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Salty in flavor, neutral in nature, non-toxic. The meridians it enters are not recorded in various books. It mainly treats *chuanshen guizhu* (a contagious chronic wasting disease) and heals severe trauma. After obtaining it, cover it with sugar ash over fire for one night. Wait until the fishy and foul odor is completely discharged, then boil it in a porcelain pot with child’s urine for one *fushi* (approx. two hours). Bury it underground to a depth of one chi (approx. 33 cm) for another *fushi*, then take it out for use. Persons with Yang excess should use Yin substances; persons with Yin excess should use Yang substances.

Note: Tianlinggai refers to the cranial cap bone. It is not recorded in the *Shennong Bencao Jing*; later physicians began to use it. This originally belongs to the category of treating like with like. Upon seeing it, one should feel pity and sorrow, yet taking it for consumption is truly not the mindset of a benevolent person. The world praises Sun Simiao for his great merit to society; using killing to treat life still carries karmic retribution, let alone...

Salty in flavor, neutral in nature, non-toxic. The meridians it enters are not recorded in various books. It mainly treats pathogenic qi from *chuanshen guizhu* and *shi hui* (long-standing, hardened roundworms). Take it, decoct in water for oral administration, and after finishing, return it to its original place.

Note: Sirenzhen refers to the occipital bone. When ghostly pathogens invade the human body, they cannot be attacked by herbs or minerals. Using Sirenzhen follows the principle of "guiding by similarity" (using similar entities to guide). Shi Hui refers to long-standing roundworms. After medical treatment forms an accumulation, the roundworms become hard and cannot be cured by medicinal agents, so ghostly objects are needed to drive them away. Returning it to its original place immediately after use serves two purposes: first, to provide a dwelling for the pathogenic qi of *guizhu*; second, not to harm ghosts while treating humans. In ancient times, divine physicians such as Xu Sibai and Liu Dayong used this method with frequent success.

Sweet in flavor, slightly cold in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Lung and Kidney meridians. It mainly greatly tonifies deficiency and fatigue, excels at clearing toxic heat, promotes urination, eliminates edema, reduces distension and fullness, benefits the viscera, resolves carbuncles and swellings, and stabilizes fright and epilepsy. Green-headed ducks can also be used medicinally; white-eyed ducks can cause death. Avoid consuming turtle and鳖 (soft-shelled turtle) meat.

Note: The color of the Lung corresponds to White, and the color of the Kidney corresponds to Black. The black-beaked white duck is suitable for entering these two meridians. If the Lung and Kidney receive tonification, it is indeed a celestial prescription for treating consumptive diseases. If boiled and taken with child’s urine, its efficacy cannot be fully described.

Sweet in flavor, slightly warm in nature, slightly toxic. Enters the five Zang organs and various meridians. It mainly treats emaciation due to deficiency, fractures and injuries, carbuncles and sores, as well as malignant Qi in the heart and abdomen. It can also calm the fetus, but excessive consumption generates Fire and stirs Wind.

Note: Danxi said: Chickens belong to Earth and possess Metal, Wood, and Fire. Thus, what they inherit is only a small amount of Water. Now, obtaining their black feathers and bones indicates that the Five Elements are complete, therefore there is no Zang organ they cannot treat. In the Eight Trigrams, it corresponds to Xun (Wind/Wood); Xun represents Wood, so it can generate Fire; it is also associated with Wind, so it can stir Wind. Rihua Zi believed it could dispel wind-dampness and numbness, which does not accord with reason.