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After the infant is born, bathed, and the umbilical cord is severed, one should observe the length of their lifespan and whether they will grow into a healthy adult.

If the infant's body cannot curl up upon birth, it indicates death.
If the anus opens like a fish's mouth upon birth, it indicates death.
If there is no flesh between the thighs upon birth, it indicates death.
If sweat mixed with blood appears upon birth, it indicates death.
If the skin below the chin is broken upon birth, it indicates death.
If the area below the scrotum is white or red upon birth, it indicates death.
If the penis does not erect upon birth, it indicates death.
If the body resembles coagulated blood and seems to lack skin upon birth, it indicates death.
If the umbilicus is small upon birth, the lifespan will be short.
If the cry stops and then resumes abruptly upon birth, the lifespan will be short.

If the eyes open automatically upon early birth, the child will not grow into a healthy adult.
If the fontanelles on the head are cracked in four directions upon early birth, the child will not grow into a healthy adult.
If the crying sound is scattered and weak upon early birth, the child will not grow into a healthy adult.
If the body is soft as if lacking bones upon early birth, the child will not grow into a healthy adult.
If the crying sound is deep and muffled upon early birth, the child will not grow into a healthy adult.
If the hair does not grow completely around the head upon early birth, the child will not grow into a healthy adult.
If sweating occurs but does not flow upon early birth, the child will not grow into a healthy adult.
If urine congeals like paste upon early birth, the child will not grow into a healthy adult.
If the hands and feet shake frequently upon early birth, the child will not grow into a healthy adult.
If the occipital bone is undeveloped upon early birth, the child may speak but will die.
If the knee bone is undeveloped upon birth, the child may squat but will die. (Another version states the sacral bone).
If the metacarpal bones are undeveloped upon early birth, the child may crawl but will die.
If the calcaneus is undeveloped upon birth, the child may walk but will die.
If the patella is undeveloped upon birth, the child may stand but will die.

If the genitalia are large and the same color as the body upon early birth, the child will grow into a healthy adult.
If there is no blood residue in the umbilicus upon early birth, the child will grow into a healthy adult.
If the crying sound is continuous and prolonged upon early birth, the child will have longevity.
If the seam below the scrotum is patent and black upon early birth, the child will have longevity.
If the body is fresh white and grows large upon early birth, the child will have longevity.

After the infant leaves the womb, wipe the mouth and eyes clean, complete the bath, sever the umbilical cord, and wrap the infant. Do not feed the infant yet. Take a piece of good *Gancao* (Licorice Root) approximately the size of a middle finger joint, break it into pieces, and decoct it in three shells of clam water until reduced to two shells. Wrap cotton around a finger, dip it in the liquid, and let the infant suckle. It is auspicious if the infant vomits foul fluid. If after consuming two shells' worth the infant does not vomit, it means there is no filth, and further administration is unnecessary. This method must be used regardless of whether the infant's constitution is deficient, excess, strong, or weak.

Next, observe the complexion and form. If the complexion is ruddy and the crying is loud and clear, use broken *Huanglian* (Coptis Rhizome), soak it in hot water to extract a concentrated juice, mix with *Zhusha* (Cinnabar) powder, and apply to the infant's mouth to expel old feces from the abdomen before breastfeeding.
Another method: Use half a qian of *Gongfen* (Calomel), allow the infant to suckle slowly, and it is auspicious if meconium is passed after some time. Thus, the *Shengji Jing* states: "For infants just born, if evil blood has not yet entered, wipe with a cotton-wrapped finger; if swallowed into the chest and diaphragm, induce vomiting with Gancao; if entered into the abdomen, purge with Huanglian and Gongfen. All these serve to eliminate filth."

Next, take a good *Zhusha* (Cinnabar) piece the size of a large soybean, grind finely using the water-trituration method (*shui fei*), and mix with one shell of refined honey to form a paste according to consistency. Divide into three doses. Each time, use one dose, dissolve in breast milk, and drip into the infant's mouth occasionally. Stop after three days when all are consumed. Yao Hezhong said: "Refined Cinnabar can warm the intestines and stomach, and strengthen blood and qi." Only one soybean-sized amount per day is allowed, divided into three uses; do not exceed this.

Next, use real *Niuhuang* (Calculus Bovis) the size of a large soybean, grind finely, and mix with refined honey to form a paste the size of a sour jujube. Each time, use one soybean-sized amount, dissolve in breast milk, and drip into the infant's mouth occasionally. Yao Hezhong said: "It can dispel fright and ward off evil qi." If the infant's complexion is insubstantial and the constitution is weak, it should not be administered. If there is fetal heat or the body color is reddish-yellow, it is suitable to administer more. This method applies after the third day.