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The constitution of infants and children belongs to Shaoyang (Lesser Yang). Therefore, sometimes due to high fever, they experience fright. The Yuan Yang (primordial yang energy, the driving force of life activities) within their bodies often carries Qi and Blood rushing upward to disturb the brain, causing the nerves to malfunction and lose their regulatory control, thereby inducing Spasm Syndrome (Jing Zheng). Spasm is characterized by stiffness and straightness of the neck; some cases present with opisthotonos (arching of the back like a bow), while others exhibit twitching and convulsions of the limbs, all of which fall under this category. Among the symptomatic treatment drugs for this condition, none is superior to Centipede (Wugong) (preferably using whole specimens). Using symptomatic drugs to address the acute emergency, while simultaneously investigating the etiology and employing root-treating drugs to clear the source, achieves both symptomatic and root treatment, ensuring no recurrence thereafter.

In the late spring of the Guihai year, I was in Fengtian. Within ten days, I encountered four young children suffering from Warm Disease (Wen Bing) complicated by spasms. I treated their warm disease with Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) and their spasms with Centipede. For severe spasms, I used up to three whole Centipedes, decocted them together with Baihu Tang, and administered the mixture in several doses. All cases responded immediately (the detailed case records are listed under the entry "Herbs: Centipede"; additionally, small amounts of other herbs were included, but the crucial aspect lay entirely in the combined use of Baihu Tang and Centipede).

Furthermore: In the summer of the Yichou year, I was at my hometown. A young son of a family surnamed Zhang suffered from Summerheat-Warmth complicated by spasms. During spasm attacks, his breathing ceased; he experienced these episodes several times a day. His high fever was extremely severe, and his mental state was abnormally confused and lethargic. Several physicians consulted dismissed it as incurable. My son, [Name], prescribed a large dose of Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) added with three whole Centipedes, to be taken in three divided doses. The patient recovered after just one dose.

In the late spring of the Bingyin year, a child of the Yu family in Tianjin suffered from Warm Disease accompanied by rash. He had intense heat throughout the body and excessive thirst with a desire to drink water. The rash had appeared for three days but seemed neither fully erupted nor resolved. Observing his demeanor, he appeared恍惚 (trance-like and uneasy), and his pulse was forceful yet trembling, suggesting an impending onset of spasms. I prescribed Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) added with Antelope Horn (Lingyangjiao) half qian (decocted separately and mixed in; this was to prevent spasms, hence Centipede was not used). Before the medicine could be decocted, violent convulsions began. The medicine was hastily decocted and administered, resulting in immediate recovery.

For spasms caused by fright, drugs that clear the Heart, calm the Liver, soothe the Soul, and stabilize the Will should be used in conjunction with Centipede, such as Cinnabar (Zhusha), Rust Water (Tiexiu Shui), Raw Dragon Bone (Sheng Longgu), and Raw Oyster Shell (Sheng Muli). If there is heat, add Antelope Horn (Lingyangjiao) and Indigo Naturalis (Qingdai). If there is phlegm, add Jie Changpu (Acorus tatarinowii Rhizome) and Dan Nanxing (Arisaema cum Bile). If there is wind, add Whole Scorpion (Quanxie) and Bombyx Batryticatus (Jiangcan). If Qi is blocked and the jaw is clenched tightly, first blow medicinal powder into the nose to induce sneezing, then administer the decoction orally.