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Shen Douyuan stated: Hu Ci Chuang (Fox Thorns Ulcer) is caused by injuries from bamboo or wood splinters penetrating the skin and flesh, or occurring on the hands and feet. The pain is unbearable. It is divided into two types: male and female, which should be treated separately. The "male" type presents as a single ulcer, while the "female" type presents with five to seven ulcers. Inside the ulcer, there are chaotic fibrous strands, and outside, there are inevitably residual thorns; this constitutes Hu Ci Chuang (Fox Thorns Ulcer). (From *Qi Xuan*)

The book *Da Cheng* names it "Hu Li Ci" (Fox Thorns), likely because the mantis is also known as "Ye Hu Bi Ti" (Wild Fox Nasal Discharge), hence the name.

The books *Wai Tai Mi Yao* (Essential Prescriptions of the Imperial Hospital) and *Zong Lu* refer to it as "Hu Niao Ci" (Fox Urine Thorns).

The book *Xin Fa* states: Hu Niao Ci arises when mantises mate during the peak of summer, and their seminal fluid contaminates bamboo, wood, and other objects. After a long time, this becomes toxic. If humans accidentally touch these contaminated items with their hands or feet, this affliction occurs. Initially, red-purple spots appear, the skin feels dry, hot, and stifling, and pain prevents sleep. After ten days, the ulcer necrotizes and opens, widening naturally. It is appropriate to take Huang Lian Jie Du Tang (Coptis Decoction for Detoxification). Externally, boil dandelion (Taraxaci Herba) with roots in concentrated decoction and wash the affected area with warm liquid. If fresh dandelion is available, crush it to extract juice and apply thickly to the lesion, which is even better.

Empirical Prescription (from *Qi Xuan*).
Sang Chai Hui (Ash of Mulberry Firewood) and Qing Fen (Calomel), in equal parts. Grind uniformly. Apply dry powder to the lesion and pour rice vinegar over it; change frequently until immediate healing occurs.

For iron thorns, bamboo, wood, and other splinters embedded in the flesh that cannot be removed, as well as venomous pain from snake bone pricks, grind dead mice and apply as a poultice.

Whenever bamboo or wood splinters break the skin, or fish bones and other skeletal fragments cause injury, if clean water is mistakenly introduced, leading to painful ulceration, it is named Shang Shui Chuang (Water Injury Ulcer). Use Wu Bei Zi (Galla Chinensis), Ge Fen (Concha Meretricis et Cyprinae), and Huang Dan (Lithargyrum) in equal parts. Stir-fry together until the color changes, grind into powder, and apply dry powder to the wound.

If the bilateral carotid arteries (Shuang Sa) are severed, it can be treated; if the bilateral trachea (Qi Sa) is severed, it is difficult to treat.
The key to rescue lies in early intervention. Quickly support the patient's head. While breath remains and the forehead is not yet cold, suture the knife wound with silk thread. Take one or two live roosters, tear off the hot chicken skin (if cold, it is useless), wrap it around the wound to protect it, and bind with soft cotton cloth and cotton wool. Externally, wrap again with an old woman's foot-binding cloth for five or six turns, ensuring no air escapes. The wound will naturally heal together. Have the victim lie supine, supporting the back of the head with a high pillow to keep the wound open-free. Avoid wind and keep warm with clothing and blankets. If breath flows freely from the mouth and nose, cook one box of white rice with one qian of Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) and three slices of Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma). Drink the broth to replenish Yuan Qi (Primal Qi), then invite a skilled physician for further examination.

In cases of self-mutilation where the trachea is not completely severed, avoid contact with water. Urgently suture with hemp thread. Apply fine powder of Xue Jie (Dragon's Blood) externally, followed by a thick application of "Tian Xia Di Yi Jin Chuang Yao" (Number One Golden Wound Medicine in the World), covered with cotton paper. Then bind tightly with narrow foot-binding cloth and secure with cotton. Change dressing every other day. Do not move the head. Full recovery in ten days. (Cheng Shanling)

Self-mutilation is a rapid emergency requiring immediate rescue. Delay leads to a cold forehead and cessation of breath, making rescue impossible. Immediately after the act, while breath remains and the body is not cold, suture the wound with silk thread and sprinkle Tao Hua San (Peach Blossom Powder) generously. Cover the medication on the wound with four to five layers of cotton paper. Lift the head using an old woman's foot-binding cloth, wrapping and tying five or six times around. The patient lies supine with a high pillow under the head to flex the neck slightly, preventing the wound from gaping. Protect from wind in both winter and summer, keeping warm with bedding. Once breath flows freely from the mouth and nose, decoct five slices of ginger, two qian of Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix), and one he of Jing Mi (Coicis Semen/Japonica Rice) to make soup or thin porridge. Consume at will daily to replenish Yuan Qi (Primal Qi). After three days, urgently remove the previous dressing. Sprinkle Tao Hua San (Peach Blossom Powder) on the wound and re-bind urgently. After two days of binding, urgently wash the wound with strong scallion soup using soft silk, dab dry, and melt Min Jiao Tiao Yu Hong Gao (Jade Red Ointment) in the palm to apply to the wound. Cover with thin old cotton sheets. Externally, wrap with long black plaster, crossing bindings securely. Near the throat, on both sides of the wound, place vertical strips of black plaster (four cun long, two cun wide) adhering to healthy skin to prevent detachment. Wrap three more turns with silk strips and suture the scalp. In winter, change dressings every three days; in summer, every two days. Wash with scallion soup each time. Pain will cease naturally. Muscle tissue will gradually grow and unite from both ends. Internally, administer Ba Zhen Tang (Eight Treasures Decoction) for regulation for over a month. If constipation occurs, use pig gallbladder enema method; do not use purgatives. For bilateral severance of carotids and trachea, recovery takes one hundred days; for unilateral severance, forty days. Complete healing is assured. This method successfully treated bandit Guo Zhong, constable Sha Wan, and servant Guo Xing, all of whom had bilateral carotid severances and were near death; they survived. Over ten patients with unilateral severance were also saved without incident.

It is also said: Applying powder of Jiang Xiang (Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum) or Song Xiang (Rosin) to the wound yields miraculous effects.