典藏书目

Shegong, also known by two other names: Duanhu (Short Fox) and Xidu (Stream Poison). This insect resembles a beetle and possesses a long horn protruding horizontally from its mouth like the stock of a crossbow. The tip of this horn curves upward like a drawn bowstring. It uses breath as an arrow and exploits water currents to shoot at humans. When shooting, one may hear a "bi-bi" sound it makes in the water. If the water submerges its mouth, the toxicity upon striking a person is slower; however, during the seventh and eighth lunar months, its poison is most potent, causing rapid onset of symptoms upon infection. By the eighth and ninth months, with the arrival of cold dew and slight frost, its toxicity declines, ceasing entirely by the tenth month. This insect fears geese, which can eat it; upon hearing goose sounds, it dares not approach. If water surfaces carry the sound of geese bathing, or if goose feces and feathers float downstream, the insect flees immediately. When boating into streams, it is advisable to bring geese along; those living near mountain streams should raise white geese. Anyone entering mountain streams for logging or gathering should carry goose droppings and wear goose feathers to ward off the poison. This insect has acute hearing but poor vision. Therefore, anyone fetching water, bathing, or wading through stream sources should throw wooden stones into the water from a distance to create noise. Hearing the sound, the insect will shoot falsely, expelling its poison. One should throw widely to both sides until the insect has exhausted its venom before crossing the stream. These insects are abundant in mountain sources. During heavy rains and floods, they drift with the water into households or settle in small puddles formed in cattle and horse tracks on roads. People walking on land often fail to notice them, especially when they float down with firewood, bamboo, or timber. Unaware of the danger, victims may treat the resulting illness incorrectly, leading to fatal errors.

Initial symptoms after being shot by Shegong include alternating chills and fever, aversion to cold, [unclear term 'chui'], muscle spasms and rigidity, headache, and eye pain. The presentation resembles Taiyang disease (exterior syndrome affecting the Taiyang channel) or Zhongshi (sudden collapse due to pathogenic invasion), accompanied by aphonia. Symptoms may slightly improve in the morning but worsen significantly in the late afternoon, characterized by chills, fever, and mental restlessness. If treated within three to four days of onset, survival is possible; acute cases result in death within seven days, while chronic cases may last up to fourteen days, with a maximum survival time of twenty-one days. Small insects cause mild toxicity and do not immediately form sores, often going unrecognized as Shegong poisoning. Large insects possess fierce toxicity, causing immediate sore formation upon infection. Initial sores may resemble black bean-sized spots, burns, or scalds, or feel like needle pricks. Even where no visible sore appears, or where sores have formed, the flesh contains perforated holes resembling puncture marks from cauterization. Shots landing further away or merely hitting the victim's shadow involve less severe toxicity.

Injuries above the waist, particularly close to the point of impact, are frequently fatal. Injuries below the waist are somewhat less severe. Even if the patient survives, full recovery requires one hundred days. Treatment methods are as follows:

For Shegong poisoning presenting with chills, fever, sores, or localized lesions differing from standard patterns:
Take whole Red Amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor L.), including stems and leaves, crush them, and extract the juice. Administer 7 he (approx. 140ml) per dose, four to five times daily. This refers to the larger variety of red amaranth.

Another prescription:
Decoct Rhinoceros Horn alone for drinking to counteract toxic heat.

Prescription for treating Shegong poisoning:
Take one handful of Guijiu leaf (Podophyllum emodi / Podophyllum hexandrum), soak it in vinegar until wet, then cook, crush, and extract the juice. Administer 1 sheng (approx. 200ml) three times daily.

Another prescription:
Xi Jiao (Rhinocerotis Cornu, Rhinoceros Horn) 2 liang
Wushan Gen (Iris tectorii Radix, Iris Root) 2 liang
Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma, Black Cohosh Rhizome) 3 liang
Coarsely chop these three ingredients. Decoct in 4 sheng (approx. 800ml) of water until reduced to 1.5 sheng (approx. 300ml). Divide into two doses. Take the second dose approximately the time it takes to cook a meal after the first. Prepare and consume another batch if necessary.

Another prescription:
Take Shui Song (Brassica rapa var. pekinensis, Chinese Cabbage), crush and extract the juice. Administer 1 sheng (approx. 200ml) three times daily until cured.

Another prescription:
Take a handful (tiger-mouth grip) of fresh Zhuyu stem and leaves (Corni Fructus stem/leaf). Discard the ends held, retaining only the central portion. Cook, crush, and extract the juice. Decoct in 3 sheng (approx. 600ml) of water until reduced to 1.7 he (approx. 340ml). Take all at once. This yields miraculous effects.

Prescription for Shegong poisoning where sores have already formed:
Take one large Wugong (Centipedae Corpus, Centipede), lightly roast it, and grind into powder. Mix with vinegar and apply topically to the sore. Effective.

Another prescription:
Take one Banmao (Mylabris, Blister Beetle), burn it, grind into powder, mix with vinegar, and apply topically.

Another prescription:
Take Jiezi (Sinapis Semen, Mustard Seed), crush thoroughly, mix with vinegar, and apply thickly to the sore for half a day.

Another prescription:
Take Yelangya leaf (likely referring to a specific local herb, possibly related to Aconitum or similar toxic herbs used externally, literal translation: Wild Wolf Tooth Leaf). In winter, use the root. Crush thoroughly and apply thinly to the affected area. Additionally, drink 4-6 he (approx. 80-120ml) of the juice to prevent internal absorption of the toxin.