虫由湿热郁蒸以生，（或杂食生冷，肥甘浓味停滞，或五脏劳热，病后气血郁积。
凡可以致湿热者，皆
能生虫，不必过餐鱼脍白酒，误啖鳖苋水蛭乃然也。）观日中有雨，则禾节生虫可见。
《玄珠》云∶
虫得风木之气乃生，得雨气乃化。盖风木气温，雨气湿，其为湿热所生无疑。《千金
要方》云∶虫有九，皆能食人脏腑。一曰伏虫，长四分，群虫之主也。一曰蛔虫，
长一尺或五六寸，生发多则贯心而杀人。一曰白虫，长一寸，（故名寸白虫。）子孙相生，
其母转大，长至四五丈，（《准绳》作相连长一丈。）能杀人。（子和云∶头偏小，因饮白酒，
以桑枝贯牛肉
炙食，或食生粟，或食生鱼后即饮乳酪所生，发动则损人精气，腰脚疼。）一曰肉虫，
状如烂杏，令人烦
满。一曰肺虫，状如蚕，令人咳嗽。一曰胃虫，状如虾蟆，令人呕吐，胃逆喜
哕。一曰弱虫，又名膈虫，状如瓜瓣，令人多唾。一曰赤虫，状如生肉，令人肠鸣。
一曰蛲虫，至细微，形如菜虫，居广肠中，能为痔漏、疮癞、疥癣等患。人不必尽
有，有亦不必尽多。《本事方》云∶心虫曰蛔，（即 。）脾虫曰寸白，肾虫如寸截丝缕，
（即蛲虫也。）肝虫如烂杏，肺虫如蚕，皆能杀人。肺虫居肺叶内，蚀肺系，成瘵疾咯
血声嘶，药所不到，治之为难。又有尸虫，与人俱生，状如马尾，或如薄筋，根据脾而
居，乃有头尾，皆长三寸。
虫证，心嘈腹痛，或上攻心如咬，（虫动则心慌乱不宁，故嘈杂。虫窜动咬
啮则腹痛也。）呕吐
涎沫清水或青黄水，（虫多在胃中，胃气被虫扰动，则津液随气壅泛也。《经》谓∶
虫动则胃缓，胃缓则廉泉
开，故流涎。谓胃气为虫所滞，不能行其津液，故上泛而从廉泉穴出耳。）面色痿黄，
（胃脉上面，胃因虫病虚弱，
故痿悴之黄色见于面也。）或乍赤乍白乍青黑，（青黑为痛色，白为少血色，赤为火色。
虫扰动无常，痛甚则
面色青黑；气血滞于内，不上行则面无血色；久滞忽通，火得上伸，则赤也。）或面有白斑，
（胃中蚀痕斑驳，故
面亦应之而成斑，若影之肖形然。）唇常红，（脾血因热滞，故色见于唇。）或生疮如粟米，（
《准绳》谓∶虫蚀
下部为狐，下唇有疮∶蚀上部为惑，上唇有疮。按狐惑之名，本《金匮》，谓蚀于喉，声
嗄为惑；蚀下部，咽
干为狐。《金鉴》谓∶狐即下疳，蚀烂肛门与下阴；惑即牙疳，蚀咽、腐龈、脱牙、穿腮、
破唇。按牙疳、
下疳，皆湿热病也。）或沉默欲眠，卧起不安，不欲饮食，恶闻食臭，（虫闻食臭即动，动
则令人心
烦，故不欲食、恶闻食臭。）饥则痛，得食痛更甚，（虫饥动而求食，又虫争食而乱动也。）
饱即安，（虫饱
即不动矣。）时痛时止，以手拊击即息，（一人心腹痛，百药不效，惟手捶即止，以捶则震动，
虫惊畏而止
也，不捶又作，取虫而愈。）腹大有青筋，或腹中有块耕起，下利黑血，（小儿疳热生虫，土
败木克，故
青筋见腹；血败故利黑血也。）体有寒热，（气滞于里则恶寒，滞久暴伸于外则发热。）
脉洪而大，（腹痛脉当沉
弱，今反洪大，乃湿热生虫之象。）皆其候也。
治诸虫法，常以白筵草沐浴佳，根、叶皆可用。草既香，且为尸虫所畏也。
虫在腹中，月上旬头向上，中旬横之，下旬向下。观牛马生子，上旬生者行在
母前，中旬生者并母而行，下旬生者后随之。猫食鼠，上旬食上段，中旬食中段，
下旬食下段，皆自然之理。故治虫须于上旬用药。（一云∶初一至初五，虫头向上。一云∶
初一至
初三。一云∶肺虫惟初四、初六，头向上，用獭爪为末调药。）若急不能待，可忍饥
一日，使虫饿，
于五更时，先嚼炙猪肉，咽津而勿食，使虫闻香则头向上，然后服杀虫之药。（或用药
末搅鸡蛋煎食。）诸杀虫药皆苦，惟榧子、使君子甘，小儿疳虫，煨使君与食，以其壳煎
汤送下，甚妙。鹤虱、雷丸、芜荑、苦楝根、槟榔、锡灰等，皆杀虫之品，锡灰为最。
毛景得奇疾，每语，喉中必有物声相应。有道人教令诵《本草》药名，至蓝而
默然，遂取蓝捩汁饮之，少顷吐出肉块长一寸余，人形悉具，自后无声。陈正敏
斋间览载杨 得异病，每发言应答，腹中有小声效之，数年间其声浸大。有
道人见而惊曰∶此应声虫也，久不治延及妻子。令读《本草》，至雷丸虫无声，乃顿服
之，遂愈。赵子山苦寸白虫，医者戒云是疾当止酒，而以素所耽嗜，欲罢不能，一
夕醉归寓已夜半，口干咽燥，仓卒无汤饮，适廊庑下有瓮水，月色下照，莹然可掬，
即酌而饮之，其甘如饴，连饮数酌，乃就寝。迨晓，虫出盈席，觉心腹顿宽，宿疾
遂愈。验视，乃织草履者浸红藤根水也。吴少师尝得疾，数月间肌肉消瘦，每日
饮食下咽，少时腹如万虫攒攻，且痒且痛。张锐切脉，戒云∶明日早且忍饥，勿啖
一物。锐取黄土一盂，温酒一升，投土搅其内，出药百粒。饮之，觉肠胃掣痛，几
不堪忍，须臾暴下如倾，秽恶斗许，有蚂蝗千余，宛转盘结。锐曰∶虫入人肝脾里，
