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The *Suwen* (Basic Questions) states: When a girl reaches fourteen years of age, Tian Gui (substances that promote reproductive maturation) arrives, the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) becomes unobstructed, and the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) flourishes. Menstruation occurs regularly, enabling conception and childbirth. By forty-nine years of age, the Ren Mai becomes deficient, the Chong Mai declines, Tian Gui is exhausted, menstruation ceases, the body deteriorates, and childbearing becomes impossible.

Shen Yaofeng stated: Conception relies entirely on sufficient Qi and Blood; deficiency leads to infertility. Therefore, Xue Lizhai said: The key lies in examining the Chi pulse (pulse at the radial artery near the wrist crease) of both men and women. If the right Chi pulse is thready or large and empty without force, use Ba Wei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia). If the left Chi pulse is surging but empty upon deep pressure, use Liu Wei Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia). If both Chi pulses are faint and thready or floating and large, use Shi Bu Wan (Ten-Ingredient Tonifying Pill). This follows the *Neijing* principles and selects formulas based on pulse diagnosis, which is excellent. However, this specifically addresses cases where the constitution is inherently deficient and unable to conceive. If the constitution is not deficient yet conception fails, there must be other diseases. Miu Zhongchun attributed it to wind-cold invading the uterus; Zhu Danxi attributed it to latent heat in the Chong and Ren vessels; Zhang Zihe attributed it to phlegm-dampness obstructing the Baozhong (uterus); Zhu Danxi, regarding obese women, attributed it to fatty membranes blocking the uterus; Chen Liangfu believed that women who have not conceived for twenty or thirty years must have accumulated blood in the uterus, prescribing Dang Bao Tang (Uterus-Cleansing Decoction). Although these sages differed in their theories, all were logically sound. One should examine the pulse and differentiate syndromes to determine treatment. Dang Bao Tang was considered the premier formula for seeking offspring in *Qianjin Fang*, highly esteemed by Sun Simiao.

**Dang Bao Tang (Uterus-Cleansing Decoction)**
Poxiao (Mirabilite), Danpi (Moutan Cortex), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma), Taoren (Persicae Semen, used raw, each 3 zhu), Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Chishao (Paeoniae Radix Rubra), Fuling (Poria), Guixin (Cinnamomi Ramulus), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix), Juapi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, each 2 zhu), Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, 6 zhu), Mengchong (Tabanidae), Shuizhi (Hirudo, each 10 specimens).

The above seventeen ingredients are coarsely crushed. Boil with five sheng of clear wine and five sheng of water until three sheng remain. Divide into four doses. Take three times during the day and once at night, with an interval of three shichen (six hours) between doses. Continue as before, covering with blankets to induce slight sweating. In cold weather, if sweating does not occur, apply warmth using a fire pot. Pus and blood will inevitably discharge. Ensure thorough evacuation; stop after two or three doses. If severe oppression and discomfort arise, consume one mouthful of vinegar-mixed cold rice or cold liquid to alleviate symptoms. However, to ensure no pathogenic factors remain, enduring mild discomfort is preferable.

Wang Mengying commented: Offspring cannot be forced. The more urgent the desire for children, the harder it becomes to conceive. Heaven and Earth accomplish transformation without intent, a spontaneous process beyond human intellect or effort. Medication should only be used for those whose illness hinders conception. Healthy individuals must never take drugs indiscriminately to seek pregnancy; doing so backfires. Even if effective, drug properties are biased. The child inherits these biases, leading to either premature death or stubbornness and rebellion. My clinical experience confirms this without exception.

Wang Mengying further commented: Although Dang Bao Tang has profound intent, its action is too harsh and should not be used lightly. Only Baotai Shenyao Wan (Fetus-Safeguarding Divine Protection Pill) is suitable. It effectively soothes Qi stagnation and gradually resolves accumulated blood. It is not only an excellent medicine for preserving the fetus but also a miraculous pill for regulating menstruation and facilitating conception. Take seven pills daily, frequently administered, yielding good results. I have verified its efficacy repeatedly; it is the most stable and ingenious option. (See formula in the lower volume.)

Wang Mengying added: There are ignorant couples who know nothing yet are fertile. This is what Chen Lingao referred to as "only human desire applies, not heavenly principle." Observing this, all methods for seeking offspring are unreliable. Moreover, constitutions vary greatly; generalizations are inappropriate. Some women never conceive; some bear only one child in a lifetime; some conceive again after more than ten years postpartum; some conceive annually; some conceive immediately after the first month postpartum; some always deliver twins; some even deliver triplets or quadruplets. Twin placentas may be fused or separate. Delivery may occur consecutively, after a day, or even after ten to fifteen days. As the proverb says, "Ten children, ten different births," hence the ancient saying, "Better to treat ten men than one woman." Women's obstetric conditions are myriad and unpredictable by common logic. Practitioners of gynecology must study this deeply.

Wang Mengying further commented: The ancients described five types of female sexual anomalies (often termed "Five Unfemales"): Luo (Snail), Wen (Line/Pattern), Gu (Drum), Jiao (Horn), and Mai (Vessel/Menstruation). These are often misunderstood. I believe "Luo" is a corruption of "Luo" (Mule). A person with the "Mule" form has fused pubic bones that cannot separate; conception would lead to fatal dystocia. "Wen" refers to a tortuous vaginal opening, spiraling like a pattern, hindering intercourse, commonly called "Solid Female." Later generations, unaware of the distinction from the mule form, changed it to "Luo" (Snail) and confused it with "Gu." "Gu" describes a vagina covered by skin like a drumhead, with only a small aperture for urination. If treated in childhood with daily insertion of a lead weight, it may open naturally and can be managed by human intervention. "Jiao" refers to a structure within the vagina that can erect upon arousal, known as an intersex individual or hermaphrodite. "Mai" refers to amenorrhea throughout life; while conception is theoretically difficult, "hidden menstruation" allows for pregnancy. Qian Guobin reported that the wife of a bamboo-weaver from Lanxi had no menstruation yet bore four sons and one daughter. Thus, among the five types, only three are incurable by human effort. Furthermore, the "Wen" and "Jiao" types are unsuitable for intercourse. I have verified these facts to correct transmission errors. Additionally, females with the "Mule" form can be identified by experienced midwives at birth. Bodies that are ambiguous in sex, called "Ren" (Human), also belong to the "Jiao" category.