议曰幼幼未降形处胞胎藉母气血滋荫由如养素已诞之后继时吻之以乳乳者化其气血敷养
肌肤
百脉流和三焦颐顺身肢渐舒骨力渐壮三周所芘一生为幸其或母因产得疾血竭气耗乳不成汁当
召奶子看顾贫乏之家食不继口奚能谋比其乳少其食多不益儿体其有不产之妇抱幼继宗终夜号
啼惟饲饭食初伤其气次伤其形久伤其神重伤其命萎羸声 躁哭皮皱项软足垂唇焦骨露但见眼
有晴先将久气散神败凡人生子究乳为上独以谷食扶持十士未保一二抑服丸散堪笑强为勉之急
假乳荫庶传为人死中半活矣
议曰初生未及荫乳洗罢便用断脐带留一握绵裹三重受气根全者其脐自深成胎数关者其脐
自突
脐者受质之根也为人之本也形体之基也元命之寿也迭月之前一腊之后其儿脐红高肿不作水湿
亦无风候但将胸堂仰起呃呃作声阖家无见责之皂妪有伤脐带致之非也召愚一观察知心气受之
胎热与利丁火少项不展胸堂呃声遂止越宿视之脐根后本医工与传及洗总施谬妄故书于楮果其
宜哉谩举颐以诮之云耳
原夫胚胎血气本自调顺既成胎孕有失将护致使胎气不安转动不常冒触根本初生幼幼邪正
相干
易得其病今述一十五篇概而举之欲使智者察其已身所受轻重所发逆顺调治可否鞠育持令产妇
以正其神养其血和其气使乳汁温平儿得调顺虽有疾作而自安平过半矣重则减之为轻轻则去疾
之容易勿谓轻之为重重则候变而作祸矣于戏万物之中所尊贵者惟人肖天地生成之道故难值其
安静犹体颐淳和之脉把纯素浑朴之怀合清湛之渊源纳运成之脏腑嗟乎受胎无益于形有伤加之
以药诚在出不得已而致之若在胎内失调初生宜其和益若在初生失理则于襁褓之间而疗之顺平
而愈若也受之变蒸数足其所患犹未除散遂成宿疾终身之咎也其儿所受胎气不足为患非伤肢害
体者并可与整使其平复获幸之甚良工尽心斯为妙矣
Discourse states: Before the infant takes form within the womb, it relies on the mother's Qi and Blood for nourishment and protection, much like cultivating a plant. After birth, continued feeding with breast milk allows the milk to transform into Qi and Blood, spreading and nurturing the skin, muscles, and meridians. This ensures the smooth flow of the hundred vessels (Hundred Meridians), harmonizes the San Jiao (Triple Burner), and gradually relaxes the body and limbs, strengthening bone power. The care received during the first three years is a lifelong blessing. If the mother falls ill due to childbirth, leading to exhaustion of blood and Qi, resulting in insufficient milk production, a wet nurse should be summoned. In impoverished families where food supplies are inadequate, how can they manage? If milk intake is low but solid food intake is high, it does not benefit the infant's body and may cause disease. Women without milk holding young children to continue the family line may cry all night and resort to feeding them rice gruel. Initially, this damages their Qi; subsequently, it damages their physical form; over time, it damages their Shen (Spirit); severely, it endangers their life. Manifestations include emaciation, hoarse and restless voice, wrinkled skin, weak neck, drooping feet, cracked lips, and exposed bones. Although the eyes may appear clear, the gaze is scattered, indicating dissipated Qi and ruined Spirit from chronic illness. Generally, breastfeeding is superior for newborns. Relying solely on grain-based foods, only one or two out of ten infants survive. Moreover, administering pill and powder medicines is laughable; forcing such measures and urgently seeking alternative nourishment is akin to keeping the child half-dead and half-alive.
Discourse states: For newborns under one month old, before nursing, after bathing, the umbilical cord stump is wrapped with a handful of cotton layered three times. Infants with complete Yuan Qi (Original Qi) naturally have deep umbilical cavities, while those with incomplete conception "gates" (referring to constitutional strength) have protruding umbilici. The umbilicus is the root of constitution, the foundation of humanity, the base of the physical form, and the longevity of Yuan Ming (Vital Life). Within a month before or after delivery, if the infant's umbilicus becomes red and swollen without exudate or wind-pathogen signs, simply elevating the chest causes an "eh-eh" sound. Families should not blame the midwife, as this results from handling the umbilical cord, not error. Upon my observation, I determined that Heart Qi was affected by fetal heat and Ding Fire (a reference to regulating lower jiao fire or specific pathological heat). Shortly after, the chest stopped expanding, and the hiccupping ceased. Viewing the infant the next day, the previous methods used by medical workers and those taught for washing the umbilicus were erroneous. Thus, I recorded this, which proved appropriate, merely listing these points to ridicule their ignorance.
Investigating the embryonic stage, Qi and Blood are originally harmonious. Once pregnancy is established, lack of proper care leads to unstable fetal Qi, irregular movement, and damage to the root. Consequently, newborns are susceptible to pathogenic factors clashing with healthy Qi. Herein, fifteen chapters are presented to summarize common conditions, enabling wise practitioners to assess the severity and favorable/unfavorable nature of the disease, and determine the feasibility of treatment. By guiding mothers to calm their spirits, nourish blood, and harmonize Qi, ensuring warm and balanced milk, infants remain regulated. Even if illness occurs, it often resolves spontaneously. Severe cases become mild; mild cases are easily cured. Do not assume mild conditions worsen or severe ones wait for complications to arise. Alas! Among all things, humans are most precious, mirroring the Dao of Heaven and Earth, yet achieving tranquility is difficult. It is like examining a pure and harmonious pulse, embracing simplicity and purity, aligning with clear origins, and containing the transforming organs. Sigh! Conception benefits the form, but medicinal intervention should only be used when absolutely necessary. If there is imbalance in utero, harmony and tonification should be applied at birth. If mismanagement occurs post-birth, treatment within the swaddling period following peaceful principles leads to recovery. However, if waiting until the completion of Bian Zheng (physiological transformations in infancy) leaves symptoms unresolved, chronic diseases ensue, becoming lifelong burdens. Cases involving insufficient fetal Qi that do not harm limbs or the body can be restored to balance with great fortune. A skilled practitioner devoting themselves to this is truly masterful.