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*Kun Yuan Shi Bao* was authored by Xue Zhong'angxuan of the Song Dynasty. It has not been included in gynecological books of successive generations. The book contains numerous essential discussions and simple prescriptions, truly serving as a secret manual for gynecology. In the Ding-Si year of the Xianfeng era (1857), Wu Xiaozheng purchased this book from Suzhou at a high price and lent it to me for copying. Here, I excerpt several entries.

In women with certain ailments, if the breasts are not considered too large and menstruation is not considered excessive, this indicates vigorous vitality. To treat hematemesis and various types of epistaxis or lower bleeding, use one pig kidney, two cups of urine from an uncircumcised boy (*Tongbian*), and one cup of aged Sanbai wine. Store them in a new bottle, seal the mouth tightly with mud, and simmer over low heat starting from dusk until the first watch of the night. After midnight, keep it warm with fire. Open the bottle and consume it on an empty stomach. Even in critical cases, efficacy can be seen within one month. Those who are naturally thin and weak should also take it; it is effective for both men and women. It is indeed an excellent prescription for nourishing blood.

Medical texts state: early menstruation is due to blood heat, while late menstruation is due to blood cold. However, if menstruation alternates between early and late, should one treat with alternating hot and cold methods? Generally, Qi is the mother of Blood; if Qi becomes disordered, the menstrual cycle will also be irregular. Therefore, regulating menstruation prioritizes regulating Qi.

During the sixth or seventh month of pregnancy, if a struggle or blow causes the fetus to die in the womb, resulting in direct discharge of lochia, unbearable pain, and near-fainting, *Foshou San* (Buddha's Hand Powder) is the primary treatment. (Composed of Danggui 3 qian, Chuanxiong 5 qian, and Yimucao 5 qian, decocted in half a bowl of water and half a bowl of wine. Take one dose, wait one to two hours, then take another.) If the fetus is undamaged, the pain stops and both mother and child remain safe; if the fetus is damaged, the placenta/fetus will be expelled while the mother survives.

If the fetus does not move and feels cold as ice, it is not a viable fetus. However, stating that "no movement" implies death is incorrect, as a healthy fetus is also latent and still. One cannot immediately diagnose it as a dead fetus based solely on lack of movement. It is appropriate to take Qi-regulating and blood-invigorating herbs. Alcohol is contraindicated postpartum; only urine from an uncircumcised boy (*Tongbian*) should be consumed. *Tongbian* is a miraculous medicine for childbirth. For symptoms such as vertigo, blood stasis attacking the heart, and metrorrhagia, when emergency medication is unavailable, immediately give one cup of *Tongbian* to the mother right after the infant is born to prevent these complications. Consuming one cup daily within the first month prevents myriad diseases; no other medicine compares.

Among the hundred diseases postpartum, three are most critical: vomiting, night sweats, and diarrhea. If all three appear together, life is in danger. When multiple symptoms occur simultaneously, treatment must prioritize the most urgent ones; having two severe symptoms and one mild one is less dangerous. Postpartum, Yin blood is depleted, causing Yang Qi to float outward without foundation, leading to fever. The treatment method uses *Siwu Tang* (Four Substances Decoction) to nourish Yin. Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger) unblocks the spirit, and Paoganjiang (Prepared Dried Ginger) consolidates floating Yang, integrating it with Yin, so both are used. However, postpartum Spleen and Stomach deficiency may cause fever due to dietary injury. Mistaking this for blood deficiency would cause further harm. Thus, one must first ask what food was consumed and if there was dietary injury. Fever accompanied by abdominal pain indicates retained evil blood; fever accompanied by headache indicates external pathogenic invasion. If there is fever but digestion is normal and no other symptoms exist, it is blood deficiency, and blood tonification is appropriate. For symptoms like chest fullness, belching, anorexia, and diarrhea, treat according to the specific symptoms. Abdominal distension without pain definitely does not indicate retained blood. Use a large dose (3 liang) of chopped Yimucao (Motherwort Herb), decoct strongly, strain, and add 2 qian each of Chuanxiong and Danggui powder, along with one cup each of aged wine and *Tongbian*. Repeated doses prevent abdominal pain and blood-stasis syncope and provide significant tonification; this is the general principle for treating postpartum conditions. (This formula is also known as *Duoming Dan* (Life-Rescuing Pill), a sacred medicine for postpartum care.)

