刘复真治府判女，产死将殓，取红花浓煎，扶女于橙上，以绵帛醮汤罨之，随以浇帛上，以器盛之，又暖
又淋，久而苏醒，遂产一男。盖遇严冬，血凝不行，得温便产也。
回生丹方，不知起自何人，或云长葛孙一奎始得之异人传授，乃催生之圣药也。锦纹大黄一斤为末，苏
木三两打碎，用河水五碗，煎汁三碗，听用。大黑豆三升，水浸，取壳，用绢袋盛壳，同豆煮熟，去豆不用，
将壳晒干，其汁留用；红花三两，炒黄色，入好酒三四碗，煎三滚，去渣，取汁听用。陈米醋九斤，将大黄末
入净锅，下米酷三斤，文火熬之，以长木筋不住手搅之，成膏，再加醋三斤熬之，又加醋三斤，次第加毕，然
后下黑豆汁三碗，再熬。次下苏木汁，次下红花汁，熬成大黄膏，取入瓦盆盛之，大黄锅粑亦铲下，入后药同
磨。人参、当归酒洗、川芎、香附醋炒、延胡索酒炒、苍术米泔浸炒、蒲黄隔纸炒、茯苓、桃仁去皮尖各一两，
牛膝酒洗五钱，炙甘草、地榆酒洗、川羌活、橘红、白芍酒炒各五钱，木瓜、青皮去穣炒各三钱，乳香、没药
各二钱，益母草三两，木香四钱，白术米泔浸炒三钱，乌药二两五钱，良姜四钱，马鞭草五钱，秋葵子三钱，
大熟地一两，三棱酒浸透纸裹煨五钱，五灵脂醋煮化焙干研细五钱，山萸肉酒浸蒸捣五钱。以上三十味，并煎
黑豆壳，共晒为末，入石臼内，以大黄膏拌匀，再下熟蜜一斤，共捣千杵为丸，重二钱七八分，阴干，不可火
烘药，蜡为壳护之，用时去蜡。（方中人参、或作真潞参二两。）
裴兆期治一妇，坐草已过三日，胞水尽行不得下，寝变瞑眩无知，牙关紧闭，手足无气以动。裴视之曰∶
此痰涎壅塞胃口也。盖胃口为真气营运之枢所，病者真气本滞，又经连日困顿，饥饱难调，谷食疏而汤饮杂，
势必酿作痰涎，以闭胃口，则真气益滞而不行。观其瞑眩无知，若中风状可征也。以半夏为君，苍术、泽泻、
茯苓为臣，人参、黄连、浓朴、橘红、白蔻仁、姜汁为佐使，急煎俾饮，一服而苏，再服而产。是岂苍术、黄
连等药能催生哉？盖方之能对病而取验者，自有所以对病取验之理，在不可专执本草中主治，而曰某药定是治
某病，某病定是用某药而已也。
薛立斋云∶荆妇孟冬分娩艰难，劳伤元气，产子已死，用油纸燃烧断脐带，藉其气以暖之，俄顷忽作声，
此儿后无伤食作泻之症，可见前法之功不诬。世用刀断脐带，母子致危者，竟不知其由矣。且稳婆又喜平日常
施小惠，得其用心，兼以安慰母怀，故无虞耳。一稳婆云∶我止有一女，正分娩时，适当巡街御史行牌，取我
视其室分娩，女因惊吓，未产而死。后见御史，更以威颜分付，迨视产母，胎虽顺而头偏在一边，若以手入推
正，可顺保生，因畏其威，不敢施手。但回禀云∶此是天生天化，非人力所能。立俟其母子俱死。
张子和治一妇人，年二十余，临产，召稳婆三人，其二妪极拽妇之臂，其一媪头抵妇之腹，更以两手扳其
腰，极力为之，胎死于腹，良久乃下，儿亦如血，乃稳媪杀之也。岂知瓜熟自落，何必如此乎？其妇因之经脉
断闭，腹如刀剜，大渴不止，小便秘绝。主病者禁水不与饮，口舌枯燥，牙齿黧黑，臭不可闻，饮食不下，昏
愦欲死。张先以冰雪水，恣意饮之，约二升许，病缓渴止。（近时专科及庸手，遇产后，一以燥热温补为事，
杀人如麻。阅此，宜知变通矣。）次以舟车丸、通经散，前后五六服，下数十行，食大通。仍以桂苓甘露饮、
六一散、柴胡饮子等调之，半月获安。（雄按∶知变通者甚少。）
一妇人临产，召村媪数人侍焉，先产一臂出，妪不测轻重，拽之，臂为之断，子死腹中，其母面青声微，
汗浆浆不绝，时微喘。张曰∶命在须臾，针药无及，急取称钩，续以壮绳，以膏涂其钩，令其母分两足，向外
偃坐，左右各一人，脚前立定，次以钩其死胎，命一壮力妇人，倒身拽出死胎。下败血五七升，其母昏晕不
省。待少顷，以冰水灌之，渐咽。二日大醒食进，次日四物汤调理，数日方愈。张常曰∶产后无他事，因侍妪
非其人，转为害耳。
凌汉章治吴江妇，临产，胎不下者三日，呼号求死。凌针刺其心，针出，儿应手下。主人大喜，问故。曰∶
此抱心生也，针痛则舒。取儿掌视之，有针痕。（《明史》。）
按∶此二案与《宋史》庞安时案仿佛。大抵医既有名，人益附会。如近时吴门，有享盛名者，俚人时
向余道其神验，皆古人案中所载。若以蟹治漆毒，以土坑治香气，不一而足。所谓俗语不实，流为丹青者是也。
立斋治前太仆卿张君季媳，年轻体壮，孕必八个月而生，产必数日，艰苦而下，儿生必周而夭。再孕，
再产，再夭皆同。乃谓后当生，宜相闻。明年，又八个月，坐草三日不下，忽忆前言，飞舆相召。中途逢驱车
者云∶迎其父母，作永诀计。比至，已夜分矣。诊之，脉未离经，人余残喘，稳婆在傍。问之，曰∶儿头已抵
产门，不得出耳。乃急令安卧，且戒勿扰，与安胎药。明晨，主人出，笑而不言。问之，曰∶好矣。曰∶昨言
儿头已抵产门，今若何？曰∶不见矣。大笑而别。后过百二十日，计十二月足，生男，今八岁矣。始知前此皆
生生取出，以体壮年轻，幸保母命耳。（《达生篇》。）
太学戴时济弟媳，一产三男，母子俱殒，一犹在腹。今又婢孕，其腹膨亨，颇患之。比产，先令安卧，与
加味川芎汤，每隔半日而产，积日半，生三子，俱无恙。（同上。）
陈氏妇，产九日夜不下，一息仅存。闻有兔脑丸，踵门求药。问之，亦曰∶头逼产门不得出。谕令安卧，
