Library

*Quan You Xin Jian* (Complete Heart Mirror for Pediatrics) states: It is common to see that in wealthy families, pregnant women reside in secluded rooms. When hungry, they eat indiscriminately of pungent and sour foods; when full, they sit or lie down at will, exerting no physical labor and not moving their bodies. Consequently, the fetal qi becomes weak, and the child born will inevitably be frail and prone to diseases. If one maintains regular daily routines and moderate diet, ensuring spiritual wholeness and harmonious qi, conception will be stable, and the child born will be robust and less likely to fall ill.

Zhu Danxi said: Often, illnesses during pregnancy result from negligence, with physicians unaware of the underlying causes. The fetus within the womb shares a single body with the mother; if the mother is heated, both are heated; if the mother is chilled, both are chilled; if the mother is diseased, both are diseased; if the mother is at peace, both are at peace. How can a mother not be cautious regarding her diet and daily life? I shall briefly state a few cases as warnings and admonitions.

One case involves a two-year-old child who had sores all over his head. Suddenly, the sores healed, but he subsequently developed phlegm and wheezing. Upon asking his mother what she craved during pregnancy, she replied that she preferred pungent, hot foods. Knowing this was due to *fetal toxin* (Tai Du), it was advised not to use resolving or purgative medicines. Instead, a formula was prescribed orally consisting of *Renshen* (Ginseng Radix), *Lianqiao* (Forsythiae Fructus), *Chuanxiong* (Chuanxiong Rhizoma), *Huanglian* (Coptidis Rhizoma), *Gancao* (Licorice Root), *Chenpi* (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), *Shaoyao* (Paeoniae Radix Alba), and *Mutong* (Akebiae Caulis). These were decocted strongly, and *Zhuli* (Bamboo Sap) was added to the boiling water for administration. After several days, the condition stabilized. Someone asked, "How did you know?" The response was, "Observing the child's spirit was dull and fatigued, indicating deep-seated pathology. It is certainly not an external contraction; could it be anything other than fetal toxin?"

Another case involved a thin woman with an irritable temperament, whose constitution was naturally free of heat. In the third month of pregnancy, during summer heat, she experienced thirst and desired water, occasionally having low-grade fever. She was taught to take *Sini Tang* (Four Substances Decoction). This too was considered fetal toxin. If the sores were to recur, the illness would resolve itself. Indeed, this proved true later. Had she strictly adhered to the previous prescription during pregnancy, what illness would there have been?

Another girl suffered from epilepsy (*Xian*), which flared up during rainy weather or upon being startled. She salivated excessively and made sounds like a bleating sheep. This was caused by fright received in the womb. The disease was deep-rooted and chronic. After half a year of regulation, the condition could be stabilized. Light-tasting food should still be consumed to assist the medicinal efficacy, followed by *Shao Dan Wan* (Burnt Pill) and then *Sini Tang* (Four Substances Decoction) with added *Huanglian* (Coptidis Rhizoma), adjusted according to the seasons. Indeed, after half a year, she recovered.

These three cases all illustrate improper adjustment by the pregnant woman: drinking alcohol, indulging desires, anger, fright, or falls. Whatever affects the mother impacts the fetus. External wind pathogens may also injure the fetus. The child, relying on the mother's qi, is born with many ailments. Such situations arise precisely because of a lack of meticulous caution.

Zhu Danxi said: The son of Commissioner Zheng, at sixteen years old, developed strangury (*Lin*) seven months after birth, recurring every five to seven days. During attacks, severe pain occurred, and the urinary tract discharged fluid resembling lacquer mixed with millet grains, about one cup in volume, before subsiding. The pulse was choppy on light pressure and wiry on heavy pressure. His form was emaciated, complexion dark greenish-blue. It was surmised that his father must have taken heating medicines for the lower jiao, leaving residual heat in the fetus, which remained in the son's *Mingmen* (Gate of Life). Therefore, *Zixue San* (Purple Snow Powder) and *Huangbai* (Phellodendri Cortex) pills, sized like wu zi seeds, were prepared and dried thoroughly. One hundred pills were taken with hot water, followed by another two hundred pills half a day later, suppressed by food. Half a day later, severe pain erupted in the waist and abdomen, allowing the urinary tract to open. Approximately one bowl of fluid resembling lacquer and millet grains was discharged, and pain decreased by eighty percent. Later, Zhang Hezi used *Chenpi* (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, 1 liang), *Jiegeng* (Platycodonis Radix), and *Mutong* (Akebiae Caulis, 0.5 liang each). After taking approximately one sheng, the patient stabilized. If the father's dry-heat could cause illness in the son, how much more so if the mother acquires it? This is recorded to verify the matter of red silk tumors.

Li Dongyuan said: Li Shuhe asked, "In middle age, I had one son. After one year, he developed red silk tumors on his body, which were incurable. Later, four sons all died from these tumors. What is the cause of this disease?" The next day, reflecting on it, I told him, "You have latent fire in the kidney. Your essence and qi contain red filaments, which are transmitted via qi to your offspring, hence this disease." It is commonly known as *Tai Liu* (Fetal Tumor). Observe it carefully, and indeed, it matched his description. Therefore, *Zishen Wan* (Kidney-Nourishing Pill) was administered several times to drain the fire in the kidney and supplement the deficiency of true yin. Alcohol and pungent-hot substances were forbidden. His wife took *Liuwei Dihuang Wan* (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) to nourish yin for conception. After five months, she took a powder of *Huangqin* (Scutellariae Radix) and *Baizhu* (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), taking five to seven doses. The child born thereafter did not exhibit these symptoms before the age of three. Now he is in his prime. Alas! Combining the above discussions reveals the profound depth of these warnings.