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*Daquan* states: Postpartum dysentery arises from labor injuries during childbirth, resulting in insufficiency of the Zang-Fu organs. Before the postpartum period (typically 42 days) has elapsed, if the body is deficient and not yet recovered, or if one engages in labor too early, consumes raw and cold foods by mistake, or rises and moves about prematurely, external wind-cold pathogens may invade the intestines and stomach while taking advantage of the deficiency. Consuming difficult-to-digest raw and cold foods damages the Spleen and Stomach, all leading to diarrhea; in severe cases, it transforms into dysentery. If blood seeps into the Large Intestine, it becomes bloody dysentery, which is difficult to treat and is known in the world as "childbirth dysentery." Since the postpartum state is inherently deficient, compounded by chronic dysentery, the patient becomes increasingly emaciated and weak, termed "deficient and emaciated dysentery" (Xu Lei Xia Li). Additionally, when Qi flow is obstructed after childbirth, resulting in dysentery with both red and white discharge, it is called "Qi dysentery." The treatment principles are: for heat patterns, use cooling methods; for cold patterns, use warming methods; for mixed cold and heat, harmonize them; for sliding/incontinence patterns, use astringents; for deficiency patterns, apply tonification. If the parturient cannot relax emotionally, one must regulate Qi, ensuring peace and stability.

Guo Jizhong asks: What causes abdominal pain and diarrhea/dysentery after childbirth? He answers: After childbirth, the intestines and stomach are weak and vulnerable, making them susceptible to invasion by cold pathogens. If within the first month, one drinks cold water or exposes oneself to wind, cold pathogens may invade and lodge in the Huangmo (membranous tissue between the heart and diaphragm), dispersing into the abdomen and hypochondrium. This causes paroxysmal abdominal pain, sometimes feeling like knife-like stabbing. If the pathogen flows into the Large Intestine, food and fluids fail to digest, causing profuse watery diarrhea (Dong Xie), borborygmus, or passage of red and white purulent matter, hypochondriac distension, or wandering pain. One should urgently administer *Tiaozhong Tang* (Regulate the Middle Decoction) for immediate relief. If one mistakes this condition for food stagnation and uses purgatives, disaster will follow swiftly; caution is essential.

*Chanbao Baiwen* states: When postpartum dysentery is accompanied by thirst, it is because the essence of food and drink fails to transform into blood, Qi, and body fluids to nourish the Zang-Fu organs. Due to deficiency and dryness of the Zang-Fu organs, dysentery occurs alongside thirst. If excessive drinking is induced, the thirst cannot be quenched,反而 leading to fluid overflow. Since the Spleen and Stomach are deficient and unable to control water metabolism, water overflows and soaks the skin, causing edema. By stopping the thirst, the dysentery will naturally heal.

Xue Lizhai states: In postpartum dysentery with thirst, if the patient does not desire cold beverages, it belongs to Stomach Qi deficiency failing to generate body fluids; treat with *Qiwei Baizhu San* (Seven-Ingredient White Atractylodes Powder). If there is night fever accompanied by thirst, it belongs to Kidney Water deficiency failing to moisten; treat with *Liuwei Wan* (Six-Ingredient Pill) assisted by *Yiqi Tang* (Qi-Supplementing Decoction) to nourish the source of transformation.

Xue Lizhai further states: Postpartum dysentery may result from dietary injury damaging Spleen Earth. If Spleen Earth is deficient and unable to digest food, treatment must be carefully assessed. For injury caused by rice consumption, add *Guya* (Sprouted Rice) to *Liujunzi Tang* (Six-Gentlemen Decoction); for injury caused by wheat/noodle consumption, add *Maiya* (Sprouted Barley) and *Laifuzi* (Radish Seed); for injury caused by meat consumption, add *Shanzha* (Hawthorn Fruit) and *Shenqu* (Medicated Leaven). If vomiting is present, add *Huoxiang* (Patchouli Herb). If the condition persists chronically, or is not due to dietary injury, it belongs to Kidney Qi deficiency; one must use *Sishen Wan* (Four Miracles Pill), *Liuwei Wan*, or *Bawei Wan* (Eight-Ingredient Pill) to tonify the Kidney. Using diuretic and water-draining agents would constitute "depleting the deficiency," which is erroneous.