Library

Three-Section Finger Observation Symptom Diagram 1 \ps48a60.bmp\
Three-Section Finger Observation Symptom Diagram 2 \ps48a61.bmp\
Three-Section Finger Observation Symptom Diagram 3 \ps48a62.bmp\
Three-Section Finger Observation Symptom Diagram 4 \ps48a63.bmp\

Yin and Yang Qi (Vital Energy) circulate and combine, male and female essence joins to form the fetus. After formation, the nine orifices and four limbs are established, followed by the generation of the Zang-Fu organs (internal organs). Since the body parts are distinctly separated, the favorable and unfavorable progression of diseases becomes difficult to discern. If one relies solely on the floating or sinking pulse at the Cun position (radial artery), it will inevitably lead to misdiagnosis and sudden death of the child. One must clearly distinguish using the Tiger's Mouth (the web between thumb and index finger) patterns, carefully analyzing the Three Sections (Wind, Qi, Life sections on the infant's index finger), so that medication is administered without error.

Typically, observe the shape and color of the fingerprint after the child falls asleep at night. Distinguish the three sections: Yin (Wind section), Mao (Qi section), and Chen (Life section). For boys, examine the left hand; for girls, the right hand. The Wind section governs Qi, the Qi section governs Wind, and the Life section governs stability. A blue or purple fingerprint indicates illness due to Fright (Shock/Startle).

A purple fingerprint with red branches indicates Cold Damage Syndrome (Shanghan); red spots resembling rice grains suggest Heat accumulation in the Lungs. Black lines extending to the Life section indicate Summerheat Injury. Blue lines are associated with diarrhea and dysentery, indicating Stomach Cold. Slight white lines indicate Infantile Malnutrition (Gan Syndrome). Reddish branches suggest excessive saliva, chest fullness, and diaphragmatic obstruction; faint yellow lines indicate Spleen deficiency. Branch shapes resembling hooks help differentiate between Wind Strike (Shangfeng) and Cold Damage (Shanghan). Outward-slanting lines indicate Wind Strike with sweating; inward-slanting lines indicate Cold Damage without sweating. Blue lines resembling fish bones are divided into three categories: Fright, Malnutrition, and Deficient Wind. Straight, needle-like lines that are blue-black indicate Water Fright, Lung Heat, or Slow Spleen Wind. Lines resembling the character "Water" across the three sections indicate chronic cough, food stagnation, or wind-related malnutrition. Lines resembling the character "One" with mixed blue-red colors always indicate Fright Wind or Slow Spleen disease. Curves resembling a ring indicate Food Injury; two curves resembling hooks indicate Cold Injury; three long curves indicate Parasite infection or injury from hard objects; double-hook pulse patterns indicate Cold Damage. Snake-like branch shapes indicate Damp-Heat in the Spleen channel, accompanied by chaotic lines. A "Chuan" (river) shaped fingerprint on the index finger indicates Food Stagnation combined with Five Organs Malnutrition.

Umbilical Tetanus with Mouth Contraction is considered a single disease entity. There is no case of Umbilical Tetanus without mouth contraction, nor is there mouth contraction that is not Umbilical Tetanus. Patients suffering from this disease have only one chance of survival out of ten. This is because the Heart governs the tongue, and mouth closure relates to the Spleen. Wind pathogen enters the umbilicus, first flows into the Spleen, and then transmits upward to the Heart. When the Heart is occupied by evil pathogens, the mouth cannot open and frequently contracts. The convulsions are caused by Wind. Investigating the etiology, there are differences between internal and external causes. The umbilical cord is connected to the uterus; before birth, if the mother was previously exposed to Wind pathogen, she may transmit this pathogen to the infant, called Fetal Wind. The resulting convulsions are called Fetal Fright. Since the disease originates internally, it is termed an Internal Cause. Alternatively, after cutting the umbilical cord, if wrapping care is not meticulous, wind from the bedding may invade. By the sixth or seventh day, when the umbilical cord falls off, this syndrome inevitably develops. Since the disease originates externally, it is termed an External Cause. Some practitioners use moxibustion on the umbilicus, which merely causes suffering and offers no benefit. To seek survival amidst near-certain death, only purgative methods (downward-draining techniques) can be used. There are no other methods beyond this.