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(Pronounced "hou". From the Song Dynasty *Jiayou Bencao* [Compendium of Materia Medica, Jiayou Era])

【Names】Li Shizhen states: According to Luo Yuan's *Erya Yi*, the character "hou" (horseshoe crab) means "to observe" or "wait for." The horseshoe crab is adept at observing wind directions.

【Collected Explanations】Chen Cangqi states: Horseshoe crabs inhabit the South Sea. Regardless of size, males and females always accompany each other. The female lacks eyes and can only move when with the male. If the male departs, the female dies.

Li Shizhen states: The horseshoe crab resembles a Huiben crown (an ancient type of hat) or an ironing board in shape, with a width of over one chi. Its shell is smooth and glossy, appearing dark greenish-black. The dorsal surface features bone-like structures arranged like eyes. The mouth is located on the ventral side, and the head resembles that of a dung beetle (*Scarabaeus*). It possesses twelve legs, similar to a crab, situated on both sides of the abdomen. There is a stalk-like tail. On its back, there are horn-like bony projections, seven to eight cun high, resembling stone coral. When crossing the sea, they carry each other on their backs, hence it is also called "Hou Yu" (Carrying Crab). Its blood is azure-green. Inside the abdomen are eggs the size of millet grains, which can be used to make vinegar sauce. The tip of the tail has a bead-like structure capable of attracting mice. This creature fears mosquitoes; if bitten by a mosquito, it dies. It also fears light penetrating through cracks; exposure to light causes death. Its meat can be made into paste. Small specimens are called "Gui Hou" (Ghost Horseshoe Crab), and consuming them is harmful to humans.

【Flavor and Properties】Acrid, salty, neutral in nature, slightly toxic. Chen Cangqi states: Non-toxic. Meng Shen states: Excessive consumption induces coughing and triggers sores and tinea.

【Therapeutic Actions】Treats hemorrhoids and eliminates parasites (Meng Shen).

【Tail Therapeutic Actions】Charred and administered, it treats intestinal wind with bloody stool, metrorrhagia and leukorrhea, and postpartum dysentery (*Ri Hua Ben Cao*).

【Innovations】Chen Cangqi states: Ashes from the burned bones and tail, taken with rice water, are highly effective for postpartum dysentery. However, one must first administer Rehmanniae Radix (Sheng Di Huang) and honey-decocted preparations before taking this remedy, ensuring complete cure.

【Gallbladder Therapeutic Actions】Treats severe leprosy (Feng Dan Li Ji) and eliminates parasites (Li Shizhen).

【Attached Prescriptions】One new prescription.

Hou Dan San (Horseshoe Crab Gallbladder Powder): Treats severe leprosy. Use half liang each of horseshoe crab gallbladder, raw alum (Bai Fan), raw green vitriol (Lv Fan), calomel (Ni Fen), mercury (Shui Yin), and musk (She Xiang). Grind until no starry particles remain (extremely fine powder). Take one qian per dose, washed down with Jing Hua Shui (first-drawn well water at dawn). Expelling five-colored phlegm is considered ideal (*Shengji Zonglu*).

【Shell Therapeutic Actions】Treats chronic wheezing cough (Xia Sou) (Li Shizhen).

【Attached Prescriptions】One new prescription.

Chronic cough with wheezing sounds: Use half liang of horseshoe crab shell, one liang of Fritillariae Bulbus (Bei Mu, roasted), one fen of Platycodonis Radix (Jie Geng), and one fen of Gleditsiae Sinensis Fructus (Ya Zao, skin removed, roasted with butter). Grind into powder, mix with refined honey to form pills the size of a large bean. Hold one pill in the mouth and swallow the juice slowly. After taking three pills, expelling foul phlegm leads to recovery (*Taiping Shenghui Fang*).