大小二种∶一种大者为胡蜣螂,身黑光,腹翼下有小黄,子附母而飞行,昼不出,夜
方飞出,至人家庭户中,见灯光则来。一种小者,身黑暗,昼方飞出,夜不出。今当用胡蜣
螂,其小者研三十枚,以水灌牛马,治胀结,绝佳。狐遇而必尽食之。
须糯米中炒,米黄为度。妊身人不可服,为能溃人肉。治淋药多用,极苦,人尤宜斟
酌。下条芫青,其用与此不相远,故附于此。
京师谓之 岸,春夏人多食,然发风痰,性微冷。又顺安军界河中亦出 ,大抵与马
刀相类,肉颇淡,人作 以寄邻左,又不能致远。亦发风。此等皆不可多食。今蛤粉,皆
此等众蛤灰也。
今谓之贝齿,亦如紫贝,但长寸余,故曰贝子。色微白,有深紫黑者,治目中翳,烧
用。北人用之毡帽上为饰及缀衣,或作蹀躞下垂。
甲香,善能管香烟,与沉、檀、龙、麝用之甚佳。
大人小儿通用,治小儿惊风不可阙也。有用全者,有只用梢者,梢力尤功。今青州山中
石下捕得,慢火逼,或烈日中晒。蝎渴热时,乃与青泥食之,既满,复以火逼杀之,故其色
多赤,欲其体重而售之故也。医家用之皆悉去土。如虿人还能禁止之,自尝被其毒,兄长禁
而止,及令,故蜇终不痛。翰林禁科具矣。
行经血有功,不能生血。尝有人病眼中翳,往来不定,如此乃是血所病也。盖心生
血,肝藏血,肝受血则能视。目病不治血,为背理。此物入肝最速。一法∶五灵脂二两,没
药一两,乳香半两,川乌头一两半,炮去皮,同为末,滴水丸如弹子大。每用一丸,生姜温
酒磨服,治风冷气血闭,手足身体疼痛冷麻。又有人被毒蛇所伤,良久之间已昏困。有老僧
以酒调药二钱,灌之,遂苏。及以药滓涂咬处,良久,复灌二钱,其苦皆去。问之,乃五灵
脂一两,雄黄半两,同为末,只此耳。后有中毒者,用之无不验。此药虽不甚贵,然亦多有
伪者。
Two types, large and small: One type is larger, known as the Hu Qiáng Láng (Hui Dung Beetle), with a black, glossy body and small yellow spots under its abdominal wings. The larvae attach to the mother and fly together; they do not emerge during the day but only at night. They fly into human courtyards and doorways, attracted by light. The other type is smaller, with a duller body color; it emerges during the day and does not come out at night. Currently, the Hu Qiáng Láng should be used. Thirty of the smaller ones are ground up, mixed with water, and administered to cattle or horses to treat distension and stagnation, yielding excellent results. Foxes will eat them all upon encountering them.
It must be stir-fried with glutinous rice until the rice turns yellow. Pregnant women should not take it, as it can ulcerate human flesh. It is frequently used in formulas for treating Lin syndrome (dysuria), has an extremely bitter taste, and users should exercise particular caution. The following entry on Yuan Qing (Mylabris) has uses not far removed from this, so it is appended here.
In the capital, it is referred to as "An" (a specific shellfish/insect, context implies edible shellfish). People consume it frequently in spring and summer, but it may induce wind-phlegm and has a slightly cold nature. It is also found in the rivers of Shun'an Jun, generally resembling Ma Dao (Cardita bidentata, a type of clam). Its meat is quite bland. People make pickles from it to give to neighbors, but it cannot be transported far. It may also induce wind pathogen. These should not be consumed in large quantities. The current Ge Fen (Shell Powder) is made from the ash of various such shells.
Currently called Bei Chi (Shell Teeth), it resembles Zi Bei (Purple Cowrie) but is over one cun long, hence the name Bei Zi (Cowrie Shell). Its color is slightly white, though some are deep purple-black. It is used, after calcination, to treat eye nebulae (cataracts/opacities). In the north, people use it to decorate felt hats, sew onto clothing, or wear as hanging ornaments.
Jia Xiang (Ambergris/Bezoar from sea creatures) is effective at stabilizing incense smoke. It works very well when combined with Chen Xiang (Aquilaria Wood), Tan Xiang (Sandalwood), Long Nao (Borneol), and She Xiang (Musk).
It is suitable for both adults and children and is indispensable for treating pediatric convulsions (Jing Feng). Some use the whole scorpion, while others use only the tail; the tail is particularly potent. Currently, they are caught from under stones in the mountains of Qingzhou, slowly roasted over low fire, or dried in the intense sun. When the scorpions are thirsty and hot, green mud is fed to them. Once full, they are killed by heat application, which is why their color is often reddish; this is done to increase their weight for sale. Physicians remove all soil before use. If stung by a scorpion, pain can be stopped. Having been poisoned myself, my elder brother instructed me to cease movement and follow specific orders, ensuring that even if stung, there is no pain. The protocols of the Hanlin Academy are complete.
It benefits menstrual blood flow but does not generate blood. There was once a patient with eye nebulae that moved around unpredictably; this indicates a blood disorder. Since the Heart generates blood and the Liver stores blood, the Liver's ability to see depends on receiving blood nourishment. Treating eye diseases without addressing the blood contradicts medical principles. This substance enters the Liver channel most rapidly. One method: Wu Ling Zhi (Trogopterus Dung) 2 liang, Mo Yao (Myrrh) 1 liang, Ru Xiang (Frankincense) 0.5 liang, Chuan Wu Tou (Aconitum Carmichaelii Dehanchet Root) 1.5 liang (processed and peeled). Grind all into fine powder, add water drop by drop to form pills the size of bullet seeds. Take one pill per dose, ground with warm ginger-infused wine. It treats wind-cold blocking qi and blood, causing pain, coldness, numbness in the hands, feet, and body. Another case involved someone bitten by a venomous snake who became unconscious after a long time. An old monk mixed two qian of medicine with wine and forced it down the patient's throat, leading to recovery. The residue was then applied to the bite site. After some time, another two qian were administered orally, eliminating all suffering. Upon inquiry, the formula consisted of Wu Ling Zhi (Trogopterus Dung) 1 liang and Xiong Huang (Realgar) 0.5 liang, ground together. Later cases of poisoning treated with this method proved invariably effective. Although this drug is not very expensive, there are many counterfeit versions.