再来取药，强而后去。继与芎归汤，明日生下，母子两全。按此皆产母用力，逼令横在腹中，岂有人倒悬十日
而尚得生者乎。（同上。）
一妇产儿，手出不得入，稳婆砺刃以须，急令安卧，与大剂芎归汤，徐徐托手入。明早生下，母子两全。
右臂紫黑，数月而后消。（同上。）
孙文垣治侄元素内人难产，夜半叩门，起问何状。曰∶产已及门，不能下，用力则胸膈间有物上冲，痛不
可忍。思顷之，曰∶此必双胎，胞以分为一上一下也。及户者，在下欲出，在上者，以用力而上冲，故胸膈痛
也，势亦险矣。治法必安上，而下者乃可用力以产也。即取益元散一两与之，令以紫苏汤送下。药甫进、胸膈
痛止，不超时，产二女，母亦无恙。或问曰∶益元散非产科急剂，何能取效如是？曰∶紫苏安胎下气，滑石滑
以利气，亦催生上品。盖医者意也，兹亦以意裁取之耳。此法方书无载。记之以备采用。（妊娠案中治竹匠妇，
尝以此方安胎。雄按∶挛生之胎，其包有三种，分娩时，极意审察，庶不误事。一种分胞者，即此案所云是也。
然亦有虽是分胞，而外复另有一总胞者，名曰双胎，却有三胞也。一种连胞者，产必骈肩而下，其包如钞马袋形。
至此案治法，虽与竹匠妇同，而尤为中肯也。）
冯楚胆之媳，向患吐血夜热之症，自受妊以来，八味丸加牛膝、五味，日服勿间。（此其孙所以百日内
生疠症之由也，案见小儿胎毒门。）及临盆，胞水已下，而数日未产。脉之，洪数而带坚象，此阴道枯槁已极，
何能流通生育乎？投以补养气血催生之药，脉候如故。知为群药功力不专，乃单以熟地三两，浓煎，日进三次，
脉始洪缓而软。但坐蓐数日，子母俱困，胎气毫无运动下达之意，众疑胎死矣，再以人参五钱，煎汤一钟，细刮
肉桂之最佳者钱许，调服之，连进三剂乃生。
一妇产难，五日后，精神已竭，六脉沉微，奄奄一息，腹中毫不觉动，下部肿极。知母子俱困，何能健运
而出？乃与参、 、归、芍、姜、桂、白术、牛膝，温暖调补气血之剂。下咽少顷，腹中运动，疼痛而产，母子俱活。
歙有神医，尝路遇舁榇，中有血流出。医曰∶此尚活，可治也。开视，则弥月妇人，颜色未改。以针针其
心，遂产一男，手有针孔，母子俱无恙，其子至今尚存。（《张氏卮言》。）
张所望治妇人，产一子，忽叫痛欲绝，举家惊愕莫措。所望诊之曰∶腹内尚存一子未下。投一丹而子下，
母遂苏。（《钱塘县志》。雄按∶此候极宜审慎，盖双生有骈肩而下者，有逾数日而下者，甚有过旬余而再产者。）
张文仲治一妇人，横产，先出手，诸般符药不效，乃以艾灸其妇人右脚小指头三壮，炷如小麦大，下火立
产。（《医说》。）
高道者，不知何许人也，得长桑君禁方，当明初，挟技游银阳。一日值柩于途，询之，乃孕妇丧也，道者
验其遗衣血，曰∶此犹未死耳。启棺视之，一针遂苏。俗惊道者能起死人，以比秦越人。（《江西通志》。）
陆祖愚治高济亭室，胎前恶阻，或以清凉调治，既而内伤饮食，消导太过，元气甚弱，胎动欲产，临盆三
日夜，方得分娩，疲惫昏冒，不知人事。诊之，遍身冷汗，口鼻之气，有出无入，寸关无脉，两尺如丝。不及
服药，令壮盛妇女，对口接其出入之气，俟其气之入而呵之。次用人参、归身、熟地各一两，熟附四钱，煎服，
加童便一酒杯，徐徐灌之，四肢温和，人事清爽。连进三剂，便能饮食。此时若不先用接气之法，必俟药熟，
不几气绝耶。
万密斋治朱宅一妇女李氏，常苦难产，形颇壮，性急少食，此气滞也。与一方∶枳壳、甘草、香附为主，
当归、川芎、白术、陈皮佐之。至八九个月内，每月服三帖，后生三子，甚快。
叶杏林治一妇，分娩甚易易。至四十外，下血去多，玉门不开，与加味川芎汤一剂，更以活水无忧散斤许，
煎熟，时时饮之，以助其血而产。
产妇坐草时，取路傍旧草鞋一只，名千里马，用鼻络小耳绳，洗净烧灰，童便和，温酒调服。如得左足者
男，右足者女，覆者儿死，侧者有惊，自然之理也。似非切要之药，催生极验。（《得效方》。沈尧封曰∶千
里马得人身最下之气，佐以童便之趋下，酒性之行血，故用之良验。）
王执中云∶一贵人内子，产后暴卒，急呼其母为办后事。母至，为灸会阴及三阴交穴，数壮而苏。母盖
名医女也。（《资生经》。）
魏玉横曰∶余素不信阴阳家言，因召工牮屋，或谓年月不利，不听。时荆妇娠身，已九月，及产，一稳
婆甚青年，见势不顺，乃托故亟归，易其姑至，视之曰∶此非可望生下，欲全母命，非脔而出不可。余亟令安
卧勿怖，以熟地四两，杞子二两，当归一两，煎百余沸，先饮一钟。再煎再饮，不及时许，一女已死，乃脐带
绾于项间所致。幸母无恙，稳婆诧异而去。《妇人良方》云∶凡有孕妇之家，不宜造作修治，良有以也。
凌表侄妇，年二十余，暑月临蓐，自旦及暮不得产，体素弱，屡发晕迷闷。时师诊之，以为挟痧，不可服
参，渐危急，延余视。无他，乃肾气不能作强，肝虚不能疏泄，又血液枯涸，致胎不易下耳。与熟地二两，杞
子一两，当归五钱，曰∶服下即产矣。已而果然。次日觉恶露行少，饮砂糖老姜汤，血行甚涌。专科以炮姜、
白术、枣仁、茯神、当归、白芍等，不效，反加自汗，口苦，小便热涩，烦躁不眠。再延诊，曰∶但以余前方，
加枣仁、当归愈矣。一剂而安。余此方催生则用当归，止崩则用枣仁，甚者杞、地俱倍之，凡治百余妇人，无
不神验。无力之家，可代人参，亦无后患。古今诸方，无出其上者。
