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(See the brief remarks for details)

Treats difficult labor where the fetus has not been delivered after several days, as well as cases of non-opening of the pelvic symphysis (Jiaogu). Applying this plaster calms the mind and conserves strength, allowing natural delivery without forced induction. ○ Do not apply immediately upon the first sensation of pain.

Take one large turtle shell (preferably black on the plastron/carapace, yellow is inferior), weighing approximately 2-3 jin; larger is better. Soak it in small-ground sesame oil for several days, then boil until the shell becomes withered. Refine the oil until thick, add fried Huangdan (Lead Oxide) to form the plaster base, and incorporate 4 liang of fried Qianfen (Lead Carbonate), stirring evenly. ○ For use, take 3 qian, spread on leather paper, and have the parturient lie flat and sleep. Apply the plaster to the navel, with additional external compresses. Upon waking, delivery occurs naturally. (If delivery is premature, this method can also stabilize the fetus.)

External compress formula: Cheqianzi (Plantago Seed, 2 liang), Chuanxiong (Ligusticum Rhizome), Quan Danggui (Whole Angelica Sinensis Root, each 1 liang), Dongkuizi (Abelmoschus Seed, 7 qian), Zhiqiao (Bitter Orange Peel), Baizhi (Angelica Dahurica Root), Banxia (Pinellia Tuber), Bailian (Belamcanda Rhizome, each 4 qian). Grind all into fine powder, mix with Yumian (Ulmus Flour, 3 liang) and Yi Yuan San (Benefit the Origin Powder, 2 liang). Use 1 liang per application, mixed with juice of ginger and scallion, aged wine, and vinegar for application. If the paste dries, reconstitute with refined lard. In hot summer weather, mix with sesame oil, white honey, and egg white. (If a dead fetus needs to be expelled, add Fuzi (Aconite Lateral Root) and Guongui (Cinnamon Bark)).

Another prescription: Large turtle shell 1 jin, whole snake skin 2 strips, whole cicada slough 21 pieces, raw Shanjiachuan (Pangolin Scales) 7 slices, washed hair tuft 2 liang. (Boil these three types of sloughs/shells in oil, collect with Huangdan and Qianfen, add Hanshuishi (Calcium Carbonate, half raw/half calcined, 2 liang) and Zhusha (Cinnabar, 5 qian), stir well.) (This is Lisheng Dan). Apply as before to induce sleep. (Note: Ancient formulas for inducing labor often used Castor seed and Musk ground and applied to the navel. Chen Xiuyuan advocated applying a paste of Wumei (Chinese Plum), Badou (Croton Seed), and Hu Jiao (Pepper) ground in vinegar below the navel. However, Castor and Croton are too toxic and should not be used.)

(Nourishing primordial Qi and promoting the discharge of lochia postpartum should not be neglected. However, internal medication is best administered by first clearing stagnation and then tonifying, whereas external plasters can be used concurrently.)

Treats women with obstructed lochia that transforms into strange diseases; applicable in such cases. ○ Apply to the heart region, above the navel, back, and affected areas, modifying herbs based on symptoms. (For blood syncope [Xue Yun], smell burnt vinegar charcoal; or place chopped chives in a spouted bottle, pour boiling vinegar, and inhale the fumes through the spout; or sniff fumes from red flower decocted in vinegar and child's urine. For epistaxis, use 3 strands of the patient's own hair and 3 red threads, tied around the middle joint of the right middle finger; if stasis attacks upward, wipe chest with Su Mu [Sappan Wood] decoction. For coughing and reverse flow, apply Guongui and ginger juice to the spine. For blood deficiency headache possibly complicated by exterior pathogen, fumigate with Xiong Gui Jing Sui [Ligusticum, Angelica, Schizonepeta] decoction. For wind generated by blood deficiency or stroke, also use this decoction to wipe chest and back. For empty abdominal pain due to blood deficiency, use Shenghua Tang [Ligusticum, Angelica, Licorice, Safflower, Fried Ginger] decoction to wipe or hot compress. For cold complications, sprinkle Paojiang [Fried Ginger] and Rougui [Cinnamon Bark] powder into the plaster before application. For Erzhen Tong [postpartum abdominal mass/pain], apply a paste made from frying Puhuang [Lygodium Spore] and Lingzhi [Drynaria Rhizome] with vinegar; this is superior to internal administration; or use Qizhen San [from Jin Xian Gao] which is also effective.)