Cough caused by a postpartum preference for salty and sour foods will likely become a chronic disease; lifelong caution is required. There are six family-secret formulas, which are simple yet miraculous and should be treasured by the world. *Zhongzi Wan* (Seed-Planting Pill): Harvest Yimucao with roots on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, dry in shade, powder it, and make pills with refined honey the size of a bullet. Take two pills every morning; efficacy is guaranteed within 100 days. *Gutai Wan* (Fetus-Stabilizing Pill): Powder Huangqin (Scutellaria Root) and Baizhu (Atractylodes Rhizome). Take 3 qian per dose, washed down with Shaoren (Amomum Fruit) decoction. Continuous intake for several days ensures fetal stability. *Bao'an Wan* (Security-Peace Pill): On the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, harvest Yimucao, remove roots, dry, powder, and make honey pills the size of a bullet. Take one pill every morning during the eighth and ninth months of pregnancy, washed down with Shaoren decoction. Taking it for 20-30 days prevents breech presentation. *Cuisheng Dan* (Labor-Delivery Pill): Yimucao 4 liang, Jiaobaizhi (Charred Angelica Dahurica Root), Chaohuashi (Calcined Talcum), and Baicaoshuang (Herbal Ash) each 2 liang. Take 4 qian at labor onset, delivered with *Xiongui Tang* (Angelica and Chuanxiong Decoction). *Yimu Dan* (Motherwort Pill): Postpartum, mix 3 qian of Shanzha (Hawthorn Fruit) powder with strong Yimucao decoction, aged wine, and *Tongbian*. Day 1: 3 doses; Day 2: 2 doses; Day 3: 1 dose; Days 4-5: halve Shanzha powder; Days 6-7: omit Shanzha, take only the three liquids; Day 8: combine all three ingredients into one dose. This prevents myriad diseases and has proven effective through experience. *Kun Yuan Shi Bao Dan*: When a pregnant woman falls ill, the fetus suffers and may abort, often resulting in the death of both mother and child. This formula treats fetal illness to ensure safety. Qingdai (Indigo Naturalis) 5 qian, Fulonggan (Dragon's Liver/Drained Earth) 2 liang. Grind into powder, mix with well mud, and apply to the umbilicus corresponding to the fetal position (about 2 cun area). Reapply when dry. This formula is only applicable to extreme heat syndromes from Cold Damage; do not use indiscriminately. Remember! Remember! Be cautious! Be cautious!

My household had a servant surnamed Ye who had a mass prolapsing from the vagina, resembling the head of a newborn. It retracted when lying down and protruded when standing, causing inconvenience and suffering. She claimed it resulted from premature labor after childbirth, specifically squatting by the river to wash clothes repeatedly. After the mass prolapsed, she gave birth to a son, but the mass did not retract. Commonly called "fish bag," it is unknown if this is the uterus. If treated early according to Danxi's method, it might be curable; if prolonged, it becomes incurable. Danxi treated a case where a woman had a cloth-like mass hanging from the vagina, commonly called "Chantui" (Postpartum Prolapse). He recommended greatly tonifying Qi to lift and raise it, using Renshen (Ginseng Radix), [missing character], and Baizhu each 1 qian, Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma) [missing character]. Since it descended with the child, he used Shengma, Danggui, Chuanxiong, [missing character] in a large dose, administered twice. Afterwards, he washed the area with Wubeizi (Chinese Gall) decoction to shrink the skin. Upon hearing a snap, it retracted.