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The infant's head, face, and limbs appear red, resembling a coating of cinnabar (red mineral pigment). This condition is termed "Tai Chi" (Fetal Redness). It is caused by the pregnant woman consuming excessive amounts of pungent and hot-natured foods over a long period, leading to the accumulation and condensation of heat-toxin within the fetus. The ancient method employs Qing Re Jie Du Tang (Heat-Clearing and Toxin-Resolving Decoction), which includes Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix), Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Jin Yin Hua (Lonicerae Japonicae Flos), Bo He Ye (Menthae Haplocalycis Folium), Lian Qiao (Forsythiae Fructum), Chi Shao (Paeoniae Radix Rubra), Mu Tong (Akebiae Caulis), Sheng Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), with Deng Xin Cao (Junci Medulla) used as an guiding herb. In cases of severe heat accompanied by constipation, the ancient method utilizes Jiang Shi Hua Du Dan (Mr. Jiang’s Toxin-Resolving Pill), containing Xi Jiao (Rhinocerotis Cornu), Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Jie Geng (Platycodonis Radix), Xuan Shen (Scrophulariae Radix), Bo He Ye (Menthae Haplocalycis Folium), Sheng Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma), Qing Dai (Indicum), with Deng Xin Cao (Junci Medulla) as a guiding herb.

[Chen Shouzhen’s Commentary] If the entire body is red but without fever or swelling, only five herbs are needed: Jin Yin Hua (Lonicerae Japonicae Flos), Lian Qiao (Forsythiae Fructum), Chi Shao (Paeoniae Radix Rubra), Sheng Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), and Deng Xin Cao (Junci Medulla). These can resolve toxicity and clear heat. Even in cases of severe heat and constipation, adding a small amount of Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma) suffices.

When an infant is born and lands on the ground, crying should occur immediately, indicating that the physical form is established and life is secured. Failure to cry has two primary causes: first, difficult labor causing Qi obstruction and blockage; second, exposure to cold weather where cold forces the body, leading to Qi obstruction. For Qi obstruction, the ancient method uses Cong Bian Bei (Beating the Back with Scallion), gently striking the back with scallion stalks. This utilizes the pungent property of scallions to unblock Qi and the mechanical action to awaken the spirit. For cold-induced obstruction, one must not cut the umbilical cord immediately. The ancient method urgently wraps the infant in cotton wool, holds them close to the body, lights a paper twist dipped in oil, and fumigates the area below the umbilical cord. This allows the fire’s warmth to enter the abdomen through the navel, dispersing the cold and warming the Qi flow, naturally resulting in gradual crying.

[Chen Shouzhen’s Commentary] Both the back-beating and navel-fumigation methods can be imitated. However, if crying fails due to Qi obstruction and scallions are unavailable, manual gentle beating of the back is acceptable. If caused by cold, soaking the umbilical cord in hot vinegar water is particularly effective. Additionally, for infants who attempt to cry but produce no sound, carefully inspect the gums for two yellow tendons, white blisters on the upper palate, or tongue-sublingual structures resembling pomegranate seeds. Cut these areas with a knife made from reed; if reeds are unavailable, quickly scrape them open with a silver needle or break them with fingernails. Remove the white substance inside the blister, wipe away the bad blood with cotton, ensuring it is not swallowed. Apply pig milk to the broken area; milk from a sow nursing her first litter is best, though hard to find. Alternatively, rubbing Ba Bao Jing Mo (Eight-Treasure Beijing Ink) on the site also yields immediate results.