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Hu Man Cao (Crotalaria pallida, also known as Du Chang Cao / Intestine-Severing Grass) has leaves resembling those of tea trees and small yellow flowers; it is highly toxic. In Guangxi, ignorant people involved in disputes take it, resulting in bleeding from all orifices, leading to certain death.

Emergency Treatment:
Immediately take eggs laid by a brooding hen (Pu Tui Ji Zi), crack them open, mix with clear oil, and pour into the patient's mouth. Within a short while, the patient will vomit out all noxious substances and regain consciousness. If delayed even slightly, rescue will be impossible. Officials traveling abroad must not be unaware of this knowledge.

South of Lin'an in Yunnan, at a riverbed location, grows a spiritual herb resembling a butterfly, locally called "Yu Hu Die" (Jade Butterfly). Officials serving in Fujian and Guangdong wear this herb pinned to their collar to predict whether they have been poisoned by Gu poison. If a rustling sound is heard in the collar, it indicates that food and utensils are contaminated and must not be consumed. If there is no toxicity, it remains silent; this serves as verification. This herb is rarely obtained even by locals. Liu Shaoqing acquired some while serving as an official in the region and kept it at home.

The bone of the human vertex is called "Tian Ling Gai" (Heavenly Spirit Cover). It is not recorded in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica); only later physicians driven by curiosity used it, which is contrary to the heart of a benevolent person. Recently, a man suffered from Yangmei Chuang (Chancre-like sore/Syphilis), with toxic nodules covering his body for years without healing. Rumor had it that someone from the maritime regions used Tian Ling Gai to treat this condition. He secretly ordered family members to retrieve it from a coffin in a temple. Upon bringing it back, the patient suddenly went mad, speaking to himself: "I am Merchant [Name], who died in Wu and was not properly buried. Why do you damage my bones? I shall bring retribution upon you!" The next day, retribution occurred. His family, terrified, returned the skull to its original place and offered sacrifices and wine to find peace. Alas! It is said that Sun Taizhen (Sun Simiao) rendered great service to the world. Yet, in his *Qianjin Yi Fang* (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold), he used insects like horseflies and leeches. Gentlemen consider even harming animal life unbearable; how much more so using a human skull? Benevolent persons should abstain from using it.

The *Waitai Miyao* (Secret Essentials of the Outer Cabinet) records: During the Jianwu era, soldiers fighting enemies in Nanyang contracted severe sores called "Lu Chuang" (Barbarian Sore). Severe cases resulted in death within days; survivors bore purple-black scars for a year. This was caused by virulent pathogenic qi. At the end of the Hongzhi reign, severe sores spread among the populace starting from Guangdong people. People in the Wu region did not recognize them, calling them "Guang Chuang" (Guangdong Sore), and due to their appearance, "Yangmei Chuang" (Bayberry Sore). If patients with blood deficiency took heavy doses of Calomel (Qing Fen), it led to toxic nodules, rotting of the nose, perforation of the feet, becoming chronic incurable diseases. Recent physicians use fresh Bi Xie (Dioscorea hypoglauca) weighing four to five taels as the chief herb, assisted by wind-dispelling herbs, adjusted according to the upper or lower body. Most patients taking this showed efficacy. According to the *Bencao Yuanming Bao*, Bi Xie tastes sweet and is neutral and non-toxic. It treats pain in the waist, back, bones, and joints; rheumatism; numbness from hemorrhoids; paralysis; soft wind; and stubborn sores. It grows in Zhen Ding valleys and is now found in Jing and Shu regions. There are two varieties: those without thorns and with a spongy texture are superior; those with thorns and white, solid texture are inferior. One variety is named Xian Yi Liang, another Tu Fu Ling, commonly known as Leng Fan Tuan (Cold Rice Ball).