Library

Wan Mizhai treated a two-year-old child who frequently passed green watery stools and was emaciated like a ghost. Physicians treated it as *gan* syndrome (malnutrition syndrome) without effect. Wan said, "This is not *gan*, but harm caused by fetal qi, named 'Du Bing' (Disease of Fetal Jealousy). Generally, children in households should not be held by pregnant women; if the fetus has strong constitution, there is no harm, but if weak, contact with the pregnant woman will cause this disease, similar to *Ke Wu* (Sudden fright from external influences). Treatment involves merely tonifying the Spleen and Stomach; once that pregnant woman gives birth, the child will naturally recover. Use Fei'er Wan (Fetus-Enriching Pill) as the main prescription. Qian's Fei'er Wan consists of: Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Shenqu (Massa Medicata Fermentata), Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix), Binglang (Arecae Semen), Roudoukou (Myristicae Semen), Shijunzi (Quisqualis Fructus), Maiya (Hordei Fructus Germinatus), made into pills with wheat paste, size of hemp seeds, 30-50 pills per dose.

Chao Yuanfang stated: Children suffering from Du Bing are affected because a pregnant woman carries a fetus whose spirit guides the womb; the fetus becomes jealous of the child, causing this illness. Symptoms include slight diarrhea, alternating chills and fever, sparse and yellowish hair, and depressed mood. The *Qianjin Fang* discusses such cases as possession by spirits. When a woman first has a child who cannot yet walk, and then becomes pregnant again, the older child gradually becomes emaciated, bony, with sparse yellow hair that does not grow, experiencing frequent high fevers and irregular bowel movements; this is Du Bing, also called Ji Bing (Successive Disease). The method requires using Zishuang Wan (Purple Frost Pill) to purge, followed by Buyi San (Breast-Nourishing Powder) to tonify. (Zishuang Wan consists of: Daizhe Shi (Hematitum) quenched in vinegar seven times, Chishizhi (Halloysitum Rubrum), each one tael; Xingren (Pruni Armeniaci Semen), fifty pieces; Badou (Crotonis Fructus), peeled and oil-extracted, thirty pieces; formed into pills with steamed bread dough, size of millet grains. One-year-olds take five pills; infants within 100 days take three pills, administered with breast milk.) The child will be at peace upon weaning. Xiaoru Wan (Milk-Digesting Pill) and Yigong San (Extraordinary Power Powder) are also excellent formulas. If another pregnant woman holds someone else's infant, similar symptoms may occur, treated identically. If heat signs are present, use Longdan Tang (Gentian Decoction).

Xue Ji treated the son of Mr. Wang, aged one year, who suddenly refused milk and food, with muscles wasting away. Physicians suspected *gan* syndrome. Xue said, "This is Xiangsi Syndrome (Lovesickness)." Everyone laughed at him. Xue ordered the retrieval of objects the child usually played with, displaying them before him. Upon seeing a small wooden fisher toy, the child smiled, and the illness immediately resolved. (*Jiangsu Tongzhi*).

Wan Mizhai treated Hu Sanxi's son, aged one and a half years, who cried incessantly after sunset on the evening of the Qixi Festival. Hu invited Wan to drink wine. Later, he reported that the child was crying severely and asked Wan to examine him. Wan found no illness. Before the wine was finished, the child cried even louder. Others were displeased due to the child's distress. Hu insisted Wan examine the child again. After careful examination, Wan confirmed there was truly no illness. Crying without illness implies the heart desires something it cannot express. Wan asked, "What object did the child wish to play with today?" The wet nurse replied, "A horsewhip." It was fetched immediately. The child took it laughing, tapped the wet nurse with it, and stopped crying. They drank happily and concluded the gathering. The next day, when asked about the case, Wan said, "This child suffered from Lovesickness; it can serve as a medical record."

Another infant, six months old, suddenly appeared gloomy, slept excessively, and refused milk. Wan said, "There are no pathological signs in appearance or color. If considered an external contraction, there are no wind-cold symptoms; if considered internal injury, there are no symptoms of milk or food stagnation. This child must be preoccupied with thoughts. Overthinking injures the Spleen, leading to lethargy and refusal of milk." The parents realized, "We sent away a young companion who used to stay with him for three days." The wet nurse added, "Since the companion left, the child has been unhappy and refuses milk." The father urgently ordered the companion to be brought back. Seeing the companion playing and laughing, the child recovered. The father said, "Without your profound medical skill, this cause could not have been known."