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Whenever pregnancy is near term, prepare in advance a segment of liquorice root (Gancao, 甘草) about one finger's width, crush it, and decoct it with two shellfuls of water until reduced to one shellful. Wrap the liquid in cotton, dip it, and let the infant suckle. It is auspicious if the infant vomits foul matter; if one shellful does not induce vomiting, no further administration is needed. Regardless of whether the infant is deficient or excess in constitution, this may be administered.

During labor, first decoct five qian of coptis rhizome (Huanglian, 黄连) and two qian five fen of liquorice root (Gancao, 甘草) into a concentrated decoction. Immediately after birth, administer two or three spoonfuls, then mix fine cinnabar powder (Zhusha, 朱砂) into the decoction and smear it inside the infant's mouth to expel all old feces from the abdomen. Subsequently, apply cinnabar honey (Zhu Mi).

The *Emergency Prescriptions Kept Up My Sleeve* by Ge Hong states: First wipe the mouth with liquorice root (Gancao, 甘草) and coptis rhizome (Huanglian, 黄连) to spit out foul juices. Once stabilized, administer cinnabar honey to calm the spirit and settle the soul. Grind high-quality cinnabar (Zhusha, 朱砂) finely to the size of a large soybean, process it by water flotation, and mix with refined honey (Lian Mi, 炼蜜) of about one shellful volume to form a paste. Smear this into the mouth as needed. This not only calms the heart and settles the spirit but also resolves toxic pathogens. If the complexion is cyanotic and pale, and the cry is weak, do not administer.

The *Essentials of Childbirth* states: After washing the newborn, sever the umbilical cord to prevent illness caused by water-dampness invasion. When cutting the cord, wring out the blood completely; otherwise, cold-dampness may enter the abdomen, potentially causing neonatal tetanus (Umbilical Wind, Qi Feng, 脐风). Tie the cord tightly with thread four or five cun away from the navel, wrap it with cloth, and bite through it. Tight binding prevents blood from flowing into the placenta, allowing it to shrink naturally and facilitating its expulsion; even if delayed for a few days, there is no major harm. Biting avoids the intrusion of "cold qi" from metal scissors, preventing abdominal colic. In cases of severe cold weather, difficult labor, or depletion of vital qi in mother and child, tie the cord first and burn it off with an oil-soaked paper wick, allowing warmth to enter the infant's abdomen. This is a miraculous method for restoring life. Recently, moxibustion on the navel with Qimoxa (Qiai, 蕲艾) is also excellent. The remaining cord should not be too long, as it may fail to dry, damage tissue, and attract external wind leading to Umbilical Wind; nor should it be too short, as it may compress internal organs, causing abdominal pain and night crying. The length should be measured by the infant's sole, which is a balanced approach. *Qianjin Fang* states: The length should reach the dorsum of the infant's foot. *Zao Dao Ji* states: Cleanse the newborn thoroughly so that dried blood does not remain at the severed site, keeping the skin lustrous, then cut the cord. The umbilical cord is the initial stalk of life; leave it one chi two cun long and bind tightly. If left too short, Umbilical Wind may arise; if bound loosely, the genital area may become edematous. Miao Xichong's *Guang Biji* states: Do not cut the umbilical cord immediately upon birth. On the third day, make a thin pancake from flour and water, place it on the infant's abdomen, pass the cord through the pancake, and moxibustion the part of the cord near the navel with Qimoxa (Qiai, 蕲艾), applying three or five to seven moxa cones. Ensure the room is shielded from drafts. After moxibustion, re-tie the cord and allow it to detach naturally. Detachment on the seventh day indicates sufficient vital qi.

After birth, daily morning and evening, use clear soup or bitter tea dipped in soft silk to clean the infant's oral cavity. If white spots appear near the gums, puncture them with fingernails or a fine needle, filter the sap from mulberry trees (Sangzhi, 桑枝/桑内汁), and apply it to prevent convulsions and lockjaw (Jing Feng, 惊风; Cuo Kou Feng, 撮口风).