Treatment for various postpartum conditions: Use Danggui 1 liang, Chuanxiong 5 qian, Baizhu 3 qian, Shengdi [Rehmannia Root, wine-fried], Guongui each 2 qian, Jing Sui [Schizonepeta Spike, fried], Xiangfu [Cyperus Rhizome, vinegar-fried], Yanhusuo [Corydalis Rhizome, vinegar-fried] each 1.5 qian. If exposed to wind, add Tianma [Gastrodia Rhizome] and Fangfeng [Saposhnikovia Root]. For blood syncope, add Hei Lingzhi [Charcoalized Drynaria] and Hei Jing Sui [Charcoalized Schizonepeta]. For fever, add Dangshen [Codonopsis], Huangqi [Astragalus], and Paojiang. For chest oppression, add Chenpi [Tangerine Peel], Zhike [Bitter Orange], and Sharen [Amomum Fruit]. For metrorrhagia, add Diyu Tan [Charcoalized Sanguisorba], Puhuang [fried], and Lingzhi [vinegar-fried]. For cough, add Xingren [Apricot Seed], Zhi Sangpi [Honey-fried Mulberry Bark], and Jiegeng [Platycodon Root]. For retained blood causing hardness, add Zhishi [Immature Bitter Orange], Honghua [Safflower], and Taoren [Peach Seed]. For masses, add Ezhu [Curcuma Rhizome] and Sanleng [Sparganium Rhizome, vinegar-fried]. For incomplete expulsion of bad blood with alternating chills and fever, add Chaihu [Bupleurum Root] and Banxia. For food stagnation, add Shanzha [Hawthorn Fruit] and Maiya [Malt]. For spleen/stomach distension, add Cangzhu [Atractylodes Rhizome], Nongpo [Magnolia Bark], Chenpi, Sharen, Zhike. For mental confusion, add Maidong [Ophiopogon Tuber], Yuanzhi [Polygala Root], and Zhusha [Cinnabar]. For chest diaphragm obstruction, add Wuyu [Evodia Fruit]. For constipation, add Rousongrong [Cistanche Stem] and Shudi [Prepared Rehmannia Root]. For dysuria, add Cheqianzi and Mutong [Akebia Stem]. For deficiency diarrhea approaching collapse, add Wuweizi [Schisandra Fruit], Renshen [Ginseng Root], and Kufan [Alum]. The above herbs are ground into powder according to symptoms, either sprinkled, vinegar-fried for hot compress, or bound to the navel. Dosages may be adjusted if ineffective. ○ If postpartum blood vessels are empty, or affected by wind pathogens causing alternating chills, night sweats, and restlessness, termed Blood Wind Lao [Chronic Deficiency Syndrome], use Ziyin Gao [Nourish Yin Plaster] or Dabu Gao [Great Tonify Plaster].

Cu Zheng Honghua [Vinegar-steamed Safflower, 4 liang], Jiu Chuanxiong [Wine-processed Ligusticum], Jiu Danggui [Wine-processed Angelica], Cu Dahuang [Vinegar-processed Rheum], Tai Wuyao [Lindera Root], Wuyu [Evodia], Sumu [Sappan Wood], Xiangfu [Cyperus, half raw] each 3 liang; Puhuang [half raw, half fried], Lingzhi [half raw, half fried], Yanhusuo [half raw, half fried] each 2 liang; Guizhi [Cinnamon Twig] 2 liang; Dangshen, Shudi, Baizhu, Huangqi [Astragalus], Yurou [Cornus Fruit], Chuanwu [Sichuan Aconite], Caowu [Kansu Aconite], Cangzhu, Qianghuo [Notopterygium Rhizome], Duhuo [Angelica Pubescens Root], Fangfeng, Xixin [Asarum], Chishao [Red Peony Root, fried], Baishao [White Peony Root, fried], Danpi [Moutan Cortex, fried], Nanxing [Arisaema Tuber], Banxia, Zhi Houpo [Processed Magnolia Bark], Chenpi, Cu Qingpi [Vinegar-processed Tangerine Green Peel], Cu Sanleng [Vinegar-processed Sparganium], Cu Ezhu [Vinegar-processed Curcuma], Mugua [Chaenomeles Fruit], Sugeng [Perilla Stem], Xiang Baizhi, Shanzha [fried], Shenqu [fried], Maiya [fried], Duzhong [Eucommia Bark], Chuanxuduan [Dipsacus Root], Shu Niuxi [Prepared Achyranthes Root], Qinjiao [Gentiana Macrophylla Root], Jing Sui, Rousongrong, Zhike [fried], Jiegeng, Binglang [Areca Seed], Die Xue [Tortoise Blood, fried], Chaihu, Xingren, Taoren, Da Hui [Star Anise], Liangjiang [Galangal], Zhi Gancao [Honey-fried Licorice], Tusizi [Cuscuta Seed], Shechuangzi [Cnidium Fruit], Hei Yuanzhi [Black Polygala], Baiziren [Biota Seed], Shu Zaoren [Prepared Ziziphus Seed], Wuweizi, Lingxian [Syneilesis Rhizome], Caoguoren [Cardamom Seed], Yizhiren [Alpinia Oxyphylla Fruit], Baifuzi [Typhonium Rhizome], Mabianncao [Verbena Herb], Chen Sha [Cinnabar] mixed with Maidong, Cheqianzi, Zexie [Alisma Rhizome], Mutong, Mubie Ren [Momordica Seed] each 1 liang; Shanjiachuan [Pangolin Scales] 1 liang; Shengjiang [Fresh Ginger], Dasuantou [Garlic Bulb] each 2 liang; Congbai [Scallion White] (whole), Jiu [Chive] (whole, each 8 liang); Hei Xiaodou [Black Soybean], Aiye [Mugwort Leaf], Gan Heye [Dried Lotus Leaf] each 4 liang; Fengxian [Impatiens Flower, fresh 1 jin/dried 2 liang]; Hu Jiao [Pepper], Chuanjiao [Sichuan Pepper], Jiangjiang [Dried Ginger], Paojiang Tan [Charred Fried Ginger] each 1 liang; Dazao [Jujube] 7 pieces; Wumei [Chinese Plum] 3 pieces; Huaishangtaoliuzhi [Branches of Paulownia, Mulberry, Peach, Willow, each 49 cun]; Fatuan [Hair Tuft] 1 liang 6 qian. ○ Two sets share 20 jin of oil, boiled separately, collected with Dan [Lead Oxide]. ○ Add Guangmuxiang [Costus Root], Dingxiang [Clove], Tanxiang [Sandalwood], Zhi Rushen [Processed Frankincense], Zhi Moyao [Processed Myrrh], Sharen [Amomum, powdered], Guongui, Baicaoshuang [Soot from Chimney] each 1 liang; Niujiao [Ox Horn Glue] 4 liang (steamed in wine until dissolved, following the method for Qingyang Gao).