Liu Fuzhen treated the daughter of a Prefect Judge. The child had died, and they were preparing for burial. He took Honghua (Carthamus tinctorius) and decocted it strongly to make a liquid. He supported the woman to sit on an orange crate, dipped cotton silk in the medicinal liquid, and applied it to her abdomen, continuously pouring the liquid onto the silk and collecting the runoff in a vessel. This provided both warmth and washing. After a long time, she regained consciousness and subsequently delivered a male infant. This occurred because it was deep winter, causing blood stagnation; the warmth facilitated delivery.
The Huisheng Dan (Revival Pill) prescription is of unknown origin. Some say Sun Yikui from Changge first received it from a supernatural being; it is considered a holy medicine for inducing labor. Jinwen Dahuang (Rheum palmatum rhizome), one jin, is ground into powder. Sumu (Sappan wood), three liang, is crushed. Using five bowls of river water, decoct until three bowls of juice remain, set aside for use. Daheidou (Black soybean), three sheng, is soaked in water, the shells are removed, placed in a silk bag, and cooked together with the beans. Remove the beans, do not use them. Dry the shells, and reserve the decoction. Honghua (Carthamus tinctorius), three liang, is stir-fried until yellow, added to three or four bowls of good wine, boiled three times, filtered to remove dregs, and the juice reserved. Chenmi Cu (Aged rice vinegar), nine jin, is used. Put the Dahuang powder into a clean pot, add three jin of rice vinegar, and simmer over low heat, stirring constantly with a long wooden stick until it forms a paste. Add another three jin of vinegar and simmer, then add another three jin, completing the addition sequentially. Then, add three bowls of black bean shell juice and continue simmering. Next, add Sumu juice, then Honghua juice, and simmer into a Dahuang paste. Store in a ceramic basin. Scrape off the scorched bottom residue of the Dahuang and grind it together with the subsequent herbs. Renshen (Ginseng radix), Danggui (Angelicae sinensis radix) washed in