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A parturient woman with a red face and cyanotic tongue indicates that the mother survives while the fetus dies. If the mother's face is cyanotic, the tongue is red, and froth issues from the mouth, it indicates that the fetus survives while the mother dies. If both lips of the mother are cyanotic, froth issues from the corners of the mouth, the body feels heavy, there are alternating chills and fever, the tongue surface is cyanotic or black, or the tongue feels cold, these symptoms indicate death for both mother and fetus, and the condition is incurable.

Breech or transverse presentation during childbirth often results from starting labor preparation too early or excessive straining, before the fetus has turned. Or if the amniotic sac has ruptured, the blood may dry up, making fetal rotation difficult. If the foot presents first, it is called "inverse" (nì); if the hand presents first, it is called "transverse" (héng). In such cases, use a fine silk-wrapped needle to prick the center of the fetal palm or sole to a depth of one or two fen, pricking three or four times. Apply salt to the area and gently push the limb back in. The pain and surprise will cause the fetus to contract and turn, allowing for normal delivery.

Regarding dystocia, whether transverse, breech, or involving a decomposing dead fetus in the abdomen: upon feeling abdominal pain or lower back heaviness, administer Shenzha San (Divine Oak Branch Powder). Drink one cup warm; the chest will feel open and clear, as if thirsty. Drink another cup; a sensation of heaviness in the lower body will arise, followed by delivery without further suffering. For transverse or inverse presentations, three doses will correct the position; for a dead fetus in utero, three doses will expel it. This formula ensures the safety of both mother and child and is highly effective.

There was a woman with a transverse presentation, hand protruding, and abdominal swelling. Attempts were made to amputate the hand to save her life, but she did not survive. Multiple催产 (labor-inducing) medicines failed. She was given a strong decoction of this medicine. After a short while, she regained consciousness. Another bowl was given, and after sleeping briefly, she suddenly said, "My joints have broken apart; help me up." Blood and water flowed down, and the dead fetus was extracted effortlessly. It can be said she was reborn. Using this prescription saves lives with 100% success.

Shenzha San (Divine Oak Branch Powder): Fresh oak branch thorns (one handful of those as thick as a little finger, washed clean and chopped; varieties with one leaf and one thorn are common), Licorice Root (Gancao, 5 qian). Chop into coarse pieces for one dose. Add 1.5 bowls of fresh well water to a new clay pot, seal tightly with three layers of paper, and decoct over mild heat until reduced to 80%. Take warm.

For pregnant women experiencing difficult labor or no delivery after one or two days, taking this medicine will naturally facilitate fetal movement and delivery.

Sanhe Jisheng Tang (Three-Combined Life-Sustaining Decoction): Angelica Root (Danggui, 2 qian), Szechuan Lovage Rhizome (Chuanxiong, 2 qian), Bitter Orange (Zhike, stir-fried with bran, 2 qian), Perilla Leaf (Zisu, 8 fen), Cyperus Rhizome (Xiangfu, stir-fried, 2.5 qian), Greater Betel Nut Peel (Dafupi, washed with ginger juice, 1.5 qian), Licorice Root (Gancao, 7 fen). Chop into coarse pieces, decoct in water. Administer when lower back pain becomes severe to induce delivery.

Ruyi San (As-You-Wish Powder): To be taken only when lower back pain occurs during labor. Ginseng Root (Renshen, 1 qian), Frankincense (Ruxiang, 1 qian), Cinnabar (Chensha, 5 fen). Grind into fine powder. At the onset of labor, mix urgently with one egg white. Dissolve in boiled water mixed with fresh ginger juice, and take cold. For transverse or breech presentations, it ensures immediate smooth delivery, keeping both mother and child safe.

Regarding fetal death in utero during pregnancy, whether dead or alive but moving restlessly, use Xiong Gui Tang (Peony and Angelica Decoction) plus Perilla Leaf (Suye). Decoct in wine and water. The dead fetus will be expelled; the living fetus will be stabilized.

When the amniotic sac has ruptured, fluids are exhausted, or vital energy is depleted, use Bazhen Tang (Eight-Treasure Decoction) in large quantities (approx. 1 jin), adding half a jin of Motherwort Herb (Yimucao). Decoct in several bowls of water. Sip frequently. Prepare this medicine near term, taking it twice daily to facilitate easy delivery and expulsion of the placenta.

