Library

(Recorded in the Lower Grade of *Bie Lu*)

[Nomenclature] Longli (as named by Guo Pu), Shanchuanjia (as named in *Tu Jing*).
Li Shizhen stated: Its shape resembles a carp, and it dwells in burrows on hills, hence the name Lingli. It is commonly known as Shanchuanjia (Pangolin), and Guo Pu referred to it as Longli in his fu poem. Records also exist in *Lin Hai Shui Tu*.

[Collection and Explanation]
Su Song stated: Lingli is the current Pangolin. It is found in Huguang, Lingnan, and various prefectures such as Jin, Shang, Jun, and Fang, inhabiting deep mountains and valleys.
Tao Hongjing stated: It resembles an alligator but is smaller, and like a carp but has four feet. It is black, capable of living both on land and in water. During the day, it climbs ashore, spreads its scales as if dead, luring ants into the armor, then closes the armor and enters the water. Upon opening the armor, the ants float out, which it then catches and eats.
Li Shizhen stated: The Lingli is small like an alligator, with a back broad like a carp, a head like a rat but without teeth, and a belly covered in hair rather than scales. It has a long tongue and pointed beak, with a tail equal in length to its body. The tail scales are sharp and dense, triangular in shape. Its internal organs are complete, but the stomach is particularly large, often extending its tongue to lure ants for food. Once dissected, its stomach contained approximately one sheng of ants.

[Processing]
Li Shizhen stated: For medicinal use, they may be processed by roasting, burning, frying with butter, vinegar, or child's urine, or fried in oil, stir-fried with soil, or stir-fried with clam powder. One should follow the specific prescription; raw usage is not employed. Among them, the tail scales possess the strongest efficacy.

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

[Indications] Treats wu xie (five pathogenic factors), frightful crying, and sorrow. Burned to ash and taken with wine using a fang cun bi measure. Treats ailments caused by ant spirits and weeping, as well as scabies, tinea, hemorrhoids, and fistulas (Da Ming). Resolves phlegm, malaria chills and fevers, wind-bi stiffness and pain, unblocks meridians, promotes lactation, reduces carbuncles and swelling, discharges pus and blood, opens orifices, and kills parasites (Li Shizhen).

[Elucidation]
Tao Hongjing stated: Since this creature eats ants, it treats ant-related ailments.
Li Shizhen stated: Pangolin enters the Jueyin and Yangming meridians. It was rarely used in ancient prescriptions but has become a key medicine in recent times for treating wind-malaria, skin diseases, unblocking meridians, and promoting lactation. This is likely because it burrows in mountains and feeds in water, moving from yin to yang, capable of penetrating meridians and reaching the disease site. According to Liu Bowen's *Duo Neng Bi Shi*: killing it on a dike reveals its penetrating nature. The proverb says: "Pangolin and Galium verum, once consumed by women, milk flows freely." This also speaks to its rapid action. Li Zhongnan stated: Its nature is specifically dispersing. For pain in the arms or flanks, take roasted pangolin scales, combine with eleven stir-fried Quanxie (Scorpio), decoct with green onion and ginger, add one spoonful of pure wine, drink hot, induce sweating (avoid wind), which is very effective.

[Attached Prescriptions] Four old, nineteen new.
Stroke paralysis, inability to move limbs: Use Shanchuanjia (right scale for left hemiplegia, left scale for right hemiplegia, roasted), Da Chuan Wutou (roasted), and Hong Haige (size of a chess piece) each two liang, powdered. Take half a liang each time, mix with juice of green onion white parts to form a thick cake, 1.5 cun in diameter. Apply to the sole of the foot corresponding to the affected side, and bind tightly. Sit quietly in a sealed room, immerse the foot with the applied medicine in a basin of hot water. When the body feels numb and sweats, remove the medicine immediately. Avoid wind carefully. Limbs will naturally recover. Repeat once every half month to eradicate the root. Observe dietary restrictions, avoid sexual activity, and rest. Also treats various wind diseases (*Weisheng Baojian*).
[Text fragment missing] One liang, ten dried dates, burned to retain their nature, powdered. Take two qian each time on the day of onset, at dawn with well water (*Yangshi Jiancang*).
Tenesmus: Shanchuanjia and Ha Fen (Clam Powder) in equal parts, stir-fried together and powdered. Take one qian each time with warm wine on an empty stomach (*Puji Fang*).
Blood dysentery: Use Shanchuanjia (burned to retain nature) one liang, Roudoukou (Nutmeg) three pieces, powdered. Take two qian each time with rice water. For severe cases, add one liang of Suli (Corn Silk) ash. Stop when the illness subsides (*Yanyi*).
[Pig fat application] (*Qianjin Fang*).
Female genital swelling hard like an egg: Depending on the side of the disease, take five qian of the corresponding left or right side of Shanchuanjia, stir-fried with sand until yellow and scorched, powdered. Take two qian each time with wine (*Zhaixuan Fang*).
[Promote lactation] (*Danxiang Fang*).
Rantong (used raw) half a liang, powdered. Take five fen each time with a little Shexiang (Musk) and warm wine. Redness appears, miraculous effect (*Zhizhi Fang*).
[Puncture wound treatment] Two liang, with a little Musk.
Horse carbuncle and toxic swelling: Shanchuanjia (burned to retain nature) and Bei Mu (Fritillaria) in equal parts, powdered. Mix with wine and take, three to four times. Then use a purgative to expel evil substances, and it will heal (Bao's Formula).
Mix with sesame oil and Qingfen (Calomel) to apply. Or apply powder only (*Zhizhi*).
Apply. *Shouyu Fang*: Use Shanchuanjia (stir-fried with soil), Banmao (Mylabris), and Shu Ai (Mugwort) in equal parts, powdered. Four moxa cones, effective.
Ants entering the ear: Burn Lingli scales to ash, mix with water, and instill to expel them (*Zhouhou*).
[Text fragment] Blow it. Dry up in three days and it heals (*Bao's Pediatric Formula*).
Yellow powder, blow one zi into the ear. Also treats deafness (*Puji Fang*).
Water, bell, and drum sounds. Use a large piece of Shanchuanjia (stir-fried red with clam powder), remove powder, seven Xieshao (Scorpion tip), a little Musk, powdered. Melt wax with a drop of sesame oil, mix into a stick, wrap in cotton, and insert (*Shesheng Zhongmiao Fang*).
Roll into a rope, burn to smoke and fumigate (*Shouyu Fang*).
Do this seven times, powder it. Apply to the affected eye according to left or right... (*Qinqin*?).
Meat
[Properties] Sweet, astringent, warm, toxic.
Li Shizhen stated: According to Zhang Gao's *Yi Shuo*: Pangolin meat most easily triggers wind. A patient with wind disease eating just a few bites will have an attack, causing limbs to become paralyzed instantly. Li Shizhen privately believes that since this substance moves blood rapidly, and wind patients often have blood deficiency, this occurs. However, its flavor and odor are unpleasant, and it is not useful.