\r （音羸）鼠\pd405.bmp\r
主堕胎，令产易。生山都平谷。
陶隐居云∶ 是鼯鼠。一名飞生。状如蝙蝠，大如鸱鸢，毛紫色暗，夜行飞生。人取其
皮毛以与产妇持之，令儿易
生。又有水马，生海中。是鱼虾类，状如马形，亦主易产。今按陈藏器本草云∶陶云有水马，
生海中。主产。按水马，
妇人临产带之，不尔，临时烧末饮服，亦
《南州异物志》云∶妇人难
产割裂而出者，手握此虫，如羊之产也。生物中羊产最易。臣禹锡等谨按难产通用药云∶
鼠，微温。
图经曰∶ （音羸）鼠，出山都平谷，即飞生鸟也。今湖岭间山中多有之。状如蝙蝠，
大如鸱鸢，毛紫色暗，夜行飞
生。南人见之，多以为怪。捕取其皮毛以与产妇，临蓐持之，令儿易生。此但云执之，而《小
品方》乃入服药，其方∶
取飞生一枚，槐之、故弩箭羽各十四枚
种水马，生南海中。头如马
形，长五、六寸
《异鱼图》云∶渔人布网罟，
此鱼多挂网上，收之曝干，以雌雄各一为对。主难产及血气药亦用之。
衍义曰∶ 鼠，《经》中不言性味，唯是于难产通用药中云∶ 鼠，微温。毛赤黑色，
长尾，人捕得，取皮为暖帽。
但向下飞则可，亦不能致远。今关西山中甚有，毛极密，人谓之飞生者是也。《注》中又引
水马，首如马，身如虾，背伛
偻，身有竹节纹，长二、三寸。今谓之海马。
(Phonetically similar to "lei") Shu (Flying Squirrel)
Mainly treats abortion and facilitates childbirth. Grows in the valleys of Shandu Ping.
Tao Hongjing states: This is the flying squirrel (Pteromys volans). Also known as Feisheng (Flying Life). It resembles a bat, is as large as an owl or kite, has dark purple fur, and flies at night. People capture its skin and hair and give it to parturient women to hold, facilitating easy delivery. There is also a Shuima (Water Horse), found in the sea. It belongs to the class of fish and shrimp, resembles a horse in shape, and also facilitates childbirth. Currently, according to Chen Cangqi's Bencao (Compendium of Materia Medica): Tao mentions a Shuima growing in the sea that facilitates childbirth. Regarding the Shuima, if a woman wears it during labor, or if it is burned into powder and taken orally in emergencies, it is also effective. The Nanzhou Yiwuzhi (Records of Strange Things from the Southern Provinces) states: In cases of difficult childbirth where the fetus is torn out, holding this creature makes delivery as easy as that of a sheep. Among living creatures, sheep give birth most easily. Ministers Yu Xi and others carefully note regarding common medicines for difficult childbirth: Shu (Squirrel/Rat), slightly warm in nature.
The Tujing (Illustrated Canon) states: (Phonetically similar to "lei") Shu grows in the valleys of Shandu Ping; it is the Feisheng bird (flying squirrel). It is currently abundant in the mountains between Hu and Ling regions. It resembles a bat, is as large as an owl or kite, has dark purple fur, and flies at night. Southerners often find it strange. People capture its skin and hair and give it to parturient women to hold during labor, facilitating easy delivery. This text only mentions holding it, whereas the Xiaopin Fang (Small Cabinet Formulas) includes it in oral medications. The formula is: Take one Feisheng, fourteen pieces of huai wood (Sophora japonica), and fourteen old crossbow arrow feathers.
Shuima grows in the South China Sea. Its head resembles that of a horse, and it is five to six cun long.
The Yiyu Tu (Illustrated Fish Picture) states: When fishermen cast their nets, these fish often get caught. They are collected, dried in the sun, and paired with one male and one female. It treats difficult childbirth and blood-qi disorders; it is also used in medicinal preparations.
Yanyi (Expanded Meaning) states: For Shu, the Classics do not specify its nature and flavor, only stating in the common medicines for difficult childbirth that Shu is slightly warm. It has reddish-black fur, a long tail, and people capture it to make warm hats. It can only glide downwards and cannot fly far. It is currently very common in the mountains west of Guan, with extremely dense fur; people call this Feisheng. The Commentary also cites Shuima: the head resembles a horse, the body resembles a shrimp, the back is hunched, and the body has bamboo-joint patterns. It is two to three cun long. It is now called Hai Ma (Sea Horse).