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Background Information:
Book Title: Kentang Yilun (Discussions on Medicine by Wang Kentang)
Author: Wang Kentang
Dynasty: Ming
Chapter: Secret Method for Preparing Divine Water / Gynecological Verified Prescriptions (1/3)(1/2)
Category: Medical Discourse

Melt green lead, pour it onto the ground to cool into sheets. Retrieve the sheets, cut them into several long strips. Drill a hole at one end and hang the strips over a pot. Place distilled liquor inside the pot, and invert a basin over the pot mouth, keeping the basin bottom close to the lead strips. Ignite fire under the pot to boil the liquor; the rising vapor contacts the lead strips, condensing water droplets that drip into the basin below. This water is called "Divine Water" (Shenshui). Take it orally. As this water moves upward, it can ascend the Kidney Yin fluid (Kidney Water) to rescue dryness and depletion in the upper body.

Note: The method of preparing Divine Water is frequently mentioned in ancient prescriptions but without explicit preparation details. It was only brought to light through the elucidation of its principles by Mr. Guozai.

Xue Zhong'ang stated: In women with illness, large breasts and abundant menstruation indicate vigorous life force. To treat hematemesis (vomiting blood) and various types of epistaxis (nosebleed) or lower bleeding, use one pig kidney, two cups of urine from an uncircumcised boy (Tongbian), and one cup of aged Sanbai wine. Store in a new bottle, seal tightly with mud. Simmer slowly morning and evening until cooked. After midnight, keep warm. Open the bottle and consume while hot. Even in critical cases, continuous use for one month yields results. It is suitable for those who are chronically thin and weak, effective for both men and women. This is truly an excellent prescription for nourishing blood with blood.

He further stated: Ancients considered early menstruation as Blood Heat and late menstruation as Blood Cold. However, if cycles vary irregularly, should treatment alternate between cold and heat? Generally, Qi is the mother of Blood; Qi disorder leads to menstrual irregularity. Therefore, regulating menstruation prioritizes regulating Qi.

He also stated: During the sixth or seventh month of pregnancy, if fetal death occurs in the uterus due to physical trauma, leading to direct discharge of lochia (postpartum discharge), severe pain, and near-fainting, Fo Shou San (Buddha's Hand Powder) is the primary treatment. If the amniotic sac remains intact, pain ceases and both mother and child are safe; if damaged, the dead fetus is expelled while the mother survives. The Fo Shou San formula follows.
Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) (3 qian), Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizoma) (5 qian), Yimu Cao (Leonuri Herba) (5 qian).
Decoct with half a bowl of water and half a bowl of wine. Administer orally. After one to two hours, administer two more doses. This formula stabilizes viable fetuses and expels non-viable ones; it is a verified excellent prescription.

He also stated: If the fetus does not move and the abdomen feels cold as ice, it is likely a non-viable fetus. However, relying solely on lack of movement is insufficient, as viable fetuses also remain still initially. One should not hastily diagnose fetal death. It is appropriate to administer Qi-regulating and Blood-invigorating herbs.

He also stated: Alcohol is contraindicated postpartum, but Tongbian (Urine of an Uncircumcised Boy) may be taken. Tongbian is a miraculous medicine for childbirth. For symptoms such as vertigo, blood stasis attacking the heart, and metrorrhagia (uterine bleeding), when emergency medication is unavailable, immediately give one cup of Tongbian upon the baby's birth to prevent complications. Consuming one cup daily within the first month prevents myriad diseases; no other medicine surpasses it.

