Library

Three days after birth, take tender branches three inches long from mulberry (Morus alba), locust tree (Robinia pseudoacacia), elm (Ulmus pumila), peach (Prunus persica), and willow (Salix babylonica) trees. Use twenty to thirty segments to decoct in water. When the temperature is suitable (neither cold nor hot), add two or three pig gallbladders (Sus scrofa domesticus vesica biliaris) and bathe the infant. Using pig gallbladder and Motherwort Herb (Leonurus japonicus) in the bathwater prevents sores and scabies. Adding gold, silver, tiger head bone, musk (Moschus moschiferus), and cinnabar (Cinnabaris) wards off evil qi, external pathogenic influences (Ke Wu), and convulsions. Adding roots and leaves of peach, plum, apricot, and paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera), which must be boiled during bathing, resolves febrile conditions with high body heat. The water temperature should be neither cold nor hot; bathe in a windless, closed room, and do not prolong the duration. After bathing, massage the body with powder, or apply light powder or clam shell powder (Concha Meretricis et Cyclinae) to the body to ward off evil spirits, which is auspicious. The *Jiyong Jing* states that the auspicious days for bathing are Yin, Mao, and You days; Renwu, Dingwei, and Guisi days are inauspicious and should not be used for bathing. (Bathing is typically performed on the third, fifth, and seventh days after birth.) When bathing infants, do not cut the umbilical cord first; wait until after bathing to cut it, preventing water and dampness from injuring the umbilicus, thereby avoiding conditions such as neonatal tetanus (Qi Feng) and umbilical sores (Qi Chuang). Apply clear oil mixed with hair ash to the umbilicus. During bathing, ensure the umbilical cord is not wetted by water.

The *Qianjin Fang* states: The umbilical cord must not be cut with a knife. Instead, bite through it while wearing a single layer of clothing, breathe warm air into it seven times, and then tie it securely. The remaining cord should be severed above the infant's instep. Otherwise, insects often reside within the umbilical cord; if not promptly removed, they may enter the umbilicus and cause disease. The length of the retained umbilical cord should be six cun. If too long, it damages the muscles; if too short, it damages the internal organs. Failure to sever it in time or incomplete drainage of umbilical fluid leads to gradual weakening of warm yang, causing coldness and resulting in neonatal tetanus (Qi Feng). The *Baojian* discusses: If scissors are used to sever the cord, keep them warm in one's bosom beforehand. Furthermore, if water enters the umbilicus, it often induces Tian Diao (a type of neonatal spasm), characterized by painful crying and cyanotic-black complexion. Injury to the umbilicus causes prolonged non-healing. Exposure to external wind leads to trismus (lockjaw), which is incurable.

The *Shenghui Fang* states: One night after birth, hold the infant near a bright, windless place. Observe if there are red blood vessels extending straight upward from the umbilicus. If present, apply moxibustion (three moxa cones) at the end of the vessel. Once the redness dissipates, no harm will occur.

The *Qianjin Fang* discusses: For treatment, use white silk fabric (Bai Lian) made soft, cut into a four-cun square. Place half an inch of thick new cotton against it, matching the thickness of the silk, to wrap the umbilicus. Adjust the tightness appropriately. If wrapped too tightly, the infant may vomit; it should be removed after twenty days. If the infant cries angrily for ten-plus days, there may be thorns in the clothing, or dryness/stinging of the umbilicus irritating the abdomen; in such cases, re-wrap the umbilicus. In winter, close doors and windows, lower curtains, and use fire to keep the room warm. Changing clothes should follow the same procedure. Still, apply warm powder to the body.