凡笋皆可浸，惟味苦而艳者尤妙。笋用净刀、净砧板切片、放瓦坛内，用午后水浸之，
不可犯荤、犯嫩糠，水将浸过笋，不可多，后添生笋、则添生水。又按∶国中蛊时，有吃雄
黄、蒜子、菖蒲，同滚水服取吐，再用紫苏、薄荷、笋水同滚水服取泻，吐则上部毒净，泻
则下部毒净，自愈。
受毒者，肚必常叫，如在脏外叫，服解药则在脏内叫。壮俗埋蛇土中，取菌毒人，则人
心昏头眩，笑骂无常。或遇饮酒时，药毒辄发，忿怒凶狠不可制者，名曰癫蛊。照后薄荷汤
四方治之，不用戒色，下条同。
受毒者，肚必常叫。肿蛊者，壮俗谓之放肿。腹大、肚鸣、大便结秘，甚则一耳常塞，
一耳少浓，治方见后苏荷汤四方，若病危甚时，必戒盐荤方效。外用茨菇菜煎水洗之。
疳蛊者，匪人谓之放蛋，又谓之放疳，又谓之放蜂。惟两粤最多。
端午日取蜈蚣与各小蛇、蚂蚁、蝉、蛆、蚓、蜒蚰虫、头发等研末；其人常刻一小五瘟
神像，在房内或箱内奉之，常将毒药置于神前。
若将蛇虫等末放肉菜酒饭内与人吃；亦有放在路上踏着即入人身，则药末粘于肠脏之上
初吃轻则肚略胀、肚微叫，如粥滚状，如欲泻状，而出恭仍结实，头带黑色。
若受药重则肚痛，肚常鸣，毒瓦斯冲上，或鼻内如有一二虫，或耳内如有一虫。卧则肚大
鸣如蛇翻状，出恭渐少，或一日一次，或二日一次，带黑色，出亦不多，人必瘦黑。人或静
坐，头发内如有蚁咬，以手搓之则无。或夜卧静听，面上如有虫行、如发缠、如蚤咬，或肉
忽跳，或身上如蚁咬，或肛门如有小虫、小蛆三四只动，或身上如蚓行，或口旁如有蜒蚰虫
粘上，拭之则无迹可寻。或忽然一手麻极、一脚麻极，或半手麻极，或半脚麻极，此皆药毒
到处使然。
或初受毒不知，至三四日后，或因洗身，或因静坐于外如有蜂飞来咬，静听片刻，身上
如有数十蚁咬者，搓之则气散不见。此必吃着人蛊药。不知者，未有不疑为风症也。
但此蛊药在内，治不得法，断不泻出。其药化一点染在脏腑之上，则药气行于周身，气
到处即如虫咬，非真虫也。气降于肛门，即如虫动、蛆动、气随粪出，非黑即蓝，亦非真虫。
受蛊至七八月，药未化尽，肚鸣不歇，其气冲上如蛇翻状，周身如虫行、蚁咬，顶心发
凉极如有虫出入，肉内如有虫行、蚁行、小蜈蚣行。而蛊家平日所毒死之冤鬼，与其阴蛇阴
虫随而阴附之，病者如闻有飞集之声，而旁人不闻者，一见风则更甚，如虫出入毛孔，鼻门
如有数十虫飞来集，其则下阴、脚底如蚁咬者，此皆药气行于周身，非真虫也。至此时，则
手脚麻木，周身如麻布通风，腠理毛孔皆开，或手指脚趾扯开，或唇掀，或身上肉跳。又加
以肿药，则一耳常满，一耳少焦红浓。又加以癫药，则头眩、心昏、肚胀。又加以闷香，则
面起紫泡。
凡中此蛊者，务宜戒色，若不知戒色，小便一见白浊，则秽毒引入膀胱，变成五疳，则
疳虫先生于下部，此时则实有虫矣。往往以杨梅疮概之，不数月必死。若止知戒色而不知药
方治服，小便虽未见白浊，终死于肿。此皆得之蛊医之言，屡经验者，治法见后苏荷汤四方。
一中疳蛊小便未见白浊，势虽极危，果能持戒，照方服药，无有不愈。或玉茎旁湿烂，
外用槐花一两，白矾二钱，胆草三钱，煎水服之，可也。
一中疳蛊小便未见白浊，周身虽如蚁、蚤行咬，乃药气行走，并无虫也。不必疑惧，同
室之人，任其同卧同餐，断不传染。病者首宜戒色，戒盐荤，戒煎炒，糖食、红枣、甘蔗一
切招疳之物，与一切飞禽、水族、鳞、虫腥物。
一中疳受毒甚者，小便未见白浊，宜食各物（诸中蛊症皆同）∶豆腐、苋菜、蒜、紫苏、
