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Qin Gui (Shan Gui, Mountain Turtle)

Bitter in taste, non-toxic. Primarily treats damp-bi syndrome (painful obstruction due to dampness), heaviness of the body, and immobility of the limbs and joints. Grows in the soil on the shady side of mountains. Harvested in the second and eighth lunar months.

Tao Hongjing stated: This is the turtle that lives in the mountains and does not enter water. Its size varies, and it is not commonly used in prescriptions. Although there are many types of turtles, only two are used medicinally. There is also the Yang Gui (Yuan Gui, a type of turtle), which is small with a narrow, long tail; it is said to treat snake venom because it eats snakes. It is used for divination where the results are opposite to those expected. Wearing the anterior bone of Qin Gui (pronounced 'nai dao') prevents one from getting lost in the mountains. In Guangzhou, there is a species (pronounced 'zi yi' and 'yi gui'); its blood effectively treats wounds from poisonous arrows inflicted by the Li people. The *Tang Bencao* commentary notes: When the turtle's plastron is broken, it swallows and eats snakes. In Jingchu, it is called Xi She Gui (Swallowing Snake Turtle). Qin Gui is this species, with no other distinction. Current research indicates: Chen Cangqi's *Bencao* states: Turtle urine treats deafness; dripping it into the ear cures the condition. Ministers Yu Xi et al., according to the *Shu Ben Tu Jing*, state: It is now found in Jiangnan and Lingnan. It hides in the soil during winter and swims in streams and valleys during spring, summer, and autumn. According to the *Erya*, She Gui (Capturing Turtle) is a small turtle. Its plastron is folded and can open and close itself; it likes eating snakes. In Jiangdong, it is called Ling Gui (Hill Turtle), which is the Jia She Gui (Clamping Snake Turtle). Another species, Ling Gui (Spirit Turtle), comes from Fuling Commandery; its large carapace is used for divination, resembling the hawksbill sea turtle (*Eretmochelys imbricata*). Also known as Ling. It can make sounds. Su Song currently claims Qin Gui is Ling Gui, which is not a comprehensive theory. Moreover, Tao's commentary mentions treating arrow poison, which differs from the *Shennong Bencao Jing*'s indications. For aquatic turtles, Qin Gui should be distinguished by place name. Chen Cangqi stated: Su Song claimed Qin Gui is Ling Gui. However, Ling Gui lives in seawater; those living on the shady side of mountains are not Ling Gui. Current Qin Gui refers to large mountain turtles, similar to stone stele bases. They eat grass roots and bamboo shoots and are found in deep valleys. Diviners use them to predict fortune in mountains and marshes. The *Book of Han* mentions "mountain turtles," referring to this species. Their shells can be harvested and used to decorate objects. Chen Shiliang stated: The turtle has a transverse fold on the plastron; Qin people call it [Name missing], and mountain turtles are this type. The meat is cold in nature and toxic. It treats tendon and vessel conditions. For any blunt trauma or injury, the blood is taken and made into wine or food. Raw meat ground into a thick paste applied topically yields immediate results. Ri Hua Zi stated: [It is] neutral, slightly toxic. It treats coma caused by knife or arrow wounds; pricking the skin and drinking the blood cures the condition. The skin and shell are named Pi (Skin/Turtle Shell), treating blood disorders. If fresh blood is unavailable, decocted juice can be substituted, which is also valuable for decoration. Furthermore, Jia She Gui is small, black, and useless if the center is folded; it cannot be eaten. The meat can be ground raw and applied to treat snake venom.

