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The infant, while in the mother's womb, is gestated for ten months before birth. At this time, although the skin, sinews, bones, zang-fu organs, qi, and blood are already formed, they are not yet fully developed. Therefore, there occurs "Bian Zheng" (Variable Evaporation/Developmental Fever), which serves to enhance spiritual intelligence and strengthen the sinews and bones. "Bian" (Variable) refers to change and transformation; "Zheng" (Evaporation) refers to heat. After each episode of Bian Zheng, the infant's sinews, bones, qi, and blood become slightly stronger, and their spirit and temperament exhibit distinct changes. Thus, the *Shengji Jing* states: "When infants are first born, they undergo Bian Zheng because their physical structure is not yet full, and their spirit is not yet robust; they still rely on the qi of Yin and Yang and the mutual assistance of Water and Fire to be molded and completed. This is not contrary to the natural Dao, but rather takes change as the norm."

Therefore, after birth, an infant undergoes a cycle every 32 days. This corresponds to the ten fingers of both hands, with three segments per finger totaling thirty bone segments, plus the two palm bones, totaling thirty-two segments; the feet follow the same pattern. Tai Cang Gong (Chunyu Yi) stated, "Qi enters internally to lengthen the mechanism bones through ten transformations," referring to this principle. The *Shengji Jing* further states: "Bian refers to the Qi ascending from above; Zheng refers to body heat." Ascending Qi occurs because the five Zang organs undergo changes and all ascend to meet the True Zang Qi, positioning them higher than the Lung. Body heat occurs because the blood vessels distribute nourishment, with Yang Qi securing the exterior and acting as the servant of Yin. Thus, when Bian Zheng concludes, the form and Qi are established. This is akin to the growth of all things: without the heat steaming from the accumulation of Yin and Yang Qi, there can be no flourishing transformation.

Thirty-two days after birth is the First Bian, belonging to the Kidney. Another thirty-two days later, the Second Bian and Zheng occur, belonging to the Bladder. The Kidney and Bladder are interior-exterior pairs, totaling sixty-four days. During this Bian, the ears and the sacral region (KT bone) feel cold. Because the Kidney belongs to Water, and the number of Water is one, this marks the beginning of Bian Zheng. Another thirty-two days later is the Third Bian, belonging to the Heart. Another thirty-two days later is the Fourth Bian and Zheng, belonging to the Small Intestine. The Heart and Small Intestine are interior-exterior pairs, totaling one hundred twenty-eight days. During this Bian, there is sweating and slight fright. Because the Heart belongs to Fire, and the number of Fire is two, this is the second stage of Bian Zheng. Another thirty-two days later is the Fifth Bian, belonging to the Liver. Another thirty-two days later is the Sixth Bian and Zheng, belonging to the Gallbladder. The Liver and Gallbladder are interior-exterior pairs, totaling one hundred ninety-two days. During this Bian, the eyes do not open and appear red. Because the Liver belongs to Wood, and the number of Wood is three, this is the third stage of Bian Zheng. Another thirty-two days later is the Seventh Bian, belonging to the Lung. Another thirty-two days later is the Eighth Bian and Zheng, belonging to the Large Intestine. The Lung and Large Intestine are interior-exterior pairs, totaling two hundred fifty-six days (Note: Text says 258, logic implies 256). During this Bian, the skin feels hot, with either sweating or no sweating. Because the Lung belongs to Metal, and the number of Metal is four, this is the fourth stage of Bian Zheng. Another thirty-two days later is the Ninth Bian, belonging to the Spleen. Another thirty-two days later is the Tenth Bian, belonging to the Stomach. The Spleen and Stomach are interior-exterior pairs, totaling three hundred twenty days. During this Bian, there is loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and spitting up milk. Because the Spleen belongs to Earth, and the number of Earth is five, this is the fifth stage of Bian Zheng.

Afterward, another sixty-four days pass for a major Zheng (Da Zheng). Four cycles accumulate to two hundred fifty-six days. Upon completion of the major Zheng, a total of five hundred seventy-six days have passed. With the completion of the variable quantities of minor and major Zheng, the blood vessels become full and nourished. The hands receive blood and gain the ability to grasp; the feet receive blood and gain the ability to walk. This also corresponds to the hands and feet.

The signs of Bian Zheng include: body heat, slight fright, cold ears and sacral region, white blisters appearing on the upper lip resembling fish-eye pearls, chaotic pulse, either sweating or no sweating, lack of desire to eat, vomiting upon feeding, heavy cloudiness of the whites of the eyes, and eyes slightly closed, red/black, and unable to open. When Bian Zheng concludes, vision naturally becomes clear. Mild cases subside within five days; severe cases within ten days. It may subside five days early, five days late, or within ten days, until the heat dissipates. If the heat is excessive and persists beyond the expected duration, do not cause alarm or disturbance. Do not allow too many people around or noisy chatter. Do not arbitrarily apply moxibustion or acupuncture. Instead, administer a small amount of Zi Wan (Purple Pill) to induce mild purgation, and the heat will cease. Alternatively, treatment with Hei San Zi (Black Powder) or Fen Xiang San (Powdered Incense Powder) from Sun Simiao's *Zhouhou Fang* (Handbook of Prescriptions for Emergencies) may be used. One must strictly avoid other inappropriate treatments. If the condition is Wind-Cold, seasonal warm diseases, or conditions like Fright-Heat or Warm-Fever, although these may resemble Bian Zheng, if the ears and sacral region are hot and there are no white pearl-like blisters on the lips, it is a different disease. Each should be treated according to its specific syndrome. If Bian Zheng involves internal Cold, compounded by a struggle between Cold and Heat, causing twisting of the umbilical and abdominal regions and incessant crying, application of warming compresses (ironing/moxa-warming) will lead to recovery.