He also stated: Among postpartum ailments, three are most critical: vomiting, night sweats, and diarrhea. Their simultaneous occurrence indicates critical danger. When multiple symptoms occur, treat the urgent ones. If two critical symptoms are prominent and one is mild, there is little harm. Postpartum Yin blood is depleted, causing Yang to float outward without support, leading to fever. The treatment uses Si Wu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) to tonify Yin. Ginger communicates with the spirit; Pao Gan Jiang (Prepared Dried Ginger)收敛s floating Yang, integrating it with Yin, so it is used concurrently. However, postpartum Spleen and Stomach deficiency may cause fever due to dietary injury. Misdiagnosing this as Blood deficiency causes harm. Thus, one must ask about recent food intake and potential dietary injury. Fever with abdominal pain suggests retained lochia; fever with headache suggests external contraction. If fever occurs with normal diet and no other symptoms, it is Blood deficiency, treatable by tonifying Blood. For chest fullness, belching, anorexia, and diarrhea, treat according to symptoms. Abdominal fullness without pain is definitely not lochia retention; do not mistake it. For postpartum care, decoct a large dose of Yimu Cao (Leonuri Herba), three liang, concentrated. Strain, add Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizoma) and Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) powders, each two qian, along with one cup of aged wine and one cup of Tongbian. Repeated administration prevents abdominal pain and blood-stasis dizziness, providing significant benefit. It is the general principle for treating postpartum conditions. This formula is also known as Duo Ming Dan (Life-Seizing Pill), a verified excellent prescription.

Postpartum craving for salty and sour flavors leading to cough indicates a chronic condition requiring lifelong caution. There are six family secret formulas, simple yet miraculous, to be preserved世代ally. Listed above are the formulas.

Zhong Zi Wan (Seed-Planting Pill): Harvest Leonuri Herba on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, dry the roots in shade, powder it, and form pills with refined honey, size of a bullet. Take two pills per dose; effective within 100 days.

Gu Tai Wan (Fetus-Securing Pill):
Tiao Qin (Scutellariae Radix) (2 liang), Yu Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) (1 liang).
Take three qian per dose. Powder the ingredients, take with Amomi Fructus tea. Continuous服用 ensures fetal stability (for heavy Fetal Heat, increase Tiao Qin by one liang; soak Yu Zhu in rice wash water).

Bao An Wan (Peace-and-Safety Pill): On the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, harvest Leonuri Herba, remove roots, dry, powder, and form pills with refined honey, size of a bullet. In the eighth or ninth month of pregnancy, take one pill every morning with Amomi Fructus tea. Taking 20-30 doses prevents dystocia.

Cui Sheng Dan (Labor-Delivery Pill): Use four liang of Leonuri Herba, two liang each of Jiao Bai Zhi (Charred Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), Chao Hua Shi (Calcined Talcum), and Bai Cao Shuang (Soot from Hundred Herbs). Take four qian at labor onset, delivered with Xiong Gui Tang (Dong Quai Decoction); effective.

Yi Mu Dan (Mother-Comfort Pill): Postpartum, mix three qian of Crataegi Fructus powder with concentrated Leonuri Herba decoction,调和 with aged wine and Tongbian. Day 1: three doses; Day 2: two doses; Day 3: one dose. Days 4-5: halve Crataegi Fructus. Days 6-7: omit Crataegi Fructus, take only the three main ingredients. Day 8: stop all. Prevents myriad diseases. Verified.

Kun Yuan Shi Bao Dan (Kun Yuan Protection Pill): If the pregnant woman is ill, the fetus suffers, often resulting in dual mortality. This formula eliminates fetal pathology, ensuring safety. Use Fei Qing Dai (Calculated Indigo Naturalis) five qian, Fu Long Gan (Dragon's Liver - Hematite) two liang. Powder both, mix with mud from the bottom of a well, apply to the umbilical region (approx. two cun above navel). Reapply when dry. This pill is strictly for extreme heat syndromes from Cold Damage; do not use indiscriminately. Remember, remember! Be cautious, cautious!

Zhu Yanxiu treated a case where a tissue resembling a handkerchief prolapsed from the vaginal opening, commonly called "Chan Tui" (Postpartum Prolapse). Treat with strong Qi-tonification and lifting herbs. Use Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix), [missing character], and Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) one qian each, Sheng Ma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma) five fen. Later add Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix), and Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) to regulate. He also treated a case where a bowl-shaped mass protruded from the vagina, identified as the uterus descending due to Qi and Blood deficiency. Use Sheng Ma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizoma), [missing character]. Two doses suffice. Afterwards, wash and irrigate with Wu Bei Zi (Galla Chinensis) decoction to induce skin contraction; upon hearing a snap, the uterus retracts.

