《万全方》云∶小儿有解颅候,有囟不合候,有囟陷候,此三者大同而小异也。
解颅者,谓小儿年长,囟应合而不合,头颅开解也。肾主骨髓,而脑为髓海,肾气
不成,则髓海不足,故骨缝开解也。其囟不合与囟陷,虽因脏腑有热,热气上冲,
致囟或不合或陷,然亦本于肾气不足也。〔薛〕肾主骨,骨气实则脑髓充而囟早合,
骨脉盛而齿早生,肾气怯则脑髓虚而囟不合,此由父母精血不足,宜用地黄丸补之,
若在乳下,当兼补其母,更以软帛紧束其首,使其易合,皆虚火上冲,当调补脾肾
为善。囟填、囟陷,亦因所禀肾气不足,及乳哺失宜,脾胃亏损所致,夫脾主肌肉,
气逆上冲而为填胀,元气下陷而为囟陷也,并用补中益气汤、地黄丸,及用狗头骨
炙黄为末,以鸡子清调敷囟门。亦有泻利气血虚,脾胃不能上充者,亦用前法。若
手足并冷,前汤加姜桂未应,虚寒甚也,急加附子,缓则多致不救。
〔张涣〕婴儿解颅、囟不合、囟填、囟陷下不平,皆由肾经虚热。宜用封囟散方
蛇蜕皮(一两,烧灰,细研) 防风 川大黄(湿纸裹,炒煨,存性) 白芨(各半两)
上件,碾为细末,入青黛半两,同研匀。每用半钱,以 猪胆汁调匀,用一纸
囟子摊之,四边回合各留少白纸,用淡生醋、面糊贴囟上。不住以温水润动,一
伏时换。
According to *Wan Quan Fang* (Prescriptions of Wan Quan): Infants may present with Jie Lu syndrome (fontanelle separation), fontanelle non-closure syndrome, or sunken fontanelle syndrome. These three conditions are largely similar but have minor differences.
Jie Lu refers to a condition where, as an infant grows older, the fontanelle fails to close when it should, resulting in the splitting open of the cranial sutures. The Kidney governs bone marrow, and the brain is the sea of marrow. If Kidney Qi is insufficient, the sea of marrow becomes deficient, leading to the opening of the bony sutures. Regarding fontanelle non-closure and sunken fontanelle, although they are caused by heat in the Zang-Fu organs rising upward, causing the fontanelle to either remain open or sink, the root cause lies in the insufficiency of Kidney Qi. [Xue Ji] stated: The Kidney governs bones; when bone Qi is substantial, brain marrow is abundant, and the fontanelle closes early; when bone vessels are vigorous, teeth erupt early. If Kidney Qi is weak, brain marrow is deficient, and the fontanelle does not close. This results from insufficient essence and blood of the parents. It is appropriate to use Di Huang Wan (Rehmannia Pill) for tonification. If the infant is still breastfeeding, the mother should also be treated concurrently. Additionally, the head should be tightly bound with soft cloth to facilitate closure. These cases are generally due to deficiency fire rushing upward, so regulating and tonifying the Spleen and Kidney is the best approach. Fontanelle filling (bulging fontanelle) and fontanelle depression are also caused by congenital insufficiency of Kidney Qi and improper feeding, which damages the Spleen and Stomach. The Spleen governs muscles; when Qi rebels and rushes upward, it causes bulging; when Yuan Qi sinks, it causes depression. Both conditions can be treated with Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) and Di Huang Wan. Furthermore, dog skull bone can be roasted until yellow, ground into powder, mixed with egg white, and applied to the fontanelle. In cases of diarrhea leading to Qi and Blood deficiency, where the Spleen and Stomach cannot nourish upwards, the aforementioned methods are also used. If the hands and feet are cold and there is no improvement after taking the previous decoction with added Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, Fresh Ginger) and Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus, Cinnamon Twig), it indicates severe deficiency-cold. Fuzi (Aconite Lateralis Radix Praeparata, Prepared Aconite Root) must be added urgently; otherwise, delay will likely lead to untreatable outcomes.
[Zhang Huan] pointed out: Infantile Jie Lu, fontanelle non-closure, bulging fontanelle, and sunken/uneven fontanelle are all caused by deficiency-heat in the Kidney meridian. The Feng Xin San (Seal Fontanelle Powder) formula is suitable: She Tui Pi (Snake Slough, 1 liang, burned to ash and finely ground), Fang Feng (Saposhnikoviae Radix, 0.5 liang), Chuan Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, wrapped in wet paper, stir-fried/warmed until character remains, 0.5 liang), and Bai Ji (Bletillae Rhizoma, 0.5 liang). Grind these ingredients into a fine powder, add Qing Dai (Indigo Naturalis, 0.5 liang), and mix thoroughly. Use half a qian of this powder each time, mix evenly with Zhu Dan Shi (Porci Bile, Pig Gallbladder Juice), spread onto a piece of paper, apply to the fontanelle leaving a small white border on all sides, and secure with dilute raw vinegar and wheat paste. Keep moistened with warm water continuously, and change once every fu (approx. two hours).