薄荷、笋、马肉（甚妙）、青菜、白菜、姜、青瓜（少吃）、黄瓜（少吃）、白瓜（少吃）、芋
苗、
消肿
者，果
盖毒甚
大肠、
肺、肝
而薄荷
而苏
叶与
茶油
一中疳蛊受毒未至极危，及虽极危既服药月余病渐减，凡辣椒、芹菜（少吃）、萝卜（可
吃，菜叶不可吃）、金针、桐蒿、莴苣、胡椒、醋（少吃）、韭菜、羊肉等物皆可吃，柑、桔
、棠梨、石榴、萝卜、葛、薯、李、荸荠、西瓜、皆可吃。
一凡中疳受药轻者，或见风则面上如蚁行发痒，以手搓之则散，见火烘之则止者。或隔
数日，静听肛门如有三、四小虫动。或时而耳内如有一小蛆跳入，时而鼻内如有一小蛆跳入
，或一手麻极，一脚麻极，一月一次，一月几次。或肚时鸣而出恭结实。或因吃发毒之物，
药气表于外，面上如虱行、如发缠、身上如蚤咬。或以上诸病时有时无者，俱不宜近色。
一疳蛊服解毒、败毒、发毒之药，则大便秘结者，盖药毒在身，逢解药则降下大肠，毒
甚者初出恭黑，次出恭青，次出恭蓝，或出恭有恶物如烂木耳者，此乃身上之恶血随肠脏沥
出也。亦有服药二、三剂而泻血两三日者，病愈更速。盖蛊药在身，其毒瓦斯周流，通身之血
皆黑，服药之后，旧血泻尽，新血自生，不足畏也。亦有服药月余，毒瓦斯大减，时而粪黄、
时而粪转黑或蓝者，盖恶血不泻则粪黄，恶血一泻则粪蓝，恶血一点未净则出恭尚时带蓝色
，然受毒虽极重，根据方持戒，服药至四五个月后，粪虽不能尽黄，开荤近色无妨，但盐与煎
炒尚宜戒之。即不戒亦可，惟鸡鸭宜戒三年，鱼虾等腥物宜戒五年。然粪不至于纯黄，则耳
内、肛门尚有药气出如虫行状，通身或头面上、或发内亦间有药气行动如小蚁咬式，此断不
可疑惧，乃身上之恶血未能净尽故也。但照后方服药。受毒极重者，开荤盐后，其药仍宜常
服；无力者，常将紫苏、薄荷、茨菇菜三味煨水当茶吃可也。但看出恭食物全不变，则不用
服药矣。
一服药将愈之时、一遇食饭、通身发痒，此乃饭气到处，新血与旧血战也。食毕，气静
如常。
一将愈之时，凡所食之物，出恭半不变，或肛门常胀者，此乃蛊毒将净，不可服补药，
俟至食物全不变则毒尽，以后出恭必黄而病愈矣。
一凡出恭如有虫三五只随恭出，视之不见者，其粪不黑则蓝，否则必带血丝，此乃毒药
之气，非真虫也，不必疑惧。
一凡蛊毒既净，脾胃虚寒，宜服补药。然既服补药之后，时而出恭转蓝，此乃余毒未净
，即取紫苏、薄荷二味，加笋水一茶杯，冲水煎服可也。不用戒荤盐煎炒。又受毒轻者，出
恭仍黄，服解药后，或略带灰白色耳。
一中疳蛊初服药一二剂，通身发红紫块者无妨，再服药十余剂自消。
一酒醉后，在酒中吃着蛊毒，肺、肝、心、脾受毒太重，照方服药月余，蛊毒既退，酒
毒忽发，口舌热烂，则笋水与苏、荷等暂停半月，宜用连翘、生 、甘草、生地、柴胡、槐
花、黄柏、黄连、元参、石膏等药，用酒与水煎服，俟火退后，仍照原方调治。
一凡中疳蛊或因吃鱼虾腥物，而毒发于身成癣者，或毒发于脚成 疮者，或毒发于下部
湿热溃烂者，或毒发手背、虎口、手指间如疥疮出汁，经年不愈者。或因吃马肉发毒之品，
表其毒出于鼻门出汁者，或时而脚麻，时而肚痛，时而脚酸者。但果中其毒，人多瘦黑，身
上必有如蚤咬、虫行者。治方与前同，不用戒色，亦不用戒荤盐。
一凡中疳或一二人，或三五人同在一处受蛊毒，或各在一处受蛊毒，其一人受毒重者先
发作一二月，或先发半年，诸人渐次方知者，人或疑为传染，此决不可信。予盖得之于蛊医
