Illustrations of 'pig trough water' (zhucao shui) and 'urine ditch water'(niaokeng shui) from Shiwu bencao (Materia dietetica), a dietetic herbal in four volumes dating from the Ming period (1368-1644). The identity of the author and artists is unknown. It contains entries on over 300 medicinal substances and is illustrated by almost 500 paintings in colour.
The text states: Pig trough water is non-poisonous. It is used to bathe insect and snake bites. Urine ditch water is non-poisonous. It is used to treat wasting thirst (xiaoke, diabetes) and can also eliminate puffer fish toxins, in case of accidental ingestion.
