Compendium of Materia Medica, Volume 49, Birds Section

Volume 49

The Mulberry Finch

original: 桑鳸, Sanghu. Historically identified as the Hawfinch or a similar finch that frequents mulberry trees.
In the place where it nests, others of its kind may not nest again; they must remain separate and not associate. Master Yang’s identification of this bird as the Shrike, as well as his claim that the "Pi-jiu" bird is the same as the "Zhui-yan," are both incorrect. The Monthly Ordinances original: 月令, Yueling. A classical calendar of ritual and nature. states that in the third month, the Hoopoe original: 戴勝, Daisheng. Known for its distinctive "crown" of feathers. descends [to the mulberry trees].

Feathers

Nature and Flavor: Neutral, toxic.
Primary Indications: For "succession disease" original: 繼病, jibing. in small children. Have the child wear the feathers as an amulet. "Succession disease" occurs when a mother becomes pregnant while still nursing her current child; the child falls ill with symptoms resembling malaria or dysentery. As time goes on, the child's abdomen becomes distended, and the illness fluctuates between recovery and relapse. It is said that even if another pregnant woman stays nearby, it can trigger this "succession" in the child. People in the North are not familiar with this illness. From the Jiayou Materia Medica A Song Dynasty medical text compiled c. 1060 CE.

Interpretation

Shizhen Li Shizhen (1518–1593), the author of this Compendium. states: According to the Huainanzi A philosophical and scientific text from the 2nd century BCE., if a man plants orchids, they may grow beautiful but will not be fragrant; if a "succession child" A child whose mother is pregnant with a sibling. is fed, they may grow fat but will not be healthy—this is because their vital spirits do not communicate. The term "fullness of emotion" in the womb is why it is called "the child" [referring to the fetus]. Succession disease is also called Ba disease original: 魃病, Babing.. Ba is a name for a child who is as thin and haggard as a mountain demon. It is generally a type of "Dingxi" wasting disease original: 丁奚疳病, Dingxi ganbing. A traditional category of severe pediatric malnutrition and parasitic infection..

The Branch-Treader

original: 踏枝, Tazhi. Likely referring to the branch upon which a Hoopoe or similar bird has stepped or nested, used here as a sympathetic ritual tool.
Primary Indications: For delayed speech in small children. If they are whipped [lightly with the branch], they will begin to speak quickly. From the Jiayou Materia Medica.