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Whenever pregnancy is less than three months, and the male or female characteristics of the fetus have not yet manifested, it is appropriate to use methods to transform a female fetus into a male one; this is often effective. It is recorded here.

Method: Take Ming Xionghuang (Realgar, 明雄黄) (a piece weighing more than one liang), place it in a crimson silk bag, wear it on the left side of the pregnant woman's body, and store it together with a bowstring for wearing. Alternatively, wear it together with Xuanhua (Daylily, 萱花) (known as Yinancao, "Suitable-for-Boy Grass").

Another method: Keep a bowstring always by the father's side, and hang a wooden bow to observe the mother.

Another method: Secretly place Yuege (Yue and Ge, ancient weapons), Fuxin (Axe and Hatchet) under the bed mats, without letting others know, while reciting poetry and books.

Another method: The pregnant woman wears her husband's clothes and hat, looks to the left at her reflection in the well for three days, seal the well mouth, and open it after half a month; this results in a male birth.

At three full months, take one large Chuanxiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong), grind it into powder, take three qian, mix with warm wine or Mugwort Decoction on an empty stomach; slight fetal movement indicates efficacy. If there is no fetal movement, it is due to blood obstruction.

When fetal movement occurs, if the head moves to the left, it is a boy; if to the right, it is a girl. Palpating the Left Chi pulse (Left Radial Pulse at the Cinnabar position), if surging and abundant, indicates a boy; if the Right Chi pulse is deep and solid, it indicates a girl. At five months, occasionally have the pregnant woman walk facing south, suddenly call out to her; if she turns her head to the left, it is a boy; if to the right, it is a girl.

Regarding the misfortune of spontaneous abortion (Ban Chan, 半产) or miscarriage, it often occurs at three months of pregnancy. This is because at three months, the stage is called "Shi Pei" (Initial Embryo); at this point, blood circulation is not smooth, and the form begins to transform, lacking a fixed structure, making it prone to injury and falling. This is all due to insufficient Qi and Blood, and weak physique. Some are caused by congenital endowment deficiency, some by labor and damage. Although the Tai Yuan (Fetal Root, 胎元) has formed, it lacks nourishment. Others may be caused by excessive Seven Emotions transforming into fire, forcing blood to flow recklessly, or by physical trauma from falls and bumps leading to miscarriage. In all cases, medication should be adjusted according to the syndrome, with tranquility being most valuable. The Tai Yuan (see Pre-natal section) is attached to the mother's waist and Kidneys only by the umbilical cord, known as Ziheche Di (Placenta Stalk), which is very minute and fragile. Some pregnant women have sufficient Qi and Blood, stable Tai Yuan, and normal diet and起居, yet suddenly suffer a miscarriage; this is actually not childbirth. Rather, young men and women, ignorant of propriety, indulge in lust, acting recklessly in bed, causing the woman to curl her waist and bend her abdomen, suddenly severing this stalk. In an instant, the mother dies and the fetus perishes. Such cases are numerous and deeply pitiable.

Main Formula (for use at three months): Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Huangqi (Astragali Radix), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Tiaoqin (Scutellariae Radix, specifically selected strips) (each 2 qian), Dangguishen (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, root part) (1 qian), Shudi (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata), Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) (each 0.7 qian), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) (0.5 qian), Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix) (each 0.3 qian), Nuomi (Oryza Sativa Glutinosa Semen) (81 grains). Decoct in water and take. Pellets are also acceptable.

Panshi San (Pan Shi Powder): Suitable for miscarriage caused by thinness leading to Blood deficiency with heat, or obesity leading to Qi deficiency and insufficiency, or poor appetite and emaciation. This formula harmonizes Qi and Blood, tonifies Spleen and Stomach. If there is heat, double the Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) and reduce Sharen (Amomi Fructus); if no heat, do the opposite.

Formula: Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Huangqi (Astragali Radix), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Chuanxuduan (Dipsaci Radix), Shudi (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata) (each 1 qian), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) (2 qian), Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) (each 0.8 qian), Nuomi (Oryza Sativa Glutinosa Semen) (a pinch), Zhigancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Preparata) (0.5 qian), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) (1 qian), Sharen (Amomi Fructus) (0.5 qian).

Take half zhong of water, decoct to seven-tenths, take far after meals. During the second, third, and fourth months, take every other day. Pellets are also acceptable.