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Because the mother suffered from a heat syndrome, by the sixth or seventh month of pregnancy, it led to extreme heat in the zang-fu organs. This heat steamed and scorched the fetus, causing fetal death. The dead fetus could not be expelled naturally, thus causing panting (shortness of breath).

A deep pulse with panting indicates a retained dead fetus. Heat damaging the fetal qi causes it to rush upward. Guizhe San (Cinnamon Musk Powder) should be mixed evenly and taken with wine. Heishen San (Black Spirit Powder) can also be used to facilitate the natural expulsion of the placenta.

Ingredients: Shudi (Prepared Rehmanniae Radix), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Guixin (Cinnamomi Cortex), Puhuang (Typhonii Rhizoma Pollen) (each 3 qian); Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma), Zhigancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Preparata) (each 3 fen); Chao Heidou (Fried Glycine Max Seed, peeled) (2.5 he). Take with wine.

This condition may arise if the pregnant woman fails to observe dietary and lifestyle taboos, or due to rebellious Qi.

If a woman's Qi rebels, the fetus may assume a transverse position, leading to difficult labor. Yimucao (Leonuri Herba) combined with Tongbian (Infant Urine) and wine can guide the Qi downward. Simply administering Shenyingshuai Sheng San (Divine Response Labor-Inducing Powder) will result in the birth of the infant shortly.

Ingredients: Huangshukuihua (Malvae Flower, dried). Grind into powder. Mix with hot water and take 2 qian. If accompanied by bleeding and dryness of the amniotic sac causing dystocia, quickly administer two doses for immediate delivery. If Huangshukuihua is unavailable, other remedies may prove equally effective.

During labor, excessive effort may cause lochia to flow upward in rebellion. The placenta may also ascend with the rebellious Qi, causing chest oppression and coma. If the placenta is not delivered within a short time, the mother may die.

Why does the placenta fail to descend? Fatigue results from excessive exertion. Retained wind-cold or cold blood entering the uterus causes uterine distension, leaving one helpless. Urgently administer Duoming Dan (Life-Snatching Pill) to invigorate blood circulation. Take with infant urine and wine. Once the placenta is delivered, urination and defecation will become clear and harmonious.

Ingredients: Fuzi (Prepared Aconiti Lateralis Radix, 5 qian), Danpi (Moutan Cortex), Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) (each 1 liang); Ganxi (Styracis Resina, stir-fried until smoke ceases). Grind into powder. Make Dahuang into a paste, mix with the powder, and form pills the size of tung tree seeds. Take with wine.

Another formula: Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix), Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Poxiao (Natrii Sulfas), Puhuang (each 3 liang); Chuangui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) (1.5 liang); Guixin (Cinnamomi Cortex) (5 qian). Grind into powder and mix evenly. Take 5 qian per dose, delivered with ginger decoction.

Yet another formula: Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix), Qumai (Dianthi Herba), Guiwei (Angelicae Sinensis Radix Tail), Mutong (Akebiae Caulis), Zhiqiao (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus) (each 1 qian); Dongkuizi (Abelmoschi Semen, washed in wine) (1.5 qian); Huashi (Talcum) (2 qian). Decoct in water and take hot. This aims to lubricate the water passages, facilitating easier delivery of the fetus.

Generally, fever is caused by extreme Qi deficiency, not by excess heat. There is fever due to internal injury and fever due to external contraction. Fever accompanied by aversion to cold indicates severe deficiency of Qi and Blood. There is also [fever due to] blood stasis...

Postpartum fever accompanied by aversion to cold requires understanding that there are several types. External pathogens causing body heat and a floating-tight pulse: if complicated by Wuji (Five Accumulations) syndromes, the illness will resolve itself. A large pulse at the Right Cun position indicates head pain; use Erchen Tang (Two-Cured Decoction) plus Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix). Do not mistake internal injury for external trauma. Fullness and pain in the lower abdomen with lochia retention, accompanied by aversion to cold, high fever, and warmth in the palms: for a wiry and urgent pulse, Wujisan (Five-Accumulation Powder) is indicated; Yuanhusu Congbai San (Yuanhu and Scallion Powder) is highly respected. For tidal fever in the late afternoon, Bawu Tang (Eight-Ingredient Decoction) is suitable. For a deficient, wiry, and large pulse, follow the principles of tonification as discussed in Bu Zhong Yi Qi Lun (Discussion on Tonifying the Middle and Augmenting Qi). A physician treating patients with pulses and herbs is like going to battle; one must carefully investigate to clearly distinguish between deficiency and excess.