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I have never known medicine, nor did I believe in doctors. I often saw that among the physicians of the world, there were countless quacks who were biased and held shallow views, arbitrarily and recklessly treating patients, violating medical principles and harming people.

Therefore, I used to say: "If one is slightly cautious and restrained regarding desires and diet, one can avoid illness." I held this belief for nearly thirty years. In the Dingyou year, my daughter-in-law was pregnant. I was eager to hold a grandson, but she had always been weak and prone to illness. Her condition worsened significantly as delivery approached, causing panic throughout the family with no idea what to do. We invited more than ten doctors; their discussions were chaotic and unhelpful. It was truly a matter of life and death hanging by a thread. Coincidentally, my brother-in-law, Mr. Shi, presented me with *Eighteen Discourses on Postpartum Conditions* (Chanhou Shiba Lun), saying, "This was obtained from hereditary physicians, and its efficacy is miraculous." I harbored doubts about it. However, having exhausted all other options, I administered the medicine according to the symptoms described. After just one dose, both mother and child were safe, with an effect as immediate as an echo. I still considered it a coincidence. Subsequently, when three or four generations of women in my family suffered from critical postpartum conditions, I treated them according to the discourses, with results accurate to the slightest degree. It was as easy as removing an object with one's hand, and only then did I begin to believe. Although I dared not disseminate it publicly, among relatives and friends within our clan, those who used this prescription experienced miraculous cures. Over the years, it has been hundred percent effective in every instance, praised by all and spreading far and wide. Only then did I realize that there is indeed truth in treatment. The statement that medicines can achieve divine efficacy is indeed true! Thus, I developed the ambition to make this work public, hoping that those unfamiliar with medicine would not doubt it as I once did.

Written casually by Daoxian Shi, Xijue Hetu, on the first day of the third month of the Jiyi year of the Yongzheng reign.

Honghua (Safflower) (2 liang) Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig) (1.5 liang, add 0.5 liang if the woman is over thirty years old) Shudi (Prepared Rehmannia Root) (1 liang) Danggui (Angelica Sinensis) (1 liang) Xiongheidou (Black Soybean) (1 liang) Ezhu (Curcuma Zedoaria) (1 liang, stir-fried with flour) Chishao (Red Peony Root) (1 liang) Puhuang (Pollen Typhae) (2 liang, stir-fried) Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) (1 liang, add 0.5 liang if over thirty years old)

Process the above nine herbs according to standard methods, grind them together into a fine powder, and store in a porcelain bottle. When using, take 3 qian per dose. For any postpartum condition, carefully consult the *Eighteen Discourses*; ensure the patient's symptoms match the discourse exactly. Then, follow the specified "guiding herb" (Yinzi) for that discourse: decoct two zhong (approx. 400 ml) of water until reduced to seven parts (approx. 280 ml). Mix in 3 qian of the powder, stir well, and take warm on an empty stomach for immediate effect. The number of doses is unlimited, stopping only when the disease is cured. Generally, severe cases require no more than four or five doses, while mild cases require only two or three.

Discourse One
If a pregnant woman suffers from a heat pathogen for six or seven days, experiences excruciating lower abdominal pain, has cyanotic fingernails, and foams at the mouth, these are signs of extreme heat in the zang-fu organs, leading to fetal death in utero and inability to deliver naturally. If taking this medicine induces labor, use Huashi (Talcum) and Yupi (Ulmus Bark), each 1 qian. Decoct in two zhong of water until reduced to seven parts. Add 3 fen of aged wine, mix with 3 qian of the powder, and take hot.

Discourse Two
Difficult labor occurs because, after ten months in the womb, residual blood coagulates into masses known as "Erzhen" (Fetal Pillow). During birth, the Erzhen ruptures first, allowing necrotic blood to flow into the placental sac, causing obstruction. Urgently administer this medicine to expel the necrotic blood, facilitating natural delivery. Use fried swallow droppings, Huashi (Talcum), and Yupi (Ulmus Bark), each 1 qian. Decoct in water, then add wine and mix with the powder as previously directed.

Discourse Three
Retained placenta is caused by necrotic blood flowing into the placental sac. Administer using the guiding method described above.

Discourse Four
Inability to sit or stand three to five days postpartum, visual disturbances (seeing black spots), and coma/unrecognizability are caused by necrotic blood entering the five zang organs and rushing to the Liver. Misdiagnosing this as An Feng (Hidden Wind/Stroke) will result in death; only this medicine can save the patient. Take one zhong of aged wine. Heat a piece of wrought iron until red-hot, immerse it in the wine until cool, remove, reheat, and repeat three times. Use Tan Yupigen (Charred Elm Root Bark) and Yuanhusuo (Corydalis Rhizome), each 1 qian. Decoct in the treated wine until reduced to seven parts. Add 3 fen of Tongbian (Child's Urine), mix with the powder, and take.

Discourse Five
Postpartum dry mouth, chest oppression, irritability, and thirst occur because qi and blood are unsettled, and consuming fishy, sour, or hot foods causes residual blood to congeal in the Heart. Use Danggui (Angelica Sinensis) 1 qian, decoct in water, add 3 fen of Tongbian (Child's Urine), mix with the powder, and take.