势须滋生，此虫喜酒，又久不得土味，乘饥毕集，故一药能洗空之耳。蔡定夫之子
苦寸白为 ，医者使之碾槟榔细末，取石榴东引根煎汤调服之。先炙肥猪肉一大
脔，置口中，嚼咀其津膏而勿食。云∶此虫惟月三日以前其头向上，可用药攻
打，余日即头向下，纵有药皆无益。虫闻肉香，故空群争赴之，觉胸中如万箭
攒攻，是其候也。然后饮前药。蔡悉如其戒，不两刻，腹中雷鸣，急登厕，虫下如
倾。命仆以杖挑拨，皆联绵成串，几长数丈，尚蠕动，举而抛于溪流，宿患顿愈。
患此者，虽羸弱必先去虫，后以和平之剂调之。（即此可为一切虚中有实，先攻后补
之例。）暗者只用滋补，甚且谓虫为脏寒所生，妄加热药，可哂也。
虫是由湿热郁结蒸腾而产生的，（或者因为杂食生冷、肥甘厚味停滞体内，或者五脏劳损发热，病后气血郁积。凡是能导致湿热的因素，都能生虫，并不一定是因为过量吃鱼脍白酒，或误食鳖、苋菜、水蛭才会这样。）看太阳中有雨，禾苗节上生虫就可以推知了。《玄珠》说：虫得到风木之气才生成，得到雨气才变化。大概风木之气属温，雨气属湿，它们由湿热所生是毫无疑问的。《千金要方》说：虫有九种，都能吃人脏腑。第一种叫伏虫，长四分，是群虫的首领。第二种叫蛔虫，长一尺或五六寸，数量多时会贯穿心脏而杀人。第三种叫白虫，长一寸，（所以叫寸白虫。）子孙相生，其母体逐渐变大，长达四五丈，（《准绳》作相连长一丈。）能杀人。（张子和说：头偏小，是因为喝白酒，用桑枝穿牛肉烤着吃，或者吃生粟米，或者吃生鱼后立即喝乳酪所生，发作时损伤人的精气，腰脚疼痛。）第四种叫肉虫，形状像烂杏，让人烦闷胀满。第五种叫肺虫，形状像蚕，让人咳嗽。第六种叫胃虫，形状像蛤蟆，让人呕吐，胃气上逆喜欢打嗝。第七种叫弱虫，又名膈虫，形状像瓜瓣，让人多唾沫。第八种叫赤虫，形状像生肉，让人肠鸣。第九种叫蛲虫，非常细微，形状像菜虫，居住在广肠中，能引起痔疮、漏管、疮癞、疥癣等疾病。人不一定都有虫，有也不一定很多。《本事方》说：心虫叫蛔，（即蛔虫。）脾虫叫寸白，肾虫像截断的丝线，（即蛲虫。）肝虫像烂杏，肺虫像蚕，都能杀人。肺虫居住在肺叶内，侵蚀肺系，形成虚劳咯血、声音嘶哑，药物难以到达，治疗很困难。又有尸虫，与人同时出生，形状像马尾，或者像薄筋，依附在脾脏居住，有头尾，都长三寸。
虫证，心中嘈杂腹痛，或者向上攻冲心如被咬，（虫动则心慌不宁，所以嘈杂。虫窜动咬啮则腹痛。）呕吐涎沫清水或青黄水，（虫多在胃中，胃气被虫扰动，则津液随气壅泛。《内经》说：虫动则胃缓，胃缓则廉泉穴开，所以流涎。说是胃气被虫阻滞，不能运行津液，所以上泛从廉泉穴流出。）面色萎黄，（胃脉上行于面，胃因虫病虚弱，所以憔悴的黄色见于面部。）或者脸色忽红忽白忽青黑，（青黑为痛色，白为少血色，赤为火色。虫扰动无常，痛甚则面色青黑；气血滞于内，不上行则面无血色；久滞忽通，火得上伸，则变红。）或者脸上有白斑，（胃中被虫蚀痕斑驳，所以脸也相应而成斑，像影子模仿形体一样。）嘴唇常红，（脾血因热滞留，所以颜色见于唇。）或者生疮像粟米，《准绳》说：虫蚀下部为狐，下唇有疮；蚀上部为惑，上唇有疮。按狐惑之名，本于《金匮》，说蚀于喉，声音嘶哑为惑；蚀下部，咽干为狐。《医宗金鉴》说：狐即下疳，蚀烂肛门与下阴；惑即牙疳，蚀咽、腐龈、脱牙、穿腮、破唇。按牙疳、下疳，都是湿热病。）或者沉默想睡，卧起不安，不想饮食，厌恶闻食物气味，（虫闻到食物气味就动，动则令人心烦，所以不欲食、恶闻食臭。）饿了就痛，吃了东西痛更厉害，（虫饿而动求食，又虫争食而乱动。）饱了就安静，（虫饱就不动了。）时痛时止，用手拍打就停止，（有一人心腹痛，百药无效，只有手捶才止，因为捶打震动，虫惊畏而停止，不捶又发作，驱虫后痊愈。）腹部有大青筋，或者腹中有块状物耕起，下利黑血，（小儿疳热生虫，土败木克，所以青筋见腹；血败故利黑血。）身体有寒热，（气滞于里则恶寒，滞久暴伸于外则发热。）脉洪大，（腹痛脉应当沉弱，现在反洪大，是湿热生虫的现象。）都是它的征候。
治疗各种虫的方法，常用白筵草沐浴很好，根、叶都可以用。草既香，且为尸虫所畏惧。虫在腹中，月上旬头向上，中旬横之，下旬向下。看牛马生子，上旬生的走在母前，中旬生的并母而行，下旬生的随后跟着。猫吃鼠，上旬吃上段，中旬吃中段，下旬吃下段，都是自然之理。所以治虫须在月上旬用药。（一说：初一至初五，虫头向上。一说：初一至初三。一说：肺虫只在初四、初六，头向上，用獭爪研末调药。）如果急迫不能等待，可以忍饥一日，使虫饥饿，在五更时，先嚼炙猪肉，咽津而不吃，使虫闻到香味则头向上，然后服杀虫的药。（或用药物粉末搅鸡蛋煎食。）各种杀虫药都苦，只有榧子、使君子甜，小儿疳虫，煨使君子给吃，用它的壳煎汤送下，很妙。鹤虱、雷丸、芜荑、苦楝根、槟榔、锡灰等，都是杀虫的药物，锡灰最厉害。
