Library

Lou Quanshan stated: When an infant bends the waist and cries dryly without tears, it is termed "Pan Chang Nei Diao Tong" (Intestinal Cramping Pain). A pale complexion and loss of appetite indicate "Wei Leng Tong" (Stomach Cold Pain). A red face, cracked lips, and yellow stool indicate "Re Tong" (Heat Pain). A yellowish-white complexion and sour-smelling stool indicate "Ji Tong" (Food Stagnation Pain). Saliva with foam flowing from the mouth indicates "Chong Tong" (Worm Pain). However, none of these are as severe as Nei Diao pain.

Wu Shou stated: Infant abdominal pain characterized by bending the waist and crying dryly, a bluish-white complexion, black lips, cold limbs, and green, unformed stool is named "Pan Chang Nei Diao Tong". Urgently decoct a scallion soup to wash the abdomen, rub scallion whites, and apply them as a warm compress to the umbilical and abdominal area. After some time, urination will occur naturally, and the pain will cease immediately. Subsequently, use Ruxiang San (Frankincense Powder) for continued treatment.

Zeng Shi stated: There is a condition called "Suo Du Tong" (Locked Belly Pain). After one month of age, an infant suddenly cannot swallow milk, the belly becomes hard as stone, reddish like cinnabar, cries with puckered mouth, has a bluish face and black lips, and the hands, feet, and breath are all cold. This is caused initially by the umbilical cord not being tied tightly enough, allowing cold wind to invade. The condition is critical. Treat with Baishaoyao Tang (White Peony Decoction) or Wumei San (Mume Powder). If left untreated for long, it becomes difficult to cure; refer also to the treatment of Qi Feng Zheng (Umbilical Wind Syndrome).

Qian Yi stated: Abdominal distension is caused by deficiency of Spleen and Stomach Qi. In excess patterns, there is chest oppression, restlessness, wheezing, and fullness; purgation may be used, such as Zishuang Wan (Purple Frost Pill). If there is no wheezing, it is a deficiency pattern, and purgation must not be used. Misuse of purgation leads to Spleen deficiency, causing Qi to rise and attach to the Lung. Since Lung and Spleen share a mother-child relationship, both become deficient. The Lung governs the eyelids and cheeks; the Spleen governs the four limbs. Severe deficiency of the Mother Qi (Spleen Qi) results in swelling of the eyelids and cheeks, and yellow coloration of the limbs. It is appropriate to use Taqi Wan (Qi-Sinking Pill) to gradually resolve this. If not cured, gradually increase the dosage of the pills. Do not treat with strongly warming and dispersing herbs such as Dingxiang (Caryophylli Flos), Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix), Chuanpiao (Tangerine Peel), and Doukou (Amomi Fructus Rotundus). Why? Because Spleen Qi is deficient and has not yet dispersed outward, so although there is abdominal distension, there is no wheezing. In this state, warming and dispersing herbs can be used to allow Qi to disperse up and down, leading to recovery. If Qi has already dispersed outward and attaches to the Lung, it indicates internal weakness of the Spleen and Stomach, frequently generating deficient Qi that enters the limbs and face. Infants are prone to shifts between deficiency and excess. When the Spleen is deficient, it cannot tolerate cold or warm treatments; administering cold herbs generates cold pathogens, while administering warm herbs generates heat. One must understand this to avoid errors. Long-term deficiency-heat in the Stomach often leads to Dan Bing (Jaundice) or incessant thirst. Spleen deficiency fails to control Kidney Qi, which ascends with Lung Qi to the limbs and face, causing water-like edema; if Kidney Qi overflows into the Lung, it causes severe wheezing. Taqi Wan is appropriate. After recovery, if the face is not ruddy, it is because deficiency has not yet recovered. For treating infant deficiency-type abdominal distension, first administer Taqi Wan. If ineffective, and there is food stagnation and fecal impaction in the abdomen, yellow urine, occasional mild wheezing, a deep and excess pulse, frequent desire to drink water, but ability to eat, then purgation may be used. This is because the Spleen was initially deficient and later developed stagnation; treatment should first tonify the Spleen, then purge, and then tonify the Spleen again for recovery. Do not tonify the Lung, lest it generate deficient wheezing.

Zhang Yunqi stated: When infantile heat accumulates internally, causing abdominal distension with high fever, reddish-yellow stool, and restlessness, Xieqing Wan (Draining Green Pill) is appropriate.