Discourse Six
Alternating chills and fever, headache, and backache postpartum result from wind pathogens invading the intestines during delivery, combined with incomplete expulsion of necrotic blood. This affects the Heart and Lungs superiorly and the Liver and Kidneys inferiorly. Administer using the guiding method described above.

Discourse Seven
Postpartum fever or generalized coldness occurs because dispersed blood attacks the limbs, stagnates for a long time, fails to return to normal circulation, and forms pus-blood, potentially causing limb edema. Do not mistake this for Shui Zhong (Water Edema); Shui Zhong presents with wheezing and dysuria. Qi Zhong (Qi Edema) presents with alternating cold and heat in the limbs. Differentiate carefully. First, take this medicine to expel dispersed blood, then take Tongbao Li Xiao Fang. Use Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig) and Honghua (Safflower), each 1 qian. Decoct in water, add 3 fen of aged wine, mix with the powder, and take.

Discourse Eight
Postpartum delirious speech and hallucinations (seeing spirits) are caused by dispersed blood attacking the Heart. Urgently take this medicine: Use Danggui (Angelica Sinensis) 1 qian and half a zhong of wine. Decoct, add 3 fen of Tongbian (Child's Urine), mix with the powder, and take.

Discourse Nine
Postpartum aphonia is caused by necrotic blood obstructing the seven apertures and nine orifices. Use Yuanhusuo (Corydalis Rhizome) and Zongpi (Bamboo Leaf/Zongzi Wrapper), each 1 qian. Decoct in water, add 3 fen of aged wine, mix with the powder, and take.

Discourse Ten
Postpartum abdominal pain accompanied by diarrhea/dysentery, or abdominal distension with false fullness, results from consuming raw, cold, or hot foods during confinement, causing residual blood to congeal. Over time, this worsens, causing abdominal pain, indigestion (undigested rice husks), persistent pus/blood discharge, cold pain from water qi entering the intestines, or red/white leukorrhea due to necrotic blood entering the Small Intestine. First, take this medicine to expel necrotic blood, then treat the diarrhea/dysentery. Use Gegen (Kudzu Root) 1 qian. Decoct in water, add Tongbian (Child's Urine) and aged wine, mix with the powder, and take.

Discourse Eleven
Postpartum pain in all joints is caused by necrotic blood accumulating in the joint spaces, creating false distension that cannot resolve. Use half a zhong of aged wine and Niuxi (Achyranthes Root) 1 qian. Decoct, add 3 fen of Tongbian (Child's Urine), mix with the powder, and take.

Discourse Twelve
Postpartum hemorrhage resembling chicken liver color, accompanied by dizziness, oppression, and fever, is caused by unsettled necrotic blood and consumption of fishy/sour foods. Use Zhangliugen (Chenopodium Root) and Xingjiao (Apricot Gum), each 1 qian. Decoct in water, add 3 fen of aged wine, mix with the powder, and take.

Discourse Thirteen
Postpartum coma, fright, rebellious qi with coughing, alternating cold/heat in limbs, dry mouth, chest oppression, sore/swollen back, and intermittent abdominal pain are caused by blood failing to restore itself, exacerbated by early consumption of hot foods and wheat products. Long-term effects include amenorrhea, yellow/red leukorrhea, and urinary incontinence or distension. Urgently take this medicine using the guiding method described above.

Discourse Fourteen
Postpartum chest diaphragm fullness, vomiting, and retching are caused by incomplete clearance of necrotic blood, creating a sensation of foul matter in the heart, combined with unclear Lung qi. Do not treat as food stagnation. Take this medicine using the guiding method described above.

Discourse Fifteen
Postpartum dark urine, constipation, or vulvar swelling is caused by necrotic blood entering the Small Intestine and blocking the water passages. Do not misdiagnose as Lin Syndrome (strangury). Take this powder using the guiding method described above.

Discourse Sixteen
Postpartum dry tongue and epistaxis (nosebleed), with spots around the neck, are caused by necrotic blood entering the five zang organs. Use Danggui (Angelica Sinensis) 1 qian and half a zhong of aged wine. Decoct, add 3 fen of Tongbian (Child's Urine), mix with the powder, and take.

Discourse Seventeen
Postpartum lower back pain, gritty eyes, general spasms, locked jaw, or legs arched like stroke are caused by sexual intercourse within the first hundred days postpartum. Use Hamo (Toad) and Mazi (Hemp Seed/Cannabis Seed), each 1 qian. Decoct in water, add 3 fen of aged wine, mix with the powder, and take.

Discourse Eighteen
Postpartum organ instability, inability to speak, and cicada-like sounds from the throat are caused by consuming hot foods or retaining undigested food during confinement, leading to necrotic blood attack. Symptoms include intermittent breathing difficulties, wandering sensations, and tightness of the jaw. Use Ruxiang (Frankincense) 1 qian. Decoct in water, add 3 fen of aged wine, mix with the powder, and take.