Regarding transverse or inverse presentations, failure to act quickly results in death for both. Snake Slough (Shetui, one piece), Cicada Slough (Chantui, 14 pieces), Lanugo (Tai fa, one丸, calcined to ash). Grind into powder, divide into two doses, taken with wine. Administer one dose shortly after the other. Lie supine for a moment, and delivery will occur.

For dystocia with retained placenta, calcinate Snake Slough (Shetui) to ash, mix with a small amount of natural Musk (Shexiang), grind finely, and take with warm wine to induce immediate delivery.

Regarding rupture of membranes with no delivery after three to five days, approaching death but breath remaining (Transmission by Jiang Yuechi): Take a large fish bladder (3 cun), soak in sesame oil, burn over a lamp, collect the dripping oil into wine. Calcine the residue to ash, take with wine.

For dystocia due to dried amniotic fluid and inability of the fetus to descend, mix 3 bowls of Sesame Oil (Xiangyou) and Honey (Fengmi). Decoct slowly in a copper pot for one or two boils, skim off foam, mix in 1 ounce of Talcum Powder (Huashi), stir well, and take in one dose. Massage the mother's abdomen with the oil-honey mixture externally to facilitate delivery.

In a case of difficult delivery where the infant died and maternal vitality was damaged, burning the umbilical cord with an oiled paper twist was used to transfer yang qi to the mother. Soon after, the baby cried. Had the cord been cut normally with a knife, the mother might not have survived.

Dead fetuses in the uterus often result from premature stimulation, violation of taboos, excessive pressure on the waist, or frequent wiping of fluids, causing the sac to rupture early and fluids to dry up. Signs include cyanosis of lips and tongue (death for both); black tongue or severe distension indicates fetal death. First, administer Pingwei San (Calm the Stomach Powder, 1 liang) decocted in equal parts wine and water, then add 0.5 liang of Mirabilite (Puxiao, matured saltpeter) to take. Alternatively, take 1 liang of Mirabilite mixed with child's urine, which is also effective.

For retained placenta, mix three egg whites (yolks removed) with one he of sour vinegar, swallow immediately to expel the placenta.

Another method for retained placenta: chew several stalks of raw green onion white to expel it.

For retained placenta caused by weak qi and stagnant blood in the uterus, stir-fry 1 liang of Safflower (Honghua), pour five jugs of clear wine over it, and take warm. Wine strengthens qi, and Safflower resolves blood stasis.

For retained placenta due to deficient maternal qi, use Xiong Gui Tang (Peony and Angelica Decoction) with doubled Cinnamon Twig (Guizhi) to warm and promote expulsion.

For difficult labor, transverse, or inverse presentations, calcinate Snake Slough (Shetui) to ash, take 5 fen mixed with wine.

For retained dead fetus, complicated by dystocia or transverse/breech presentation, take Cinnamon Heart (Guixin) powder, 2 qian each time, mixed with warm wine during intense contractions.

Another formula: Mix 5 fen of Musk (Shexiang) powder with 2 qian of Cinnamon powder, take with wine.

For postpartum retained placenta with evil blood rushing to the heart and abdominal blood masses, use Jinwen Dahuang (Jinwen Rhubarb, 1 liang) ground to powder. Simmer 0.5 sheng of good vinegar into a paste, form pills the size of wu zi seeds. Dissolve five pills in vinegar and take. Expels quickly. Also treats amenorrhea.

For transverse/inverse presentation with retained dead fetus: One pair of male rat kidneys, Calomelas (Qingfen, 1 fen), Pine Rosin (Songxiang, 1 fen). Pound together into 3-4 pills, coat with Cinnabar (Chensha), take with warm wine.

For retained placenta, have the parturient hold the end of her own hair in her mouth to induce vomiting, which expels the placenta.

Regarding dystocia with unopened pubic symphysis (jiao gu) lasting 5-7 days, approaching death: Huoming Xiong Gui Tang (Life-Saving Peony and Angelica Decoction). Szechuan Lovage Rhizome (Chuanxiong), Angelica Root (Danggui) (each 1 liang), human hair (from living man or woman, one handful, calcined to ash preserving nature), shell of a naturally dead turtle (one piece, or dried one treated with butter). Grind to powder, decoct 1 liang in water. After some time, the fetus will be expelled regardless of life status.

Regarding full-term pregnancy (10 months), injury from excess desires, tidal fever, consumption of hot/toxic foods pre-labor, blood stasis conflict, emotional anger, leading to transverse/dystocia crises due to haste and improper midwifery causing fetal death in utero: Prepare excellent formulas to prevent this. Taking 1-2 doses plus two Wujin Wan (Black Gold Pills) is very effective.

