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Whenever an infant is born, it should be wrapped immediately with clothing; one must strictly avoid invasion by wind-cold pathogens. This is because the fetus within the womb is most tightly protected, but upon emerging from the amniotic sac, its skin and muscles are tender and fragile, making it extremely susceptible to pathogenic factors. In summer, there is naturally no need for worry, but if a slight chill is felt, caution is required. I have often seen infants, shortly after birth, suffering from convulsive disorders (Jing Feng), fever, and spasms, mostly due to this reason.

When newborns are exposed to slightly cool weather, bathing is strictly contraindicated. It is feared that the couli (skin pores and interstices) are not yet dense, leading to the leakage of Yuan Qi (Primordial Qi), allowing external pathogens to take advantage.

In cases where childbirth is difficult, damaging the fetal qi, the infant may emerge from the sac but be too weak to survive or already dead. One must not cut the umbilical cord immediately. Instead, urgently use a large paper twist dipped in sesame oil to burn through the umbilical cord repeatedly. This utilizes the Yang Qi of fire to sustain the Tai Yuan (Fetal Origin). After a moment, if the infant cries, it has revived. This also prevents subsequent diseases such as cold-stomach diarrhea. If the umbilical cord is cut with a knife in such cases, both mother and child are at great risk. This method comes from the medical cases of Xue Lizhai.

The method of burning the cord is most suitable only for those who are constitutionally deficient in Yang Qi or experienced Qi collapse during delivery, to assist Yang Qi. If the mother’s constitution is strong in Yang, or if the infant’s cry is loud and robust, this method should not be used, as fear exists that fire might enter through the navel, causing heat-toxin later, which would do significant harm.

Regarding fetuses dying in the uterus, causes often include trauma, violation of taboos, weak fetal qi leading to miscarriage before formation, or rupture of the amniotic sac with dried blood, prolonged retention leading to exhaustion and decay. If the mother presents with abdominal distension and a black tongue, the fetus is dead. If outside the expected delivery date, the mother feels coldness and heavy bearing down in the abdomen, or experiences vomiting/nausea, foul odor rushing upward, and the tongue appears green-black, these are signs of fetal death. One should promptly administer a formula to expel the dead fetus. After expulsion, assess the deficiency or excess pattern and apply appropriate tonification or purgation accordingly for recovery. If the lips, tongue, and complexion are all blue-green, it indicates danger for both mother and child.

Supplementary Prescription: For treating fetal death in utero. Use Hong Hua (Carthami Flos) boiled in wine to extract the juice; drink two to three bowls, and the fetus will be expelled.

New Method Formula for Expelling Fetus: Use Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) 1 liang, Hou Po (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex) 3 qian, Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) 2 qian. Add one bowl of wine and one bowl of water, decoct until one bowl remains. Add Piao Xiao (Natrii Sulfas) 3-5 qian, boil for about ten more boils, strain, and take hot. The dead fetus will naturally be expelled. Alternatively, using Tuo Hua Jian (Decoction for Expelling Flowers/Fetus) alone is even better.