毛景得怪病，每次说话，喉中必有物体声相应。有道教的人教他诵读《本草》药名，读到“蓝”字时沉默不语，于是取蓝草拧汁饮用，一会儿吐出肉块长一寸多，人形具备，从此没有声音。陈正敏斋间阅读记载杨得异病的事，每次发言应答，腹中有小声效法，几年间那声音渐渐变大。有道教的人看见惊讶地说：这是应声虫，长久不治会延及妻子儿女。让他读《本草》，读到“雷丸”时虫无声，于是顿服之，随即痊愈。赵子山苦于寸白虫，医生告诫说这个病应当戒酒，但他因为平时嗜好，想停不能停，一天晚上醉归寓所已是半夜，口干咽燥，仓促无汤饮，恰好廊庑下有瓮水，月光下照，晶莹可捧，就舀来喝，甘甜如饴，连喝几口，就去睡觉。等到天亮，虫子出来铺满席子，觉得心腹顿时宽松，宿疾遂愈。检验发现，那是编织草鞋的人浸泡红藤根的水。吴少师曾经得病，几个月间肌肉消瘦，每天饮食下咽，不久腹中像万虫攒集攻击，又痒又痛。张锐切脉，告诫说：明天早晨且忍饥，不要吃任何东西。张锐取黄土一盂，温酒一升，投入土搅拌其中，取出药百粒。让他喝下，觉得肠胃掣痛，几乎不堪忍受，片刻后暴泻如倾，秽恶斗许，有蚂蝗千余条，宛转盘结。张锐说：虫进入人肝脾里，势必滋生，这种虫喜欢酒，又久不得土味，乘饥毕集，所以一药能洗空它罢了。蔡定夫的儿子苦于寸白虫变成蛔虫，医生让他碾槟榔细末，取石榴东引根煎汤调服。先炙肥猪肉一大块，放在口中，咀嚼其津膏而不吃。说：这种虫只在月初三日以前头向上，可用药攻打，其余日子即头向下，纵有药也无益。虫闻到肉香，所以空群争赴之，觉得胸中像万箭攒集攻击，就是它的征候。然后喝前面的药。蔡完全听从医生的告诫，不到两刻钟，腹中雷鸣，急忙上厕所，虫子下来如倾泻。命令仆人用棍棒挑拨，都连绵成串，几乎长数丈，还在蠕动，举起来抛入溪流，宿患顿时痊愈。患此病的人，虽然羸弱也必须先去虫，后用平和的药剂调理。（这就是一切虚中有实，先攻后补的例子。）愚昧的人只用滋补，甚至说虫是脏寒所生，妄加温热药，可笑啊。
Worms are generated by the stagnation and steaming of damp-heat. (This can also result from miscellaneous consumption of cold and raw foods, or the retention of rich and greasy flavors, or internal heat due to five zang organs' overwork, or qi and blood accumulation after illness. Any factor that causes damp-heat can generate worms; it is not necessary to have overconsumed fish sashimi and white wine, or mistakenly eaten softshell turtle, amaranth, or leeches for this to occur.) Observing that rain in the sun leads to worms growing on rice stalk joints illustrates this principle. *Xuanzhu* states: "Worms are born when they receive the qi of wind and wood, and transform when they receive the qi of rain." Since the qi of wind and wood is warm, and the qi of rain is damp, their generation from damp-heat is unquestionable. *Qianjin Yaofang* states: There are nine types of worms, all capable of consuming the human viscera. The first is called Fuchong (Hidden Worm), measuring four fen, which is the leader of the swarm. The second is Hui Chong (Roundworm), measuring one chi or five to six cun; if numerous, it can pierce the