Library

Suxmu (Radix Lygodii), Niuxi (Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae), Nanxing (Rhizoma Arisaematis), Taoren (Semen Persicae), Guixin (Cortex Cinnamomi), Shexiang (Moschus) and other substances. For patients with deficiency constitution, Shiquan Dabu Tang (Decoction for Ten-Absence Great Tonification) should be used to gradually achieve efficacy; one must not rashly use severe agents such as Chuanwu (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata) or Badou (Fructus Crotonis Tiglii), lest urgent pursuit leads to blame. I have seen cases where pregnancy exceeded the term, resulting in the delivery of a "water fetus" with abnormal morphology, which would subsequently require extensive recuperative treatment.

[Death of Fetus] If the mother's tongue is cyanotic, and the abdomen feels cold and heavy with a bearing-down sensation, it indicates fetal death. Tuohua Jian (Decoction for Delivering the Flower) should be administered promptly. Subsequently, tonify based on excess or deficiency patterns. If both the tongue and fingernails are cyanotic, accompanied by abdominal distension, panting, and foul breath, the condition is critical. Immediately instruct the midwife to assist delivery manually. Ancient methods suggest using Tongbian (Child Urine) mixed with Puxiao (Natrii Sulfas) 5 qian. Alternatively, Pingwei San (Powder for Calming the Stomach) decocted with water and wine, mixed with Puxiao. For deficiency-cold patterns, Lizhong Tang (Decoction for Regulating the Middle) with doubled Renshen (Radix Ginseng) mixed with Puxiao may be used. In winter, if the fetus dies and the abdomen feels cold, Xianggui San (Powder for Fragrant Cassia) added with Wutou (Radix Aconiti Preparata), or Heishen San (Black Divine Powder), or Heilong Dan (Black Dragon Pill) can be employed. If evil blood rebels upward causing vomiting, convulsions, and syncope, pour hot Tongbian into the mouth. Cyanosis of lips with foaming at the mouth is untreatable. Generally, red face and cyanotic tongue indicate the mother survives while the fetus dies. Cyanotic face and red tongue indicate the mother dies while the fetus survives. Cyanosis of both face and tongue indicates death of both mother and fetus.

[Post-term Pregnancy without Delivery] If due to Qi deficiency, tonify Qi; if due to blood leakage, nourish Blood; if Qi and Blood are insufficient, benefit both Qi and Blood. If the pulse is deep and fine after the term, it may not be a viable fetus. There are also cases where the fetus has withered but remains unrotted in the abdomen. Administer tonifying agents to harmonize Qi and Blood, allowing natural expulsion.

When a woman's menstruation stops for two to three months, and the pulse is slightly slippery and rapid, with the Chi (Cun-Che-Guan-Chi) position pulse remaining uninterrupted upon pressure, this is the pulse of pregnancy. Generally, pregnancy pulses should be slippery, rapid, and solid, and should not be choppy, wiry, or hidden. It is strictly contraindicated to see slow, choppy, floating, or moderate-slow pulses. To differentiate fetal sex: a larger pulse on the left side indicates a male, and on the right side indicates a female. However, many individuals have inherent constitutional asymmetry; thus, only a slippery and solid pulse at Cun (Inch) indicates a male, and at Chi indicates a female. Furthermore, slippery and solid pulses at both Cun positions indicate twin males; at both Chi positions, twin females. Solid pulses at left Cun and right Chi indicate one male and one female, which is considered most accurate (from *Yitong*). Initially, the pregnancy pulse at Cun is minute, counting five breaths per pulse beat; by the third month, the Chi pulse becomes rapid. A slippery and rapid pulse that disperses under heavy pressure indicates three months of pregnancy. A pulse that does not disperse under heavy pressure, being rapid but not slippery, indicates five months (from *Maijing*). If the pulse is deep and fine, cold to touch, or if the bilateral Chi pulses fluctuate between large and small, present and absent, it indicates a "Ghost Fetus." A pulse rapid like wind and rain, pausing briefly then returning to its original state, indicates a "Night-Ya Fetus." A minute Cun, slippery Guan, and rapid Chi pulse, flowing smoothly with sparrow-pecking characteristics, indicates the fetal pulse has manifested; the mother may be several months pregnant without realizing it (from *Maijue*). The pulse before labor must deviate from the regular channel pattern, appearing uneven in size, or resembling sparrow-pecking or leaking-roof pulses, accompanied by lower back pain, abdominal pain, and visual disturbances; delivery is imminent, and this is not a disease.