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Taihuang Syndrome (Fetal Jaundice) refers to a condition occurring one or two days after an infant's birth, characterized by fever, crying without suckling milk, inability to sleep soundly, and occasional twitching of the hands and feet. At this time, yellow discoloration appears on the glabella (area between the eyebrows) and both zygomatic arches (cheekbones), gradually spreading to the entire sclera (white part of the eyes). If treatment is delayed at this stage, or if the cause of jaundice is unknown and therapeutic methods are not applied, further procrastination will result in generalized yellowing of the body. The "yellow toxin" becomes pervasive, leading to general stiffness of the body followed by convulsions. The situation becomes critical within moments; even with available treatments, rescue may be impossible. This syndrome arises because the pregnant mother contracted damp-heat, developing symptoms akin to strangury (painful urination) or leukorrhea. Over time, this transforms into toxicity, steaming into yellow pigment which transmits to the fetal sac. Thus, the fetus harbors damp-heat toxicity during gestation. Within one or two days after birth, it inevitably manifests, with the whole body and face turning golden yellow. Externally, it presents as high fever, constipation, and scanty dark urine. The treatment method involves decocting Dihuang Yincheng Tang (Rehmannia and Artemisia Decoction), which clears heat, resolves toxicity, invigorates blood, and promotes diuresis to eliminate dampness. Consequently, the jaundice will gradually recede, and the body will recover. One must never wait until the yellow toxin invades the nervous system before seeking medical intervention. However, it is crucial to distinguish this infant Taihuang Syndrome from jaundice occurring around age five. Taihuang is formed by congenital damp-heat toxicity binding together; regardless, it must manifest outwardly, originating from the interior and moving to the exterior. Because the pathology is less complex, the treatment is simpler. Symptomatic treatment yields quick results. In contrast, jaundice is vastly different. Although its external manifestations may resemble Taihuang, its etiology and pharmacological treatments are entirely distinct. Jaundice often results from mismanagement or delay in treating Damp-Warmth diseases, causing the pathogen to penetrate inward. Furthermore, incompetent physicians may use cloying herbs for nourishing yin and blood to reduce fever. Unbeknownst to them, since the exterior pathogen remains unresolved, the Damp-Wheat is guided by these yin-nourishing herbs into the Blood level. The Liver and Gallbladder bear the brunt, swelling and overflowing due to heat, followed by the Spleen and Stomach, where dampness steams to produce yellow pigment. This disease enters from the exterior into the interior, then emerges from the interior to the exterior, making the pathology and clinical presentation highly complex. Therefore, treatment cannot be as simple as for Taihuang. Regarding Jaundice Syndrome, there will be a dedicated section later detailing its pathology and treatment. Here, we first list Dihuang Yincheng Tang:

Dihuang Yincheng Tang Formula (Specifically for Taihuang)
Xi Shengdi (Fine Shu Di Huang / Prepared Rehmannia Root, 8 fen)
Danggui Wei (Tail of Dang Gui / Angelica Sinensis Root, 7 fen)
Jing Zhu Ling (Cleaned Polyporus, 8 fen)
Tian Hua Fen (Trichosanthes Root, 1 qian)
Chi Shao Yao (Red Peony Root, 8 fen)
Chi Fu Ling (Red Poria, 1 qian)
Mian Yin Chen (Artemisia Capillaris Herb, 1 qian)
Jian Ze Xie (Alisma Rhizome, 8 fen)
Hei Shan Zhi (Black Gardenia Fruit, 5 fen)
Xiao Mu Tong (Akebia Caulis, 5 fen)
Qing Lian Qiao (Forsythia Fruit, 7 fen)
Sheng Gan Cao (Raw Licorice Root, 2 fen)
Decoct all above herbs in one tea bowl of water until reduced to slightly less than half a tea bowl. Place in a nursing bottle for the infant to suckle. The yellow color on the face will gradually fade to pale yellow. The infant's high fever will also subside to normal temperature, allowing for peaceful sleep. The occasional twitching of hands and feet will cease imperceptibly. After one night, urination becomes smooth, initially bright red with a foul odor, then turning pale yellow, and finally clear. The damp-heat toxicity is completely excreted via the Bladder. Simultaneously, bowel movements become moist and pass easily, appearing dark yellow mixed with green, also with a foul odor. This indicates that the damp-heat toxicity has descended smoothly from the Spleen and Stomach to the Large Intestine and been purged. At this point, the fever subsides completely, the yellow disappears, muscles regain a ruddy vitality, crying stops, and suckling resumes. The fetal jaundice toxin is fully resolved, restoring the infant to their natural state. If mismanaged, however, damp-heat toxicity binds and advances inward, invading the nerves, leading to gradual convulsions or already present mild convulsions. Given the severity and critical nature of Taihuang at this stage, medicinal power may be insufficient to reverse it. Rescue is unlikely, but a physician must not declare the case incurable nor fail to attempt drastic measures to save the life from death. In my opinion, as long as the yellow toxin has not pervaded the entire body and limbs have not become rigid, even if heat invades the nerves causing convulsions, medication can still be used to attempt salvation. If ultimately unsuccessful, parents who understand physiology and pathology should not blame the physician. Therefore, I boldly propose a formula to potentially turn danger into safety, halt the advance of the yellow toxin, preserve life, and allow for calm treatment. Once the critical phase passes, the previous formula, Dihuang Yincheng Tang, can be resumed for gradual recovery. What is the emergency rescue formula? It is Xijiao Dihuang Jiedu Tang (Rhino Horn and Rehmannia Detoxifying Decoction). Although Xi Jiao (Rhinoceros Horn) is extremely cold and potent, nothing else can clear the blood and reduce fever so effectively. It should be administered strongly once, but never frequently. Take note of this. Xijiao Dihuang Jiedu Tang is listed below:

Xijiao Dihuang Jiedu Tang Formula (For Taihuang mismanaged into convulsive emergency)
Xi Jiao (Rhinoceros Horn, 4 fen by weight, decocted separately and added to the mixture)
Xiao Sheng Di (Fresh Shu Di Huang / Prepared Rehmannia Root, 1 qian)
Chi Shao Yao (Red Peony Root, 1 qian)
Qing Lian Qiao (Forsythia Fruit, 1 qian)
Xi Mu Tong (Akebia Caulis, 8 fen)
Sheng Shan Zhi (Gardenia Fruit, 5 fen)
Mu Dan Pi (Tree Peony Bark, 7 fen)
Zi Di Ding (Viola Herba, 1 qian)
Jing Jie Sui (Schizonepeta Spike, 6 fen)
Ku Jie Geng (Bitter Platycodon Root, 7 fen)
Sheng Gan Cao (Raw Licorice Root, 3 fen, as a guide herb)
For all herbs except Xi Jiao (which is decocted separately and added), decoct in one tea bowl of water until reduced to 40% of the original volume. Pour into another vessel, then mix with the Xi Jiao juice and administer.

Method for Decocting Xi Jiao Juice:
Take top-grade Xi Jiao (Rhinoceros Horn, 4 fen by weight), place it in a clay pot or iron/ceramic vessel, add ample water, and simmer slowly over low heat. Boil until it has boiled over a hundred times, leaving only half a wine glass of liquid. Pour out and set aside. Once the main decoction is ready, add this juice to the herbal mixture. Use gentle heat and stir frequently with fresh bamboo chopsticks to prevent foam from boiling over, lest the essence escape with the foam, rendering it ineffective for the disease. The remaining dregs can be re-decocted with water and given to the infant as a beverage; its potency can still clear residual toxins from the blood.