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The *Qianjin Fang* (Thousand Gold Formulas) states: When a child is first born, the flesh and bones have not yet consolidated, and the muscle tissue is essentially blood. Only when the blood coagulates and hardens does it become muscle. If the blood becomes corrupted and fails to nourish the muscles, it causes the face, eyes, and areas around the nose and mouth to turn yellow, accompanied by crying. Symptoms such as closed eyes, pursed lips, facial contraction (cuokou), dry mouth, and inability to extend or flex the limbs are all due to the failure of blood vessels to consolidate. Such infants are difficult to rear; if these symptoms appear, Longdan Tang (Gentiana Decoction) should be administered.

The *Taiping Shenghui Fang* (Imperial Grace Formulas of the Taiping Era) discusses: For all newborns, three diseases must be prevented. The first is cuokou (mouth contraction), the second is jin feng (lockjaw), and the third is umbilical wind (qi feng). These are all acute conditions. Among them, cuokou is the most severe; if an infant survives past one lunar month (yi la), they may escape this calamity. One can identify cuokou by observing a red face, rapid breathing, and an inability to produce a cry. When the signs of cuokou are severe, even skilled practitioners fail to save four or five out of ten cases. However, if proper nursing care is followed and prevention is prioritized, such misfortunes will certainly be avoided.

The *Taiping Shenghui Fang* further states: Cuokou in infants arises from exposure to wind-heat while in the maternal womb. After birth, if the infant's qi and blood are unregulated, or if bathing exposes them to wind, or if swaddling is improper, this disease may manifest within the first month. Signs include a red face, absent crying, and difficulty breastfeeding. If the infant survives past one month, they may escape this calamity. This is a critical illness requiring immediate treatment.

Master Mao discusses the syndrome of cuokou in children. It occurs due to heat toxins contracted in the womb, combined with wind-heat, and exacerbated after birth by unregulated qi and blood, exposure to wind during bathing, and invasion by "thief wind" (pathogenic wind). Thus, it is considered a malignant syndrome.

In his work *Jiabao*, Master Wang Handong describes the syndrome of qi feng: Between three and four days after birth, an infant may develop qi feng or cuokou. This is often because the midwife was inexperienced in handling the umbilical cord, causing injury during cutting. External wind then enters through the umbilicus, resulting in qi feng and cuokou. Symptoms include inability to suckle, cyanotic complexion, absent crying, cyanotic lips, and mouth contraction. If white foam issues from the mouth and the limbs become cold, it is a malignant sign indicating poor prognosis.

Zhang Huan states: Infant fetal qi may carry heat, or the mother may transmit pathogenic heat. Alternatively, exposure to wind during postnatal bathing or improper swaddling can cause the infant to be unable to cry or breastfeed easily. This is named "cuokou bu kai" (inability to open the mouth for sucking). The condition is particularly severe within the first seven days.

The *Feixian Fang* discusses qi feng and cuokou in newborns, which are mostly caused by injury during umbilical cord cutting, allowing thief wind to enter the umbilicus. This leads to cuokou, inability to open the mouth, and inability to suckle. Symptoms include a cyanotic face, absent crying, and frequent lip pursing. If white foam is vomited and the limbs feel cold, death is inevitable.

Xiao'er Gongqi Fang: Treats cuokou in children.
Take two Bai Jiangcan (Bombyx Batryticatus, 白僵蚕), grind into powder, mix with honey, and apply inside the infant's mouth. The condition will resolve.

The *Zimu Milu* treats cuokou in children by observing millet-grain-sized sores on the tongue.
Extract juice from Wugong (Centipede, 蜈蚣), mix with ground fingernail clippings, and apply to the inner cheeks. Fresh centipedes are preferred, but dried ones are also acceptable.

Chen Cangqi's formula for treating cuokou in children.
First, prick the corners of the infant's mouth until bleeding occurs. Crush Queweng (Sphecius speciosus nest, 雀瓮), extract the juice, and apply it. Additionally, during childbirth, if various objects are opened without keeping the mouth closed, it may predispose the infant to cuokou.

The *Taiping Shenghui Fang* treats the syndrome of lockjaw and cuokou in newborns. It is suitable to administer Gouteng San (Uncaria Powder, 钩藤散):
Gouteng (Uncaria Rhynchophylla, 钩藤), Chuan Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma, 川升麻), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix, 黄芩) (each half liang); Qiangling (Scarabaeus Siccus, 蜣螂) (two pieces, wings and feet removed, lightly stir-fried).
Grind the above ingredients and sieve into a fine powder. Take one qian per dose, add one sheng of water and one fen of Lugeng (Phragmitis Rhizoma, 芦根), decoct until only four fen remains, strain, and feed slowly while warm.

The *Taiping Shenghui Fang* treats wind-heat induced cuokou in children. A miraculous effective formula:
Baomi (White Rice, 白米) (50 grains), Puxiao (Natrii Sulfas, 朴硝) (half qian), Chi (Fermented Soybean, 豆豉) (30 grains), Gancao (Licorice Root, 甘草) (freshly cut), Congbai (Scallion White, 葱白) (each one cun).
Decoct these in one zhong of Tongzi Xiaonai (Boy's Urine, 童子小便) until three he remain. Before the newborn takes milk, moisten cotton with the medicine and place two to seven drops into the infant's mouth. Soon, abdominal movement will occur, and meconium will be expelled. Then, provide milk. Until the seventh day, administer three to seven drops daily to permanently prevent cuokou. This is an extremely effective formula.

