方约之曰∶产后之证多端,其源有三,曰血虚火动,曰败血妄行,曰饮食过伤,何以明之?气属阳,血属阴,
产后去血过多,血虚火动,为烦躁发热之类,一也;虚火上载,败血妄行,为头晕腹痛之类,二也;经云∶少
火生气,壮火食气。东垣云∶火为元气之贼。产后火伤元气,脾胃虚弱,若饮食过伤,为痞满泄泻之类,三也。
治法,血虚火动则补之,败血妄行则散之,饮食过伤则消之。但人元气有虚实,疾病有浅深,治疗有难易,又
不可一概论也。
慎斋按∶以上五条,序妇人新产后有诸证之变现也。产后见证多端,仲景下三条,其大略也。约之一条尤
切要,而产后犯之者众。但云壮火食气,产后火伤元气,致脾胃虚弱,饮食过伤为痞泻证。夫产后之火,虚乎
实乎?况痞满泄泻,亦不专主壮火为害也,立论不能无弊。
孙真人曰∶产后七日内,恶血未尽,不可服汤,候脐下块散,乃进羊肉汤。有痛甚者,不在此例,候二三日
消息,可服泽兰丸。
《产宝》曰∶才产不得与酒,缘酒引血进
入四肢。产母脏腑方虚,不禁酒力,热酒入腹,必致昏闷,不可多饮。时呷少许,可以避风邪,养气血,下
恶露,行乳汁也。
《胎产须知》曰∶新产后,童便不宜乱服。《大全》云产毕可饮热童便一盏,即一热字,或与药同服,或与
酒同服,童便有益阴降火之功,无寒凉凝瘀之患,则童便不宜单服明矣。况童便必择清白无臭味者佳,若黄浊
不堪,则气既混杂,味亦腥 。此时产母气血已虚,胃气甚薄,饮之必致呕恶泄泻,非徒无益,而反害之。
Fang Yuezhi stated: Postpartum syndromes are diverse, with three main origins: blood deficiency leading to hyperactive fire (deficiency fire), abnormal flow of retained blood (stasis), and excessive dietary injury. How can this be clarified? Qi belongs to Yang, and Blood belongs to Yin. After childbirth, excessive blood loss leads to blood deficiency and hyperactive fire, manifesting as irritability and fever; this is the first case. Hyperactive fire flares upward, combined with the abnormal flow of retained blood, manifests as dizziness and abdominal pain; this is the second case. The *Neijing* states: "Mild fire generates Qi, while excessive fire consumes Qi." Li Dongyuan stated: "Fire is the thief of Yuan Qi (Original Qi)." Postpartum, fire pathogenic factors damage Yuan Qi, causing Spleen and Stomach weakness. If dietary intake is excessive, it leads to sensations of fullness and diarrhea; this is the third case. The treatment principles are: for blood deficiency with hyperactive fire, tonify; for abnormal flow of retained blood, dissipate; for dietary injury, resolve stagnation. However, human Yuan Qi varies in deficiency or excess, diseases vary in depth and superficiality, and treatments vary in difficulty and ease; thus, they cannot be generalized uniformly.
Shenzhai commented: The above five points outline the manifestations of various postpartum syndromes. Postpartum presentations are numerous; Zhang Zhongjing's three points represent the general framework. Fang Yuezhi's point is particularly pertinent, and many women suffer from it after childbirth. However, he only mentions that "excessive fire consumes Qi," attributing postpartum Spleen and Stomach weakness and subsequent dietary-induced fullness and diarrhea to fire damaging Yuan Qi. Is postpartum fire deficiency or excess? Moreover, fullness and diarrhea are not solely caused by excessive fire. His theoretical stance has flaws.
Sun Simiao said: Within seven days after childbirth, when lochia (retained blood) is not yet cleared, decoctions should not be taken. Wait until the masses below the umbilicus dissipate before administering mutton soup. In cases of severe pain, this rule does not apply; wait two or three days to assess, then Zelan Wan may be administered.
The *Chanbao* states: Alcohol should not be consumed immediately after delivery because alcohol draws blood into the four limbs. The mother's Zang-Fu organs are newly deficient and cannot tolerate the effects of alcohol. Hot wine entering the abdomen will inevitably cause dizziness and confusion; it should not be drunk in large quantities. Consuming small amounts occasionally can ward off wind pathogens, nourish Qi and Blood, facilitate the discharge of lochia, and promote lactation.
The *Taichan XuZhi* states: Tongbian (Child urine) should not be taken indiscriminately in the immediate postpartum period. The *Daquan* states that a cup of hot tongbian can be drunk after delivery. The emphasis on "hot" suggests it should be taken either with medicinal decoctions or with wine. Tongbian has the function of nourishing Yin and descending fire without causing cold-induced stasis; therefore, it is clear that tongbian should not be taken alone. Furthermore, tongbian must be selected for being clear, white, and odorless. If it is yellow, turbid, and unpalatable, its Qi is mixed, and its taste is fishy. At this time, the mother's Qi and Blood are already deficient, and Stomach Qi is very weak. Drinking it will inevitably lead to vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea, doing no good and instead causing harm.