之言，兼历试之于中蛊之人者。至一切方书之论蛊论病者，皆不得其详，不足信也。
一中疳受毒极重者，必吃着药多次，照方持戒，服药至两个月，可吃生冷醋煮对象。至
六个月虽出恭尚带蓝色，开荤盐煎炒近色无妨，依旧照方加减服药。但看出恭食物皆不变，
则毒净尽，以后出恭必黄，可以食鸭，惟鸡宜戒一年，鱼虾螺蚌一切水内腥物戒三年，蛇蛤
终身不可食。中毒轻者，不用戒荤盐煎炒，但戒鸡鱼等物可也。常将紫苏、薄荷二味冲笋水
少许，同水煎服，久服自愈。
一凡中疳惟肺经受毒重，不宜近色。盖肺金生肾水，肺受毒重，一近色则浊气引入肾，
小便一变白浊，即变五疳。若肺经不受毒，及服药后肺经毒既净，虽身上肉尚跳，尚有如蚤
咬、蚁咬无妨也。按中毒轻者则肚不大鸣，虽不吃药、不持戒鸡鱼亦无妨，但时觉身上不快
耳。
一疳蛊当受毒重时，夜则身热头痛不得眠，治方用雄黄末五钱，同菖蒲、蒜子捣烂，放
盆内用热水冲入，处处洗到，亦能御之。
一疳蛊服药后病必大减，或时而病忽翻者无妨，但照方服药，自然病退。
凡是竹笋都可以用来浸泡，其中味道苦涩且色泽鲜艳的尤为妙用。将竹笋用干净的刀和砧板切片，放入瓦坛中，用午后的水进行浸泡。不可沾染荤腥或嫩糠，水量只需刚没过竹笋即可，不可过多；若后续添加生笋，则需同时添加生水。
另有记载：在发生蛊毒流行的地区，有人服用雄黄、蒜头和石菖蒲，配合滚开水服下以引发呕吐；随后再用紫苏、薄荷和笋水配合滚开水服下以引发腹泻。呕吐则上部毒素排净，腹泻则下部毒素排净，疾病自然痊愈。
受到蛊毒侵害的人，腹部必定经常发出鸣响。如果声音像是在脏腑之外，服用解毒药后声音会在脏腑之内响起。壮族风俗中有埋蛇于土中以获取菌毒害人者，被毒害的人会心神昏沉、头晕目眩，言行举止失常，时而笑骂无常。或者在饮酒时，药毒随即发作，使人愤怒凶狠无法控制，这种情况称为“癫蛊”。治疗此症参照后文所述的四种薄荷汤方，治疗期间不需要禁欲，下一条所述情况相同。
受到蛊毒侵害的人，腹部必定经常发出鸣响。所谓“肿蛊”，壮族风俗称之为“放肿”。症状表现为腹部胀大、肠鸣、大便干结秘涩，严重时一只耳朵常感堵塞，另一只耳朵流脓较少。治疗方法见后文所述的四种苏荷汤方。若病情危重，必须禁忌盐分和荤腥才能见效。外用慈菇菜煎水清洗患处。
所谓“疳蛊”，匪徒称之为“放蛋”、“放疳”或“放蜂”。这种现象在两广地区最为多见。在端午节当天，收集蜈蚣以及小蛇、蚂蚁、蝉、蛆、蚯蚓、蜒蚰虫、头发等物研成粉末；患者通常雕刻一个小五瘟神像，供奉在房间或箱子内，并常将毒药置于神像前。
若将蛇虫等粉末放入肉、菜、酒、饭中让人食用；也有将粉末撒在路上，人踩踏后毒素进入人体，附着在肠脏之上。初食轻者，腹部略微胀满、微有鸣响，如粥煮沸状，似想排便但实际大便仍干结，头部呈现黑色。
若受毒较重，则腹痛，腹部常鸣响，毒气冲上，感觉鼻内有一二条虫子，或耳内有一条虫子。躺下时腹部大声鸣响如蛇翻身状，排便逐渐减少，或一日一次，或两日一次，粪便带黑色，量也不多，人必然消瘦且面色黑。或者静坐时，感觉头发内有蚂蚁咬噬，用手搓揉则消失。或者夜间静卧倾听，感觉面部如有虫爬、如发丝缠绕、如跳蚤叮咬，或肌肉突然跳动，或身上如蚁咬，或肛门如有三四只小虫或小蛆蠕动，或身上如蚯蚓爬行，或口旁如有蜒蚰虫粘附，擦拭后却无痕迹可寻。或忽然一只手极度麻木，一只脚极度麻木，或半只手麻木，或半只脚麻木，这都是药毒在身体各处作用的结果。