wine, Chuanxiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong rhizome), Xiangfu (Cyperus rotundus rhizome) stir-fried with vinegar, Yanhusuo (Corydalis rhizome) stir-fried in wine, Cangzhu (Atractylodis rhizoma) soaked in rice wash and stir-fried, Puhuang (Typhae pollen) stir-fried between papers, Fuling (Poria), Taoren (Persicae semen) peeled and de-husked, each one liang; Niuxi (Achyranthis bidentatae radix) washed in wine, five qian; Zhi Gancao (Prepared licorice root), Diyu (Sanguisorbae radix) washed in wine, Chuan Qianghuo (Notopterygii rhizoma et radix), Juhong (Citri reticulatae pericarpium rubrum), Baishao (Paeoniae radix alba) stir-fried in wine, each five qian; Mugua (Chaenomelis fructus), Qingpi (Citri reticulatae pericarpium viride) de-albedo and stir-fried, each three qian; Ruxiang (Olibanum), Moyao (Myrrha), each two qian; Yimucao (Leonuri herba), three liang; Muxiang (Aucklandiae radix), four qian; Baizhu (Atractylodis macrocephalae rhizoma) soaked in rice wash and stir-fried, three qian; Wuyao (Linderae radix), two liang and five qian; Liangjiang (Alpiniae officinarum rhizome), four qian; Mabiancao (Verbena officinalis herb), five qian; Qiukui Zi (Abutilonis semen), three qian; Dashudi (Rehmanniae radix preparata), one liang; Sanleng (Sparganii rhizoma) soaked in wine, wrapped in paper and roasted, five qian; Wulingzhi (Trogopteri faeces) boiled in vinegar, dried, and finely ground, five qian; Shanyurou (Corni fructus) soaked in wine, steamed, and pounded, five qian. These thirty ingredients, along with the decocted black bean shells, are sun-dried and ground into powder. Place in a stone mortar, mix evenly with the Dahuang paste, add one jin of refined honey, and pound a thousand times to form pills. Each pill weighs two qian and seven or eight fen. Dry in the shade; do not bake with fire. Protect with a wax shell; remove the wax before use. (In some versions, Renshen is replaced by Zhen Lushen [Codonopsis pilosula] two liang.)
