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Night is the time when Yin energy prevails. In infants, the internal organs are cold. Upon nightfall, the extreme Yin triggers restlessness, and excessive Cold causes pain; thus, crying occurs at night and ceases during the day. The primary formula for this condition is Gouteng San (Uncaria Decoction).

Gouteng San (Uncaria Decoction)
Ingredients: Fushen (Poria with Hostwood), Fuling (Poria), Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizome), Danggui (Angelica Sinensis Radix), Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix), Gancao (Licorice Root), Gouteng (Uncariae Ramulus cum Uncis), Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), Dazao (Jujubae Fructus).
If the infant cries at night due to Heart Heat causing irritability and pain, accompanied by a red face, white tongue coating, and dark, scanty urination, remove Danggui (Angelica Sinensis Radix) and Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix). Grind the remaining herbs into powder, add Qingsha (Cinnabar), one qian, mix thoroughly, and administer a small amount mixed with decoction of Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix). If the crying is caused by violating taboos or fright, administer Xin'an Jin Yao (see "Fright" section). Cheng Shuyan stated: For the symptom of night crying, some apply lamp wick ash powder to the nipple; some grind four or five grains of lamp wick ash in Dengxin Cao Tang (Centumbri Junci Decoction) and feed it; some place grass from beside a well or from under a chicken coop under the sleeping mat without informing the mother. All these methods have their specific intentions.

When the chest is high and the umbilicus is distended, resembling the shape of a turtle, this indicates Heat pathogen in the Lung system. This is often caused by the nursing mother consuming excessive amounts of pungent spices and alcohol, or drinking hot milk in summer. The appropriate treatment is Xingren Jian (Apricot Kernel Decoction).

Xingren Jian (Apricot Kernel Decoction)
Ingredients: Chuan Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma), Tiantong (Asparagi Radix), Xingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum), Baihe (Lilii Bulbus), Mutong (Akebiae Caulis), Sangpi (Mori Cortex), Tingli (Semen Lepidii seu Descurainiae) [each 1.2 qian for Dahuang, Tiantong, Xingren, Baihe, Mutong; each 0.5 qian for Sangpi, Tingli], Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum) [0.8 qian]. Take before retiring.

If an infant is not properly protected after birth, external Wind pathogen may penetrate into the bone marrow, or early sitting may damage Qi and Blood, leading to chronic diseases. Occasionally, moxibustion can achieve therapeutic results. Locate Feishu (BL13) [1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the third thoracic vertebra] and Geshu (BL17) [1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the seventh thoracic vertebra]. Use the middle segment of the infant's middle finger as the measurement unit of 1 cun. Shape the moxa cone to the size of a wheat grain. Apply moxibustion for three to five moxa cones (zhuang). Concurrently, administer internally Songzhi Dan (Pine and Achyranthes Powder).

Songzhi Dan (Pine and Achyranthes Powder)
Ingredients: Huasong (Pinus Resin), Zhike (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Duohuo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix) [each 1 liang]; Chuan Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma), Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba), Qianhu (Peucedani Radix), Guixin (Cinnamomi Cortex) [each 5 qian].
Process into honey pills, sized like millet seeds, and take with gruel beverage.

If an infant has thin, emaciated muscles and exposed joints, with knees that appear thin like those of a crane (Crane Knee), this is due to insufficient congenital essence and marrow. Immediate treatment with Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) [see "Fontanelle" section] added with She Rong (Moschus and Deer Antler preparation) and Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix) is required. Delay in treatment will inevitably result in permanent disability.