今人谓之簸箕虫,为其像形也。乳脉不行,研一枚,水半合,滤清,服。勿使服药人
知。
此虫诸腐木根下有之。构木津甘,故根下多有此虫,其木身未有完者。亦有生于粪土
中者,虽肥大,但腹中黑,不若木中者,虽瘦而稍白。生研,水绞汁,滤清饮,下奶。
蛞蝓、蜗牛二物矣。蛞蝓,其身肉只一段。蜗牛,背上别有肉,以负壳行,显
然异矣。若为一物,经中焉得分为二条也。其治疗亦大同小异,故知别类。又谓蛞蝓是蜗牛
之老者,甚无谓。蛞蝓有二角,蜗牛四角,兼背有附壳肉,岂得为一物也。
陈藏器、日华子所说备矣。大者,京师又谓之马鳖。腹黄者,谓之马黄。畏盐,然治
伤折有功。经与《注》皆不言修制,宜子细,不可忽也。今人用者皆炒。
九肋者佳,煮熟者不如生得者,仍以酽醋炙黄色用。经中不言治劳,惟《蜀本·药性
论》云“治劳瘦、除骨热”,后人遂用之,然甚有据,亦不可过剂。头血涂脱肛。又,烧头
灰亦治。
乌贼鱼干置,四方人炙食之。多取骨镂为细。研细,水飞,澄下,比去水,日干之
,熟蜜和得所,点目中翳,缓取效。
伊芳洛绝少,今多自京师来,京师亦自河北置之。今河北沿边沧、瀛州等处所出甚多。徐
州亦有,但不及河北者。小儿解颅,以螯并白芨,烂捣,涂囟上,颅合。此物极动风,体有
风疾人,不可食,屡见其事。河北人取之,当八九月蟹浪之时,直于塘泺岸上,伺其出水而
拾之。又,夜则以灯火照捕,始得之。时黄与白满壳,凡收藏十数日不死,亦不食。此物每
至夏末秋初,则如蝉蜕解。当日名蟹之意,必取此义。
Nowadays, people call it "bò jī chóng" (winnowing basket insect) because of its shape resembling a winnowing basket. For conditions where milk flow is obstructed, grind one specimen, add half a *hé* (a traditional Chinese unit of volume) of water, filter the clear liquid, and administer orally. The patient should not be informed of what they are taking.
This insect is found under rotting tree roots. Since the sap of the *Celtis sinensis* (Chinese hackberry) tree is sweet, many such insects exist beneath its roots, often leaving the trunk itself imperfect. Some also grow in manure-rich soil; although these may appear plump, their abdomens are blackish, unlike those from wood, which are slender but slightly whiter. Grind the fresh insect, extract juice by pressing with water, filter, and drink to promote lactation.
*Kuò yú* (slug) and *wō niú* (snail) are two distinct entities. The body flesh of the *kuò yú* consists of a single segment. In contrast, the *wō niú* has additional flesh on its back used to carry its shell while moving, clearly indicating a difference. If they were the same species, how could medical classics list them as separate entries? Their therapeutic effects are largely similar, yet classification distinguishes them. It is baseless to claim that the *kuò yú* is merely an aged *wō niú*. The *kuò yú* has two horns, whereas the *wō niú* has four, plus dorsal flesh attached to the shell; thus, they cannot be considered identical.
The descriptions by Chen Cangqi and Ri Huazi are comprehensive. The larger variety is known in the capital as *mǎ biē* (horse leech). Those with yellow abdomens are called *mǎ huáng* (yellow horse). They fear salt, yet they are effective in treating traumatic injuries. Neither the classic texts nor commentaries mention processing methods; careful attention is required and negligence is inadvisable. Currently, people use specimens that have been stir-fried.
Specimens with nine ribs are superior. Cooked ones are inferior to fresh ones; they should be roasted with strong vinegar until yellow before use. The classics do not mention treating consumptive diseases (*láo*), but the *Shu Ben Yao Xing Lun* states it treats "consumptive emaciation and eliminates bone-steaming heat." Later practitioners adopted this usage, which is well-founded, though dosage must not be excessive. Blood from the head applied topically treats rectal prolapse. Additionally, ash from burnt heads is also effective.
Dried cuttlefish is placed for storage and roasted for consumption across various regions. Its bones are often carved into fine shapes. After grinding finely, process via water levigation, allow sedimentation, remove supernatant, and sun-dry. Mix appropriately with refined honey, apply to the eyes to treat corneal opacity (*yì*), yielding gradual results.
*Yī fāng luò* is rare nowadays; most come from the capital, which sources them from Hebei. Hebei border areas such as Cangzhou and Yingzhou produce abundant quantities. Xuzhou also produces them, but quality is inferior to Hebei's. For infant cranial suture dehiscence (*jiě lú*), crush claws together with *Baiji* (Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati), and apply to the fontanelle to promote closure. This substance easily agitates wind; individuals with wind-related disorders should avoid consuming it, as numerous adverse cases have been observed. People in Hebei catch them during August or September when crabs emerge from mud, waiting at pond banks to collect them upon surfacing. Alternatively, they are caught at night using lantern light. At this time, the shells are filled with yellow and white roe. They can survive for over ten days in storage without eating. Like cicadas shedding their skins, this creature molts around late summer and early autumn. The name "crab" likely derives from this molting characteristic.