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During the period of Bianzheng (periodic physiological growth and development in infants), if the child is affected by external Wind-Cold, it is appropriate to use dispersing methods, with Xingxing San (Stupefying Powder) as the primary formula. Massage therapy can also be used. If caused by internal injury from milk and food, guiding and resolving methods are appropriate, using Weiling Wan (Weiling Pill) to nourish stomach qi. For mild cases, dietary restriction suffices. If frightened or affected by Ke Wu (external malevolent influences), Anshen Wan (Spirit-Calming Pill) or Zhisheng Baoming Dan (Supreme Life-Preserving Pellet) may be used. If illness occurs after Bianzheng, treat the disease primarily, being careful not to damage the stomach qi. For cough, use Gancao Jiegeng Tang (Licorice and Platycodon Decoction) plus Ejiao (Donkey-Hide Gelatin); for vomiting and diarrhea, use Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) plus Huoxiang Ye (Patchouli Leaf); for convulsions, use Hupo Baolong Wan (Amber Embracing Dragon Pill), Xieqing Wan (Drain Liver Pill), or Daochi San (Direct Red Powder). If Bianzheng occurs after contracting illness, focus on supporting righteousness and tonifying the spleen, using Qian Shi Yigong San (Master Qian’s Extraordinary Power Powder) added with herbs targeting the specific disease, or Xingxing San, Sijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) plus Ziyeh (Perilla Leaf) and Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia Root).

The Commissioner of Surveillance of Huguang Province had a son who developed fever at nine months old. Fearing it was smallpox, he sent for me. Upon examination, I determined it was not smallpox but Bianzheng. How to distinguish them? I said: By calculating the days, it falls within the expected period of Bianzheng; observing the symptoms, there are no signs of smallpox. He asked: What are the symptoms of smallpox? I said: Smallpox is the toxic fluid of the five zang organs, so each organ manifests one symptom: yawning and palpitations belong to the Heart; neck stiffness and chest oppression belong to the Liver; cough and sneezing belong to the Lungs; vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy belong to the Spleen; coldness throughout the body belongs to the Kidneys. Since your son lacks these, it is not smallpox, but the subsiding phase of Bianzheng. The next day, he recovered naturally. Delighted, he said, "Your medical skill is exquisite," and gifted me five taels of silver, which I accepted before departing.

Mr. Hu Zhengqu of this county had a two-month-old son who had a fever and refused to nurse. Upon seeing him, although it resembled Bianzheng, it was not. The wetnurses were all robust and well-fed, so the fever was certainly due to overfeeding causing milk stagnation. I advised reducing the feeding frequency. The next day, the fever subsided, and he became calm.

(After birth until age seven, Bianzheng is complete. Although pulse diagnosis is difficult, the child can speak, and illnesses are mostly due to food stagnation. After age eight, the pulse can be diagnosed, and symptoms resemble those of adults, though medication dosages are smaller.)

Some diseases arise internally due to Qi movement, such as intestinal colic, roundworms, and phlegm masses. Some arise externally due to Qi movement, such as double tongue, wooden tongue, mouth ulcers, carbuncles, sores, and tinea. Some arise internally without Qi movement, such as injuries from improper diet or raw/cold foods. Some arise externally without Qi movement, such as seasonal colds, knife wounds, or burns/scalds. The treatments for diseases caused by these four factors are detailed under their respective syndromes.

A one-year-old child developed accumulation because chicken meat was introduced too early. Gradually, he became emaciated and lost appetite for milk and food. His father explained the situation in detail. I prescribed Yangpi Xiaoji Wan (Spleen-Nourishing and Accumulation-Resolving Pill) first. After three days, Dingxiang Pi Ji Wan (Clove Spleen-Accumulation Pill) was administered with chicken broth, resulting in the expulsion of an undigested piece of chicken. Subsequent administration of Yangpi Wan led to recovery.

Family-Inherited Yangpi Xiaoji Wan: Eliminates retained food and removes chronic accumulation; highly effective.
Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, 1 liang) Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, 7 qian 5 fen) Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma, 5 qian) Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex, stir-fried with ginger juice, 5 qian) Zhike (Aurantii Fructus, stir-fried with flour, 5 qian) Banxia (Pinelliae Tuber, 5 qian) Qingpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride, 5 qian) Shenqu (Massa Medicata Fermentata, 5 qian) Maiya (Hordei Fructus Germinatus, 5 qian) Shanzha (Crataegi Fructus, 5 qian) Zhigancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, honey-fried, 3 qian). Grind into fine powder. Form pills with steamed bread dough, size of millet seeds. Take 20-30 pills per dose, washed down with rice water.

Yuying Yanling Jiedu Wan: Resolves fetal toxins; suitable for newborns.
Take the umbilical cord and placenta immediately after cutting the cord, regardless of length. Dry-roast on a new tile. For every 1 qian of dried material, add 2 qian of raw Gancao powder (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), 1 qian of Huanglian powder (Coptidis Rhizoma), and 0.5 qian of Zhusha powder (Cinnabaris). Mix uniformly. Blend with raw white sugar and store in a porcelain jar. Administer a bean-sized amount into the infant's mouth, washed down with breast milk. Once daily, stop when the medicine is exhausted.