Huoshui Wuyou San (Living Water Without-Worry Powder): Motherwort Herb (Yimucao, 2 liang), Large Bitter Orange (Dazhike, 1 liang), Angelica Root (Danggui, 4 qian), Szechuan Lovage Rhizome (Chuanxiong, 1 qian), White Peony Root (Baishao, 2 qian), Rehmannia Root (Sheng Dihuang, 2 qian), Live Carp (Sheng Liyu, one), Official Cinnamon (Guigui, 1 qian), Garden Balsame Seed (Jixingzi, 4 qian), Tangerine Peel (Chenpi, 1 qian), Licorice Root (Gancao, 8 fen). Chop each, divide into two doses. Decoct each dose in 3 bowls of water until reduced to 2 bowls. Before taking, add one spoon of good vinegar. Add one Wujin Wan per bowl. If the fetus does not descend, urgently decoct the dregs again using "rootless water" (rainwater/snowmelt), take two doses consecutively to save life.

Regarding transverse/inverse presentation, difficult labor, retained dead fetus, and postpartum diseases: Wujin Wan (Black Gold Pill). True Donkey-Hide Gelatin (Ejiao, 1 liang 8 qian, stir-fried with clam powder), Sappan Wood (Sumu, 1 liang), Mugwort Leaf (Aiye, harvested on Dragon Boat Festival, roots removed, 2 liang), Millet Sprout (Guya), Malt (Maiya) (sun-dried, 2 liang each), Snake Slough (Shetui, whole, roasted, head pointing down is best). Grind to fine powder, make pills with refined honey the size of euryale seeds. Take one pill dissolved in child's urine and wine.

For transverse/inverse presentation, no delivery after 3-5 days, impending death (Transmission by Jiang Shishi Zhou): Use a snake slough (Shetui) measuring over one chi long, oriented downwards, calcine to ash preserving nature. Mix equally with pigeon droppings, grind to powder, make one pill with yellow wax, swallow dissolved in Mirabilite (Puxiao) water.

For unopened pubic symphysis and unclosed birth canal due to weak vital qi and poor prenatal care leading to qi-blood stagnation: Unopened symphysis is yin deficiency; use Huoming Xiong Gui Tang and Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment Qi Decoction). Unclosed canal is qi-blood deficiency; use Shiquan Dabu Tang (Ten-Tonics Great Tonifying Decoction).

Huoming Xiong Gui Tang (see above).

For dystocia with retained placenta and dead fetus: Three Barbados Loofah Seeds (Badazi), seven Castor Seeds (Bimazi). Remove shells, grind to mud, add Musk (Shexiang). Form into cakes and apply below the navel. Within moments, mother and child separate.

Another method: Ten Castor Seeds (Bimazi), peeled, ground, and applied to both soles. Placenta will descend. Wash off immediately. If not washed off, intestines may prolapse. If this happens, apply this medicine to the crown of the head to retract the intestines. If intestines enter, wash with water. Highly effective.

For dystocia, transverse/inverse, dry blood sea, or retained fetus, desperate situation, impending death (Transmission by Dai Cunyu): Mirabilite (Puxiao, 2 qian; 3 qian for robust patients; add 3.5 fen of baked Aconite Root (Fuzi) with skin and root removed for weak or cold patients). Mix with half a zhong of good wine and half a zhong of child's urine, add Mirabilite, boil once or twice, take warm. Immediate delivery, highly effective.

For dead fetus in utero, or maternal exhaustion, dry birth canal, cold limbs, abdominal pain: Use Wuji San (Five Accumulations Powder) (see Cold Damage). Remove Ephedra Herba (Mahuang), add Aconite Root (Chuanwu), Prepared Aconite Root (Fuzi), Pinellia Tuber (Nanxing), Fried Donkey-Hide Gelatin (Ejiao), Aucklandia Root (Muxiang), and Apricot Seed (Xingren).

Buzhong Yiqi Tang (see Internal Injury), Shiquan Dabu Tang (see Tonification).

For uterine prolapse (birth intestine): Place the prolapsed organ in a basin. Wash with decoction of taro, as taro water is slippery. Then splash cold water on the chest to induce coughing, which helps retract the organ. Support manually to insert it. Wash with horse clam water. Place the dregs at the door threshold, have the woman lie down with feet elevated. Recovery occurs after some time.