heart and cause death. The third is Bai Chong (White Worm), measuring one cun (hence also called Cunbai Chong); its offspring multiply continuously, with the mother worm growing larger, reaching lengths of four to five zhang (*Zhunsuo* records them as connected, one zhang long), capable of causing death. (Zihehe stated: They have a smaller head, caused by drinking white wine, eating beef roasted on mulberry branches, eating raw millet, or drinking milk/cheese immediately after eating raw fish. When activated, they damage the body's essence and qi, causing lower back and leg pain.) The fourth is Rou Chong (Flesh Worm), resembling rotten apricots, causing irritability and fullness. The fifth is Fei Chong (Lung Worm), resembling silkworms, causing coughing. The sixth is Wei Chong (Stomach Worm), resembling a toad, causing vomiting and stomach qi rebellion with belching. The seventh is Ruo Chong (Weak Worm), also known as Ge Chong (Diaphragm Worm), resembling melon seeds, causing excessive salivation. The eighth is Chi Chong (Red Worm), resembling raw meat, causing borborygmus. The ninth is Tiao Chong (Pinworm), extremely minute, resembling vegetable worms, residing in the Guangchang (large intestine), capable of causing hemorrhoids, fistulas, sores, scabies, and tinea. Not everyone has worms, and those who do may not have many. *Benshi Fang* states: The Heart worm is Hui (Roundworm); the Spleen worm is Cunbai; the Kidney worm resembles cut silk threads (Pinworm); the Liver worm resembles rotten apricots; the Lung worm resembles silkworms; all can cause death. Lung worms reside within the lung lobes, eroding the lung system, leading to consumptive disease with hemoptysis and hoarseness; medicines cannot easily reach them, making treatment difficult. There is also Shichong (Corpse Worm), born with humans, resembling a horse's tail or thin tendons, residing attached to the Spleen, having heads and tails, all three cun long.