He also stated: For full-term pregnancies, tonifying Qi and Blood facilitates delivery, like adding water to help a boat float, preventing dystocia. Appendix of verified formulas follows: Zhi Mian Huang Qi (Prepared Astragali Radix) and Shu Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata) one liang each; Dang Gui Shen (Angelicae Sinensis Radix Root End), Gou Qi Zi (Lycii Fructus), Dang Shen (Codonopsis Radix), Gui Ban (Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum Vinegar-processed) four qian each; Fu Ling (Poria) three qian; Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) and Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizoma) one qian each. Whether the placenta has ruptured or not, take four to five doses consecutively. Use only the first strong decoction for maximum potency.

This formula has proven effective repeatedly; I frequently use it, finding it superior to the widely circulated Er Bao San (Two Treasures Powder).

Note: The above items are from Xue Zhong'ang's collected works. The discussions are pure and precise, and the formulas are simple and effective, constituting a rare gynecological secret manual. I have not seen the book compiled by Xue, nor have many others. I consulted Brother Chuntian, who said the book is titled "Kun Yuan Shi Bao," printed during the Zhenghe era. Its theories originate from "Chanyu Baoqing" and are expanded. It is rarely circulated. Jiang did not see the original text either, only excerpts in the collection of Grand Tutor Ruan. Please consult wise scholars to verify and correct, expanding medical knowledge.

The "Yin Yang Ying Xiang Da Lun" states: Sorrow overcomes Anger, Fear overcomes Joy, Anger overcomes Worry, Joy overcomes Grief, Worry overcomes Fear. This is the principle of Five Element generation and restriction. Ancient sages used this in treatment, achieving immediate results like drumsticks striking drums. Examples include Wen Zhi angering King Qi and Hua Tuoyuan angering the Governor, following classic principles; Dai Ren and Dan Xi also employed this method, recorded in case studies. However, some do not rigidly adhere to restriction theories, seeking the essence rather than the form. Spiritual understanding depends on the individual. (Note: From Seven Emotions to Ji Nu, excerpted from "Mi Zhi," absent in Yin Ben, added here from the original for reference.)

Note: Diseases of the Seven Emotions stem from the excess of Five Wills. Treatment follows the principle of transformation through investigation. Hence, "The physician relies on intuition." Using what overcomes to control what is overcome; subduing the dominant factor requires addressing its cause. Elucidated by "Nei Jing" and "Nan Jing," annotated by generations of sages, these methods are sound and effective, inspiring successors.

Han Feixia's "Yi Tong" states: Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma) and Rou Gui (Cinnamomi Cortex) can harmonize Heart and Kidney instantly, a spiritual pill for insomnia, verified accurate. I highlight this to enlighten students.

Note: Ancient methods are good if applied correctly, yielding quick results. Applying this method, I treated a woman with palpitations and insomnia lasting half a year, unresponsive to previous treatments. Her Chi pulse was slightly rapid, Cun pulses floating and surging, indicating Yang failing to interact with Yin, Wei Qi circulating only in Yang channels without entering Yin, causing Heart-Kidney non-interaction. I imitated the previous method: Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma) two qian, decocted separately and cooled; Rou Gui (Cinnamomi Cortex) two qian, decocted separately and cooled. Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) and Shu Mi (Milii Semen) three qian each, decocted in Gan Lan Shui (Sweet Ripple Water). Mix with Huang Lian and Rou Gui juices. Drink warm frequently. She felt sleepy after taking it, slept deeply at night, and recovered. For slight palpitations, Bu Xin Dan (Heart-Tonifying Pill) modified cured her. This proves that matching formulas to symptoms works like a drumstick hitting a drum, not empty words.

"Nei Jing" describes Ji Nu (Muscular Ecchymosis/Sweating Blood). Improper treatment often leads to excessive bleeding, sudden pallor, systemic fatigue, and death. I highlight this to gather good formulas for emergencies. (Best read with "Mi Zhi"; formula recorded in "Mi Zhi," appended below.)

Use one qian of Chao Chuan Shan Jia (Manis Squama Scalded), powdered finely, sifted, and applied topically, bound with a cloth to stop bleeding. Internally, take Bu Xue Tang (Blood-Tonifying Decoction) for three doses for self-healing. Excerpted from "Mi Zhi" to relieve this distress. Detailed in my verification records.

Note: No good method existed for Ji Nu in antiquity. I treated friend Brother Yang with sudden bleeding from the back of the neck hairline. Everyone was puzzled. Recalling similarity to the previous case, I quickly decocted Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix) thick, cooled it, and applied it. Bleeding stopped gradually after three applications, never recurring.

