Profound Secrets of the Grotto-Heaven

Rat-Bite Sores

Rat-Bite Soresoriginal: 鼠噛瘡 (shǔ niè chuāng). Refers to localized infections, ulcerations, or systemic illness resulting from the bite of a rodent. are sometimes contracted by those who are injured while attempting to catch a rat. A rat’s gallbladderoriginal: 鼠膽 (shǔ dǎn). In Chinese idiom, the "gallbladder" represents courage; a "rat's gallbladder" implies extreme cowardice. is most timid; how would it ever dare to bite a person? It is only because a person pursues and captures it so urgently that the creature, having no other choice, bites the human's flesh in hopes of escaping. This is a desperate act born of a life-or-death urgency, which is why the bite is so severe.

Now, one might ask: what harm could a rat's meager skills truly do? Such a person does not realize that a rat's teeth are thin and long; when they bite the flesh, they inevitably injure the tendons and bones. Moreover, a rat’s saliva is inherently toxic. Once the muscles and skin are broken, the saliva inevitably penetrates deep within, often causing the infection to rot through the very tendons and bones.

It is advisable to use Cat Urineoriginal: 猫尿 (māo niào). In traditional sympathetic medicine, the waste products of a predator (the cat) were believed to neutralize the toxins or "spirit" of its prey (the rat). to rub the injured area; the toxin will dissipate accordingly. Afterward, apply powdered medicine to the site, and it will heal within a few days.

Rat-Banishing Elixir Transmitted by Celestial Master Qi for treating rat-bite sores