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(From *Bencao Shiyi* [Supplement to Materia Medica])

**Names:** Tuoti Chicken (from *Bencao Gangmu*), Fire-eating Chicken (ibid.), Gutuo Qin.
Li Shizhen states: "Tuo" is an ideogram depicting shape. "Tuo" is also a corruption of the character for camel.

**Collected Explanations:** Chen Cangqi states: The ostrich resembles a camel and is produced in the Western Regions. During the Yonghui era of Emperor Gaozong, it was presented by the kingdom of Tokharistan. It stands seven chi tall, has feet like a camel, walks by flapping its wings, travels three hundred li per day, and eats copper and iron.
Li Shizhen states: This is also a bird that can consume what other animals cannot eat. According to Li Yanshou's *Book of Later Wei*: In the country of Persia, there is a bird shaped like a camel; it can fly but not high, eats grass and meat, also consumes fire, and travels seven hundred li per day. Guo Yigong's *Guang Zhi* records: The Kingdom of Anxi presented large sparrows with the body of a wild goose and the feet of a camel; they are greyish-blue, raise their heads seven or eight chi high, spread their wings over one zhang long, eat barley, and their eggs are as large as urns; their name is Tuoniao. Liu Yu's *Record of Western Envoys* notes: In Fulang, there are large birds with camel-like feet, standing over one zhang tall, eating fire charcoal, with eggs as large as sheng measures. Fei Xin's *Xingcha Shenglan* records: Both Zhubu and Adan produce Tuoti chickens, some six or seven chi tall, with feet like camels. Peng Cheng's *Moke Huixi* states: Gutuo Qin originates from Hezhou, resembling a hawk, standing over three chi tall, calling itself by its name, and capable of eating iron and stone. Song Qi's *History of Tang* records: At the beginning of the Kaiyuan era, the Kingdom of Kang presented ostrich eggs. Zheng Xiao's *Wuxue Bian* notes: At the beginning of the Hongwu era, Srivijaya presented fire chickens larger than cranes, three to four chi long, with necks and legs resembling cranes, sharp beaks, soft red crests, fur color like blue sheep, two-toed feet, sharp claws capable of killing humans by injuring the abdomen, and eating fire charcoal. Although various books record slight differences, they are indeed the same creature.

**Excrement**
**Flavor and Toxicity:** Non-toxic.
**Indications:** If a person accidentally swallows iron or stones into the abdomen, consuming this will cause them to dissolve immediately (Chen Cangqi).

(From *Shennong Bencao Jing*, listed as Medium Grade)

**Names:** Horned Eagle (from *Bencao Gangmu*), Zhi.
Li Shizhen states: The eagle is named so because it strikes with its breast ("Ying"). Because it has feathered horns on its head, it is called the Horned Eagle. Its nature is crisp and fierce, hence called Zhi. In ancient times, the Shaoshui clan used bird names for officials, including Zhujiu, Zhi, Hujiu, Jujiu, and Zhi. It is likely that the eagle and Zhi share the same qi and transform through kinship, thus earning the name Zhi. *Qin Jing* (Bird Classic) states: Small and fierce birds are all called Sun, while large and fierce birds are all called Zhi. This is correct. *Erya Yi* states: Those in the north are called Ying, those in the south are called Yao. Another view says large ones are Ying, small ones are Yao. In Sanskrit texts, it is called Sina Ye.

**Collected Explanations:** Li Shizhen states: Eagles from Liaohai are superior; those from northern regions and northeastern Hu areas are secondary. People in the north often capture chicks to rear, while people in the south use decoy birds to catch them in the eighth and ninth months. These are birds of loose and violent temperament. There are Pheasant Hawks and Rabbit Hawks. Their kind practices striking in the sixth lunar month and sacrifices to birds in the first lunar month of autumn. Wei Yanshen's *Ode to the Eagle* from the Sui Dynasty is quite detailed, roughly stating: Possessing the fierce energy of the Metal direction, excelling in the fiery essence of the Fire virtue. Finger patterns resemble heavy crosses, tails are prized for being closed at the base. Beaks are sharp as hooks, feet dry as thorny branches. Some are white like scattered flowers, others black like ink spots. Large patterns like brocade, fine speckles like dyed silk. Body heavy as gold, claws hard as iron. Plumage changes frequently, colors are unpredictable. Born in Yin hour, mature in You hour, collectively called Huang. After two cycles, it turns grey; after three years, it becomes cang. Females are larger, males are smaller. Observing them is easy, training them is truly difficult. Ginger is used to dispel cold, wine to排寒 (expel cold). Those born in caves love to sleep, those nesting in trees stand often. Those with long primary feathers rise late, those with short six remiges fly urgently.

