Library

For infants under three years of age who are ill, one must examine the area at the base of the thumb on the left hand for boys and the right hand for girls, known as the "Tiger's Mouth" (Hu Kou). Observing from the side of the second phalangeal joint, the first segment is called the Wind Gate (Feng Guan), the second segment the Qi Gate (Qi Guan), and the third segment the Life Gate (Ming Guan). Differentiating by the color of the subungual veins: purple indicates Heat syndrome; red indicates Cold syndrome; faint and hidden red indicates Deficiency-Cold syndrome; greenish-blue indicates Convulsions due to Wind-Phlegm or fright; black indicates Evil Qi invasion; white indicates Infantile Malnutrition (Gan Syndrome); yellow indicates Spleen dysfunction. If the vein extends only to the Wind Gate, the condition is mild; to the Qi Gate, it is severe; if it reaches beyond the Life Gate, it is difficult to treat.

Fish-bone pattern: Indicates convulsions with Phlegm-Heat.
Needle-hanging pattern: Indicates Wind-cold with diarrhea and accumulated Heat.
Water-character pattern: Indicates Food stagnation with external Heat and infantile malnutrition with fright.
Yi-character pattern: Indicates Liver pathology with convulsions.
Worm-pattern: Indicates intestinal parasites and Qi stagnation in the Large Intestine.
Ring pattern: Indicates infantile malnutrition with abdominal pain.
Chaotic pattern: Indicates parasitic infection.
Pearl-like pattern: Indicates absence of vital signs (poor prognosis).

After the age of three, pulse diagnosis is performed using one finger on the three positions (Cun, Guan, Chi). A normal pulse beats six to seven times per respiratory cycle. Four to five beats indicate Cold syndrome; ninety beats (rapid) indicate Heat syndrome. A wiry and rapid pulse indicates Disharmony of Qi; a deep and slow pulse indicates Food injury; a hurried or intermittent pulse indicates Deficient Fright; a floating pulse indicates Wind; a deep and thin pulse indicates Cold; a chaotic pulse is untreatable.

When a newborn fails to cry upon birth, it is termed "Dream Birth" (apparent death). This is often unrecognized and pitiable. Do not cut the umbilical cord immediately. Quickly warm the placenta (Bao Yi) over an open flame to allow warmth to enter the infant's abdomen, then wash the umbilical cord with hot water. Take a cat, cover its head and limbs with a cloth bag, and have a dexterous woman hold the cat's head near the infant's ear, biting the cat's ear. The cat will scream loudly, which should startle the infant into waking and crying. Only then should the umbilical cord be cauterized and cut. In cases of dystocia, exposure to Wind-Cold, or delayed handling leading to impending respiratory failure, silence, or apparent rigidity, do not cut the cord. Immediately wrap the infant in warm clothing and cotton. Roll coarse paper into a wick, dip it in vegetable oil, ignite it, and cauterize the umbilical cord. Burn dozens of such wicks to generate sufficient warmth entering the abdomen; survival is highly likely. Additionally, parents should exhale their "True Qi" (Zhen Qi) towards the infant to assist respiration. In cases of "Umbilical Obstruction" (anal atresia), a membrane blocks the anus, preventing air passage and crying. Tapping may rupture the membrane, allowing the infant to cry. Alternatively, a dexterous woman may gently puncture the membrane with a silver hairpin, which is effective. If puncture is not feasible, tightly wrap the infant in warm clothes to prevent heat loss. Soak the placenta in hot water, or warm it over fire in cold weather. Over time, the generated heat enters the abdomen, causing internal pressure to naturally rupture the membrane, allowing sound to emerge.