或者起初受毒不知晓，到了三四天后，或因洗澡，或因在室外静坐，感觉如有蜜蜂飞来叮咬，静心倾听片刻，身上如有数十只蚂蚁咬噬，搓揉后气息消散不见。这必然是中了人的蛊药。不知情的人，无不怀疑是风症。
但这种蛊药在体内，若治疗不得法，绝不会通过泻下排出。药力化开一点染在脏腑之上，药气便行遍周身，气到达之处就像虫咬，并非真虫。气降于肛门，就像虫动、蛆动，气随粪便排出，颜色非黑即蓝，也并非真虫。
受蛊至七八个月，药未化尽，肠鸣不停，气冲上如蛇翻身状，周身如虫爬、蚁咬，头顶心极凉，如有虫出入，肌肉内有虫爬、蚁爬、小蜈蚣爬的感觉。而蛊医平日所毒死的冤鬼，与其阴蛇阴虫随之阴附于患者身上，病人如听到飞集之声，旁人却听不到。一见风则症状更甚，如虫出入毛孔，鼻窍如有数十只虫飞来聚集，下身、脚底如蚁咬，这些都是药气行于周身，并非真虫。到了这个时候，手脚麻木，周身如麻布通风，腠理毛孔皆开，或手指脚趾伸展，或嘴唇掀开，或身上肉跳。再加上肿药，则一只耳朵常感满闷，另一只耳朵少脓且焦红。再加上癫药，则头晕、心昏、腹胀。再加上闷香，则面部起紫色水泡。
凡中此蛊者，务必禁止房事。若不知禁欲，小便一见白浊，则秽毒引入膀胱，变成五疳，此时疳虫先生于下部，这时才真正有虫了。往往被误诊为杨梅疮，不数月必死。若只知道禁欲而不知道用药方治疗，即使小便未见白浊，最终也会死于肿胀。这都是得自蛊医之言，屡经验证的。治法见后文苏荷汤四方。
一中疳蛊小便未见白浊，病情虽极危重，若能坚持戒色，照方服药，没有不愈的。若玉茎旁湿烂，外用槐花一两、白矾二钱、龙胆草三钱，煎水外洗，可以治愈。
一中疳蛊小便未见白浊，周身虽如蚁、蚤行走叮咬，乃是药气行走，并无真虫。不必疑惧，同室之人，任其同卧同餐，绝对不会传染。病人首先应禁欲，禁忌盐分和荤腥，禁忌煎炒食物，糖食、红枣、甘蔗一切招致疳气的食物，以及一切飞禽、水族、鳞介、昆虫等腥物。
一中疳受毒严重者，小便未见白浊，宜食各种食物（所有中蛊症状皆同）：豆腐、苋菜、蒜、紫苏、薄荷、笋、马肉（甚妙）、青菜、白菜、姜、青瓜（少吃）、黄瓜（少吃）、白瓜（少吃）、芋苗。消肿者，果盖毒甚，涉及大肠、肺、肝，而薄荷而苏叶与茶油。
一中疳蛊受毒未至极危，及虽极危但服药月余病渐减，凡辣椒、芹菜（少吃）、萝卜（可吃，菜叶不可吃）、金针菜、桐蒿、莴苣、胡椒、醋（少吃）、韭菜、羊肉等物皆可吃，柑、桔、棠梨、石榴、萝卜、葛、薯、李、荸荠、西瓜，皆可吃。
一凡中疳受药轻者，或见风则面上如蚁行发痒，以手搓之则散，见火烘之则止者。或隔数日，静听肛门如有三、四小虫动。或时而耳内如有一小蛆跳入，时而鼻内如有一小蛆跳入，或一手麻极，一脚麻极，一月一次，一月几次。或肚时鸣而出恭结实。或因吃发毒之物，药气表于外，面上如虱行、如发缠、身上如蚤咬。或以上诸病时有时无者，俱不宜近色。
一疳蛊服解毒、败毒、发毒之药，则大便秘结者，盖药毒在身，逢解药则降下大肠，毒甚者初出恭黑，次出恭青，次出恭蓝，或出恭有恶物如烂木耳者，此乃身上之恶血随肠脏沥出也。亦有服药二、三剂而泻血两三日者，病愈更速。盖蛊药在身，其毒瓦斯周流，通身之血皆黑，服药之后，旧血泻尽，新血自生，不足畏也。亦有服药月余，毒瓦斯大减，时而粪黄、时而粪转黑或蓝者，盖恶血不泻则粪黄，恶血一泻则粪蓝，恶血一点未净则出恭尚时带蓝色，然受毒虽极重，根据方持戒，服药至四五个月后，粪虽不能尽黄，开荤近色无妨，但盐与煎炒尚宜戒之。即不戒亦可，惟鸡鸭宜戒三年，鱼虾等腥物宜戒五年。然粪不至于纯黄，则耳内、肛门尚有药气出如虫行状，通身或头面上、或发内亦间有药气行动如小蚁咬式，此断不可疑惧，乃身上之恶血未能净尽故也。但照后方服药。受毒极重者，开荤盐后，其药仍宜常服；无力者，常将紫苏、薄荷、茨菇菜三味煨水当茶吃可也。但看出恭食物全不变，则不用服药矣。