Worm syndromes present with epigastric discomfort and abdominal pain, or upward attacking pain feeling like biting in the heart region. (When worms move, the heart becomes flustered and restless, causing epigastric discomfort. When worms crawl and bite, abdominal pain occurs.) Vomiting of saliva, clear water, or green/yellow fluid. (Worms often reside in the stomach; stomach qi disturbed by worms causes fluids to overflow with qi. *Neijing* states: "When worms move, the stomach relaxes; when the stomach relaxes, the Lianquan acupoint opens, causing drooling." This means stomach qi is stagnant due to worms, unable to transport fluids, so they overflow upwards from the Lianquan acupoint.) Withered yellow complexion. (The Stomach meridian ascends to the face; weakness of the Stomach due to worms manifests as a withered yellow color on the face.) Or sudden changes in complexion to red, white, blue-black. (Blue-black indicates pain; white indicates lack of blood color; red indicates fire. Worm movement is unpredictable; severe pain causes blue-black complexion; qi and blood stagnating internally fail to ascend, resulting in pale face; prolonged stagnation suddenly clearing allows fire to rise, resulting in redness.) Or white spots on the face. (Erosion marks in the stomach correspond to spots on the face, like a shadow mimicking form.) Lips often red. (Spleen blood stagnates due to heat, manifesting color on the lips.) Or sores appearing like millet grains. (*Zhunsuo* states: Erosion of the lower part is Hu, with sores on the lower lip; erosion of the upper part is Huo, with sores on the upper lip. According to *Jinkui*, Huo refers to erosion of the throat with hoarseness; Hu refers to erosion of the lower part with dry throat. *Yizong Jinjian* states: Hu corresponds to chancre, eroding the anus and genitals; Huo corresponds to noma, eroding the pharynx, rotting gums, loosening teeth, perforating cheeks, and breaking lips. Noma and chancre are both damp-heat diseases.) Or silence and desire to sleep, restlessness in lying down and rising, loss of appetite, aversion to the smell of food. (Worms move upon smelling food, causing mental distress, hence loss of appetite and aversion to food smells.) Pain when hungry, worsening after eating. (Hunger causes worms to move seeking food, and competition for food causes chaotic movement.) Relief when full. (Worms stop moving when full.) Intermittent pain relieved by percussion. (A case of cardiac-abdominal pain unresponsive to drugs was relieved only by beating, as vibration startles and stops the worms; removing the worms cured it.) Prominent blue veins on the abdomen, or palpable masses rising in the abdomen, passage of black blood. (In children, gan heat generates worms; earth failure and wood overacting lead to visible blue veins on the abdomen; blood degradation leads to black stool.) Alternating chills and fever. (Qi stagnating internally causes chills; prolonged stagnation suddenly extending outward causes fever.) Surging and large pulse. (Abdominal pain typically presents with deep and weak pulses; surging and large pulses here indicate damp-heat generating worms.) These are all signs of worm syndromes.
