夫人禀阴阳二气,生疾病于三焦。然冠壮易明,童幼难治。黄帝云∶吾不能察其幼小者,
为别是一家调理尔,此不在黄帝图经之论也。又云∶小儿如水上之波、草头之露,以意用药,
毋令造次焉。惟小儿脏腑脆嫩,血气未足,肌体不密,精神未备,故称不易医也。初生曰婴儿,
三岁曰小儿,十岁曰童子。大小各异,且不可一概而用药也。必明消息形候,审定生死,察病
患之浅深,知药性之寒温,乃世之良工也。
东垣云∶一人问中年得子,一岁之后身生红丝瘤,不救,后四子皆病红丝而死,何以然?曰∶
此乃肾中伏火,精气多有红丝,以气相感,生子故有此疾,俗名胎瘤是也。子试观之。果如其言。
遂以滋阴丸以泻肾火,忌酒醋辛爆热物。其妻以六味地黄丸,受胎五月之后,以黄芩白术散间而
用之,后生三子。(前证不作,今已俱壮。噫!合观以上所论,则知其儆戒深矣。)
古人胎养胎教之方最为慎重,所以上古之人多寿多贤,良有以也。《内则》曰∶古者妇人妊
子,寝不侧,坐不偏,立不跸,不食邪味,割不正不食,席不正不坐,目不视邪色,耳不听
淫声,夜则令瞽诵诗道正事。
如此则生子形容端正,才过人矣。又要饮食清淡,饥饱适中。自然妊娠清气,身不受病,临产
易生子,疾亦少,痘疹亦稀。此为气血贯通,所感明验。夫何后世风俗渐偷,鲜能悟道,男妇
纵欲,无往弗胜。怀孕之时殊不加意,以致临产气血乖张,不能顺应。生儿下地,惊搐无时。
此盖胎中受毒,病种渊深,虽良医神剂,莫之能为。
Human beings are endowed with Yin and Yang Qi, and diseases arise in the Sanjiao (Triple Burner). However, adults are easier to diagnose, while children are difficult to treat. The Yellow Emperor said: "I cannot fully observe the young, as they constitute a separate category requiring specific regulation; this is not discussed in the Huangdi's Tu Jing." He also said: "Children are like waves on water or dew on grass tips; medication should be administered with careful deliberation, without rashness." This is precisely because children's Zang-Fu organs are fragile and tender, their Blood and Qi are insufficient, their body tissues are not dense, and their Spirit is not yet fully developed, hence they are called difficult to treat. Those just born are called infants, those aged three are called young children, and those aged ten are called boys/children. They differ in size, and thus medication cannot be applied uniformly. One must understand how to regulate physical signs, determine life and death prognoses, examine the depth of the disease, and know the cold and warm properties of medicines; only then is one a skilled physician of the world.
Li Dongyuan said: Someone asked, "A person had a child in middle age. After one year, red thread-like tumors appeared on his body, which were incurable. Later, all four of his sons died from this illness. Why?" The answer was: "This is latent Fire in the Kidney. The Essence and Qi contain many red threads. Through the resonance of Qi, the offspring inherits this disease, commonly known as fetal tumor." You may try observing it. Indeed, it was as he said. Subsequently, Ziyin Wan (Nourishing Yin Pill) was used to drain Kidney Fire, avoiding alcohol, vinegar, spicy, fried, and hot-natured foods. His wife took Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia), and after five months of conception, she intermittently used Huangqin Baizhu San (Scutellaria and Atractylodes Powder). She later gave birth to three children. (The previous symptoms did not recur, and now all are robust. Alas! Considering the above discussions, one can see that the warning is profound.)
The ancients' methods for prenatal nourishment and education were most cautious, which is why people in ancient times lived long and were virtuous, truly for good reason. The Nei Ze states: In ancient times, when women were pregnant, they did not sleep on their sides, sit askew, or stand limping; they did not eat unorthodox flavors; if meat was not cut properly, they did not eat it; if the mat was not laid straight, they did not sit; they did not look at lewd colors, nor listen to licentious sounds; at night, blind men were instructed to recite poetry to guide them toward righteous matters.
By doing so, the born child would have a dignified appearance and superior talents. Diet should be light, with appropriate hunger and fullness. Naturally, clear Qi during pregnancy prevails, the body remains free from pathogens, childbirth is easy, diseases are few, and smallpox/rashes are rare. This is a clear verification of the penetration of Qi and Blood. Why has the custom of later generations become lax? Few can comprehend the Dao. Men and women indulge in lust, going to extremes. During pregnancy, special attention is neglected, leading to disordered Qi and Blood at the time of delivery, unable to adapt naturally. Upon birth, the infant suffers from frequent convulsions. This is likely due to toxins received in the womb, with deep-rooted pathological origins. Even skilled physicians using miraculous remedies cannot help.