Black-Tailed Snake (Often coiled into a disc, black, with fine rhomboid scales, neatly arranged ribs, head in the center)
Black-Tailed Snake (Sword-shaped spine, iron-wire tail)
[Naming]
[Source]
Kai Bao (開寶)
[Common Usage Level]
D
[Origin]
Dried body of the Black-Tailed Snake Zaocys dhumnades Cantor (Colubridae family) with internal organs removed.
[Characteristics]
The dried product is often coiled into a disc shape, with a disc diameter of about 16 cm. The head is flattened and round, slightly resembling a turtle’s head, coiled in the center. The mouth has numerous thorn-like small teeth. The tail gradually thins, with the end of the tail inserted into the abdominal cavity of the outer edge. The back is high and ridge-shaped, commonly known as a sword spine. The whole body is black, and the surface shows fine rhomboid scales. The abdomen is opened and the edges are rolled inward. The inner surface is yellowish-white or smoked into a grayish-black color; neatly arranged ribs can be seen. It is tough, has a fishy odor, and a bland taste.
[Processing]
1. Raw Black-Tailed Snake 2. Prepared Black-Tailed Snake
[Identification]
“*Zheng Lei Ben Cao*” (證類本草): “The ones weighing from three fen to one liang are considered superior.” “*Pu Ji Fang*” (普濟方): “The Black-Tailed Snake with a tail that can be threaded through one hundred copper coins is excellent.” “*Yi Fang Lei Ju*” (醫方類聚): “The best *Wu She* (烏蛇, Black Snake) has a tail long enough to thread through one hundred coins. Those sold in the market are fake, made by smoking other snakes, which must be carefully inspected.” “*Ben Cao Gang Mu*” (本草綱目): “Li Shizhen says: There are two types of *Wu She*: the one with a sword-shaped spine and a thin tail is superior.” “*Ben Cao Bei Yao*” (本草備要): “It is benign and does not bite things. Its eyes do not dry out even after death. The one with a thin tail that can be threaded through one hundred coins is excellent, weighing from seven qian to one liang is superior, from ten liang to one yi is medium, and the larger ones have reduced potency.” The best ones are dry, have a black-brown skin, yellowish-white flesh, a ridge on the back, and a firm texture.
[Identification Terminology]
1. Sword-shaped spine: The back of the Black-Tailed Snake is high and ridge-shaped.
2. Iron-wire tail: Refers to the tail of the Black-Tailed Snake, which is grayish-brown or dark yellow, thin and long, commonly known as iron-wire tail.
[Chapter]
Vertebrate Class