Pang Anshi stated: In the four seasons, Cold, Heat, Dryness, Dampness, Wind, and Fire interact, predisposing to various diseases. Observe dietary preferences for the five flavors, meats, fish, insects, vegetables, fruits, or habitual use of minerals/plants. Human Zang organs vary in size, position, firmness, shape, and alignment; Fu organs vary in size, length, thickness, and tone. These innate differences cause lifelong susceptibility to specific diseases. Noble becoming humble is named Tuo Ying (Depletion of Camp); wealthy becoming poor is named Shi Jing (Loss of Essence). Sudden joy followed by sorrow depletes essence and weakens the body. Loss of status injures Spirit; longing for prestige dissipates Will; wealth turning to poverty scorches skin and contracts sinews; laziness in wealth dissipates Essence. Estrangement from loved ones scatters Soul; resentment destroys Intent; worry exhausts Shen; grudges harden Zhi; sorrow blocks flow; rage causes confusion; fear causes instability; joy causes dispersion. These are internal injuries, not external pathogens. Skilled physicians must inquire thoroughly, knowing the affected Zang-Fu and meridians to ensure success. Ignorance leads to chaotic Qi and Blood, untreatable collapse.

He further stated: Yin-Yang deficiency/excess is not determined merely by pulse position. Ying and Wei are Exterior Yang; Intestines and Stomach are Interior Yin. Cold toxin competing in Ying-Wei causes fever and aversion to cold, with floating-large pulses at both positions, but internal restlessness is mild. If slight irritability exists, with preference for warm drinks and aversion to cold, it is Yang deficiency and Yin excess. Sweating resolves it; purgation causes death. If Cold toxin competes internally, Yang wins and Yin declines, extreme Yin transforms to Yang, cold generates heat. Heat enters interior, toxin resides in intestines/stomach, fluids dry up, dry stool accumulates. Exterior shows no aversion to cold, but steaming fever and restlessness. Severe cases involve delirium. Pulses are floating-slippery-rapid or flooding-solid. After sweating, if pulse is slow but forceful on pressure, exterior aversion to cold is gone, but abdominal fullness and wheezing persist. This is Yang excess and Yin deficiency. Purging resolves it; sweating causes death. Zhang Zhongjing's three stages of Yangming represent Yang excess/Yin deficiency.

Yang deficiency causes exterior cold; Yin deficiency causes interior heat; Yang excess causes exterior heat; Yin excess causes interior cold. Differentiate thus: If Yin alone is excessive and Yang suddenly fails, limbs become cold, umbilical pain, body ache like being beaten, blue face, vomiting or diarrhea, fine-almost-invisible pulse. Named Yin Du (Yin Toxin). Urgently moxa below umbilicus, administer acrid-hot herbs to restore Yang, leading to steady sweating and resolution. If Yang alone is excessive and Yin suddenly fails, restlessness, manic walking, delirium, red face, sore throat, mottled skin like brocade, or bloody-yellow diarrhea, flooding-solid or slippery-rapid pulse. Named Yang Du (Yang Toxin). Use acupuncture to drain heat, administer bitter-sour herbs to restore Yin, leading to steady sweating and resolution.

He also stated: Pathogens reversing Yin-Yang Qi cannot be fully resolved without sweating. "Su Wen" states: Acrid-sweet dispersing is Yang (Gui Zhi Tang, etc., restore Yang); Sour-bitter draining is Yin (Ku Shen, etc., restore Yin). Sour-bitter herbs reduce heat and restore Yin, often requiring slight sweating before purging. Classics state: Sweating then purging treats excess syndromes.

Hua Tuo's method: Cold Damage starts with Wind-Cold entering Cou Li, fighting Jing Qi, blocking Ying-Wei circulation. Days 1-2, pathogen is in pores/skin, causing headache, aversion to cold, fever, stiff back. Pathogen is in Exterior; sweating resolves it.