Pei Zhaoqi treated a woman who had been in labor for more than three days. The amniotic fluid had drained completely, but the fetus could not be delivered. She fell into a coma, unconscious, with clenched jaws and immobile limbs. Pei examined her and said, "This is phlegm-saliva obstructing the stomach opening." The stomach opening is the pivot where true qi circulates. The patient's true qi was originally stagnant, and after days of exhaustion, irregular eating and drinking, mixed soups and foods inevitably generated phlegm-saliva, blocking the stomach opening, causing true qi to become even more stagnant and unable to move. Her unconscious state resembles wind-stroke. Use Banxia (Pinelliae ternatae rhizoma) as the sovereign drug, Cangzhu (Atractylodis rhizoma), Zexie (Alismatis rhizoma), Fuling (Poria) as minister drugs, Renshen (Ginseng radix), Huanglian (Coptidis rhizoma), Houpo (Magnoliae officinalis cortex), Juhong (Citri reticulatae pericarpium rubrum), Baokouren (Amomi fructus rotundus), and Jiangzhi (Ginger juice) as assistant and envoy drugs. Decoct urgently and administer. After one dose, she revived; after two doses, she delivered. Is it that Cangzhu and Huanglian induce labor? No. A formula works because it addresses the specific pathology. One must not rigidly adhere to materia medica claims that "Drug X cures Disease Y" or "Disease Y requires Drug X."
Xue Lizhai stated: My younger sister-in-law had difficult labor in early winter, damaging her yuan qi. The child was born dead. I burned oiled paper to sever the umbilical cord, using its heat to warm the infant. Shortly after, the baby made a sound. This child later never suffered from food stagnation diarrhea, proving the efficacy of this method. People today use knives to cut the cord, endangering mother and child, unaware of the cause. Midwives often gain favor through small kindnesses to comfort the mother, ensuring safety. One midwife recounted: Her only daughter died during childbirth due to fright when a patrol censor ordered her to inspect the birth. Later, facing the censor's stern demeanor, she dared not manually correct the fetal head position despite seeing it was slightly off-center, fearing punishment. She claimed it was fate, waiting until both mother and child died.
