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Examining a child's illness requires detailed investigation, focusing primarily on observing their states of calmness versus irritability, and their preferences for comfort versus distress. One must carefully assess whether they can eat or not, whether they are thirsty or not, and whether their bowel movements and urination are unobstructed or constipated. Fever accompanied by an absence of sweating indicates a Exterior Syndrome (Biao Bing); internal heat with hard stools indicates an Interior Syndrome (Li Bing). By observing the patterns of irritability and calmness across day and night, one can distinguish between Yin and Yang syndromes; by noting preferences for cold or warmth, one can determine heat or cold nature. The ability to eat suggests strong Stomach Qi, while inability to eat suggests weak Stomach Qi. Thirst indicates dryness in the Stomach, while lack of thirst indicates dampness in the Stomach. Thick, sticky, and foul-smelling stools indicate internal stagnation transforming into heat; clear, non-red urine indicates a Cold Syndrome. Coldness at the earlobes, sacrum, and limbs signals the impending eruption of smallpox/chickenpox (Dou Zhen); coldness specifically at the fingertips indicates impending Jing Xian (convulsions/epilepsy). Heat and stuffiness in the abdomen indicate internal heat; cold extremities (Jue Leng) indicate Zhong Han (cold strike). Furrowed brows, bent waist, and crying indicate abdominal pain; heat in the ears often accompanies Wind-Heat invasion. Abdominal pain should be assessed by palpation for hardness or softness: preference for pressure suggests a Deficiency Syndrome (Xu Zheng), while aversion to pressure suggests an Excess Syndrome (Shi Zheng). To protect infants, sincere differentiation is essential; prescribing formulas according to the syndrome makes treatment straightforward.

[Note] In pediatric diseases, thorough examination is paramount. First, inquire about daily routine, irritability/calmness, and preferences/distress. Second, ask about diet: can they eat? Are they thirsty? Third, ask about excretion: is it unobstructed or constipated? Only then can the disease origin be identified. For instance, fever and sweating indicate pathogenic factors in the Exterior; internal heat and hard stools indicate pathogenic factors in the Interior. "An Fan" (calmness vs. irritability): Irritability and heat during the day but calmness at night indicate Yang Qi flourishing in the Yang aspect, meaning the disease is in Yang; irritability and heat at night but calmness during the day indicate Yang Qi sinking into the Yin aspect, meaning the disease is in Yin. "Ku Yu" (distress vs. preference): Preference for cold and aversion to heat belong to Yang diseases, thus indicating Heat; preference for heat and aversion to cold belong to Yin diseases, thus indicating Cold. Strong Stomach function allows eating; weak Stomach function prevents eating. Dry Stomach causes thirst; Damp-Stomach results in no thirst. Thick, sticky stools with foul odor indicate internal stagnation transforming into heat. Clear, white, non-red urine indicates Deficiency-Cold. Coldness at the ear tips, sacrum, and limbs is a sign that Dou Zhen (exanthematous disease) is about to erupt. Coldness solely at the fingertips is a sign that Jing Xian (convulsions) is about to occur. Abdominal heat and stuffiness indicate internal heat; cold hands and feet indicate Zhong Han (internal cold). Unprovoked frowning, bending, and crying in children indicate internal abdominal pain. Constantly hot ears indicate external Wind-Heat. However, abdominal pain must be differentiated by palpation: preference for pressure indicates Deficiency; aversion to pressure indicates Excess. Those protecting infants must sincerely investigate and treat according to the syndrome to achieve immediate efficacy.