Library

The "Treatise on Health Preservation" states: Chicken meat should not be fed to children; consuming it causes roundworms (Ascaris lumbricoides) and leads to emaciation. (From *Duyang Zabian*)

Remains of sacrificial meat and wine from the Earth God altar are used to treat delayed speech in infants. A small amount is spat out and sprayed into the four corners of the room to repel mosquitoes and insects. (From *Bencao* records)

The two-year-old son of Chen Shushan from Dongyang suffered from dysentery, often crying first and becoming increasingly weak and exhausted daily. He consulted Hua Tuo, who said: "When his mother was pregnant, the Yang Qi nourished the fetus internally, causing her breast milk to become deficient and cold. The child ingested this maternal coldness, which is why he did not recover." Hua Tuo prescribed Siwu Nüwan Pill (Four-Ingredient Nüwan Pill), and the illness was cured after ten days. (From *Records of the Three Kingdoms: Book of Wei*)

A child contracted cold pathogens, presenting with high fever and aversion to cold, indicating an exterior syndrome. After administering diaphoretic herbs, sweating occurred, and the body temperature cooled down. However, one day later, the fever returned. The physician reasoned that while the exterior had resolved, the interior remained affected. Upon verification, after administering Sishun Yin (Four-Obedience Decoction), bowel movements became smooth, internal organs harmonized, and the temperature cooled again. Another day passed, and the fever recurred. The physician stated that the heat in the meridians had not yet cleared; verification showed red urine, indicating unresolved Heart Heat. After administering Shengqi Tang (Vitality-Generating Decoction), the temperature cooled again. Two days later, the fever returned once more, leaving the family at a loss. The physician observed: "The pulse is harmonious; this is not due to the disease itself. Since diaphoresis has been induced, and both large and small bowels have been purged, the child is now deficient. The Yang Qi has no place to reside and floats to the exterior, causing the fever. Use stomach-harmonizing formulas such as Liushen San (Six-Spirit Powder), adding sour plum (Wumei) to decoct until a slight sour taste is perceived, to astringe the floating Yang Qi and guide it back inside. Thus, full recovery will occur."

This is a syndrome of Wind generated by Spleen deficiency. The Spleen belongs to Earth, its color is yellow, and yellow stool reflects the normal color of the Spleen. Here, the stool is green, indicating Liver Wood overacting on Spleen Earth. The Liver belongs to Wood, its color is green. When Liver Qi is excess and Spleen Qi is deficient, the Spleen suffers from Liver overaction, resulting in green stool. Treatment should involve herbs that tonify the Spleen and expel Wind, such as Banshu Wan (Half-Sulfur Pill) added with Baifuzi (Aconitum carmichaelii lateral root processed) and Xieshao (Scorpion tail). Although, if green stool turns green immediately upon being thrown on the ground, it is due to Cold-Wind; if it turns green only after a while, it is not pathological. This is natural for infant stool.

A child suffering from diarrhea or malnutrition (Gan syndrome) stopped having diarrhea after medication but subsequently developed coughing. After the cough improved slightly, at age five or six, the child's legs were weak and unable to walk. The master explained: "Spleen transmits to Lung, causing cough; Lung transmits to Kidney, causing inability to walk. Spleen is Earth, Earth generates Metal (Lung), Metal generates Water (Kidney); thus, the pathology transmits to the Kidney. The Kidney governs the waist and legs, hence the inability to walk." Consequently, pig kidneys were decocted in water, and Wugan Bao Tong Wan (Five-Gan Child-Preserving Pill) was administered with the juice. Within half a month, the child could walk.

Infants who cannot yet walk but can sit should not be constantly held in arms. They may sit in a carriage; when able to sit alone, during spring and summer they should sit on the ground, and in winter, mats should be used for cushioning. Humans require contact with Earth Qi to walk. Excessive care and constant holding prevent walking when the time comes. All things cannot grow without Earth; similarly, children need to acquire Earth Qi. (Above from Medical Records)