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[Zhuzhen (Pearl)]
The taste is unverified; the nature is cold and non-toxic; it enters the Heart Meridian. It primarily treats "ni lu" (swelling and protrusion of skin on hands and feet), calms the Heart, moistens the complexion, relieves thirst, descends phlegm, removes corneal membranes when applied to the eyes, cures deafness when inserted into the ears, induces labor to expel dead fetuses, and also treats pediatric convulsions, heat diseases, and epilepsy. Only pearls that have not been drilled should be used. They must be ground into fine powder, sifted, and then ground twenty thousand times before use.
Commentary: Pearl is conceived from the essence of water; it specializes in restraining Fire. Due to its heavy nature, it enters the Heart Meridian. If not ground finely enough, it will damage the Zang-Fu organs; harm will follow before efficacy is achieved.
Lei Gong said: One must select clean and fresh pearls, store them in a silk bag. Then, take four liang each of Diyu (Sanguisorbae Radix), Wujia Pi (Acanthopanacis Cortex), and Wufang Cao (Hedyotis diffusa or similar herb), finely chopped. Wrap the pearl in these three herbs, boil in rice vinegar/water for three days and nights, ensuring the fire does not go out. Upon completion, remove and wash thoroughly with Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) decoction. Then pound in a mortar, sieve repeatedly through silk gauze, and grind another twenty thousand times. Any pearl used must not be broken or perforated.

[Shijueming (Haliotidis Concha)]
The taste is salty; the nature is neutral and non-toxic; it enters the Liver Meridian. It treats "qing mang" (blindness due to wind-heat) and internal cataracts, bone-steaming consumptive fever, and benefits essence with long-term use. Those with nine or seven holes are superior. Wrap in flour and roast until cooked, rub off the outer black layer and coarse skin, pound into pieces, and further grind in a mortar until extremely fine. Shan Tao (Prunus armeniaca var. ansu seed) is strictly contraindicated.
Commentary: Shijueming originates from aquatic life; it nourishes Wood (Liver) and restrains Yang brightness (eyes/light). Thus, it uniquely enters the Liver Home and is an essential herb for ophthalmology. It is named "Jue Ming" (Resolving Brightness), as Danxi stated, named after its function.
Lei Gong said: When preparing Shijueming, first remove the coarse outer skin. Boil in salt and east-flowing water in a large porcelain vessel for one "fu shi" (approx. 2 hours). Remove, dry, pound into powder, and grind until powdery. Then place in a pot, wash three times with east-flowing water, sun-dry, and grind ten thousand times. The dosage for medicinal use can reach ten liang. Shan Tao must never be consumed, as it causes blindness. For every five liang processed, use half a portion of salt. For the second washing, use Diyu, Wujia Pi, and Ejiao (Colla Corii Asini) each in amounts of ten liang.

[Guijia (Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum)]
The taste is salty and sweet; the nature is neutral and non-toxic; it enters the Heart, Spleen, and Liver meridians. It treats Yin deficiency insufficiency, bone-steaming consumptive fever, masses and malaria, five types of hemorrhoids and genital erosion, heaviness and weakness of the four limbs, blood bi and paralytic wind disorders, dysentery before and after childbirth, heart and abdominal pain due to fright and anger, recurrence of typhoid after recovery, severe chills and fever approaching death, unclosed fontanelles in children, head sores, red and white leukorrhea in women, and vaginal itching. It drives out blood stasis, reconnects bones and sinews, induces labor, and enhances intelligence. Naturally deceased turtle shells are better; use after roasting with su (butter/ghee). Gui Niao (Turtle urine) treats chronic deafness and cough, and interrupts malaria. All parts fear Gou Dan (Canis Gallus Bile) and are inimical to Shashen (Adenophorae Radix) and Feilian (Blattariae).
Commentary: Guijia is born from the Qi of Ren and Gui (Water); its ability to tonify Yin is very rapid. The Heart governs Blood, the Liver stores Blood, and the Spleen envelops Blood; thus, it enters these three meridians. Symptoms like bone-steaming are all caused by Yin deficiency; using this to treat them is appropriate. To obtain turtle urine, place the turtle in a porcelain vessel and shine a mirror upon it. Seeing its reflection triggers mating behavior and urination. There is another type called "She Snake Turtle" with a broken center, which is unsuitable for consumption. Fresh meat pounded and applied is best for snake venom. Damaged shells and naturally dead turtles, though flesh is rotten, retain their full medicinal properties and qi, thus doubling their efficacy. The *Ben Jing* considers shells drilled by diviners to be superior, which is likely incorrect. Drilled shells are merely scorched black; how do they differ from raw ones? Why preserve them for long? The term "damaged" is emphasized to instruct people properly.