味咸，甘，平，无毒。主小儿百二十种惊痫，螈（尺曳切） （子用切），癫疾，
寒热，肠痔，虫毒，蛇痫，弄舌摇头，大人五邪，言语僻越，恶疮，呕咳，明目。火熬之良
。一名龙子衣，一名蛇符，一名龙子皮，一名龙子单衣，一名弓皮。生荆州川谷及田野。五
月五日、十五日取之，良。（畏磁石及酒。）
陶隐居云∶草中不甚见虺、蝮蛇，惟有长者，多是赤练（力建切）、黄颔辈，其皮不可
复识，
今往往得尔，皆须完全。石上者弥佳，烧之甚疗诸恶疮也。今按陈藏器本草云∶蛇蜕，主
疟，取正发日，以蜕皮塞病患两耳，临发又以手持少许，并服一合盐、醋汁，令吐也。臣禹
锡
等谨按药性论云∶蛇蜕皮，臣，有毒。能主百鬼魅，兼治喉痹。日华子云∶治蛊毒，辟恶
，止呕逆，治小儿惊悸，客忤，催生。 疡，白癜风，煎汁敷。入药并炙用。
图经文具蚺蛇胆条下。
雷公凡使，勿用青、黄、苍色者，要用白如银色者。凡欲使，先于屋下以地掘一坑，可
深
一尺二寸，安蛇皮于中，一宿，至卯时出，用醋浸一时，于火上炙干用之。食疗∶蛇蜕皮，
主
去邪，明目。治小儿一百二十种惊痫，寒热，肠痔，蛊毒，诸 恶疮，安胎。熬用之。圣惠
方
治白驳。用烧末，醋调敷上，佳。又方治小儿重 ，重断肿痛。烧末敷之，效。外台秘要治
身体白驳。以皮熟摩之，数百遍讫，弃皮于草中。千金方治诸肿失治，有脓。烧蛇蜕皮，
水和，封肿上，即虫出。又方治紧唇。以烧灰先拭之，敷上。又方日月未足而欲产。以全
蛇蜕一条，欲痛时，绢袋盛，绕腰。又方∶治恶疮十年不瘥似癞者。烧全者一条为末，猪脂
和敷上。肘后方小儿初生月蚀疮及恶疮。烧末和猪脂，敷上。食医心镜小儿喉痹肿痛。烧末
，以乳汁服一钱匕。十全博救治横生难产方蛇皮一条，瓶子纳盐泥固济，存性烧为黑灰。每
服二钱，用榆白皮汤调服，立下。必效方五痔肛脱。以死蛇一枚指大者湿用。掘地作坑烧蛇
，取有孔板覆坑坐上，虫尽出也。孙真人主蛇露疮。用蛇蜕烧末，和水调，敷上。杜壬方
治缠喉风，咽中如束，气不通。蛇蜕炙黄，以当归等分，为末，温酒调一钱匕，得吐愈。姚
和众云小儿重舌。焦炙研末，日三敷舌下，一度着一豆许。子母秘录治小儿吐血。烧蛇蜕末
，以乳汁调服。又方治小儿头面身上生诸疮。烧末，和猪脂敷上。产书∶治产不顺，手足先
见者。蛇蜕皮，烧作灰，研。面东酒服一钱匕，更以药末敷手足，即顺也。杨氏产乳疗儿
吹着奶，疼肿欲作急疗方∶蛇蜕一尺七寸，烧令黑，细研，以好酒一盏，微温顿服，未甚效
更服。初虞世治陷甲生入肉，常有血疼痛。蛇皮一条烧存性，雄黄一弹子，同研。以温浆
水洗疮，针破贴药。
衍义曰蛇蜕，从口翻退出，眼睛亦退，今合眼药多用，取此义也。入药洗净。
[Properties and Flavors] Salty, sweet, neutral in nature, non-toxic.
[Indications and Actions] Primarily treats one hundred and twenty types of pediatric convulsions and epilepsy (Jingxian), twitching and spasms (Yongzhi), manic-depressive disorders (Dianji), alternating chills and fever, intestinal hemorrhoids, insect poisoning, snake-like seizures (Shexian), tongue protrusion and head shaking, five types of pathogenic invasions in adults (Wuxie), erratic speech, severe ulcers, vomiting and coughing, and improving vision. It is most effective when roasted over fire.
[Aliases and Origin] Also known as Longzi Yi (Dragon Child's Clothing), Shefu (Snake Talisman), Longzi Pi (Dragon Child's Skin), Longzi Danyi (Dragon Child's Single Garment), and Gongpi (Bow Skin). It grows in the valleys and fields of Jingzhou. Those collected on the fifth or fifteenth day of the fifth lunar month are of superior quality. (It is incompatible with magnetite and alcohol.)
[Historical Commentaries] Tao Hongjing stated: In grassy areas, vipers (Hui) and pit vipers (Fu) are rarely seen; mostly encountered are long snakes, such as red-banded snakes (Chilian) and yellow-throated snakes (Huanghan), whose skins are unrecognizable. Nowadays, complete skins are often obtained, but they must be entirely intact. Skins found on rocks are even better; when burned to ash, they effectively treat various severe ulcers.
