议曰妇人产育有患鬼胎者庸鄙谓妇人纳鬼之气而受之实非也鬼胎者乃父精不足母气衰羸
滋育
涵沫之不及护爱安存之失调方及七八个月以降生又有过及十个月而生者初产气血虚羸降诞
艰难所言鬼者即胎气怯弱荣卫不充致子萎削语犹如果子结实之时有所荫藉不到灌溉为物褊小
其
形猥衰无有可爱如此之谓胎气阴萎常与丸散扶挟乳哺匀调气血充荫肠胃固壮即保其静善盖由
受气不足禀赋不全忽尔横殇非可惜耶
议曰小儿有患魃病者非五脏传变亦非六腑所主也缘儿生后方且周 母复有孕血气所荫分
之两
端是故胚胎渐伤乳汁成毒虚邪相攻儿吻致疾敛率其气郁伤其神魂令儿疳虚 羸枯瘁烦躁朝昏
呕哕日夜不可得疗理但速与断其乳温平胃气和顺血脉自然而愈其有萎怯致痰乃成无辜症候何
足怪讶者耶
议曰初生牙儿三朝之后盈月之前所受诸症作疾轻重不同者盖由胎气禀赋有壮有弱其母饮
食恣
全饥饱起止无忌坐卧不择令儿得疾不寒即热不虚即怯热乃作壅寒乃作泄虚则作惊怯则作结寒
则温之热则凉之虚则壮荣怯则益卫惊用安神结用微利审详用之不必过剂
议曰牙儿胎病谓月数将满母失护爱或劳动气血相干或坐卧饥饱相役或饮食冷热相制或恐
怖血脉
相乱胎气有伤儿形无补或因动土与工或由营葺房卧或移安居或更荐席虽不犯凶神恶杀终干碍子
体儿身有因如此得疾者乃成终身之患重则损根废枝轻则拳挛跛 若也胎病由气之致患者乃尚
可疗或传成风为疾者断不可医初生幼幼有被于邪者实时和顺调理大凡生长婴孩有如长江行舟
一向不值风涛波浪方为稳当何向胎气不固或生下作疾所谓萌芽既伤将来曷能荣茂矣
Translation:
It is discussed that women giving birth may suffer from "Ghost Fetus" (Guotai, a condition characterized by fetal weakness and malformation). Vulgar and shallow people believe it is caused by the woman absorbing ghostly qi, which is actually incorrect. The so-called Ghost Fetus arises because the father's essence is insufficient, and the mother's qi and blood are weak and emaciated. This leads to inadequate nourishment, gestation, and moistening; improper care and preservation result in delivery occurring at seven or eight months, or even beyond ten months. During the first delivery, the qi and blood are deficient and weak, making childbirth difficult. The term "ghost" refers to the fetus's timid qi and unfulfilled Ying and Wei (Defensive and Nutritive) energies, causing the child to be withered and emaciated. This is like a fruit forming without adequate shade or irrigation, resulting in a small, shriveled, and unappealing appearance. This is referred to as Yin-withered fetal qi. It is often necessary to use pills and powders to support and assist, ensure uniform breastfeeding, harmonize qi and blood, nourish the intestines and stomach, and consolidate strength to maintain stability. Generally, this results from insufficient reception of qi and incomplete endowment, leading to sudden premature death, which is indeed pitiable.
It is discussed that infants suffering from "Ba Disease" (Babing, a pediatric condition characterized by emaciation and irritability) are not affected by transmission among the Five Zang organs nor governed by the Six Fu organs. This is because shortly after birth, if the mother becomes pregnant again, her qi and blood are divided into two ends, gradually injuring the embryo and turning breast milk into toxic pathogens. Deficient pathogens attack each other, causing illness in the infant. This depletes their qi and郁 (depresses/damages) their Shen Hun (Spiritual Soul), leading to infantile malnutrition (Gan syndrome), emaciation, withering, irritability, day-and-night vomiting and retching, which cannot be treated effectively. If one quickly weans the infant, warms and levels Stomach Qi, and harmonizes the blood vessels, natural recovery will occur. Those who become weak and timid, leading to phlegm formation and resulting in "Wugu Syndrome" (a chronic wasting disease such as cervical lymphadenitis), are hardly surprising.
It is discussed that newborns, between three days after birth and before one month old, may suffer from various conditions with varying degrees of severity due to differences in fetal qi endowment (strong or weak). If the mother indulges in diet, experiences irregular hunger and fullness, lacks restraint in daily activities, and chooses inappropriate postures for sitting and lying, the infant will fall ill. Heat manifests as obstruction/stagnation, cold as diarrhea, deficiency as fright, and timidity as constipation. Cold patterns are treated with warming methods, heat patterns with cooling methods, deficiency patterns with tonifying Ying (Nutritive) energy, timidity patterns with benefiting Wei (Defensive) energy, fright with calming the Spirit, and stagnation with mild purgation. These should be applied after careful examination, without excessive dosage.
It is discussed that infant congenital diseases refer to situations where, near the end of the gestational period, the mother fails to provide proper care, or physical labor interferes with qi and blood, or sitting/lying and dietary habits cause strain, or hot/cold foods create imbalance, or fear disrupts blood flow. This injures fetal qi and fails to supplement the fetal form. Additionally, construction work, renovation of living quarters, moving residences, or changing bedding, though not offending malevolent spirits, can still hinder the fetal body. Infants falling ill due to such causes may suffer lifelong ailments. Severe cases damage the root and branches, while mild cases result in clenched fists, contractures, or limping. If the congenital disease is caused by qi dysfunction, it is still treatable; however, if it transforms into wind disorders, it is incurable. For newborns exposed to pathogenic factors, timely harmonious regulation is essential. Raising an infant is like sailing on the Yangtze River; only when encountering no wind or waves is it considered safe. If fetal qi is unstable or illness occurs immediately after birth, it is akin to damaging the sprout, making future flourishing impossible.