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*Zhengzhi Yaojue* (Essentials of Diagnosis and Treatment) states: The full month postpartum period is colloquially called "Man Du" (Full Belly). During this time, women often eat indiscriminately, leading to food stagnation fever, which resembles the "Shi Fu" (recurrence due to improper diet) syndrome in *Shanghan* (Cold Damage) diseases. It is advisable to first administer Hong Wan Pill (Red Pill) one or two doses, and then proceed with Xiaochaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction). This argument appears to be well-founded.

Wang Jiezhai stated: Postpartum spleen and stomach are greatly deficient. Many cases involve fever caused by excessive intake of food leading to stagnation; if mistakenly treated as Blood Deficiency, it will be ineffective. Therefore, whenever encountering postpartum fever, one must inquire about dietary intake, checking for signs such as food accumulation, fullness and oppression, anorexia, or diarrhea, and treat it solely as Food Stagnation. Only if the fever occurs while dietary regulation remains normal should the standard method of tonifying Blood be used.

Xue Lizhai stated: In the aforementioned conditions, if there is fullness and oppression in the chest and diaphragm, belching with a putrid odor, anorexia, acid regurgitation, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever, this indicates Food Stagnation. It is suitable to use Sijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) augmented with Houpo (Magnolia Bark), Shanzha (Hawthorn Fruit), and Shenqu (Medicated Leaven). If there is chest and diaphragmatic stuffiness, poor appetite with fever, or difficulty digesting food, this indicates Spleen Qi Deficiency. It is suitable to use Sijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) augmented with Paojiang (Prepared Ginger). Using harsh and drastic agents would further damage Yuan Qi (Original Qi), which is erroneous.

Shenzhen's commentary: The above four points describe the syndrome of postpartum fever due to food stagnation. There are six types of postpartum fever: 1. Blood Deficiency Fever, 2. Labor Fatigue Fever, 3. Blood Stasis Fever, 4. Wind-Cold Fever, 5. Food Stagnation Fever, and 6. Zhengru Fever (fever due to milk stasis). One must distinguish between excess and deficiency treatments. Blood Deficiency and Labor Fatigue belong to Deficiency; Blood Stasis, Food Stagnation, Wind-Cold, and Zhengru Fever belong to "Excess within Deficiency." For Deficiency, it is indeed appropriate to greatly tonify Qi and Blood. However, for Excess within Deficiency, one must not focus on the branches while forgetting the root. Although the "Stomach Excess" syndrome mentioned in *Jinkui Yaolue* (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet) may warrant purgation, it must still be carefully considered.

Zhao Yangkui stated: If a patient originally had Yin Fire syndrome during pregnancy, after excessive blood loss postpartum, severe fever, irritability, and sweating will inevitably occur. If one follows the previous methods of greatly tonifying Qi and Blood, the symptoms will likely worsen. Instead, Xiaoyao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) should be used to clear Liver Fire and nourish Liver Blood. Due to excessive blood loss causing Liver Deficiency and Blood Dryness, one cannot rigidly adhere to theories of mere Qi and Blood Deficiency.

Zhu Danxi stated: Postpartum fever is not heat from Excess, but rather internal heat generated by Yin Deficiency. Large doses of Yin-tonifying herbs should be administered. Why is Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) necessary? The answer is: Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) enters the Lung meridian to promote Qi circulation and enters the Liver meridian to guide Blood-tonifying herbs to generate Blood. However, it should not be used alone; it must be used in conjunction with Yin-tonifying herbs. This represents the natural wonder of creation.

Lou Quanshan stated: Postpartum fever mostly belongs to Deficiency-Cold. Adding Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) to Yin-tonifying herbs yields miraculous effects. This is the method of Danxi.