Library

[Da Quan] If a pregnant woman is emaciated, or complicated by disease, resulting in deficiency and damage of the Zang-Fu organs, and exhaustion of Qi and Blood, such that she cannot nourish the fetus, causing fetal movement instability and failure to secure the pregnancy, ultimately unable to maintain the fetus, then abortion (induction of labor/abortion) may be employed to avoid harming the mother.

[Xue Ji] The aforementioned syndrome should be treated according to the formulas and discussions in the "Waist, Abdomen, and Back Pain" section. Only if the fetus truly cannot be secured should one consider inducing abortion; exercise utmost caution.

Zhang Shuren, an official of the Honglu Temple, experienced fetal movement after suffering from dysentery, with restlessness of the mind and spirit and extreme fatigue of the limbs. After taking more than twenty doses of Bazhen San (Eight Treasures Powder), he gradually recovered. Due to overexertion, symptoms of vexation, heat, headache, and pain worsened. He was treated with a large dose of Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) plus Manjingzi (Vernoniae Semen), which immediately stopped the heat and pain. He continued taking the previous formula for another fifty doses, securing the pregnancy. Subsequently, his delivery was very smooth.

At that time, Xu Shaowei, Grand Commissioner, while serving as Magistrate of Jintan, had a wife who suffered from fetal leakage (threatened miscarriage with vaginal bleeding). Despite treatment, the bleeding did not stop, and the situation became critical. Mr. Xu wished to follow the course of the pathology to induce abortion and consulted me. I simply instructed him to take Foshou San (Buddha's Hand Powder), advising that if the fetus could be secured, so be it; if not, induce abortion, following nature. After several doses, Mr. Xu remained worried and indecisive. Another gynecological physician presented a prescription containing Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix) one liang, decocted in wine, claiming that Niuxi is essentially a tonic for the lower body, so what harm would there be? Mr. Xu believed this and administered it, and the fetus was indeed expelled.

I was then mourning the death of my mother and was unaware of the incident until I rushed to the scene. By then, the air was filled with the scent of Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex) and Shexiang (Moschus), because since the placenta had not been expelled, Dr. Xu had prescribed Xianggui San (Fragrant Cinnamon Powder). Consequently, blood gushed forth violently like a bursting river, impossible to stop. An urgent decoction of Dushen Tang (Single Ginseng Decoction) was prepared, but he passed away before it was ready.

After his grief subsided, Mr. Xu came to thank me and asked in confusion: "Niuxi is a tonic, yet it causes abortion. Why?" I replied: "Raw herbs promote circulation and dispersion, while cooked herbs tonify. Thus, the action of breaking blood stasis versus replenishing essence are diametrically opposed, like arrowheads colliding. Is Niuxi the only herb like this? Lujiao (Cervi Cornus Colla) can also cause abortion and break blood stasis, but when decocted into Baijiao (Ejiao, Donkey-Hide Gelatin), it secures the fetus and stops bleeding. Mistaking the raw for the cooked and believing it to be a tonic characterizes a crude practitioner (incompetent doctor). Mr. Xu sighed in regret. I recorded this specifically as a warning to the world.

[Da Quan] To treat cases where the mother's illness causes fetal instability during pregnancy, abortion may be induced.

Take four liang of Mianqu (Wheat Leaven) collected on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, add two large bowls of water, decoct to obtain one bowl, filter through cotton cloth to remove dregs, divide into three warm doses. The fetus will be expelled immediately.

Another formula: Take five sheng of Daqu (Large Leaven), one dou of Qingjiu (Clear Wine), boil twice, remove residue, divide into five doses. Fast overnight. After taking two doses, the fetus will be expelled like gruel, and the mother will suffer no distress. (From Qianjin Fang, stir-fried.)

Another formula: Take one sheng of Maifan (Wheat Bran), grind into powder, mix with water, boil to two sheng, consume. Expulsion occurs immediately. (Miraculous effect)

Another formula: Take two Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata), grind into powder, mix with pure Kujiu (Bitter Wine/Vinegar), apply to the right foot, wash off later. Highly effective.

Another formula: Take one chicken egg, place salt (pinched with three fingers) inside the egg, consume. Expulsion occurs immediately.

Commentary: Chen Liangfu listed formulas such as Niuxi Tang and Guixin San, but Lou Quanshan rejected them all, selecting only these few. His insight was outstanding.

[Inducing Sterility]

[Zhu Danxi] Method to prevent conception: Use one sheng of Baomianqu (White Wheat Leaven) and five sheng of Wuhuijiu (Unadulterated Wine). Mix into a paste, boil to two and a half sheng, filter through silk cloth to remove residue. Divide into three doses. On the eve of the expected menstruation, take one dose at night; the next morning at wugeng (3-5 AM), take one dose; at dawn, take the final dose. Menstruation will commence, resulting in lifelong sterility.

[Da Quan] Verified Formula for Inducing Sterility: Burn one square chi of old Canzhi (Silkworm Skin/Paper) to ash, mix with wine and ingest. Lifelong prevention of pregnancy.

Another formula: Boil Shuiyin (Mercurius) in oil for one day until fumes cease. Ingest a pill the size of a jujube pit on an empty stomach. Permanently prevents pregnancy without harming the person.

Siwu Tang (Four Substance Decoction): Five qian per dose, add two qian of Yuntaizi (Brassicae Pekinensis Seed). Warmly ingest on an empty stomach after menstruation ends.

[Xue Ji] As mentioned previously, burning old silkworm skin to ash and ingesting with wine postpartum results in lifelong infertility for those with Blood deficiency. Generally, formulas for inducing sterility use harsh and drastic agents, often leading to fatal outcomes. Thus, the harm of childbirth is less than the harm of induced sterility. I have heard that Zhang Luofeng, Grand Secretary, and Li Hengzhai, Taichang Official, both suffered from physical weakness and illness upon exertion after taking sterility-inducing drugs, which explains their condition.

Commentary: "Yijian Zhi" records that Bai Mudan, a woman in Dongjing, received karmic retribution for selling abortifacients. Although the above formulas are listed here for emergency reference, users must exercise extreme caution.