一孕妇遍身皆肿,或以为白火疸,或以为鼓胀,治俱不效。产科郭大生曰∶此名琉璃胎。至将产一月前,
必饮食大进,产即肿消矣。后果然,彼盖阅历多故耳。然病之所以然,究未之知也。
一妇孕七月,先下体发肿,渐及面目。阅数日,忽子户内突出一水泡,皮薄而光亮,于是身体悉消矣。然
起卧不便,困苦非常,后复皮破出水,恒不得干。偶一内亲自言昔尝患此,有医教用王不留行及明矾等药煎洗
而痊。如言试之,苦于螫痛,如此月余,比前稍愈,而终不除。询产科亦罕知者,但云此似不妨,必所谓琉璃
胎也,产时自消。后果然。(雄按∶此症恐是气虚挟水。)
一孕妇遍身发肿,既产仍不消,只向里床卧,终日昏迷,不省人事,有时少醒,即又狂躁不宁。如此二十
余日,绝口不食,诸医束手。偶有村媪闻而告曰∶无忧。我儿媳亦曾如此,不饿死也。但用陈年白鲞,向病患
前炙热,以米醋沃之,彼闻香自然饮食。如言果愈,肿亦遂消。
薛立斋治一妊妇,每胎至五月,肢体倦怠,饮食无味,先两腿肿渐至遍身,后及头面,此脾肺气虚。朝用
补中益气汤,夕用六君加苏梗而愈。
元丰中,淮南陈景初,名医也,独有方论治妊妇子肿病。其方初谓之香附散,李伯时易名曰天仙藤散。王
荆公居金陵,举家病,以诗赠景初曰∶举族贫兼病,烦君药石功。到家何所有,一一问征鸿。因此见方得于李
伯时家,传方录于临川张右丞宅。
立斋治一妇子肿,用紫苏饮,三服而愈。
A pregnant woman presented with generalized edema. Some considered it to be Baihuo Dan (White Fire Jaundice, a type of jaundice characterized by pale skin and edema), while others diagnosed it as Guzhang (Drum Distension, abdominal distension resembling a drum). All treatments were ineffective. The obstetrician Gu Dasheng stated: This is named Liuli Tai (Glue-like Fetus). One month before delivery, the patient will inevitably experience a significant increase in appetite, and the edema will resolve after childbirth. This indeed proved to be the case; he likely possessed extensive clinical experience. However, the etiology of this disease remained unknown.
Another woman at seven months of pregnancy first developed edema in the lower limbs, which gradually spread to her face and eyes. After several days, a blister suddenly protruded from the vagina, thin-skinned and shiny, causing the body's edema to completely subside. However, she experienced great difficulty and suffering in lying down or getting up. Later, the blister ruptured and discharged fluid, leaving the area constantly damp. An occasional relative claimed to have suffered from this condition previously; a physician had instructed her to wash with a decoction of *Viola yedoensis* Herba (Wangbuliuxing) and Alum (Mingfan), resulting in recovery. She tried this method as instructed but suffered from stinging pain. After more than a month, she improved slightly compared to before, but the condition was not completely cured. Obstetricians rarely knew of this condition, stating only that it seemed harmless and must be the so-called Liuli Tai, which would naturally disappear during delivery. This indeed proved to be the case. (Note: This condition may likely be Qi deficiency complicated by water retention.)
Another pregnant woman presented with generalized edema, which did not subside after delivery. She lay facing inward on the bed all day, in a state of coma and unconsciousness. Occasionally regaining slight consciousness, she became manic and restless. For over twenty days, she refused all food, and physicians were at a loss. A village old woman heard of this and told her: Do not worry. My daughter-in-law once had this condition too; she did not starve to death. Simply take aged dried salted fish (Chennian Baixiang), heat it near the patient, and pour rice vinegar over it. The aroma will naturally stimulate her appetite to eat. Following this advice, she recovered, and the edema subsided.
Xue Lizhai treated a pregnant woman who, at five months of each pregnancy, suffered from limb fatigue and loss of taste in food. Edema began in both legs, gradually spreading to the whole body, and then to the head and face. This was diagnosed as Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency. He prescribed Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) in the morning and Liu Jun Zi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) with Perillae Caulis (Sugeng) in the evening, resulting in recovery.
During the Yuanfeng era, Chen Jingchu from Huainan, a renowned physician, specifically wrote treatises and formulas for treating Zizhong (Submersion Swelling/Edema in Pregnancy) in pregnant women. His formula was initially called Xiangfu San (Cyperi Rhizoma Powder), later renamed Tianxianteng San (Tianxianteng Vinegar Powder) by Li Boshi. When Wang Jinggong (Wang Anshi) resided in Jinling and his entire family fell ill, he sent a poem to Jingchu: "The whole clan is poor and sick, troubling you with your medicinal efficacy. What do I have upon returning home? I ask the migrating geese for everything." Thus, the formula was obtained from Li Boshi's residence and transcribed at the residence of Vice Minister Zhang in Linchuan.
Xue Lizhai treated another woman with Zizhong using Zisu Yin (Perilla Infusion), resulting in recovery after three doses.