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Gong Zicai treated a child who, at five years old, could not speak; everyone considered him useless. Observing his emaciated and withered physique, he diagnosed it as insufficiency of the Lung and Kidney (Zang-Fu organs). He prescribed Liuwei Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) added with Wuweizi (Schisandra Fruit) and Lurong (Deer Antler), along with Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Decoction to Supplement the Middle and Augment the Qi) added with Wuweizi. After more than two months, the child’s physique and vital energy gradually strengthened. By nearly half a year, he could utter one or two words; by over a year, his voice became clear and bright.

The son of a wealthy man, aged eight, could not walk because he was overly cherished and thus deprived of contact with the earth’s qi, resulting in soft and fragile muscles and weak bones and sinews. Yellow soil was placed inside his padded jacket for him to wear, and simultaneously, Dihuang Wan (Rehmannia Pill) added with Renshen (Ginseng Root), Lurong (Deer Antler), Niuxi (Achyranthes Root), and Hu Jinggu (Tiger Tibia Bone) was administered. Before half a dose was consumed, he could already walk.

Xue Lizhai treated a child suffering from diarrhea and hoarseness. The use of various heat-clearing formulas caused his voice to become mute-like, reduced appetite, and morning defecation. In the morning, Dihuang Wan (Rehmannia Pill) added with Wuweizi (Schisandra Fruit) was given; in the evening, Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Decoction to Supplement the Middle and Augment the Qi) was administered, which immediately stopped the diarrhea. Subsequently, only the former pill was taken exclusively. Within less than two months, his voice gradually recovered clarity, leading to complete recovery.

Another three-year-old child exhibited delayed speech and walking, sparse teeth and hair, emaciation with prominent bones, fever, thirst, and scanty blackness in the eyes. Fei’er Wan (Pill to Fatten the Child) yielded no results; this was diagnosed as Kidney deficiency type Gan syndrome (malnutrition due to Spleen-Stomach dysfunction). The previous formula acted on the Spleen and Stomach meridians; prolonged use further depleted the Kidney and exacerbated the Gan syndrome. Disregarding this advice, the child’s teeth and hair indeed fell out gradually. Liuwei Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) added with Lurong (Deer Antler) and Wuweizi (Schisandra Fruit) was used, resulting in recovery after half a year.

Another child presented with emaciation, inability to walk, loose teeth, and sparse short hair, attributed to deficiency of the three Yin meridians of the Foot. Liuwei Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) and Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Decoction to Supplement the Middle and Augment the Qi) were used, leading to full recovery within six months, with the body becoming robust.

A seven-year-old child was unusually small and short by about one cun, had difficulty walking, excessive whites in the eyes, possible night sweats, and yellow hair forming tufts. Dihuang Wan (Rehmannia Pill) added with Lurong (Deer Antler) and Wuweizi (Schisandra Fruit) served as the main treatment, supplemented by Buzhong Yiqi San (Powder to Supplement the Middle and Augment the Qi). After half a year, his gait returned to normal.

Wan Mizhai stated: Regarding a child with a thin neck, the father asked how to nurture him. I replied: The neck is the stem of the head; if too thin, it cannot support the Yuan Qi (Original Qi). Nurture him under parental care, and we will discuss further when he is eight. The child died at age five.

Regarding a child with Jie Lu (delayed closure of fontanelles) who could recognize characters and read before age one, beloved by parents, I said: This child has insufficient prenatal endowment, Kidney deficiency causing fontanelle separation, and weak True Yang. Early manifestation of intelligence indicates leakage of True Yang; fear that this will bring sorrow to the parents. The child died of convulsions before age one. (Xu Lingtai’s note: My son Shouyuan was born strong and robust, showing no signs of premature death. He was exceptionally perceptive, recognizing characters before six months, admired by all. I worried his development was too early, and indeed, he died before eight months. It is truly lamentable.)

Regarding a child who laughed frequently after age one, I said: This child will be difficult to raise. When asked why, I explained: The Kidney belongs to Water, the Heart to Fire. Water is Yin, Fire is Yang; Yin is often insufficient, while Yang is often in excess. Laughter is the sound of Fire; when Water cannot overcome Fire, raising the child becomes difficult. The father asked: Are all laughing children unraiseable? I replied: Those who laugh only when prompted have emotion; those who laugh spontaneously upon seeing people lack emotion. The child later died of smallpox.

Regarding a child with four split cranial sutures, shiny and tight skin, and very small eyes, Wan said: The brain is the sea of Marrow. The Kidney governs bones; latent fire within the marrow causes marrow heat, leading to split sutures, large forehead and skull, and small eye sockets. Dihuang Wan (Rehmannia Pill) is suitable. Disregarding this, the child died at fourteen.

Regarding a child born with red eyes and mouth ulcers, constant head heat, transverse blue veins at the Shangen (root of the nose), and excessive phlegm, I said: This is fetal heat; treatment focuses on the Liver. Children are bodies of pure Yang; the head is the confluence of all Yang meridians. The Liver corresponds to Yi Wood, flourishing in Spring, representing the ascending Qi of Shaoyang (Lesser Yang). The Classics state: “Spring Qi diseases manifest in the head,” hence the constant head heat. The Liver’s color is green, hence the protruding blue veins. Liver Qi is often in excess; untreated, it may lead to Wind stirring (Jing Feng). Thus, Xie Qing Wan (Pill to Drain the Green) was used, removing Dahuang (Rhubarb Root) and adding Huangqin (Scutellaria Root), ground into powder and formed into honey pills. Consequently, the head cooled, veins receded, and symptoms diminished.