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My Teng clan, from the Tang Dynasty to the present, has spanned over six hundred years. Our family has enjoyed continuous success in the imperial examinations, with descendants serving as officials in succession. We have passed down a family tradition of poetry and propriety, maintaining clarity and integrity. By the time of my grandfather, he participated in the "Xianliang Zhengfang" (Worthy, Good, Upright, and Square) examination, capable of speaking frankly and offering extreme remonstrance, but ultimately did not take office. He was bestowed the title of "Lianjing Chushi" (Upright and Quiet Hermit). My father was a Jinshi (degree holder) of the Imperial Academy and also took this examination, but passed away at the age of sixteen, leaving behind only me, an unworthy son. I lost my father early, missed out on education, and remained unknown. I merely adhered strictly to propriety and devoted myself to doing good.

In the first year of Baoqing (1225), when I was twenty-eight years old, during the second month of spring, I prepared sacrificial animals and wine offerings, and went to the cemetery to sweep the tombs of my ancestors. On the way, I met an old man. His appearance was ancient and strange, his demeanor relaxed and peaceful, his style elegant and floating, and his spirit outstanding. He looked at me as if wishing to speak with me. Therefore, I approached quickly and made a long bow. The old man held my hand and smiled, saying, "You are the child of a virtuous family. Why do you read so little? Although you may not achieve nobility now, you shall attain wealth." I was suddenly moved and reflected upon this. Wealth and honor are indeed what people love, but since I previously lacked heirs, it would be better to request them from the old man. Thus, I respectfully stated my intention. The old man said, "Since you do not desire wealth and honor, but desire heirs, this is appropriate. I will grant you longevity." Then he produced a book and handed it to me, instructing, "May you use this book to help many others obtain heirs, and your own heirs will surely be numerous." When I rose after yesterday's bow, the old man had vanished. I was startled and felt deep emotion for a long time. Reverently holding the book, I returned home, burned incense, and opened it to read. It was the *Zouma Jigan Zhenfang* (True Prescription for Running Horse Acute Cantharides/Oral Ulcers) for treating children. Following the prescriptions, carefully preparing and compounding the medicines, and administering them to patients, they proved remarkably effective, hitting the mark every time. Soon after, I had a son who later served as a Sijun (Instructor) in Wujiang Prefecture; then I had Qing. Now I am over eighty years old. Alas! The words of the old man were miraculous and trustworthy. How could I dare not revere his book? How could I treat it lightly? Therefore, I record this at the beginning of the chapter, showing that my descendants should preserve this book, carefully prepare the medicinal ingredients, and act with the heart of helping others, not with the heart of profit.

Written on an auspicious day in the first month of summer (Mengxia) of the Yihai year, the first year of Deyou (1275), by Leshan Laoren (Old Man Who Loves Goodness), Teng Boxiang of Nanyang.

Whenever treating oral cantharides (mouth ulcers/gum disease), one must first press the tongue down. After fixing the tongue, use a stick to lift the upper palate, carefully observing whether there are any abnormalities in the throat. Then examine the upper and lower gums, the underside of the tongue, and the tooth roots. If there are purple and swollen areas, prick them with a three-edged needle to release toxic blood. If there are yellow blisters or rotting flesh, wrap a finger in green raw silk, dip it in fresh well water, and wipe the area clean. Apply Ersheng San (Two Sages Powder) dry to the affected area. Then, mix Xiaodu San (Detoxification Powder) with raw honey and administer it after meals. If the cantharides spreads to the upper palate, apply LvPao San (Green Robe Powder). The toxic saliva will flow out naturally, or even if swallowed, it is harmless. Alternatively, apply Shengbingzi (Holy Cake) to the sole of the foot, left for males and right for females, and tie it securely with cloth. If it spreads to the throat, use a medicine tube to blow Zijin San (Purple Gold Powder) into the throat, and treat with Ganlu Yin (Sweet Dew Decoction), decocted and taken after meals. If there is black, rotten, foul flesh forming deep cavities, this is a critical condition. One must surgically remove the foul flesh with a knife. However, if the patient feels no pain, it is incurable. If pain is felt, quickly apply Zijin San. Decoct Ganlu Yin with Zhoumian Huan Dan (Face-Reviving Elixir) strongly and administer it; perhaps life can be saved.