一服药将愈之时、一遇食饭、通身发痒，此乃饭气到处，新血与旧血战也。食毕，气静如常。
一将愈之时，凡所食之物，出恭半不变，或肛门常胀者，此乃蛊毒将净，不可服补药，俟至食物全不变则毒尽，以后出恭必黄而病愈矣。
一凡出恭如有虫三五只随恭出，视之不见者，其粪不黑则蓝，否则必带血丝，此乃毒药之气，非真虫也，不必疑惧。
一凡蛊毒既净，脾胃虚寒，宜服补药。然既服补药之后，时而出恭转蓝，此乃余毒未净，即取紫苏、薄荷二味，加笋水一茶杯，冲水煎服可也。不用戒荤盐煎炒。又受毒轻者，出恭仍黄，服解药后，或略带灰白色耳。
一中疳蛊初服药一二剂，通身发红紫块者无妨，再服药十余剂自消。
一酒醉后，在酒中吃着蛊毒，肺、肝、心、脾受毒太重，照方服药月余，蛊毒既退，酒毒忽发，口舌热烂，则笋水与苏、荷等暂停半月，宜用连翘、生地黄、甘草、生地、柴胡、槐花、黄柏、黄连、元参、石膏等药，用酒与水煎服，俟火退后，仍照原方调治。
一凡中疳或一二人，或三五人同在一处受蛊毒，或各在一处受蛊毒，其一人受毒重者先发作一二月，或先发半年，诸人渐次方知者，人或疑为传染，此决不可信。予盖得之于蛊医之言，兼历试之于中蛊之人者。至一切方书之论蛊论病者，皆不得其详，不足信也。
一中疳受毒极重者，必吃着药多次，照方持戒，服药至两个月，可吃生冷醋煮对象。至六个月虽出恭尚带蓝色，开荤盐煎炒近色无妨，依旧照方加减服药。但看出恭食物皆不变，则毒净尽，以后出恭必黄，可以食鸭，惟鸡宜戒一年，鱼虾螺蚌一切水内腥物戒三年，蛇蛤终身不可食。中毒轻者，不用戒荤盐煎炒，但戒鸡鱼等物可也。常将紫苏、薄荷二味冲笋水少许，同水煎服，久服自愈。
一凡中疳惟肺经受毒重，不宜近色。盖肺金生肾水，肺受毒重，一近色则浊气引入肾，小便一变白浊，即变五疳。若肺经不受毒，及服药后肺经毒既净，虽身上肉尚跳，尚有如蚤咬、蚁咬无妨也。按中毒轻者则肚不大鸣，虽不吃药、不持戒鸡鱼亦无妨，但时觉身上不快耳。
Bamboo shoots of any variety can be soaked, but those with a bitter taste and bright color are particularly effective. Slice the bamboo shoots using a clean knife and cutting board, place them in a clay jar, and soak them in water collected in the afternoon. Do not allow contact with meat or bran. The water level should just cover the shoots; do not use too much water. If fresh shoots are added later, add fresh water accordingly.