The *Tu Jing* states: Qin Gui is the mountain turtle that does not enter water, growing in the soil on the shady side of mountains. Some say "Qin" refers to a place name, claiming those living on the shady side of Qin Mountains are the true ones. These mountain turtles vary in size, with some as large as stele bases. They eat grass roots and bamboo sprouts, hide in the soil in winter, emerge in spring, and roam in valleys. Currently, some keep them in markets for amusement, burying them in soil holes in winter. However, they are rarely used in medicine. Diviners also use them for prediction, harvesting their shells for decoration. Is the "mountain turtle" mentioned in the *Erya* this species? Aquatic turtles have white, dense bones with clear colors, making them suitable for diviners and medicinal use; those one chi and two cun long are considered best. The *Erya* also mentions aquatic turtles and another species of turtle with a small, narrow, long tail and a transverse fold on the plastron; it eats snakes upon sight. People in Jiangdong call it Ling Gui, corresponding to the "small turtle" in the *Erya*. It is also used medicinally to treat snake venom. Another species (pronounced 'zi yi' and 'yi gui') has a large carapace used for divination, corresponding to the "Ling Gui" in the *Erya*. Tao Hongjing and Su Song identified this as Qin Gui.

According to analysis: The *Lingbiao Luyi* states: [Name missing], commonly called Zi Yi, is likely a large mountain turtle. A person can stand on its back, and it can carry them. They are abundant in Chao and Xun regions. Locals harvest the shells, valuing complete ones obtained alive. Initially, wooden wedges are driven into the flesh, causing the turtle great pain; it screams and roars like an ox, shaking the valley. Workers take the transparent yellowish shells, boil and flatten them against tortoiseshell to make vessels, known today as "Gui Tong" (Turtle Tube). Based on this, it seems to be a different kind of mountain turtle, not necessarily this Qin Gui. For medicinal use, naturally shed shells are superior. There are many types of turtles, but contemporary people rarely recognize them all. Since they are no longer used as currency and few know divination techniques, only medical prescriptions frequently use turtle shells, hence their low value. Prescriptions often use "broken turtles" (old/damaged shells), specifically those with many drilling/burning marks, also known as Lou Tian Ji. One view holds that for medicinal use, "Divine Turtles" must be used; these have a square, amber-transparent spot on the front center of the plastron. Their heads are square, shells round, and legs distinct. Furthermore, turtle urine is hardest to obtain. Sun Guangxian's *Beimeng Suoyan* records a method: Daoist Chen Zhao stated that turtles are jealous and mate with snakes. If a female snake approaches, they may fight and bite, sometimes killing the weaker one. To collect urine, take a male turtle, place it in a porcelain bowl or small plate, and hold a mirror behind it. Seeing its reflection, the turtle often becomes aroused and releases urine, which is quickly collected. Alternatively, heat a paper wick over fire and touch the cloaca; this also induces urination but is less effective than using a mirror.

Chen Cangqi, note on Qin Gui: Tao stated that in Guangzhou there is [Species], whose blood treats Li people's arrow poison. Analysis: When a person is wounded by a poisoned arrow, feeling suffocated and near death, the blood is extracted and applied to the wound. This treats poison from scorched copper and stinging juices. Southerners raise them; they resemble turtles and live by the sea. They have patterned shells suitable for decoration. *Haiyao* states: According to the "Zhengjing," it grows in the mountains and valleys of Guangzhou. Its shell, bitter in taste, treats leukorrhea (red and white discharge) in women, breaks up accumulations and masses, treats stubborn wind-cold bi syndrome, and qi stagnation in joints. It is even better if obtained from diviners. Generally, the shell is roasted until yellow before being added to prescriptions. *Baopuzi* states: Turtles eat snakes. Southerners always carry turtle tails to repel snakes. For snakebites, scraping this material and applying it heals the wound.

*Yanyi* states: Qin Gui refers to those born in Qin. Qin mountains have many old turtles, extremely large and long-lived. Turtle shells are not exclusive to Qin; they are found everywhere, but those from Qin, especially large ones, are superior. Currently, there are many in Duli Diaotai, Hebei. Turtle tubes are used for treatment and included in various prescriptions. Only these two types are listed separately in their respective sections. Because they are spiritually potent among creatures, medical practitioners use them to tonify the heart, and they are indeed effective.