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Lingli Jia (Pangolin Scales)
Slightly cold in nature. It primarily treats the "five evils" (pathogenic factors), as well as convulsive crying and sorrowful weeping. When calcined into ash, it is mixed with wine or water, and one *cunshi* (a square-inch measure) is taken orally to treat ants entering the ear.

Tao Hongjing stated: Its shape resembles a crocodile (*Tu*) but is shorter and smaller, and also resembles a carp. It has four feet and can live both on land and in water. It climbs onto the bank, opens its scales, and lies still as if dead, allowing ants to enter inside. Suddenly, it closes up and enters the water. Upon opening its shell again, the ants float out, at which point it eats them. Therefore, it is effective for treating ants entering the ear, though this prescription is rarely used; it is mainly employed to treat sores, scabies, and various chronic wasting diseases (*Zhu* diseases). Ministers Yu Xi et al., according to the *Shu Ben Tu Jing*, recorded that it grows in deep mountain valleys and is found in Jin Prefecture, Fang Prefecture, Jun Prefecture, etc. The *Yao Xing Lun* records: Lingli Jia, when used as an assistant drug, has great toxicity. It treats mountain malaria and severe ulcers; after calcination, it is applied externally. Ri Huazi stated: It is cool in nature and toxic. It treats pediatric convulsions due to evil pathogens, women's weeping caused by ghostly influences, as well as hemorrhoids with leakage, severe ulcers, scabies, and tinea.

The *Tu Jing* records: Lingli Jia was not previously noted for specific producing regions. Currently, it is found in the hills and ridges of Jin, Shang, Jun, and Fang Prefectures, within deep mountains and valleys. It resembles a crocodile but is shorter and smaller, black in color, and like a carp but with four feet, capable of living on land and in water. At noon, it climbs onto the bank, opens its scales feigning death, allowing ants to enter. Once full, it closes up and enters the water; the ants then float out, which it catches and eats. Thus, it is most effective for treating ants entering the ear. It also treats severe ulcers, scabies, and scrofula; the scales are calcined and ground into powder for external application. Yang Yan's *Nan Xing Fang* records: It treats mountain malaria, featuring a Lingli Jia Decoction. People now call it Chuanshanjia (Pangolin Scales). Recent physicians also use it calcined into ash, mixed with a small amount of Nutmeg powder, and taken with rice water to treat intestinal hemorrhoids. It also treats acute mastitis ("blowing milk"), where pain is unbearable. One qian of Pangolin Scales is roasted until yellow, combined with one liang of Akebia Caulis and half a liang of Pyritum (used raw). These three ingredients are crushed and sieved into a powder. Each dose consists of two qian, taken with warm wine, without restriction on timing.

The *Waitai Miyao* cites the *Zhouhou Beiji Fang*: To treat ants entering the ear, calcine Pangolin Scales into powder, mix with water, and instill into the ear; the ants will immediately exit. The *Qianjin Yifang*: For treating ant-like fistulas in the ear, take fourteen pieces of Pangolin Scales, grind into powder, and mix with lard for topical application. The *Jianyao Jizhong Fang*: For postpartum blood qi rushing upward to the heart causing syncope, take one liang of Pangolin Scales, soak in urine from an uncircumcised boy overnight, remove, and slowly roast until yellow. Grind into powder. Each dose is one qian, mixed with a little dog gallbladder, and taken with hot wine, administered as needed.

The *Yanyi* states: Pangolin Scales come from animals that burrow in mountains and can also swim. Calcine one liang preserving its properties, combine with three kernels of Nutmeg, grind together into powder, and take two qian mixed with rice water to treat qi-type hemorrhoids with pus and blood. In severe cases, add one liang of Rheum Radix et Rhizoma (or similar bark/root depending on context, here likely referring to astringent herbs like Pomegranate Rind or similar, but strictly translating text: "Pi"), calcined and added. Stop medication once the illness is cured; there is no need to finish the entire dose.