Jiaozhi, Chaozhou, and Xunzhou. Locals who capture them compete to eat the meat, claiming it is fat, crisp, and suitable for roasting. Chen Cangqi stated: The elephant possesses the flesh corresponding to all twelve zodiac animals. The main body meat is most delicious when roasted or pickled. Furthermore, the gallbladder does not attach to the liver but moves among the muscles according to the months; for example, in the first month, it is located in the muscle corresponding to the Tiger (front left leg). Following the four seasons, it is in the front left leg in spring, front right leg in summer, rear left leg in autumn, and rear right leg in winter. During the Chunhua era, an elephant was not captured, and the emperor asked Ding Xuan about it. Ding Xuan answered based on this theory, and indeed, the gallbladder was found in the front left leg. It is rumored that wild elephants also exist in the mountains of Jingman. However, in countries west of Chu such as Fulin (Byzantium) and Da Shi (Arabia), white elephants are abundant. Fan Chuo's *Yunnan Ji* and Ping Juhui's *Yu Tian Xing Ji* contain relevant records. The elephant's eyes are small, able to look back only slightly. Food and water are rolled up by the trunk and put into the mouth; all the strength of the body lies in the trunk, so injury to it results in death. There is a hole at the rear, thin like a drumhead. Inside the mouth are grinding teeth, with two tusks protruding from the corners of the mouth flanking the trunk. Males have tusks six to seven chi long, while females have tusks only one chi long. Mating occurs in water, with chests pressed together, differing from other beasts. Xu Shen stated: Elephants give birth once every three years. *Gu Xun* states: They begin breeding at five years old, and their bones... [Text fragment]. Their fodder includes grass, beans, sugarcane, and wine, but they fear fire, smoke, lions, and Ba snakes. Southerners kill wild elephants by setting traps; or burying "elephant shoes" (traps) on paths to catch their feet. To capture live elephants, female elephants are used as bait to lure them. After feeding and taming, they gradually understand human language. Elephant handlers herd them, controlling them with hooks, obeying commands in all directions. Elephant skin can be made into armor and drums; when wet, cut into strips, it can be used to string objects. Zhen Quan stated: The Western Regions value ivory for decorating beds and seats. The inner part of the tusk can be secretly extracted and replaced. *Zhenla Fengtu Ji* states: Ivory obtained from slaughtered elephants is superior; that from naturally deceased elephants is second best; that shed in mountains for many years is inferior. Some claim elephants change their tusks annually, which is incorrect.

[Flavor and Properties] Sweet, cold, non-toxic.

[Indications] For iron or foreign objects embedded in flesh: Scrape ivory shavings, mix with water, and apply; the object will immediately come out. For epilepsy: Scrape tooth shavings, roast until yellow, grind into powder, and take with warm water (*Kaibao Bencao*). Boil raw ivory in water and drink the juice to treat urinary retention. Burn to ash and take with water to treat polyuria (*Rihua Bencao*). For various objects stuck in the throat: Grind into water and swallow to expel them; shavings from old combs are particularly effective (Su Song). Mainly treats wind-epilepsy, palpitations due to fright, diseases caused by all kinds of evil spirits and essences, bone-steaming heat disorders, and various sores; raw ivory shavings should be used in medicine (Li Shizhen).

[Elucidation] Li Shizhen stated: People know that burning rhino horn allows one to see water monsters, but do not know that sinking ivory can drive away water monsters. According to *Zhou Li*, the Huzhuoshi manages aquatic pests. To kill the spirit of water monsters, use Tzu wood to pierce the ivory, form a cross shape, insert it into the wood, and sink it in the water; during alchemy, place the ivory beside the furnace, as it can treat heart and liver-related epilepsy and confusion.

