典藏书目

Pi (Hedgehog Skin), bitter in taste, neutral in qi nature, non-toxic. It primarily treats bleeding from the large intestine caused by the five types of hemorrhoids (five categories of anal hemorrhages), regulates various hernia pains radiating to the lower abdomen, treats rebellious stomach qi, stops epistaxis (nosebleed), opens the appetite, eliminates hemorrhoids, relieves abdominal distension and pain, dispels swelling and pain in the yin region, and serves as an auxiliary medicinal material.
One asked: When eating the flesh of Ciwei (Hedgehog), the bones should be removed. If one mistakenly consumes its bones, causing emaciation and weakness, with joints gradually shrinking, is this true? The response was: Alas! Any mistaken consumption of bones causes emaciation, not just hedgehog bones alone.

Que Lv (Sparrow Egg), sour in taste, warm in qi nature, non-toxic. It benefits male sexual function, facilitates firmness and erection, and when used regularly, helps secure and close essence retention. It is a miraculous medicine for tonifying yin and supporting yang. However, it must be combined with Renshen (Ginseng Root), Baizhu (Atractylodes Rhizome), Duzhong (Eucommia Bark), and Chuangzizi (Cnidium Fruit) to be effective; otherwise, it remains merely ordinary.
The yang-benefiting property of Que Lv lies in its "excessive vital energy." Yet, sparrow eggs are very small; taking too many harms life and is not the way to prolong life and continue the lineage. If used out of necessity, one must not exhaust day and night efforts to use it frequently simply because it promotes yang and secures essence, as this violates the taboos of natural creation.

Shu Gu (Rat Bone), specifically the spinal bone, burned to charcoal while retaining its nature, can be used to rub teeth to promote regrowth. However, it must be assisted by Shudi (Prepared Rehmannia Root), Yushupi (Elm Bark), Danggui (Angelica Sinensis), Qingyan (Rock Salt), Gouqizi (Goji Berry), Gusuibu (Drynaria Rhizome), Xixin (Asarum Root), and Meishizi (Myrobalan) to be effective.
Shu Dan (Rat Gallbladder), dropped into the ear, produces immediate results. However, extracting the gallbladder is difficult; the rat must be tamed and kept until docile, then suddenly killed while unaware to extract the bile; otherwise, no bile is obtained.
Shu Dan treats deafness. I personally witnessed treating a child by dripping bile into the ear. The child felt intense itching, and suddenly a worm emerged, half an cun long, with four legs, covered in scales, pure white in color. This worm is called Huan Er Chong (Ring-Ear Worm), which feeds on human marrow. (Commentary: This worm does not enter from outside but is generated internally.) Fortunately, the child recovered quickly with timely treatment; otherwise, if the worm entered the brain, it would cause splitting headaches and become a lifelong ailment. Given such swift efficacy of Rat Gallbladder for deafness, I record this.
One asked: Rat bone generating teeth has been tested by some without success. Various Bencao texts praise its merit, yet you also echo this view. Why?
The response was: Rat bone truly can generate teeth, but people use it incorrectly. When catching rats, one must refrain from making noise; similarly upon capture. Keep them for several days so they do not fear humans. When killing them suddenly, do not speak. Remove skin and take the bones, process with fire for medicinal use. When rubbing teeth, do not speak either. Naturally, frequent rubbing will lead to frequent tooth growth. To blame Rat Bone for failing to grow teeth is erroneous. Rats are timid by nature; their gnawing occurs when unnoticed. Thus, their medicinal efficacy cannot be allowed to be perceived. Moreover, rats are clever; hearing human voices makes them motionless. Teeth connect to bones; speaking opens the teeth. If teeth move, the nature of Rat Bone does not travel to the teeth, so how can it generate teeth? (Commentary: This seems pedantic, but the principle is profound.)