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Shen Yaofeng stated that panting (Chuan, 喘) is divided into two syndromes: Excess syndrome (Bi Zheng, 闭证) and Deficiency syndrome (Tuo Zheng, 脱证). Panting caused by excessive postpartum bleeding belongs to the Deficiency syndrome. It presents with rapid breathing from the throat, with life hanging in the balance; although medical texts mention Can Su Yin (Ginseng and Perilla Decoction), it may be too late to use. Panting caused by sluggish lochia discharge belongs to the Excess syndrome. Administering Du Ming Dan (Life-Saving Pill) can stabilize the condition; if ineffective, it should be treated as a Phlegm syndrome. These are all acute conditions. There is another type that is more chronic, as Lou Quanshan said: Postpartum panting often leads to death. For example, some women experience panting after bathing two months after delivery, unable to lie down; others feel aversion to wind in the fifth month, with slight relief when kept warm. A decoction containing Mu Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex), Tao Ren (Persicae Semen), Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus), Fu Ling (Poria), Gan Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma), Zhi Shi (Aurantii Fructus), Hou Po (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex), Sang Bai Pi (Mori Radicis Cortex), Zi Su Ye (Perillae Folium), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Fructus), and Gua Lou (Trichosanthis Fructus) was used. After taking it, the patient could lie flat, and the illness disappeared as if lost. This was treated as Cold invading due to stagnant blood. In my analysis, this is also a Phlegm syndrome, which explains why it persists; Phlegm stagnating in the Yang meridians causes aversion to cold. The key herbs in this formula are Gua Lou, Hou Po, Zhi Shi, Gui Zhi, Fu Ling, Gan Jiang, and Wu Wei Zi; the rest are largely superfluous.

Shen Yaofeng stated: The causes of postpartum fever vary and should be evaluated in conjunction with symptoms. If caused by Wind-Cold invasion, there is nasal congestion; however, profuse sweating should not be induced, as classics prohibit sweating in cases of blood loss ("Those who have lost blood should not be sweated"). Only Xiong Gui Tang (Ligusticum and Angelica Decoction) is suitable. If caused by food stagnation, there is belching with a rotten smell and fullness/distension; mild digestive-resolving agents are appropriate. If caused by Blood deficiency fever, without other symptoms, the pulse is large and hollow (Kou Mai, 芤脉); Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) and Chuan Xiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma) are suitable. If caused by Yin deficiency, there is irritability, thirst, and a fine pulse; Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix) and E Jiao (Colla Corii Asini) are suitable. Another type involves exterior Heat and interior Cold, with diarrhea containing undigested food, irritability, thirst, aversion to heat, and a faint, fine pulse. This is a critical Shaoyin syndrome (Shaoyin Bing, 少阴病), and Si Ni Tang (Frigid Extremities Decoction) is appropriate.

Wang Mengying added: Acute infection fever can be verified by nasal congestion. However, if latent pathogens from pregnancy suddenly manifest after delivery, do they present with headache or nasal congestion? Although the pulse may not immediately reveal itself, the tongue coating offers significant clues: it may be thick, white, and greasy; yellow, greasy, or dry; have black spots; or have scant coating with a red tongue body. Symptoms may include bitter taste, thirst, chest tightness, or hot urine. These indicate internal accumulation of Warm-Dampness or Summer-Heat pathogens. Unaware of this, people often administer Tangjiu Shenghua Tang (Sugar-Wine Life-Birth Decoction) and similar formulas. Consequently, mild cases become severe, and severe cases become critical. Without expert diagnosis, people only know the woman died, unaware of the specific disease or the erroneous medication. I have witnessed this frequently and often sigh. Regarding the alternating chills and fever mentioned later, such careful observation is also necessary to avoid causing premature death through negligence.