The *Taiping Shenghui Fang* treats cuokou. Measure the midpoint between the two nipples with a thread. Moxibustion of three zhuang at this point can revive the dying. Also use the following external formula.
Wu Luru (Donkey Milk, 乌驴乳) (one or two he); Dongyin Huaizhi (Locally sourced Locust Branch, 东引槐枝) (ten pieces, each three cun long).
Roast the locust branch over charcoal fire until half its length is burnt. When sap exudes from the unburnt part, remove and wipe it. Soak the branch in the donkey milk for a moment, then use the branch to apply the milk to the infant's mouth. This is highly effective.

The *Taiping Shenghui Fang* treats fetal heat-induced cuokou in children.
Niuhuang (Calculus Bovis, 牛黄) (finely ground, one qian); Zhuli (Bamboo Juice, 竹沥) (one he).
Mix the ingredients evenly. Administer small amounts frequently.

The *Taiping Shenghui Fang* another formula:
Woniuzi (Snail Egg, 蜗牛子) (10 pieces, shells removed, ground to paste); Shiluo (Anise Seed, 莳萝) (powder, half fen).
Grind together evenly, mix with milk juice, and apply to the corners of the mouth. The condition will resolve immediately.

The *Taiping Shenghui Fang* another formula:
Shexiang (Musk, 麝香); Zhusha (Cinnabar, 朱砂) (each one fen, ground); Shetui (Snake Slough, 蛇蜕) (one chi, finely cut, lightly stir-fried).
Grind all ingredients into a fine powder. Use half a zi amount per application, adhere to the infant's lips using saliva. Apply five to seven times daily.

The *Taiping Shenghui Fang* treats cuokou and lockjaw in children.
Take one fen of Sheng Gancao (Fresh Licorice Root, 生甘草), finely chop, decoct in one small sheng of water until six fen remains, strain, and administer while slightly warm. This induces the expulsion of phlegm and saliva. Afterwards, apply Zhu Ru (Pig Milk, 猪乳) to the mouth to cure.

The *Taiping Shenghui Fang* another formula:
Finely grind Biyu Zi (Silverfish Eggs, 壁鱼子) into powder. Administer a small amount and let the infant suck it.

The *Taiping Shenghui Fang* another formula:
Extract juice from Shufu (Woodlouse, 鼠妇), and give a small amount to the infant to drink.

The *Taiping Shenghui Fang* another formula:
Chi Zu Wugong (Red-footed Centipede, 赤足蜈蚣) (one piece); Que'er Fanwengzi (Sparrow Nest Pot, 雀儿饭瓮子) (five unopened pots).
Burn together into powder, grind finely. Mix with gruel liquid and administer two zi amounts per dose.

The *Taiping Shenghui Fang* another formula:
Grind fresh Doumao (Bean Sprouts/Seedlings, 豆茅) into a paste, mix with milk juice, and feed to the infant. Alternatively, crush fresh and extract juice, giving a small amount orally is also effective.

The *Taiping Shenghui Fang* another formula:
Take three Wan Can'e (Late-season Silkworm Moth, 晚蚕蛾), roast until yellow, grind into powder, mix with honey, and apply to the mouth for effect. If a common infant suffers from toxicity, vomiting must be prevented. Use one sheng of Youma (Sesame, 油麻), remove skins, grind, and extract two he of juice. Roast half a cun of Gancao (Licorice Root, 甘草) into powder, mix with the oil while slightly warm, and divide into five doses daily. (The *Yingru Fang* and the Biyu Zi formula from the *Taiping Shenghui Fang*, along with subsequent formulas, all treat cuokou.)

The *Taiping Shenghui Fang* another formula:
Take five Woniuzi (Snail Eggs, 蜗牛子), remove shells, extract juice, and apply to the mouth. Stop once healed.

The *Taiping Shenghui Fang* another formula:
Take unopened Sparrow Nest Pots (Que'er Fanwengzi, 雀儿饭瓮子) from Jike (Bramble, 棘科). Grind the contents with milk juice and administer via gavage.

The *Taiping Shenghui Fang* another formula:
Perforate Baixuepi (Phellodendron Bark, 柏白皮) with small holes. Place on the umbilicus. Insert moxa cones into the holes and moxibustion. The condition will resolve.

Master Wang Handong's *Jiabao*: Treats infants whose lips turn cyanotic and contract (cuokou) with white foam due to external wind invasion following umbilical cord injury. Shenmiao Dingming San (Miraculous Formula for Stabilizing Life, 神妙定命散):
Chi Jiao Wugong (Red-footed Centipede, 赤脚蜈蚣) (half a strip, wine-roasted until dry); Shexiang (Musk, 麝香) (a little, separately ground); Chuan Wutou Jian (Aconiti Radix Lateralis Preparata Tip, 川乌头尖) (three pieces, raw).
Grind into powder, mix thoroughly with muskin. Administer half a zi per dose. Dissolve in decoction of Jin Yinbohe (Honeysuckle and Mint, 金银薄荷汤).

Zhang Huan's Jifeng San (Urgent Wind Powder, 急风散): Treats cuokou.
Shetui Pi (Snake Slough, 蛇蜕皮) (lightly stir-fried); Gan Xie Shao (Dried Scorpion Tail, 干蝎梢); Gouteng (Uncaria Rhynchophylla, 钩藤) (each one fen).
Grind and sieve into fine powder. Next, prepare:
Zhusha (Cinnabar, 朱砂) (one fen, finely ground, water-washed); Hao Shexiang (Good Musk, 好麝香); Niuhuang (Calculus Bovis, 牛黄) (each half qian, ground extremely fine).
Mix all ingredients evenly and grind again into fine powder. Administer one zi per dose. Mix with one or two drops of Zhuli (Bamboo Juice, 竹沥) and milk juice before administration.