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(From *Tang Bencao*)

[Collected Explanations] Li Shizhen said: In ancient times, writing brushes were used to inscribe bamboo slips and silk. During the time of Meng Tian, rabbit hair was used to make brush heads. Later generations used wool from sheep, rats, and other animals, but only rabbit hair is used for medicinal purposes.

Ash of Brush Heads
[Flavor and Properties] Slightly cold, non-toxic.
[Indications] Taken with water, it treats urinary retention, frequent urination with difficult and dribbling flow, swelling of the genitals, rectal prolapse, and sudden attack by evil pathogens (from *Tang Bencao*). Taken with wine in a dose of 2 qian, it treats penile flaccidity during sexual intercourse in men (from *Yaoxing Lun*). Taken with wine in a dose of 2 qian, it treats difficult labor. Taken with rice wash or thick liquid in a dose of 2 qian, it treats sore throat and inability to swallow food or drink (Li Shizhen, citing *Fan Wang Fang*).

[Elucidation] Li Shizhen said: Brushes are not new but old ("defeated" brushes) because they have absorbed glue and ink. The glue and ink can promote urination and facilitate childbirth, which is why this effect exists.

[Attached Prescriptions] Two old prescriptions, two new prescriptions.
Urinary Retention: Frequent urination with slight swelling: Burn one old brush head to ash and take with water (from *Waitai Miyao*).
Unceasing Heart Pain: Burn three defeated brush heads to ash and take with "rootless water" (such as rain or dew) for immediate effect (from *Jingyan Fang*).
Difficult Labor and Induction: *Shengjin Fang*'s Shengmiao Cunjin San: Burn one defeated brush head to ash, grind it, and mix with one cup of fresh lotus root juice to take; delivery occurs immediately. If the mother is weak or has chronic cold conditions, take with warm liquid.
Lu's First Prescription for Difficult Labor: Burn three rabbit-hair brush heads to ash, add three pieces of gold foil, mix with wax to form pills, and take with wine.

(From *Bencao Gangmu*)

[Collected Explanations] Li Shizhen said: The mountain otter (*Shanta*) is found in the Dong regions of Yizhou and Nandan Prefecture in Guangxi. Locals call it "Cha Qiao". Its nature is lewd and toxic. If this animal is present in the mountains, all female beasts avoid it. If an otter has no mate, it embraces a tree until it dies. Yao women enter the mountains in groups during spring to gather items. Upon smelling the scent of women, the otter will leap and embrace them, penetrating deeply into the bones, holding on so firmly that it cannot be detached, thereby strangling them. It carries the corpse back, taking one genital organ, which is worth one tael of gold. If obtained from an otter that died embracing a tree, it is exceptionally rare and precious. The local Dong people value it highly; those who secretly sell it across borders face the death penalty. However, it is not common even locally, and alchemists often counterfeit it with rat paws or monkey fetuses.
The method to test it is: Have a woman rub her hands until extremely hot, place the object in her palm, and breathe upon it. It will tremble due to being affected by yin qi. This account appears in Fan Chengda's *Yu Heng Zhi* and Zhou Mi's *Qi Dong Ye Yu*, but lacks description of its shape, representing a gap in the literature.

Penis
[Flavor and Properties] Sweet, hot, non-toxic.
[Indications] For yang deficiency leading to impotence, and cold, clear semen, grind a small amount in wine and take. Local minorities consider it an important herb for tonifying and assisting yang (Li Shizhen).

Bone
[Indications] To resolve poison from medicated arrows, grind a small amount and apply topically for immediate resolution (Li Shizhen).