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Fetal diseases refer to conditions arising when the fetal months are nearly complete, and the mother fails to maintain proper care. This may be due to labor causing interference between Qi and Blood, improper sitting or lying postures, irregular hunger and satiety, consumption of alcohol and meat, conflicting cold and hot foods, or fright causing disorder in the blood vessels. These factors damage the fetal Qi and fail to nourish the fetal form, resulting in symptoms such as fetal heat, fetal cold, fetal jaundice, fetal obesity, and fetal weakness.

If it is fetal heat, while the fetus is in the womb, the mother often experiences palpitations and fright. This may be caused by consuming heat-toxic substances. After birth, the infant often presents with deficiency-phlegm, rapid breathing, wheezing, chest fullness, excessive eye discharge and tearing, mental fatigue, frequent yawning, inability to stretch comfortably, hiccupping sounds, and difficulty with urination and defecation. If stool or urine passes, it may contain blood and water. In severe cases, the hands are constantly clenched, the feet are constantly twitching, the eyes gaze obliquely, and the body exhibits jerking and jumping movements. All these result from heat acquired in the womb. It is advisable to quickly administer Dalianqiao Yinzi (Large Forsythia Decoction) to dissipate various heats, followed by several doses of Xiaofeng San (Wind-Dispersing Powder), which will ensure recovery. Regarding fetal fright and fetal wind, please refer to their respective primary symptoms; this is not elaborated here.

If it is fetal cold, while the fetus is in the womb, the mother contracts cold pathogenic factors or excessively enjoys raw and cold foods. When cold is excessive, intestinal rumbling and diarrhea occur. The pathogenic factor disturbs the true Qi. To treat cold pathogens, harmonizing methods should be used; to treat visceral cold, warming the viscera is required. Severe cases may present with "panchang neidiao" (intestinal colic with upward rushing of Qi), all caused by cold, evidenced by green stools, each having its own primary symptoms.

Regarding fetal jaundice, after birth, the infant's entire body and face turn yellow, resembling gold color. The body has high fever, defecation is blocked, urine resembles gardenia juice, there is no appetite for milk and food, and crying continues incessantly. All these result from maternal heat transmitting to the fetus. For any such symptoms, the nursing mother can take Shengdihuang Tang (Rehmannia Decoction), while avoiding heat-toxic substances.

If it is fetal obesity, the infant is born with thick muscles and red skin. After one month, the condition gradually becomes emaciated. The whites of the eyes appear pinkish-red, the five centers (palms, soles, and chest) feel hot and irritable, defecation is difficult, and salivation occurs frequently. This is primarily treated with the Bathing Body Method (medicated bath therapy).

If it is fetal weakness, the infant is born with a lackluster facial expression, thin muscles, watery loose stools, pallor, frequent belching and hiccups, and lifeless eyes. This should also be treated with the Bathing Body Method.

Generally, fetal endowment varies from strong to weak. If the mother indulges in diet without regard for hunger or satiety, and lacks discipline in daily activities, the child may fall ill, suffering either from cold or heat, deficiency or timidity. Heat leads to stagnation, cold leads to diarrhea, deficiency leads to fright, and timidity leads to obstruction. Cold is treated with warming, heat with cooling, deficiency by strengthening Ying (Nutritive) Qi, and timidity by boosting Wei (Defensive) Qi. Fright is treated with Anshen Wan (Spirit-Calming Pill), and obstruction with mild purgatives. Careful examination and application can ensure safety. However, nothing compares to the ancient method of prenatal education, which prevents all such disorders, ensuring the child is born with handsome features and becomes an outstanding hero of the world.

Dalianqiao Yinzi: See Question 3.

Xiaofeng San: Treats various wind pathogens attacking upwards, causing dizziness and headache, stiffness in the neck and back, limb pain, muscle twitching, vertigo, tinnitus (ringing like cicadas), dry eyes with sleepiness, nasal congestion with sneezing, skin numbness, pruritus, urticaria, pediatric deficiency wind, and dry, dim, and fatigued eyes.
Ingredients: Bai Fuling (Poria Cocos, peeled), Xiong (Ligusticum Chuanxiong), Qianghuo (Notopterygium Root, de-rubbed), Jingjie Sui (Schizonepeta Spike), Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia Root, de-rubbed), Huoxiang Ye (Agastache Leaf), Chantui (Cicada Slough, cleaned of dirt), Bai Jiangcan (Bombyx Batryticatus, fried, de-silked), Gancao (Licorice Root, chopped, roasted), Chenpi (Citrus Reticulata Peel, de-albened), Nongbo (Magnolia Bark, peeled, ginger-juice processed, each 1.5 taels).
Usage: Grind into fine powder. Take half a qian per dose, mixed with clear tea water; mint decoction is also acceptable. It also treats acute and chronic convulsions; mix with Rue and Schizonepeta decoction containing Frankincense, or add Realgar, named Xiongfeng San.

Shengdihuang Tang: Treats infants born with whole-body and facial jaundice resembling gold color, high fever, constipation, urine like gardenia juice, anorexia, and incessant crying. This is a sign of fetal jaundice, caused by maternal heat pathogens transmitting to the fetus. Mothers with such symptoms should take this decoction, while avoiding alcohol, wheat products, and the Five Pungent Spices.
Ingredients: Shengdihuang (Rehmanniae Radix), Chishaoyao (Paeoniae Radix Rubra), Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Chuandonggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, wine-washed, equal parts).
Usage: Coarsely chop. Take 5 qian per dose, boil in one cup of water until reduced to 0.6 cups, remove dregs. The mother can drink it, or apply a small amount to the infant's mouth.

Bathing Body Method: See Question 14.