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In the Jiangnan region, there is a venomous insect known as "Shegong" (Arrow-throwing Gong), also called "Duanhu" (Short Fox) or "Yu" (Hidden Archer). This insect often inhabits streams in mountainous areas. When people walk by or bathe in the water, it uses a bony, crossbow-like structure in its mouth to shoot invisible projectiles at a person's shadow, causing illness. The diagnostic method is as follows:

Initially, symptoms may resemble Taiyang disease (a syndrome caused by external pathogenic factors affecting the Taiyang channel), or Zhong'e (sudden illness due to foul turbid pathogens), inability to speak, or aversion to cold and fever. The limbs become stiff and cramped; symptoms are milder in the morning and severe in the evening. In critical cases, bleeding occurs from between the teeth within three days, and death ensues if untreated.

There are four types of lesions after being bitten by this insect. Upon initial detection, one should examine the entire body. One type appears black like ink dots with a red halo around the edges, feeling like a needle prick upon touch. Another type forms an ulcer that eventually perforates and sinks. A third type protrudes like a stone with sharp edges. The fourth type resembles skin burned by fire, presenting as redness and swelling. Among these, the last type is the most acute and fatal. These insects dwell in low, damp areas near streams. During heavy rain, they may move with splashing water or runoff. They can enter homes to attack humans. Therefore, raising geese or ducks is recommended; consuming goose or duck meat is also beneficial. Carrying pure white geese while traveling can ward off evil. White ducks are also effective. Wearing raw rhinoceros horn is considered good for prevention.

If any of these four types of sores appear on the body, immediate treatment is required.

Emergency treatment: Moxibustion should be applied all around the affected area. At each point one cun away from the sore, apply 100 moxa cones (Zhuang). Apply 100 moxa cones directly on the sore as well, which will lead to recovery.

Another prescription: Take the stems and leaves of Amaranthus tricolor (Chixian), crush them, squeeze out the juice, and drink it. Apply the residue topically. Yao states to consume seven he, administered four to five times daily.

Another prescription: Use garlic (Husuan), crush it, and apply it to the sore. Perform 1,000 moxa cones on the garlic until healed.

Another prescription: Take two pieces of white chicken droppings (Baijishi Bai), mix with maltose syrup, and apply to the sore.

Another prescription: Take Porcellio scaber (Shufu, woodlice) and fermented soybeans (Chidou), each seven he, along with three seeds of Croton tiglium (Badou, removing the heart/core). Mix with lard and apply only this ointment to the affected area.

Another prescription: Take one Daimother insect floating on the water surface, place it in the mouth, and chew/swallow it for recovery. It is said that this insect is jet black, about the size of a soybean, floating and swimming on the water.

Another prescription: Take one stick of Gleditsia sinensis (Zaojiao, Chinese honeylocust pod), one chi two cun in length, crush it, and decoct with one sheng of vinegar until it becomes thick like maltose syrup. Strain and apply to the painful area for recovery.

Another prescription: Take Cimicifuga foetida (Shengma) and Aconitum carmichaelii (Wutou, bird's beak), each two liang, with three sheng of water. Decoct to obtain one sheng, and consume entirely. Apply the residue to the sore. If not healed, prepare again. Yao agrees but adds two liang of Rhinoceros Horn (Xijiao).

Yao states that this insect causes illness by shooting sand at a person's shadow. To cross water, one should first throw stones into it. The arrow-shooting mechanism at the corner of its mouth implies that its mouth and lateral horns can flex and extend. In winter, it hibernates.

It has a long horn extending horizontally in front of its mouth, covered by a bow-guard at the tip, curved like a crossbow. It shoots using breath as arrows and water momentum as force. Once hit, the victim cannot speak, and other symptoms align with Ge Hong's description.