**Meat**
**Flavor and Toxicity:** Missing.
**Indications:** Eating it treats wild fox evil spirits (Chen Cangqi).

**Head**
**Indications:** Treats five types of hemorrhoids; burn to ash and take with water (*Yaoxing Lun*). To treat hemorrhoids, burn to ash, add a little Musk, and take with butter wine. To treat wind-head dizziness, burn one unit to ash and take with wine (Li Shizhen. From Wang Youjun's Calligraphy Stele, and Wen Yiju's *Haishang Fang*).
**Attached Prescriptions:** One new prescription.
Deficient Dizziness of Head and Eyes: One Che Feng (which is the eagle head, remove feathers, roast), Chuanxiong Radix (Chuanxiong) 1 liang, grind into powder. Take 3 qian with wine (*Xuanqi Fang*).

**Beak and Claws**
**Indications:** Treats five types of hemorrhoids and fox spirits; burn to ash and take with water (Chen Cangqi).

**Eyes**
**Indications:** Grind with milk juice, instill into eyes three times daily. After three days, one can see objects in the blue sky. Avoid smoke exposure (*Yaoxing Lun*).

**Bones**
**Indications:** For injuries and bone setting. Burn to ash, take 2 qian each time with wine. Administer before or after meals depending on whether the disease is above or below (Li Shizhen).

**Feathers**
**Indications:** Stops alcohol craving. Boil in water and drink to stop alcohol consumption (*Qianjin Fang*).

**White Excrement**
**Flavor and Toxicity:** Slightly cold, slightly toxic.
**Indications:** Treats bruises from beating (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Burn to ash and take with wine to treat sudden severe illness (*Yaoxing Lun*). Burn to ash, take one fangcun bi with wine to treat bad alcohol habits; do not let the drinker know (Su Gong). Eliminates deficiency accumulation, kills labor parasites, removes facial freckles/mottling (Li Shizhen).

**Elucidation:** Tao Hongjing states: Used alone, it cannot eliminate scars. It must be combined with Bombyx Batryticatus (Jiangcan) and Silkworm Moth Larvae (Yiyu) to make a paste to be effective.

**Attached Prescriptions:** Two old, four new.
Milk Mass (Nai Pi): Kou Zongshi states: Whenever there is hardness under the ribs of children, resembling a mass, it is commonly known as Milk Mass. Only administer Wenspi Huaji Wan (Warm Spleen and Resolve Accumulation Pill); do not induce diarrhea. Use 1 qian of yellow eagle excrement, 1 liang of Lithargite (Miduoseng), 1 fen of Sulphur from ships, and 21 Cloves (Dingxiang), grind into powder. Take one zi dose; for children over three years, half a qian, mixed with milk or wheat flour soup. It does not cause diarrhea; within one shichen, green-black matter is discharged. Afterwards, take tonics: Roasted vinegar pomegranate peel (half liang), [missing character] 1 fen, Aucklandia Root (Muxiang) 1 fen, Musk (Shexiang) half qian, grind into powder. Take one zi dose mixed with thin wine, take two doses consecutively. Facial Mottling: 2 fen eagle excrement white, 1 fen Lead White (Hufen), mix with honey and apply (*Waitai Miyao*).
Scar Removal: *Qianjin Fang*: Apply eagle excrement white mixed with human semen, three times daily. *Shenghui Fang*: Use 2 liang eagle excrement, 1.5 liang Bombyx Batryticatus (Jiangcan), grind into powder, mix with honey and apply. *Zonglu*: Use 1 liang each of eagle excrement white and Aconitum Carmichaelii Dehned (Baifuzi), grind into powder, mix with vinegar and apply, three to five times daily until scars disappear.
Food Impaction: Burn eagle feces to ash, take one fangcun bi with water (*Waitai Miyao*).