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(Sound "shao". From *Bencao Shiyi* [Supplement to Materia Medica])

[Collected Explanations] Chen Zangqi stated: It is found in rivers and lakes. Its shape resembles a horsewhip, with a tail bifurcated like the lash of a whip, hence its name.

[Flavor and Toxicity] Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.

[Indications] Bleeding from five types of hemorrhoids (Wuzhi), blood stasis in the abdomen (Chen Zangqi).

(From *Mingyi Bielu* [Record of Famous Physicians], classified as Lower Grade)

[Names] Sha Yu [Sand Fish] (*Bencao Shiyi*), Yin Yu (pronounced "que" or "cuo"), Fu Yu (sound "bo"), Liu Yu.
Li Shizhen said: The skin of Jiao has a sandy texture, and its patterns are interlaced and mottled like magpie feathers, thus it has various names. In ancient times it was called Jiao, now it is called Sha; they are essentially the same creature. Some say: originally named Yin, which was corrupted into Jiao. Duan Chengshi said: Its strength is robust, so it is called "Jian'er of the River God".
Chen Zangqi said: Jiao and Shi Jue Ming [Haliotis Shell] share the same name but are different species.

[Collected Explanations] Su Gong said: Jiao is produced in the South Sea. Its shape resembles a turtle, without legs but with a tail.
Su Baosheng said: It is round with a diameter of over one chi, and the tail is also about one chi long; the dorsal skin is rough and textured.
Su Song said: There are two types, neither resembling a turtle; people in the south generally call them Sha Yu. Those with large heads and long snouts like saws are called Hu Sha [Barbarian Sand Fish]; their nature is mild and meat is delicious. Those that are small with rough skin are called Bai Sha [White Sand Fish]; their meat is tough and slightly toxic. Locals salt them to make dried fish jerky. Their skin, after scraping off the sand and processing, is cut into Yin [dried fish slices], which is a delicious food beneficial to health. The skin can also be used to decorate knife handles.
Kou Zongshi said: Jiao Yu and Sha Yu have slightly different shapes but identical skin quality.
Li Shizhen said: Anciently called Jiao, now called Sha; this is one category with several species, found in all coastal counties southeastward. They all resemble fish, with green eyes and red cheeks, fins on the back and wings under the belly; their taste is rich and delicious, cherished by southerners. Large ones have tails several chi long and can injure people. All skins have sand-like grains resembling pearl spots. Those with dorsal patterns like deer and hard texture are called Lu Sha [Deer Sand Fish] or Bai Sha, said to transform into deer. Those with dorsal patterns like tigers and hard texture are called Hu Sha or Barbarian Sand Fish, said to be transformed from tiger fish. Those with bone in front of the nose like an axe, capable of striking objects and damaging boats, are called Ju Sha [Saw Sand Fish], also called Ting'e Yu [Forehead-Protruding Fish] or Yin, meaning the nasal bone is like a long sword, one zhang in length, used for treating bone and horn diseases.
Chen Zangqi said: These fish vary in appearance, but all have sand on their skin, suitable for rubbing wood, similar to Equisetum ramosissimum [Tu Mu Zei]. Small ones follow their mothers; if startled, they hide in the mother's abdomen.

Meat
[Flavor and Toxicity] Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.

[Indications] Used to make Yin [dried fish slices], tonifies the Five Viscera; its efficacy is slightly inferior to Carassius auratus [Crucian Carp], but can also be made into Yin and soup (Zhen Quan). Very beneficial to humans (Su Song).

Skin
[Flavor and Toxicity] Sweet, salty, neutral, non-toxic.

[Indications] Heart Qi Gui Zhu [Ghost Stagnation disease caused by pathogenic factors], hematemesis due to Gu Du [Poisonous parasite toxin] (*Mingyi Bielu*). Gu Qi Gu Zhu [Toxic gas stagnation] (Su Gong). Burned to ash and taken with water, treats fish poisoning (Chen Zangqi). Burned to powder and taken with water, resolves Yin Yu toxicity, treats indigestion and accumulation caused by eating Yin Yu (Li Shizhen).

[Attached Prescriptions] One old prescription, one new prescription.
Treating Stagnation Jiao Yu Pi San [Jiao Skin Powder]: Su Song said: Hu Qia's formula treats Wu Shi Gui Zhu [Five Corpse Ghost Stagnation] and hundred toxins/evil qi. Use Jiao Yu Pi [Jiao Skin] (roasted), Cinnabar [Zhu Sha], Realgar [Xiong Huang], Jin Ya [Gold Tooth], Sichuan Pepper [Shu Jiao], Asarum [Xi Xin], Arisaema [Gui Jiu], Dried Ginger [Gan Jiang], Polygonum arvense [Mang Cao], Aconitum [Tian Xiong], Musk [She Xiang], Clove Bud [Ji She Xiang], Cassia Twig [Gui Xin] each 1 liang, Fritillaria [Bei Mu] 0.5 liang, Centipede [Wu Gong], Gecko [Xi Yi] each 2 pieces (roasted), grind into powder. Take half qian per dose, with warm wine, twice daily. Can also be worn as an amulet.
Li Shizhen said: *Qianjin Fang*'s Jiao Yu Pi San: Treats Ghost Stagnation. Use Jiao Yu Pi [Jiao Skin] (roasted), Dragon Bone [Long Gu], Deer Antler [Lu Jiao], Rhinoceros Horn [Xi Jiao], Musk [She Xiong], Centipede [Wu Gong], Realgar [Xiong Huang], Cinnabar [Zhu Sha], Dried Ginger [Gan Jiang], Sichuan Pepper [Shu Jiao], Lotus Root [He Gen], Clove [Ding Xiang] each 1 fen, Concha Meretricis [Bei Zi] 10 pieces. Grind into powder. Take one fang cun bi [square-inch spoonful] with wine, increase to two fang cun bi, three times daily. Can also be worn.

Gallbladder (Collected in the twelfth lunar month)
[Indications] Hou Bi [Throat obstruction/swelling], mixed with Alum Ash [Bai Fan Hui] to form pills, wrapped in silk and held in the mouth/throat.