According to Chen Cangqi's Materia Medica: Snake slough (Shetui) treats malaria. On the day of the attack, plug the patient's ears with the shed skin. At the onset of the fever, hold a small amount in hand and ingest a he of salt-vinegar juice to induce vomiting.
Min Yuxi and others, according to *Xingyao Lun* (Treatise on Medicinal Properties): Snake slough is a minister herb, toxic. It can treat bewitchment by spirits and also treats throat obstruction (Houbi).
Rihuazi stated: It treats gu poison, expels evil qi, stops vomiting and regurgitation, treats pediatric palpitations due to fright, external pathogenic invasion causing panic (Kewu), and facilitates childbirth. For sores and vitiligo, decoct the juice for topical application. For medicinal use, it must be roasted before use.
*Tujing Bencao* has detailed documentation under the entry for Rattlesnake Gallbladder.
Lei Gong stated: When using snake slough, do not use those that are green, yellow, or grayish-blue; use only those white like silver. To prepare it, first dig a pit about one chi two cun deep under the eaves of a house. Place the snake skin inside, leave it overnight, and retrieve it at Mao hour (5-7 AM). Soak it in vinegar for one shi (two hours), then roast it dry over fire before use.
*Shiliao Bencao* stated: Snake slough treats the expulsion of pathogenic factors and improves vision. It treats one hundred and twenty types of pediatric convulsions, alternating chills and fever, intestinal hemorrhoids, gu poison, various severe ulcers, and calms the fetus. It should be roasted before use.
*Shenghui Fang* treats vitiligo (Baibo). Use the powdered ash mixed with vinegar for topical application, which is effective. Another formula treats pediatric macroglossia (Zhongshe) and sublingual swelling/pain. Burn to ash and apply topically for efficacy.
*Waitai Miyao* treats body vitiligo. Rub the thoroughly softened skin on the affected area hundreds of times, then discard the skin in the grass.
*Qianjin Fang* treats various untreated swellings with pus. Burn snake slough, mix with water, and apply as a poultice to the swelling, which will cause worms to emerge. Another formula treats tight lips (Jinchun). First wipe with the ash, then apply. Another method is used for premature labor desire. Take one whole snake slough, place it in a silk bag, and wrap it around the waist when pain begins. Another method treats severe ulcers persisting for ten years resembling leprosy. Burn one whole slough to powder, mix with lard, and apply.
*Zhouhou Beiji Fang* treats newborn moon-eroded sores and severe ulcers. Burn to powder, mix with lard, and apply.
*Shiyi Xinjing* treats pediatric throat obstruction with swelling and pain. Burn to powder, take one qianbi with milk.
*Shiquan Bojiu* treats difficult transverse delivery. One piece of snake skin, placed in a bottle, sealed with salt mud, roasted until carbonized (preserving its nature). Take two qian per dose, mixed with Ulmus davidiana var. japonica bark decoction, leading to immediate delivery.
*Bixiao Fang* treats five types of hemorrhoids with anal prolapse. Use one dead snake, finger-thick, fresh. Dig a pit, burn the snake, cover the pit with a perforated board, and sit on it to allow worms to exit.
Sun Simiao treats snake-exposed sores. Burn snake slough to powder, mix with water, and apply.
Du Ren's Formula treats wind-wrapping-the-throat (Chanhoufeng), where the throat feels constricted and breath is obstructed. Roast snake slough until slightly yellow, mix with equal parts Angelica sinensis, grind to powder, and take one qianbi with warm wine; recovery follows vomiting.
Yao Hezhong stated regarding pediatric macroglossia: Char-roast and grind to powder, apply three times daily under the tongue, one dose being the size of a soybean.
*Zimu Milu* treats pediatric hematemesis. Burn snake slough to powder, mix with milk, and ingest. Another formula treats various sores on the head, face, and body of children. Burn to powder, mix with lard, and apply.
*Chanshu* treats dystocia where hands or feet present first. Burn snake slough to ash, grind fine. Face east and take one qianbi with wine. Apply medicinal powder to hands and feet for smooth delivery.
Yang Shi's *Chanru Ji* treats infant breast inflammation (Chuinaifei) with painful swelling requiring urgent treatment: One chi seven cun of snake slough, burned until black, finely ground. Take one cup of good wine, warmed, in one dose. If ineffective, take another dose.
Chu Yushi treats ingrown nails causing flesh penetration with constant bleeding and pain. One piece of snake skin roasted to preserve nature, combined with realgar the size of a bullet stone, ground together. Wash the sore with warm grain wash, puncture with a needle, and apply the medicine.
*Yanyi* states: Snake slough is expelled from the mouth, and the eyes are shed along with it. Therefore, it is frequently used in eye preparations to utilize this property of removing nebulae. For medicinal use, it must be washed clean.