[Attached Prescriptions] Two old, four new.
For urinary retention with distension and urgency: Decoct raw ivory and take (*Jiuji Fang*).
For excessive urination: Burn ivory to ash and take with water (*Taizong Lu*).
For measles/rubella lesions that fail to heal/scab: Ivory shavings, stir-fried in a copper pot until yellow-red, then ground into powder. Take 7-8 fen or 1 qian each time, washed down with plain water (*Wangshi Douzhen Fang*).
For bone splinters stuck in the throat: Grind ivory into water and swallow (*Yonglei Qingfang*).
For bone spicules embedded in flesh: Scrape ivory into powder, boil white plum flesh in water, mix to make a paste, and apply; it will soften spontaneously (*Jiayao Jizhong Fang*).
For iron arrows embedded in flesh: Scrape ivory into powder, mix with water, and apply; the arrow will emerge.

[Flavor and Properties] Sweet, bland, neutral, non-toxic.

[Indications] Burn to ash, mix with oil, and apply to alopecia areata/ulcers. Eating too much causes weight gain (*Kaibao Bencao*).

[Elucidation] Li Shizhen stated: According to *Lüshi Chunqiu*: Among delicious meats are the fat of Mao cattle and elephants. The meat is fat, crisp, somewhat similar to pork, with a bland and slippery taste. Thus, its ability to promote urination is also based on the principle of bland leaching and unblocking orifices. When burned, it follows the transformation of fire, thus it can also astringe and reduce urination.

[Gallbladder - Processing] Lei Xiao stated: Do not use mixed gallbladders. Dried elephant gallbladder has green bamboo-like pattern spots on the surface, is smooth and glossy, with a slightly sweet taste. When used in medicine, do not mix directly with other herbs; first grind into powder, then combine with other herbs.

[Flavor and Properties] Bitter, cold, slightly toxic.

[Indications] Brightens the eyes and treats childhood malnutrition (*Rihua Bencao*). Treats swelling and sores by dissolving in water and applying. Treats bad breath by wrapping a small amount in cotton, applying to the gum root, and rinsing out in the morning; repeated applications lead to cure (*Nanhai Yupu*).

[Elucidation] Li Shizhen stated: Elephant gallbladder brightens the eyes and removes corneal opacities/dust membranes, having the same efficacy as bear gallbladder. Lei Xiao's *Paozhi Lun Xu* stating "elephant gallbladder is sticky when waved" is correct.

[Attached Prescriptions] One new.
For internal cataracts/opacities (shaped like a crescent moon or date flower): Use half liang of elephant gallbladder, seven carp gallbladders, one fen of bear gallbladder, half liang of ox gallbladder, one qian of musk, and one liang of ground Abalone Shell (Shijueming). Grind into powder, make pills the size of mung beans with paste. Take ten pills with tea each time.

[Eyes - Indications] Treats eye diseases by mixing with human milk and dripping into the eyes (Chen Cangqi).

[Skin - Indications] Treats chancres (genital ulcers); burn to ash, mix with oil, and apply. Also treats open wounds that fail to heal (Li Shizhen).

[Skin - Elucidation] Li Shizhen stated: When elephant flesh swells, people stab it with an axe blade, and it heals within half a day. Therefore, recently, to treat open wounds that fail to heal, elephant skin ash is used.

[Bone - Indications] Detoxifies (Li Shizhen). The small transverse bone on the chest, burned to ash and taken with wine, enables one to float (*Kaibao Bencao*).

[Bone - Attached Prescriptions] One new.
Xianggu San (Elephant Bone Powder): Treats spleen and stomach deficiency, indigestion of water and grain, belching with acid regurgitation, vomiting, cholera, dysentery with pus and blood, umbilical and abdominal pain, tenesmus with frequent urges, and loss of appetite. Use four liang of elephant bone (stir-fried), one liang each of Cardamom Seed (Roudoukou, processed) and Bitter Orange (Zhike, stir-fried), two liang each of Chebula Fruit Flesh (Hezirenrou, processed) and Licorice Root (Gancao), and half liang of Dried Ginger (Ganjiang, processed). Grind into powder. Take three qian each time, decocted in one and a half cups of water until reduced to eight tenths. Drink hot with the dregs, before meals, three times a day. (*Xuanming Lunfang*)