小儿气血未充,一生盛衰之基,全在幼
时,此饮食之宜调,而药饵尤当慎也。今举世幼科,既不知此大本,又无的确明见,而惟苟全目前。故凡遇一
病,则无论虚实寒热,但用海底兜法,而悉以散风消食,清痰降火,行滞利水之剂,总不出二十余味,一套混
用,谬称稳当,何其诞也!夫有是病而用是药,则病受之;无是病而用是药,则元气受之。小儿元气几何?能无
阴受其损而变生不测?此当今幼科之大病,而医之不可轻任者,正以此也。又见有爱子者,因其清瘦,每以为
虑,而询之庸流,则不云痰火,必云食积,动以肥儿丸、保和丸之类,使之常服。不知肥儿丸以苦寒之品,最败
元阳,保和丸以消导之物,极损胃气,谓其肥儿也,适足以瘦儿,谓其保和也,适足以违和耳。即如抱龙丸之
类,亦不可轻易屡用。予尝见一富翁之子,每多痰气,或时惊叫,凡遇疾作,辄用此丸,一投而愈,彼时以为
神丹,如此者不啻十余次。及其长也,则一无所知,凝然一痴物而已。岂非暗损元神所致耶?凡此克伐之剂,最
当慎用。故必有真正火证疳热,乃宜肥儿丸及寒凉等剂;真正食积胀满,乃宜保和丸及消导等剂;真正痰火喘急,
乃宜抱龙丸及化痰等剂。即用此者,亦不过中病则止,非可过也。倘不知此,而徒以肥儿、保和等名,乃欲藉
为保障,不知小儿之元气无多,病已伤之,而医复伐之,其有不萎败者,鲜矣!
The Qi and Blood of infants are not yet fully developed; the foundation for their entire life's trajectory of flourishing or decline is established during infancy. Therefore, diet should be appropriately regulated, and the administration of medicinal substances (medicinal substances) must be particularly cautious. Currently, pediatric practitioners in the world fail to grasp this fundamental principle and lack precise diagnostic insight, merely seeking to manage immediate concerns superficially. Consequently, upon encountering any illness, regardless of whether it presents as deficiency or excess, cold or heat, they invariably employ a standardized approach ("Haidi Dou" method), indiscriminately combining agents that disperse wind, digest food, clear phlegm, and descend fire. These prescriptions typically do not exceed twenty ingredients, mixed together in a routine manner, absurdly claimed to be safe and reliable—how preposterous! When the correct medicine is used for the corresponding disease, the pathogenic factor bears the brunt; when the medicine is used without a corresponding disease, the Healthy Qi (Yuanqi, 元气) suffers damage. How much Healthy Qi does an infant possess? Can they avoid Yin injury leading to unpredictable complications? This represents a major malpractice in contemporary pediatrics, which is precisely why physicians should not lightly assume such responsibilities. Furthermore, I observe parents who, concerned about their son's emaciation, consult mediocre practitioners. These practitioners invariably diagnose either Phlegm-Fire or Food Stagnation, frequently prescribing pills such as Fei'er Wan (Child-Nourishing Pill) and Baohe Wan (Harmony-Preserving Pill) for long-term consumption. They are unaware that Fei'er Wan consists of bitter-cold herbs, which severely impair Yuan-Yang (Original Yang); and Baohe Wan contains digestive agents that severely damage Stomach Qi. Claiming these pills nourish children actually leads to emaciation; claiming they preserve harmony actually disrupts it. Similarly, Baolong Wan (Embrace Dragon Pill) and similar formulations should not be used lightly or repeatedly. I once witnessed the son of a wealthy man who suffered from frequent Phlegm-Qi disturbances and occasional惊叫 (startled cries). Whenever symptoms arose, he was administered this pill, recovering immediately after one dose, which his family regarded as a miraculous elixir. This occurred more than ten times. Upon reaching adulthood, he remained ignorant and dull, essentially a simpleton. Was this not caused by the insidious depletion of the Primordial Spirit (Yuanshen, 元神)? All such attacking/depleting (Ke Fa, 克伐) formulas require extreme caution. Thus, Fei'er Wan and other cold-cooling agents are only appropriate for genuine Fire syndromes or Gan-Heat (Gan syndrome with heat); Baohe Wan and other digestive agents are only appropriate for genuine Food Stagnation with distension and fullness; Baolong Wan and other phlegm-resolving agents are only appropriate for genuine Phlegm-Fire with wheezing and urgency. Even when indicated, treatment should cease once the disease is addressed; overuse is prohibited. If one fails to understand this and relies merely on names like "Child-Nourishing" or "Harmony-Preserving" as a safeguard, ignoring that infant Healthy Qi is limited, and that disease has already injured it while the physician further attacks it, it is rare indeed for the body not to wither and fail.