Additionally: In regions where gu poison is prevalent, some individuals take realgar (Realgar), garlic, and Acorus tatarinowii Rhizome (Changpu) mixed with boiling water to induce vomiting. Subsequently, they take Perilla Leaf (Zisu), Mint (Bohe), and bamboo shoot water with boiling water to induce diarrhea. Vomiting clears toxins from the upper body, while diarrhea clears toxins from the lower body, leading to spontaneous recovery.
Individuals poisoned by gu will always have abdominal borborygmi. If the sound seems to originate outside the viscera, taking antidotes will cause the sound to move inside the viscera. Among the Zhuang customs, burying snakes in the soil to obtain fungal toxins to harm others causes the victim to experience mental confusion, dizziness, and erratic behavior, laughing and scolding indiscriminately. Alternatively, upon drinking alcohol, the drug toxicity may suddenly erupt, causing uncontrollable anger and ferocity; this is called "Dian Gu" (Manic Gu). Treat this according to the four Peppermint Decoctions listed below. Sexual abstinence is not required during treatment, as is the case in the following section.
Poisoned individuals will always have abdominal borborygmi. "Zhong Gu" (Swelling Gu), known among the Zhuang as "Fang Zhong," presents with abdominal distension, borborygmi, constipation, and in severe cases, unilateral ear blockage and reduced purulent discharge from the other ear. Treatment methods are found in the four Suhe Decoctions listed below. If the condition is critical, salt and meat must be avoided for the treatment to be effective. Externally, wash with decoction of Colocasia esculenta (Cigu) leaves.
"Gan Gu" (Wasting-Gu) is referred to by bandits as "Fang Dan," "Fang Gan," or "Fang Feng." It is most common in Guangdong and Guangxi. On the Dragon Boat Festival, collect centipedes, small snakes, ants, cicadas, maggots, earthworms, slugs, and human hair, and grind them into powder. The victim often carves a small statue of one of the Five Plague Gods and worships it in their room or chest, placing poisonous drugs before the statue.
If the powder of snakes and insects is placed in meat, vegetables, wine, or rice for others to consume; or if the powder is scattered on the road and enters the body upon stepping on it, adhering to the intestines and viscera: Mild poisoning initially causes slight abdominal bloating and mild borborygmi, resembling boiling porridge, with a sensation of needing to defecate but resulting in hard stools, and a blackish head.
Severe poisoning causes abdominal pain and constant borborygmi, with toxic qi rushing upward, feeling as if there are one or two insects in the nose or one insect in the ears. When lying down, the abdomen roars loudly like a snake turning over. Defecation becomes infrequent, once or twice a day, with black stools and small volume. The person becomes emaciated and dark-complexioned. While sitting quietly, they may feel ant bites in their hair, which disappear when rubbed. At night, listening quietly, they may feel insects crawling on the face, hair tangling, flea bites, sudden muscle twitching, ant bites on the body, or movement of small insects or maggots in the anus. They may feel earthworms crawling on the body, slugs sticking to the mouth corner (leaving no trace when wiped), sudden extreme numbness in one hand or foot (or half-hand/half-foot). These are all effects of the drug toxicity spreading through the body.
Initially unaware of the poisoning, after three or four days, while bathing or sitting quietly outdoors, they may feel bee stings. Listening closely, they may feel dozens of ant bites on the body, which dissipate when rubbed. This indicates ingestion of human gu poison. Unaware victims often mistake it for wind syndrome.
However, internal gu poison cannot be expelled via diarrhea if treated improperly. As the drug dissolves and stains the viscera, its qi circulates throughout the body, causing sensations of insect bites where the qi travels, though no real insects exist. When qi descends to the anus, it feels like moving insects or maggots, exiting with feces as black or blue substances, again, not real insects.
