Library

When an infant has been gestated for ten months within the womb, the skin and muscles are not yet solid, and Yin (the substantial basis of the body, including essence, blood, and fluids) is not yet sufficient. At the moment of birth, before the infant cries, it is urgent to wipe away the amniotic fluid toxins. Using honey mixed with Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian), Glycyrrhizae Radix (Gancao), and Cinnabar (Zhusha) is excellent, preventing early death from smallpox or sores caused by fetal toxins.

Within five to six days after birth, when the umbilical cord stump has not yet dried, even if the weather is hot, frequent bathing should be avoided. One should cover the infant's body with old cotton wadding, keeping the lower body thin and often exposing the feet. What harm is there in being exposed to a little wind and sunlight? Frequent crying during the first month is actually auspicious, as it allows fetal toxins and heat to be vented, preventing the accumulation of pathogenic heat. Do not spoil the child by keeping them constantly in your arms, nor cover them with heavy new cotton quilts.

Ignorant people fear cold even with thick quilts and worry about crying even while feeding. They perceive any slight breeze as cold and are startled by any sound. This leads to various illnesses that are hard to describe, which is why children from wealthy families often have shorter lifespans. I have personally verified these experiences through practice, which is why my descendants were generally easy to raise.

For any pediatric illness, one should first observe the form, symptoms, and complexion, then examine the pulse. For instance: Liver disease manifests with a greenish complexion; Heart disease with a red complexion; Spleen disease with a yellow complexion; Lung disease with a white complexion; Kidney disease with a black complexion. One must first distinguish the signs and symptoms of the Five Zang organs, examining the constitution's abundance or deficiency and the excess or deficiency of fetal Qi. By clarifying the root and branch of the disease before treating, no condition will be incurable.

(Attachment: Suitable Foods for Infants)
Crucian carp, eel (has vermifuge effects), frog, duck, tripe, pig lung, cured ham, air-dried fish, lotus seed, Chinese water chestnut (Euryale Seed), Torreya seed (has vermifuge effects), cooked dates, cooked chestnuts, longan, yam, hyacinth bean, millet, cakes.

Foods Forbidden for Infants
Honey eaten with melons, water caltrop, white date plum, lychee, hard broad beans, greasy foods, rice washed with juice, zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), chicken meat (may cause parasites), wheat flour products, glutinous rice products, eggs, peaches.

Ancient temples and ominous shrines should not be entered, as this may startle the Shen (Spirit/Mind). Wild birds and strange beasts should not be played with, as this may frighten the Shen. Places of conflict should not be approached, as proximity may lead to heart Qi deficiency or hemiplegia. Resting under dead trees or large trees should be avoided to prevent invasion by Yin pathogens accumulated over time.

[Attached Formulas]
Xidou Fang (Diluting Bean Formula)
Sandou Tang (Three-Bean Decoction): Adzuki beans, large black soybeans, mung beans, and Licorice Root (each 1 sheng). Wash the three beans thoroughly, add eight sheng of water, and boil until the beans are cooked. Consume the beans and drink the broth freely on an empty stomach daily for seven days. This prevents smallpox permanently.

Youyin Zi (Oil Drink - for boys and girls): Pure Sesame Oil (1 jin). Drink completely every day. This prevents smallpox permanently.

The above two formulas originate from the medical books of Bian Que and Cang Gong.

Longgao (Dragon-Phoenix Ointment): One black-bone chicken egg, one earthworm (must be live and fine). Make a small hole in the eggshell, insert the earthworm inside, seal with parchment paper, and steam in a rice steamer until cooked. Remove the earthworm and feed to the infant. Eating one such egg on each Lichun (Start of Spring) is also effective. Only earthworms with white necks are suitable for use; using others may be fatal.

Handling the Umbilical Cord Stump: After the umbilical cord falls off, place it on a new tile. Roast it around the edges with charcoal fire until the smoke ceases, then place it on the ground and cover with a clay pot to preserve its nature. Grind into a fine powder. Prepare transparent Cinnabar (Zhusha), grind into an extremely fine powder, and purify using the water flotation method. If the umbilical cord weighs 5 fen, use 2.5 fen of Cinnabar. Decoct Rehmanniae Radix (Shengdihuang) and Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui) to make a concentrated decoction. Take the volume equivalent to one or two clam shells, mix with the previous two powders, and apply to the infant's fontanelle and the mother's nipples. Within one day, finish applying by evening. The next day, feces will discharge turbid impurities. This ensures lifelong immunity from sores, rashes, and other diseases. It is a miraculous method: for every child born, one can ensure their health.