典藏书目

[Common Carp Gallbladder] Bitter, cold, non-toxic. Primarily treats redness, swelling, and pain of the eyes due to heat, blindness (Qingmang), and improves vision. Long-term consumption makes the body robust and strengthens willpower and Qi. Carp flesh is sweet in taste; it primarily treats cough with rebellious Qi, jaundice, and relieves thirst. Raw carp flesh treats edema and fullness in the legs, and directs Qi downward. Carp bone treats leukorrhea with red and white discharge in women. Carp teeth treat lithuria (stones in urine). It grows in ponds and marshes of Jiujiang and can be harvested at any time.

The common carp is the leader among fish. Its form is lovely, and it possesses miraculous transformations, even capable of flying over mountains and lakes; thus, Qin Gao rode one. Carps from mountains and water bodies should not be eaten. Furthermore, carps should not be consumed together with small beans (Vigna angularis) and bean leaves. Consuming its roe together with pig liver can also harm the human body.
[Note] Carp bone treats genital erosion and lodged foreign bodies (fish bones). Carp blood treats erysipelas-like swelling in children and sores. Carp skin treats urticaria (Yinzhen). Carp brain treats various forms of epilepsy. Carp intestine treats infantile skin sores.

[Li Fish / Snakehead] Sweet, cold, non-toxic. Primarily treats damp-bi syndrome, edema of the face and eyes, promotes urination to drain excessive water, and treats five types of hemorrhoids. Those with sores should not eat it, as it causes white spots on the skin. Available at any time.
Currently, the character "Li" (鳢) is used. Old texts state it transforms from male oyster snakes, yet it also reproduces naturally. It is extremely difficult to kill and retains snake-like nature. Boiled with small beans, it is very effective for treating swelling and fullness.
[Note] The *Bielu* states: Intestine and liver treat worms in chronic, foul ulcers. Ash from all kinds of fish treats dysphagia/choking.

[Bao Yu / Salted Fish] Pungent, foul-smelling, warm, non-toxic. Primarily treats falls and trauma, leg tendon spasms, fractures, blood stasis, and blood bi syndrome where stagnation persists in the four limbs. It stops metrorrhagia and uterine bleeding that does not cease. Avoid allowing saltiness to penetrate.
The phrase "shop selling Bao Yu" refers to its foul odor. Common people call it "Qi fish" (鮧鱼); the character resembles "Bao," and it is said to be formed by salting. For medicinal use, one should employ those with little salt and a foul smell, though the exact species is uncertain.
Some say those threaded on ropes are also used medicinally, but physicians rarely use them. The current "Bao Yu" is actually the Qi fish, about one chi long. Regarding self-treatment for leaking blood, it is unclear which is authentic?
[Note] This description claims a pungent taste and advises against saltiness, indicating this is Qi fish, not Bao Yu. Qi fish has its intestines removed, is strung on rope, and sun-dried without salt, hence pungent but not salty. Li Dangzhi's Materia Medica also states it is good for dampness in the chest, whereas fatty Bao Yu increases dampness in the chest. Furthermore, the threaded variety removes doubt. Bao Yu, when split, wrapped in salt, and not dried, tastes salty rather than pungent, and becomes wet throughout, causing dampness not just in the chest. Moreover, Qi fish is also foul-smelling, but the odor differs from Bao Yu.
Bao Yu and Qi fish are often mixed and used together. Bao Yu smells like rotting corpses because it is unsalted; Qi fish has a slightly less severe odor due to trace salt. Qi fish is produced in Mianzhou and Fuzhou; other regions are unfamiliar with it.