After seven or eight months of gu exposure, if the drug is not fully metabolized, borborygmi persists. Qi rushes upward like a snake turning over, with sensations of insects crawling and ants biting all over the body. The crown of the head feels extremely cold, as if insects are entering and exiting. Muscles feel like insects, ants, and small centipedes are crawling. The vengeful ghosts and yin snakes/insects killed by the gu master previously attach themselves to the patient. The patient hears flying sounds that others cannot hear. Exposure to wind worsens symptoms, feeling like insects entering pores, with dozens of insects gathering at the nose. The genitals and soles feel like ant bites. These are all manifestations of drug qi circulating, not real insects. At this stage, hands and feet become numb, the body feels like wind blowing through burlap, pores open, fingers and toes may extend, lips may retract, and muscles twitch. With swelling drugs, one ear feels full, the other has less red pus. With manic drugs, dizziness, mental confusion, and abdominal distension occur. With suffocating incense, purple blisters appear on the face.
Those infected must strictly abstain from sex. If they fail to do so, and white turbid urine appears, filth and toxin enter the bladder, transforming into "Wu Gan" (Five Wasting Syndromes), where gan worms first appear in the lower body. Only then are there truly worms. This is often misdiagnosed as Ymei Chan (Chancre), leading to death within months. Even if sexual abstinence is maintained without medication, death from swelling may still occur. This advice comes from gu masters and has been verified repeatedly. See the four Suhe Decoctions below for treatment.
For Gan Gu patients with clear urine, even in critical condition, strict sexual abstinence and adherence to the prescription ensure recovery. For wet ulcers beside the penis, externally wash with decoction of Sophora flower (Huaihua, 1 liang), Alum (Baifan, 2 qian), and Gentian Root (Longdan Cao, 3 qian).
For Gan Gu patients with clear urine, sensations of ants and fleas crawling/biting are due to drug qi movement, not real insects. There is no need for fear. Co-habitants can sleep and eat together without risk of transmission. Patients must abstain from sex, salt, meat, fried foods, sweets, red dates, sugarcane, and all pungent/fishy foods including birds, aquatic animals, scales, and insects.
Patients with severe Gan Gu and clear urine may eat: Tofu, Amaranth, Garlic, Perilla, Mint, Bamboo Shoots, Horse Meat (excellent), Green Vegetables, Napa Cabbage, Ginger, Cucumber (eat sparingly), White Melon (eat sparingly), and Taro Sprouts. For reducing swelling, considering severe toxicity affecting Large Intestine, Lung, and Liver, Mint, Perilla leaves, and Tea Oil are relevant.
For Gan Gu patients not critically ill, or those critically ill who show improvement after one month of medication, the following foods are permissible: Chili peppers, Celery (eat sparingly), Radish (edible, but not leaves), Daylily, Artemisia selengensis, Lettuce, Pepper, Vinegar (eat sparingly), Chinese Chives, Mutton, Citrus, Kumquat, Sand Pear, Pomegranate, Radish, Kudzu, Sweet Potato, Plum, Water Chestnut, and Watermelon.
For mild Gan Gu infection, wind exposure may cause itching on the face like ants crawling, which disperses when rubbed or stopped by heat. After several days, listening quietly may reveal movement of three or four small insects in the anus. Occasionally, a maggot may seem to jump into the ear or nose. Extreme numbness in one hand/foot or half-hand/half-foot may occur once or several times a month. Abdominal borborygmi with hard stools may occur. Eating triggering foods may cause drug qi to surface, feeling like lice crawling, hair tangling, or flea bites on the face/body. If these symptoms come and go, sexual activity should be avoided.
Taking detoxifying, breaking, or releasing drugs for Gan Gu may cause constipation. The drug toxin moves down to the Large Intestine. Severe cases pass black stool first, then green, then blue. Feces may contain foul matter resembling rotten wood ear mushrooms, representing evil blood draining from the body through the intestines. Some patients may pass blood for two to three days after two or three doses, accelerating recovery. Gu poison circulates, turning all blood black. After medication, old blood is purged, and new blood generates; this is not to be feared. After one month, toxin qi decreases significantly. Stools may turn yellow, then black or blue. Yellow stool indicates retained evil blood; blue stool indicates purging of evil blood. If even a trace remains, stool may intermittently show blue. Even with severe poisoning, strict abstinence and medication for four to five months allow resumption of meat and sex, provided salt and fried foods are avoided. Chicken and duck should be avoided for three years; fish and shrimp for five years. If stool is not purely yellow, residual drug qi may exit the ears/an anus like insects, or feel like ant bites in the hair/head. This is due to incomplete clearance of evil blood and requires no fear. Continue the prescription. For severe cases, continue medication after resuming diet. Those with limited means may simmer Perilla, Mint, and Colocasia in water as tea. Stop medication only when stool and food reactions normalize completely.