Whenever cantharides arises from smallpox/rash eruptions, the application and treatment methods are the same as above, except using Huixu (Coriander) decoction, cooled to warm temperature, to replace the previous well water for dissolving/applying.

Whenever treating cantharides growing inside the ear, one must first use three to five, seven to nine, or eleven to thirteen cotton-tipped sticks to ensure all pus and water in the ear are drained completely. Then, use a goose feather tube to blow the medicine into the ear. Healing occurs when it dries.

Whenever treating fetal toxin head cantharides, where pus and blood cover the head, with foul-smelling exudate dripping continuously, accompanied by pain or itching, spreading to the limbs: First, decoct Ermiao Dan (Two Wonders Pill) in rice wash water, remove the dregs, let it cool to warm, and wash the area. Dry it in a windless place. Then, mix Lu'er Gao (Deer Child Ointment) with Maojun San (Lord Mao Powder) using sesame oil, and apply it externally. Internally, administer Fei'er Wan (Fatten Child Pill). The nursing mother must avoid spicy, hot, and toxin-inducing foods. For nasal cantharides, apply Lanxiang San (Orchid Fragrance Powder) dry.

Whenever treating cantharides sores all over the head, face, hands, feet, and body: First, wash with rice wash soup. Then, mix Shixian Dan (Ten Immortals Pill) with pork lard and apply it. If itchy, add Ermiao Dan. If painful, no addition is needed. Internally, administer Fei'er Xiao Gan Wan (Fatten Child Eliminate Cantharides Pill). Avoid all toxin-inducing, spicy, and hot foods.

Whenever treating adults with cantharides all over the body, or scabies/tinea/fatty sores: Also use Shixian Dan added with Erhuang San (Two Yellows Powder), mixed with pork lard for external application. Avoid all kinds of toxin-inducing, wind-moving, spicy, and hot foods.

The method for treating genital cantharides requires distinguishing between two types: internal origin and external infection. Internal origin stems from the constitution inherited from parents, with a deep root. External infection results from unclean clothing, transmitted by contact, and the disease is superficial. Wrap Ermiao Dan in silk, boil it in strong rice wash water for a few boils, remove the dregs, let it cool to warm, and do not add raw water. In a windless place, wipe the exudate dry. Apply Binghuang San (Ice Yellow Powder) dry, or mix with sesame oil for application. Observe dietary restrictions as listed above: avoid all toxin-inducing, wind-moving, spicy, and hot foods.

The method for treating the Five Cantharides requires distinguishing between new and old, cold and heat. New cantharides is heat-type: symptoms include sallow complexion, red eyelids, bone-steaming night sweats, dry nose, bad breath, scorched lips, irritability and thirst, mental restlessness, palpitations, and unhappiness. Old cantharides is cold-type: symptoms include swollen eyes, abdominal distension, irregular bowel movements, fatty or oily-looking stool, irritability, thirst, yellowish emaciation. Heat-type cantharides usually affects the exterior; cold-type usually affects the interior. There are also cases where cold and heat syndromes interact, neither new nor old, neither internal nor external causes. Generally, initial illness presents with fatness and heat, while chronic illness presents with emaciation and cold. Children are prone to deficiency and excess changes. Spleen deficiency cannot tolerate extreme cold or heat; taking cold medicines generates more cold, while taking warm medicines generates more heat. One must understand this principle as the guideline for treatment. Eliminate accumulation, harmonize the stomach, nourish blood, regulate qi, use appropriate medicines to support, and maintain a bland diet to nourish. Over time, the body will naturally become robust. Although the manifestations of cantharides are diverse, there are many treatment formulas. Only Xiao Gan Wan (Eliminate Cantharides Pill) and Bao Tong Wan (Protect Child Pill) are suitable for treating the Five Cantharides. Their ingredients are mild and safe. Use them steadily, adjusting dosage and modifications based on the child's size, duration (new/old), nature (cold/heat), and constitution (deficiency/excess). They produce miraculous effects. Therefore, they are presented here.

All alternative names for medicinal materials are sourced from Hu Shi's *Tujing Bencao* (Illustrated Classic of Materia Medica), Tao Shi's *Bencao Yan Yi* (Supplement to Materia Medica), and Jinshi Hou Jun's *Yao Pu* (Compendium of Medicines). They are certainly not fabricated or invented arbitrarily. Those who use these prescriptions in the future should consult and verify these sources, which will bring further benefit.