Library

[Fetal Cold]
Within one hundred days after birth, if the infant feels cold in the mouth and abdominal pain, the body exhibits cold-induced gooseflesh (cutis anserina), experiences frequent tremors, curls the toes into fists, cries incessantly day and night, or has a locked jaw that cannot open, this is termed "Fetal Cold" (Tai Han). This condition arises from maternal abdominal pain during gestation. The *Chanjing* (Classic of Childbirth) states: Fetal cold often involves abdominal pain; it may also result from the mother's preference for bland, sweet, fatty, raw, or cold fruits and foods. Alternatively, exposure to Wind-Cold, Summer-Heat, or Dampness before pregnancy, treated with cooling medicines, can damage the fetal Qi. Consequently, after birth, the infant becomes lethargic and sleepy, occasionally passing white curds in stool. If not treated early, it will inevitably develop into Slow Convulsion (Man Jing Feng) or Slow Spleen Wind (Man Pi Feng). For such presentations, Chonghe Yin (Harmonizing Decoction) and Danggui San (Angelica Powder) should be decocted with water-warmed Ginger (Shui Wei Jiang) and administered to induce mild diarrhea. After the diarrhea subsides, Junqi San (Regulating Qi Powder) should be used for regulation and tonification. Once diarrhea stops, Qi becomes balanced, Spirit is calm, pain resolves, and limbs extend, Shenling Baizhu San (Ginseng, Poria, and Atractylodes Macrocephala Powder) should be used to nourish Stomach Qi, while Baishao Tang (White Peony Decoction) dispels Cold-Dampness. The nursing mother should restrict consumption of raw, frozen, and cold beverages and foods, so that gradual recovery may occur.

Another presentation involves slightly cold hands and feet, slightly bluish lips and face, sweating on the forehead, reluctance to nurse or drink, and increased crying at night. It resembles the previous syndrome but lacks cold mouth and chills; this is called "Visceral Cold" (Zang Han). This disease is worse at night and lighter during the day, accompanied by abdominal pain, borborygmus, and diarrhea of green watery stool. Some cases do not present with diarrhea. This syndrome also occurs within the first hundred days, caused by lying on the ground during labor, slight invasion of Cold air, washing the infant with cold water and Ginseng soup, cutting the umbilical cord too short, or loose ligation, allowing Cold Qi to injure the body. In such cases, Baishaoyao Tang (White Peony Root Decoction) and Chonghe Yin added with salt-fried Huixiang (Fennel Fruit) and Zhuyu (Evodia Fruit), decocted with water and fresh Ginger, should be administered, along with simultaneous administration to the nursing mother.

[Fetal Heat]
Between three days and one month after birth, if the eyes are closed and red, eyelids are swollen, the infant frequently groans, cries incessantly, suffers from sudden fright and restlessness, presents with high fever throughout the body, and has yellow urine, this is because the mother contracted seasonal pathogenic toxins during gestation, or was affected by external Wind-Heat, mistakenly took herbal decoctions, or consumed excessive amounts of Five Pungent Spices (Wu Xin: garlic, scallion, leek, chives, and asafetida), ginger, and wheat noodles. This causes Heat to accumulate internally, steaming the fetal Qi, resulting in these symptoms after birth, named "Fetal Heat" (Tai Re). Fetal Heat essentially manifests as frequent fright. If left untreated for a long time, conditions such as Thrush (E Kou), Double Tongue (Chong She), Wooden Tongue (Mu She), and Red-Purple Carbuncles (Chi Zi Dan Liu) will arise. Initially, Mutong San (Akebia Decoction) should be decocted for the mother to ingest, allowing the medicinal effect to enter the breast milk. When the infant drinks it, Heart Qi is unblocked and烦热 (restless heat) is resolved. Subsequently, four Holy Powders (Sisheng San) should be used with warm water to wash both eyes. Once the eyes open, Dihuang Gao (Rehmannia Paste), Tianzhuhuang San (Calamint Powder), and Niubang Tang (Arctium Decoction) should be administered. Danggui San should also be taken by the mother to facilitate transmission through breast milk, serving as an auxiliary treatment. The nursing mother should avoid chicken, alcohol, mutton, and wheat noodles to ensure easy stabilization and prevent recurrence.

Another syndrome occurs where, despite no major illness previously, the infant suddenly protrudes the tongue. The body is hot while the four limbs are cold, and the lips are bluish; this is caused by Disharmony of the Spleen and Stomach, and Self-Stomach Powder (Shouwei San) should be taken for self-healing. Tongue protrusion occurring after a severe illness, where the tongue extends slightly but does not stay out, retracting immediately upon movement, is a ominous sign. It should be treated with Qian's Baizhu San (Child Physician's Atractylodes Powder); if ineffective, it will progress to a critical condition. "Shu She" (Relaxed Tongue) refers to irregular dressing/undressing leading to external Wind-Heat invading the Heart and Spleen. Since the Spleen's meridians connect to the tongue, the tongue repeatedly relaxes and rolls, extending slowly and retracting slowly, with variable thirst. This is termed Shu She. It is appropriate to clear Heat from the Heart and Spleen meridians using Xiehuang San (Draining Yellow Powder) added with Huangqin (Scutellaria Root), decocted in water. However, strong Cold agents must not be used to attack it; once Heat recedes, Cold may arise and transform into other syndromes. Caution is strictly required.