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[Daquan] If a pregnant woman is emaciated, or complicated by disease, resulting in deficiency and damage of the Zang-Fu organs, and exhaustion of Qi and Blood, such that she cannot nourish the fetus, leading to fetal restlessness and instability which ultimately cannot be stabilized, then the fetus may be expelled to avoid harming the mother.

[Xue] For the aforementioned syndrome, one should refer to the formulas and discussions in the section on "Lumbar, Abdominal, and Back Pain." Only if the fetus is indeed unsaveable should one consider expelling it; caution is paramount.

Zhang Shuren, an official of the Honglu Temple, experienced fetal restlessness after suffering from dysentery, with mental unrest and extreme fatigue of the limbs. He took Bazen San (Eight Treasures Powder) for more than twenty doses and gradually recovered. Due to overwork, his symptoms worsened with irritability, fever, and headache. He was treated with a large dose of Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) plus Jingjie (Schizonepetae Herba), after which the fever and pain ceased immediately. He continued taking the previous formula for another fifty doses, and the pregnancy stabilized. Subsequently, childbirth was very smooth.

At that time, Xu Shaowei, Grand Secretary, was serving as the magistrate of Jintan. His wife suffered from fetal leakage (vaginal bleeding during pregnancy), which did not stop despite treatment, and the situation became critical. Mr. Xu wished to follow the course of the pathology to expel the fetus and consulted me. I simply instructed him to take Foshou San (Buddha's Hand Powder), stating that if the fetus could be saved, let it be saved; if not, let it be expelled, following nature. After several doses, Mr. Xu remained anxious and indecisive. Another gynecologist examined the prescription and submitted one using Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix) in a dosage of one liang, decocted in wine, claiming that Niuxi is inherently a tonic for the lower body, so what harm would it do? Mr. Xu believed this and administered it, and the fetus was indeed expelled.

I was then observing mourning for my deceased mother and was unaware of the incident. When I learned of it and rushed to the scene, I smelled strong aromas of Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex) and Shexiang (Moschus) filling the courtyard. It turned out that because the placenta had not been expelled, Dr. Xu had prescribed Xianggui San (Fragrant Cinnamon Powder). Consequently, blood gushed forth violently like a bursting river, impossible to stop. An urgent decoction of Dushen Tang (Single Ginseng Decoction) was prepared, but he passed away before it was ready.

After his grief subsided, Mr. Xu came to thank me and remarked, "Niuxi is a tonic, yet it causes abortion. Why?" I replied, "Raw herbs promote circulation and dispersion, while cooked herbs tonify. Thus, the actions of breaking blood stasis and replenishing essence are mutually exclusive, like opposing arrowheads. Is Niuxi the only herb like this? Lujiao (Cervi Cornus Degelatinatum) can also cause abortion and break blood stasis, but when decocted into Ejiao (Colla Corii Asini), it stabilizes the fetus and stops bleeding. Confusing the raw and cooked properties and mistakenly believing it to be a tonic characterizes a crude practitioner." Mr. Xu sighed and regretted deeply. I recorded this specifically as a warning to the world.

[Daquan] To treat a pregnant woman whose fetus is unstable due to maternal disease, the fetus may be expelled.

Take four liang of Fa Mian (Medicated Leaven made on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month; referred to as Qu in Daquan). Add two large bowls of water, decoct until one bowl remains, filter through cotton cloth to remove dregs, and divide into three warm doses. The fetus will be expelled rapidly.

Another formula: Take five sheng of Da Qu (Large Medicated Leaven) and one dou of clear wine. Boil twice, remove the residue, and divide into five doses. Fast for one night without eating. After taking the second dose, the fetus will be expelled like porridge, and the mother will suffer no distress. (From Qianjin Fang, requires stir-frying.)

Another formula: Take one sheng of Maifan (Wheat Bran), grind into powder, mix with water, and boil until two sheng remain. Ingestion leads to expulsion. (Highly effective.)

Another formula: Take two Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata), grind into powder, mix with pure vinegar, and apply to the right foot. Wash off afterwards. This is highly beneficial.

Another formula: Take one chicken egg, place salt (amount held by three fingers) inside the egg, and ingest. Expulsion occurs immediately.

Commentary: Chen Liangfu listed formulas such as Niuxi Tang and Guixin San, but Lou Quanshan did not adopt them, selecting only these few formulas. His insight was indeed outstanding.

[Abortion/Contraception]

[Zhu Danxi] Method to prevent conception: Use one sheng of white flour leaven and five sheng of non-grain alcohol. Mix into a paste, boil until two and a half sheng remain, filter through silk cloth to remove residue, and divide into three doses. On the eve of the expected menstruation, take one dose at night; take the second dose at wugeng (3-5 AM); take the third dose at dawn. Menstruation will commence, and conception will be prevented for life.

[Daquan] Verified Formula for Contraception: Burn one square chi of old silkworm paper to ash. Take the powder mixed with wine. Pregnancy will not recur for life.

Another formula: Mercury fried in oil for one day until the fire extinguishes. Take a pill the size of a jujube pit on an empty stomach. This permanently prevents pregnancy without damaging the body.

Siwu Tang (Four Substance Decoction): Five qian per dose. Add two qian of Yuntaizi (Brassicae Pekinensis Seed). Take warm on an empty stomach after menstruation.

[Xue] Regarding the previous statement about burning one chi square of old silkworm paper to ash and taking it with wine postpartum, women with Blood deficiency will never conceive again. Generally, contraceptives use harsh and drastic agents, often leading to death. Thus, the harm of childbirth is less than the harm of contraception. I have heard that Grand Secretary Zhang Luofeng and Taichang Si Official Li Hengzhai both took contraceptive agents, resulting in physical weakness and illness upon exertion, which is understandable.

Commentary: Yijian Zhi records that Bai Mudan, a woman in Tokyo, sold abortifacients and received retribution. Although the above formulas are listed here for emergency use, users must exercise extreme caution.