To treat various worms, bathing with Baiyan Cao (Artemisia argyi) is beneficial; both roots and leaves can be used. The herb is fragrant and feared by corpse worms. Regarding the position of worms in the abdomen: in the first ten days of the lunar month, the head points up; in the middle ten days, it is horizontal; in the last ten days, it points down. Observing cattle and horses giving birth: those born in the first ten days walk ahead of the mother; those in the middle ten days walk alongside; those in the last ten days follow behind. Cats eating mice: in the first ten days they eat the upper segment; in the middle ten days, the middle segment; in the last ten days, the lower segment. This is natural law. Therefore, anti-worm medication should be administered in the first ten days of the month. (One theory says: 1st to 5th day, head up. Another says: 1st to 3rd day. Another says: For Lung worms, only on the 4th and 6th days is the head up; use dried otter claw powder mixed with medicine.) If urgent waiting is impossible, fast for one day to starve the worms. At Wu Geng (3-5 AM), chew roasted pork, swallow saliva but do not eat the meat, enticing the worms to raise their heads towards the fragrance, then administer anti-worm medicine. (Alternatively, mix drug powder into fried eggs.) Most anti-worm herbs are bitter; only Feizi (Persimmon Seed) and Shijunzi (Quinine Seed) are sweet. For pediatric gan worms, roast Shijunzi for consumption, or decoct its shell for administration, which is excellent. Leser, Leiwan, Wuyi, Kulian Gen (Melia Root), Binglang (Areca Nut), Xihui (Tin Ash), etc., are all anti-worm agents, with Tin Ash being the most potent.
Mao Jing suffered from a strange disease where his throat echoed every word he spoke. A Daoist priest instructed him to recite materia medica names until he fell silent at "Lan" (Isatis). He then drank juice extracted from Isatis, shortly thereafter vomiting out a piece of flesh over one cun long, complete with human features, after which the echoing ceased. Chen Zhengmin read in his study about Yang De's異病 (abnormal illness): whenever he spoke or answered, a small voice in his abdomen imitated him. Over several years, the voice grew louder. A Daoist priest saw this and exclaimed, "This is an Echoing Worm. Untreated, it will spread to his wife and children." He instructed him to read the materia medica; when he reached "Leiwan," the worm became silent. He took it immediately and recovered. Zhao Zishan suffered from Cunbai worms. His doctor advised abstaining from alcohol, but due to his addiction, he could not quit. One night, returning drunk past midnight, he had dry mouth and throat. Lacking tea, he found a jar of water in the corridor, clear under the moonlight, and drank it. It tasted sweet as syrup. After several cups, he slept. By morning, worms covered the mat, his chest and abdomen felt relaxed, and the chronic ailment was cured. Inspection revealed the water was from soaking Hongteng Gen (Sargentodoxa Root) used by straw sandal weavers. Minister Wu Shaoshi once fell ill, wasting away over months. Shortly after swallowing food, his abdomen felt attacked by thousands of worms, itching and painful. Zhang Rui diagnosed the pulse and warned: "Fast tomorrow morning, consume nothing." Zhang Rui took a bowl of yellow soil, added one sheng of warm wine, stirred in the soil, and extracted a hundred pills. Upon ingestion, intestinal cramping pain was unbearable, followed by violent diarrhea, expelling foul matter and over a thousand leech-like worms coiled together. Zhang Rui said, "Worms entering the liver and spleen inevitably multiply. These worms prefer wine and have been deprived of earth flavor for long. Starving them gathers them all, so one dose can cleanse them." Cai Dingfu's son suffered from Cunbai worms transforming into roundworms. The doctor instructed him to grind Binglang fine, decoct the eastern root of Pomegranate bark, and take with the powder. First, chew a large piece of fatty roasted pork, extracting saliva without swallowing, to attract the worms. The doctor explained, "These worms only have heads pointing up before the 3rd day of the lunar month; otherwise, heads point down, rendering medicine useless. Smelling pork fat, they swarm towards it. Feeling like arrows piercing the chest indicates success." Then drink the medicine. Cai followed instructions strictly. Within two quarters of an hour, borborygmus sounded, and he rushed to the toilet, expelling worms profusely. Servants prodded them with sticks; they formed continuous strands nearly several zhang long, still wriggling. Thrown into a stream, the chronic ailment was instantly cured. For patients with this condition, even if emaciated, worms must be expelled first, followed by harmonizing tonics. (This serves as an example for treating deficiency with excess: attack first, tonify later.) Ignorant practitioners use only tonification, or absurdly claim worms are born from cold viscera, recklessly adding hot herbs, which is laughable.