Zhang Zihe treated a woman in her twenties. Three midwives were summoned. Two pulled her arms violently, one pressed her abdomen with her head, and another pulled her waist. The fetus died inside and was expelled after a long time, covered in blood—killed by the midwives. Why force it when nature takes its course? The woman suffered from closed meridians, abdominal pain like knife cuts, extreme thirst, and urinary retention. The attending physician forbade water intake, leading to dry mouth, black teeth, foul odor, inability to eat, and near-death stupor. Zhang Zihe first gave her ice water to drink freely, about two sheng, relieving symptoms. (Modern specialists and quacks often use hot, drying tonics for postpartum cases, killing many. This case illustrates the need for flexibility.) Then he administered Zhouche Wan (Boat Vehicle Pills) and Tongjing San (Meridian-Opening Powder) five or six times, resulting in numerous bowel movements and restored appetite. He then regulated her with Guiling Ganyin (Cassia Twig and Poria Decoction), Liuyi San (Six-to-One Powder), and Chaihu Yinzi (Bupleurum Decoction). She recovered in half a month. (Zhao Xiong notes: Few understand flexibility.)
Another woman called several village midwives for assistance. An arm emerged first. The midwife, lacking judgment, pulled hard, breaking the arm. The fetus died inside. The mother was cyanotic, weak, sweating profusely, and panting. Zhang Zihe said, "Life hangs by a thread; needles and herbs are too slow." He quickly fetched a weighing hook, attached a strong rope, coated it with grease, and had the mother lie back with legs spread. Two assistants held her feet. He hooked the dead fetus and commanded a strong woman to pull it out forcefully. Five to seven sheng of necrotic blood were expelled, and the mother fainted. After a while, ice water was forced down her throat. She woke up fully in two days, ate well, and recovered after a few days of treatment with Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction). Zhang often said: Postpartum complications often arise from incompetent attendants.
Ling Hanzhang treated a woman in Wujiang who had been in labor for three days without delivery, crying out in despair. Ling punctured her Xinshu (BL-15) acupoint. Upon needle withdrawal, the baby was delivered immediately. The master was delighted and asked why. Ling replied, "This is Baoxin Sheng (Fetus embracing the heart). Pain causes relaxation." Examining the baby's palm revealed needle marks. (Recorded in *History of Ming*.)
Note: These two cases resemble Pang Anshi's case in the *History of Song*. Generally, famous doctors attract apocryphal stories. For instance, in the Wumen region, people claim miraculous cures for a renowned doctor, repeating ancient tales, such as using crab shells for lac poisoning or earth pits for incense toxicity. This is how false rumors become accepted history.
Xue Lizhai treated the youngest wife of former Vice Minister Zhang. Young and robust, she always delivered at eight months gestation, enduring days of hardship, and the infants always died at one year old. This pattern repeated. He predicted the next pregnancy would result in a surviving child. The following year, at eight months, after three days of labor, he was summoned urgently. En route, he learned the parents were preparing for death. Arriving at midnight, he found her pulse still normal, barely breathing, with a midwife present. The midwife reported the fetal head was engaged but stuck. Xue ordered her to rest quietly and administered An Tai Yao (Fetus-Calming Medicine). The next morning, the owner laughed silently. When asked, he said, "It's fine." Asked what happened to the engaged head, he replied, "It's gone." They parted laughing. Over 120 days later, at full term, she delivered a healthy boy, now eight years old. It was realized that previously, the fetuses were forcibly extracted; her youth and strength saved her life. (From *Da Sheng Pian*.)
Tai Xue Dai Shiji's sister-in-law delivered triplets, all dying, including one remaining in the womb. Another maid became pregnant, showing significant abdominal distension. At delivery, she was ordered to rest and given Jiawei Chuanxiong Tang (Modified Ligusticum Decoction). She delivered every half day over 1.5 days, producing three healthy children. (Ibid.)