Pang Anshi stated: For sweating, cover waist-up with clothes, waist-down with thick garments, as legs/waist sweat poorly. Half-body sweating means disease persists. If symptoms remain after sweating, repeat sweating within three days until waist/legs sweat evenly. If unresolved, purge. If purging fails, exterior-interior pathogens have weakened; observe pulse/symptoms. Recovery expected within seven days with proper sweating. Do not re-sweat if initial chills are gone, fever increased, pulse changed from floating-large to flooding-solid/deep-thin-rapid, or patient becomes quiet to delirious. This indicates Stomach excess/Yang excess; re-sweating causes death, must purge. If early disease transforms to Yang excess, purge immediately, ignoring days/stage. If disease lasts >3 days, Qi floats to upper chest/heart, causing headache, chest fullness, phlegm. Vomiting resolves it.

Note: Ten excerpts from Pang Anshi's "Zong Bing Lun" are refreshing. His discussion of Yin-Yang, Exterior-Interior, Cold-Heat, Deficiency-Excess, Sweating-Purging is clear, inspiring successors more than ten years of study. Regretfully, I saw only fragments.

He also stated: For deficiency or postpartum patients unable to vomit, take Zhi Shi San (Immature Bitter Orange Powder). Fine powder, two qian with rice drink, 3-4 times daily. For deficiency-cold, cold limbs, weak pulse, add Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) one liang to Zhi Shi two liang, powder, take as above.

After 5-6 days, Qi knots in Zang-Fu, causing abdominal fullness, heaviness, joint pain. Purging resolves it. If urine is scant, palms/armpits dry, do not purge yet; observe carefully. Do not rashly prescribe, lest damaging Stomach Qi.

He also stated: "Su Wen" describes Liang Gan Yu Han (Dual Cold Invasion). Day 1: Taiyang and Shaoyin affected, headache, dry mouth, irritability. Day 2: Yangming and Taiyin affected, abdominal fullness, fever, anorexia, delirium. Day 3: Shaoyang and Jueyin affected, deafness, testicular retraction, cold limbs, inability to swallow, unconsciousness. Death on Day 6. Explanation: Organ systems fail sequentially. Day 4: Shaoyin-Taiyang; Day 5: Taiyin-Yangming; Day 6: Jueyin-Shaoyang. Six days of transmission leads to death. Some die on Day 3 because Yangming is head of twelve meridians; excess pathogen causes unconsciousness, Qi fails in three days. Excess pathogen fills Stomach, blocking Ying-Wei, exhausting Qi-Blood, causing death in three days. Pulse patterns lost in "Su Wen," but analyzed now: Deep pulses belong to Yin. Day 1: Deep-Large (Shaoyin-Taiyang). Day 2: Deep-Long. Day 3: Deep-Chordlike. Combining Exterior-Interior pulses. Deep-Long/Deep-Chordlike hide within Deep-Large. Yin should not combine with disease, but here Three Yin and Three Yang combine, pulses tight-large or deep-solid-long, resembling Ge pulse (death sign).

He also stated: Day 1 of Cold Damage affects Juyang (Taiyang), detailed previously regarding Bladder. "Bing Yuan" mentions Small Intestine, confusing root/branch, but Hand-Foot Yin-Yang have concurrent diseases. "Su Wen" states: Day 6, Three Yin-Yang, Five Zang-Six Fu affected, Ying-Wei stop, Zang blocked, death ensues. Transmission need not be dual invasion; sequential transmission to Day 6 also causes death. "Su Wen" states: Floating without rapidity indicates Yang/Heat; rapidity indicates Hand meridians. Day 1 pulse not rapid: Foot Taiyang Bladder diseased. If pulse adds rapidity: Hand Taiyang Small Intestine also diseased. "Su Wen" states: Fine-deep indicates Yin/Bone pain; stillness indicates Foot meridians. Day 4 pulse still: Foot Taiyin begins disease. If pulse adds rapidity: Hand Taiyin diseased. Thus, Day 6 completes transmission. Rapidity means rapid pulse; stillness means non-rapid. Medication is same; acupuncture requires selecting Hand and Foot meridians.

"Mi Zhi" records An Chang's verified cases: An Chang excelled in acupuncture.
A pregnant woman failed to deliver after seven days. Physicians failed, deemed dead. An Chang passed by, examined her, declared: "Not dead!" Ordered family to warm waist/abdomen with hot water, massage up and down. Patient felt intestinal pain, groaned...