Library

When a newborn infant is first born, how can one determine if they are sick or healthy? By pinching the head with the hand and feeling the chin; if the infant does not cry, it indicates health. By probing the mouth with a finger: if the infant makes sounds but sucks the finger calmly, any illness present is mild; if the infant makes sounds but does not suck the finger, and the complexion is cyanotic-red with purple hues, or there is trismus (lockjaw) and an inability to take milk, this is due to severe cold acquired at birth, with wind pathogen invading the Foot-Taiyang and Foot-Yangming meridians. Urgent treatment is required for recovery.

Newborns who are plump and have tender skin, appearing pleasing day by day, indicate an unstable constitutional root, which is a very bad omen, and they are most susceptible to wind-cold invasion. If the pathogen enters the Fu organs, symptoms appear within two to three days, manifesting as vomiting of milk, night crying, and abdominal borborygmi. These all belong to the category of fetal wind (Tai Feng). However, the condition is still shallow and easy to treat; applying whole-body moxibustion with moxa cones (Deng Huo) is indicated, with a success rate of nearly 100%. If the pathogen enters the Zang organs, symptoms appear much later, around six to seven days. This presents as umbilical tetanus (Qi Feng), lockjaw (Jin Feng), or puckered mouth (Cuo Kou Feng). If there is trismus, an enlarged tongue, and phlegm obstruction, the condition is incurable, as the disease has transmitted to the Zang organs, involving the Heart, Spleen, and Lung meridians. The wind pathogen is extremely prevalent and has no outlet, thus manifesting in the throat, mouth, jaw, and voice. Infants born with body ruptures die; those with white scrotums die; those with non-erectile penises die; those without an anus die; those lacking flesh between the thighs die; those whose cries resemble duck calls die; those with pink-white floral complexions die; those with rough skin and flesh die; those who cry without sound die; those with tongues colored like pig liver die. Those lacking facial color are short-lived; those with short, thick, purple umbilical cords are prone to premature death; those born entirely silver-white are prone to premature death. Being born with teeth is a major ominous sign, indicating harm to parents, or otherwise self-harm; urinating before being swaddled implies killing parents, ruining family wealth, and lifelong hardship.

The head is the convergence point of all Yang meridians and the sea of marrow. Full and prominent head angles indicate sufficient marrow sea. The back is where the Shu points of the five Zang and six Fu organs attach; a flat and full spine indicates solid Zang and Fu organs. The abdomen is the sea of water and grain; wide and thick abdominal skin indicates abundant water and grain. The eyes are the orifices of the Liver, the ears of the Kidney, the nose of the Lung, and the mouth of the Spleen. If the seven orifices are intact, the physical form is complete. Thus, solid muscles indicate sufficient Spleen Qi, strong tendons indicate sufficient Liver Qi, firm bones indicate sufficient Kidney Qi, lack of frivolous speech and laughter indicates sufficient Heart Qi, infrequent crying indicates sufficient Lung Qi, continuous crying indicates excess Lung Qi, lack of prolonged sleep indicates excess Spleen Qi. Additionally, strong legs, a long and thick neck, and small, dark scrotums indicate a solid constitutional root. Warm and moist muscles indicate harmonious Ying and Wei (Nutritive and Defensive) Qi; rosy cheeks like peaches and black hair like lacquer indicate solid exterior Qi; clear and copious urine and moist stool indicate solid interior Qi. All these are signs of longevity; such infants are healthy and easy to raise.

All Yang meridians originate from the head; a broken skull and soft neck indicate Yang deficiency above. All Yin meridians originate from the feet; curled small feet indicate Yin deficiency below. Dry nostrils indicate dry Lungs; retracted lips with drooling indicate cold Spleen. Sparse hair indicates blood deficiency; a weak neck indicates collapse of the spinal column. Scattered cyanotic veins on the face indicate frequent wind-heat diseases; combined with emaciation and a sallow complexion, it indicates exterior deficiency. Uncontrollable diarrhea indicates interior deficiency. Skin sores, crying, and excessive talking/laughing are signs of wild movement of Yang fire. All these are signs of premature death; such infants are often ill and difficult to raise.

Clear and bright voice indicates longevity; a resonant voice indicates longevity. A hoarse cry indicates illness. A scattered and silent cry indicates premature death.