Madam Chen failed to deliver for nine days and nights, barely alive. Seeking Tubrao Wan (Rabbit Brain Pills), she was told the head was engaged. She was advised to rest and return later. Instead, she was given Xiong Gui Tang (Ligusticum and Angelica Decoction) and delivered the next day, saving both mother and child. Note: This resulted from improper pushing forcing the fetus transversely. No fetus can survive suspended upside down for ten days. (Ibid.)
Another woman had a hand protruding that could not retract. The midwife sharpened blades, waiting. Urgent rest and a large dose of Xiong Gui Tang allowed gentle retraction of the hand. Delivered the next morning, mother and child survived. The right arm turned purple-black and healed after months. (Ibid.)
Sun Wen Yuan treated his nephew's wife with dystocia. Knocking at midnight, she reported the fetus was at the cervix but couldn't descend; straining caused chest oppression and unbearable pain. Sun deduced it was twins, with the upper fetus rising due to straining. Treatment required calming the upper fetus to allow the lower one to descend. He gave Yi Yuan San (Benefit Origin Powder) one liang, taken with Perilla soup. Chest pain ceased immediately. Within an hour, twin girls were born, and the mother was safe. Questioned why Yi Yuan San worked, he explained: Perilla calms the fetus and directs qi downward; Talcum lubricates and promotes qi flow. It is an excellent inducer. Physicians rely on intuition; this method is not in standard texts. (Zhao Xiong notes: Twin membranes vary. Some have separate sacs, some share a sac, some have a common outer sac with internal divisions. Careful examination is crucial. This case is particularly apt.)
Feng Chu Dan's daughter-in-law suffered from hematemesis and night fevers since conception, taking Bawei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill) plus Niuxi and Wuweizi daily. (This caused her grandson's neonatal leprosy, see Pediatric Toxin section.) At term, waters broke, but no delivery for days. Pulse was surging, rapid, and firm. Vaginal dryness was extreme. Tonifying herbs failed. He prescribed only Shudi (Prepared Rehmannia Root) three liang, heavily decocted, taken three times daily. Pulse softened. Days passed, mother and fetus exhausted, no descent. Suspecting fetal death, he gave Renshen (Ginseng) five qian decocted, mixed with one qian of high-quality Rougui (Cinnamon bark), taken three times. Delivery ensued.
Another woman suffered dystocia for five days, spirit exhausted, pulse deep and faint, barely alive, no fetal movement, severe lower body swelling. Knowing mother and fetus were weak, he prescribed Ren Shen (Ginseng), Huang Qi (Astragalus), Dang Gui (Angelica), Bai Shao (White Peony), Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger), Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark), Bai Zhu (Atractylodes), and Niuxi (Achyranthes) to warm and tonify qi and blood. Shortly after ingestion, fetal movement began, pain ensued, and delivery occurred. Mother and child lived.
A divine physician in Xi County encountered a coffin leaking blood. He declared the occupant alive. Opening it revealed a full-term woman, color unchanged. Puncturing her Xinshu (BL-15) acupoint induced delivery of a male infant with needle marks on the hand. Mother and child survived; the son lived to old age. (From *Zhang Shi Zhi Yan*.)
Zhang Suowang treated a woman who delivered one child but screamed in agony. He diagnosed a retained second fetus. Administering a Dan (pill) expelled the second child, and the mother revived. (From *Qiantang County Annals*. Zhao Xiong notes: Caution is needed. Twins may deliver simultaneously, days apart, or even weeks apart.)
Zhang Wenzhong treated a woman with transverse presentation, hand protruding. Talismans and medicines failed. He moxa-ed the third toe of her right foot with three wheat-grain-sized cones. Immediate delivery followed. (From *Yi Shuo*.)
Daoist Gao, possessing secrets from Changsun Jun, traveled in early Ming Dynasty. Encountering a funeral procession, he identified a pregnant woman among the corpses by blood stains on clothing. Opening the coffin, a needle prick revived her. Commoners compared him to Bian Que. (From *Jiangxi Tongzhi*.)
