Library

Danxi stated: When Yang acts and Yin transforms, conception is achieved. If Qi and Blood are deficient and insufficient to nourish the fetus, abortion will occur. This is like a withered branch causing fruit to fall, or a withered vine causing flowers to drop. Furthermore, labor, fear, and emotional injury can stir up internal fire, which can also cause abortion, just as wind shakes trees or humans break branches. Fire has the nature to consume things; this is the natural order of creation. The *Bing Yuan* (Source of Diseases) claims that wind-cold injures the Zizang (uterus), but this view fails to grasp the true nature of the condition. I once treated a woman surnamed Jia who invariably aborted around three months of pregnancy. Her pulse was large and powerless on the left hand, and choppy upon heavy pressure, indicating Blood deficiency. As she was in her prime years, I only tonified Middle Qi so that Blood could naturally nourish the fetus. It was early summer, so I instructed her to take one qian of Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) powder with strongly decocted Baizhu Tang (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Decoction). After taking dozens of doses, she preserved the fetus and delivered safely. Reflecting on this, cases involving internal heat leading to deficiency are more common logically. The terms "heat" and "deficiency" arise because the third month of pregnancy corresponds to the phase of Ministerial Fire, making it prone to abortion. Otherwise, why are Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Shu Ai Ye (Artemisiae Argyi Folium Preparatum), and Ejiao (Asini Corii Colla) considered excellent drugs for calming the fetus?

Danxi stated: Difficult labor often occurs among people who are depressed yet comfortable, and those from wealthy families enjoying luxurious provisions, whereas it is rare among the poor and lowly. Ancient prescriptions only contain one discussion on Shoutai Yin (Thin Fetus Drink), but this formula was created for Princess Huyang and may not be entirely accurate. Those who used it found their difficult labor unchanged. My cousin suffered from difficult labor, aborting whenever she conceived. I felt great pity for her. Observing her obese physique but diligence in female work, I determined she had Qi deficiency. Prolonged sitting caused Qi stagnation, weakening her further. The fetus remained in the womb because the mother's Qi was too weak to propel it. Tonifying the mother's Qi would make the fetus robust and delivery easier. She consulted me at five or six months of pregnancy. I added Qi-tonifying herbs to Zisu Yin (Perillae Decoction) from *Daquan Liangfang* and administered dozens of doses. She subsequently delivered a healthy boy with great ease. Thus, based on this formula, I adjusted it according to the mother's constitution and seasonal changes. It proved effective for all users. During delivery, there was no abdominal pain, and the mother had no underlying pathology. Therefore, I named this formula Dasheng San (Life-Reaching Powder).

Danxi stated: Someone asked, "Women's diseases mainly involve menstruation, pregnancy, and childbirth. Using warm and hot drugs seems logical. Why do you call it nonsense?" I replied, "Women are governed by Blood. Blood belongs to Yin and is easily depleted. Only those skilled in regulation can preserve their health." Are my formulas appropriate? Regarding Shenxian Jubao Dan (Immortal Gathering Treasure Pill), I must speak out. This formula treats Blood Sea deficiency cold, deficiency heat, and night sweats. Logically, it should be nourishing. However, Hupo (Succinum) is drying, and Shexiang (Moschus) is dispersing; can they be used? For sallow complexion and limb edema, dampness should be guided out. Ruxiang (Olibanum) and Moyao (Myrrha) treat Blood; can they be used? Pregnancy and postpartum conditions differ in excess and deficiency. Expelling stasis and nourishing new blood, attacking and tonifying methods are mixed. For solid masses, leukorrhea, and metrorrhagia, what suits one situation hinders another. Can one formula treat everyone? People like it because its ingredients are precious and its name elegant, believing regular use calms the spirit, dispels evil, and aids conception. They do not realize that accumulated warmth matures into heat, and aromatic dispersants scatter Qi. Users inevitably suffer harm. Unless the five Zang organs could speak, physicians would never realize it. By the time other syndromes develop, violating reason, meat broths ignite Yin channel fire, easily causing internal injury diseases. Sages have warned against this. Some eat millet porridge made with rich mutton or chicken broth and regularly take Danggui Wan (Angelica Sinensis Pill), Danggui Jianzhong Tang (Angelica Sinensis Decocted Middle Warming Decoction), or Sixian Lizhong Wan (Four Sages Regulating Middle Pills). Although these are tonics, they violate the prohibitions of Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus), Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata), and Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma). Where can organs without cold endure such treatment? As for newborns, when the mother's abdomen suddenly feels lighter, they immediately eat eggs and consume fire salt. They do not consider that eggs are hard to digest and fire salt generates heat, leading to illness through repeated disturbance. Physicians fail to recognize this, arbitrarily diagnosing other diseases and prescribing rashly, surely misleading patients. Whenever I see postpartum women without disease, I instruct them to discard Heishen San (Black Spirit Powder), eggs, fire salt, and various meats. I provide only white rice gruel for care, occasionally allowing small amounts of dried hairtail fish, advising a bland diet. After half a month, small amounts of meat are given. Even eggs must be split and boiled thoroughly to greatly benefit the Stomach and resolve phlegm. Women from wealthy, indulgent families often suffer from leukorrhea, headache due to wind, Qi pain, chest fullness, rebellious phlegm, dry mouth, irregular menstruation, hair loss, and body heat. These are all diseases of Yang excess and Yin deficiency. Innate Qi and Blood are originally harmonious. Daily excessive consumption leads to daily depletion of Zheng Qi. How can they know these absurdities are provoked by such habits?