When nearing recovery, eating may cause whole-body itching due to conflict between new and old blood. Symptoms subside after eating.
During recovery, if stool is partially unchanged or the anus feels distended after eating, the toxin is nearly cleared. Do not take tonics. Wait until food reactions normalize completely, indicating toxin elimination. Stool will turn yellow, and the disease will resolve.
If three to five insects appear in stool but are invisible, and stool is black or blue (or contains blood streaks), this is drug qi, not real insects. No fear is needed.
Once gu toxin is cleared, Spleen and Stomach deficiency-cold may require tonics. However, if blue stool recurs after tonification, residual toxin remains. Take Perilla and Mint with a cup of bamboo shoot water, decocted in water. No dietary restrictions on meat, salt, or fried foods are needed. For mild poisoning, stool remains yellow; after antidotes, it may turn slightly gray-white.
Initial doses of medication for Gan Gu may cause red-purple patches on the body; this is harmless and resolves after ten more doses.
If gu poison is ingested while drunk, the Lung, Liver, Heart, and Spleen suffer heavy toxicity. After one month of medication, gu toxin recedes, but alcohol toxicity erupts, causing hot, ulcerated mouth and tongue. Pause bamboo shoot water, Perilla, and Mint for half a month. Use Forsythia Fruit (Lianqiao), Rehmannia Root (Sheng Dihuang), Licorice Root (Gancao), Rehmannia Root Prepared (Sheng Di), Bupleurum Root (Chaihu), Sophora Flower (Huaihua), Phellodendron Bark (Huangbai), Coptis Rhizome (Huanglian), Scrophularia Root (Yuanshen), and Gypsum (Shigao), decocted in wine and water. Once heat subsides, resume original prescription.
Gan Gu may manifest as tinea from eating fish/shrimp, ulcers on feet, damp-heat ulcers in the lower body, or weeping sores on hands/back/fingers resembling scabies lasting years. Or, eating horse meat triggers toxin eruption from nose/mouth. Intermittent leg numbness, abdominal pain, or leg soreness may occur. Infected individuals are typically emaciated and dark, with sensations of flea bites or insect crawling. Treatment is the same as before; sexual abstinence and dietary restrictions on meat/salt are not required.
If one or several people are exposed to gu poison in the same or different locations, and the heavily poisoned individual manifests symptoms first (after one to two months or six months), others may suspect contagion. This is false. This information comes from gu masters and personal observation. Medical texts discussing gu are often inaccurate and unreliable.
For severely poisoned Gan Gu patients, multiple doses of medication and strict abstinence for two months allow consumption of raw/cold foods, vinegar-boiled beef. By six months, even if stool is blue, resuming meat, salt, fried foods, and sex is permissible with adjusted prescriptions. Normalization of stool and food reactions indicates complete toxin clearance. Stool turns yellow. Duck may be eaten; chicken avoided for one year; fish, shrimp, snails, clams avoided for three years; snakes and frogs forbidden lifelong. Mild poisoning requires no restriction on meat/salt/fried foods, only chicken/fish. Simmer Perilla and Mint in bamboo shoot water daily for long-term self-recovery.
Gan Gu primarily affects the Lung Meridian, making sexual abstinence crucial. Lung Metal generates Kidney Water. Heavy Lung toxicity combined with sexual activity introduces turbid qi to the Kidneys, turning urine white and causing Wu Gan. If the Lung Meridian is free of toxin, or after medication clears Lung toxin, muscle twitching and insect-bite sensations are harmless. Mild poisoning causes minimal borborygmi; abstinence from chicken/fish and medication is optional, though general discomfort may persist.
For severe Gan Gu with night fever, headache, and insomnia, apply external treatment: Mix 5 qian Realgar powder with crushed Acorus and garlic in a basin. Add hot water and wash the entire body thoroughly to repel the toxin.
Medication for Gan Gu greatly reduces symptoms. Temporary exacerbations are harmless. Adherence to the prescription ensures natural recovery.