Lu Zuyu treated Madam Gao Jiting. She suffered morning sickness, treated with cooling herbs, then damaged digestion by excessive resolving agents, weakening yuan qi. Fetal movement triggered labor. After three days and nights, she delivered, exhausted and unconscious. Pulse was cold sweat, breath exiting but not entering, Cun/Guan pulses absent, Chi pulses thread-like. Before medication, he had a strong woman breathe into her mouth to transfer qi. Then administered Renshen (Ginseng), Dang Gui (Angelica), Shudi (Prepared Rehmannia) one liang each, Shu Fu Zi (Prepared Aconite) four qian, decocted, with one cup of Tongbian (Child's urine). Limbs warmed, consciousness returned. Three doses allowed eating. Without the qi-transfer method, she would have died waiting for the decoction.
Wan Mizhai treated Lady Li of the Zhu family, prone to dystocia, robust, impatient, poor appetite (qi stagnation). Formula: Zhike (Bitter Orange), Gancao (Licorice), Xiangfu (Cyperus) as sovereign; Dang Gui (Angelica), Chuanxiong (Ligusticum), Baizhu (Atractylodes), Chenpi (Tangerine Peel) as ministers. Taken monthly from 8-9 months gestation, she later delivered three sons easily.
Ye Xinglin treated a woman who delivered easily until age forty, when heavy bleeding prevented cervical dilation. Given Jiawei Chuanxiong Tang (Modified Ligusticum Decoction) and Huoshui Wuyou San (Living Water Worries-Free Powder) decocted and sipped frequently to nourish blood and induce labor.
For parturition, take an old straw sandal from the roadside, named Qianlima (Thousand-Mile Horse). Clean, burn to ash, mix with Tongbian (Child's urine) and warm wine. Left sole indicates boy, right sole girl; inverted sole predicts death; sideways sole predicts fright. Though seemingly trivial, it is highly effective for induction. (From *De Xiao Fang*. Shen Yaofeng notes: Qianlima draws lowest qi of the body, assisted by Tongbian's descending action and wine's blood-moving property.)
Wang Zhizhong recorded a nobleman's wife dying suddenly postpartum. His mother, a doctor's daughter, moxa-ed Huiyin (CV-1) and Sanyinjiao (SP-6) points, reviving her. (From *Zisheng Jing*.)
Wei Yuheng stated: I disbelieve geomancy. Ignoring warnings against house repairs during unfavorable months, my wife went into labor at nine months. A young midwife fled, citing bad signs. Her mother-in-law arrived, declaring C-section necessary to save the mother. I ordered rest and calmness, administering Shudi (Prepared Rehmannia) four liang, Gouqi (Goji berry) two liang, Dang Gui (Angelica) one liang, boiled and drunk. Within an hour, a dead girl was delivered, strangled by the umbilical cord around her neck. Mother survived. Midwife left astonished. *Fu Ren Liang Fang* advises against construction during pregnancy.
Ling Biao's niece, twenty-something, labored in summer from dawn to dusk, constitution weak, fainting repeatedly. Previous doctors suspected Sha poison, forbidding Ginseng. Condition worsened. I diagnosed Kidney qi failing to strengthen, Liver xu failing to diffuse, and blood depletion hindering descent. Prescribed Shudi (Prepared Rehmannia) two liang, Gouqi (Goji berry) one liang, Dang Gui (Angelica) five qian. Delivery followed. Next day, lochia was scant; sugar and ginger tea increased flow. Specialists using Pao Jiang (Roasted Ginger), Baizhu (Atractylodes), Suan Zao Ren (Ziziphus seed), etc., failed, causing sweating, bitter taste, dysuria, and insomnia. Revisiting, I prescribed my original formula adding Suan Zao Ren and Dang Gui. One dose resolved it. I use Dang Gui for induction, Suan Zao Ren for hemorrhage, doubling Gouqi and Shudi for severe cases. Treating over a hundred women, results were miraculous. For the poor, it substitutes Ginseng without adverse effects. No ancient or modern formula surpasses it.