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This is an internal carbuncle occurring in the hypochondrium, named Gaizi (Change Zai). It arises from pathogenic qi gathering in the lower guan (referring to the area below the umbilicus or lower abdomen), clashing with the blood and qi of the meridians. When it deteriorates, its presentation resembles a carbuncle or ulcer.

This refers to the state after a breast carbuncle has ruptured and discharged pus; blood and qi are depleted, and the zang-fu organs become scorched and dry, thus causing thirst. Although drinking water quenches thirst, once the water enters the stomach and intestines, it transforms into diarrhea.

This refers to the occurrence of a breast carbuncle accompanied by deficiency of the stomach and intestines; upon exposure to cold, diarrhea ensues. The Large Intestine belongs to Metal and serves as the pathway for food and fluids; the Stomach belongs to Earth and is the sea of food and fluids. Metal and Earth share a mother-son relationship. The Foot-Yangming Meridian is the meridian of the Stomach, and its vessels descend from the Clavicle (Quepen) to the breast. Due to overexertion and injury, the pulse becomes deficient, and Wind-Cold invades. Wind-Cold clashes with blood, causing Qi and Blood to become stagnant and obstructed, thus forming a swelling. If the swelling is thin-skinned and lustrous, it is a Yang-type carbuncle (Yong). Wind pathogen enters the Stomach due to deficiency, causing food residues to deteriorate and fail to consolidate; intestinal deficiency leads to discharge, resulting in dysentery. Both Metal (Large Intestine) and Earth (Stomach) are deficient; hence, both breast carbuncle and dysentery occur. Furthermore, excessive drinking due to thirst after a breast carbuncle can also transform into dysentery.

This refers to a breast carbuncle invaded by Cold pathogen, causing the carbuncle to knot and persist without resolving or suppurating for a long time; lodged by Cold, the pus is not fully discharged, leading to chronic non-healing.

This refers to residual heat remaining after a breast carbuncle, compounded by Cold invasion, causing residual nodules to persist. Upon re-exposure to Heat, it accumulates and forms pus. There are also cases of dripping discharge that do not heal, transforming into a fistula (Lou).

This refers to a carbuncle where pus was not fully discharged, but the wound suddenly closed, causing foul fluid to be retained internally. Subsequent recurrence results in a fistula.

The Classic states: "When the Yin pulse beats vigorously and differs distinctly from the Yang pulse, it indicates pregnancy." This signifies harmonious Qi and Blood, with Yang distributing and Yin transforming.

Palpating the Hand-Shaoyin (Heart) pulse, if it beats strongly, indicates conception. Shaoyin is the Heart pulse; the Heart governs blood vessels. Additionally, the Kidney is referred to as the Door of the Uterus (Baomen) and the House of Children (Zihu). The Chi (Cun Cun) pulse reflects the Kidney pulse; a Chi pulse that feels unceasing upon pressure indicates pregnancy. If the pulses at the three positions (Cun, Guan, Chi) are equal in depth and force, and feel continuous upon pressure, it indicates pregnancy. Furthermore, a deep and solid pulse on the left hand indicates a male fetus; a floating and large pulse on the right hand indicates a female fetus; deep and solid pulses on both hands indicate twins (males); floating and large pulses on both hands indicate twins (females). Also, a larger-than-normal Chi pulse on the left indicates a male; on the right, a female; enlarged Chi pulses on both sides indicate two children. If the Chi pulses on both hands are floating, it indicates twin boys; otherwise, a girl may have male characteristics. If both are deep, it indicates twin girls; otherwise, a boy may have female characteristics. A floating and large pulse at the Chi position of the left hand indicates a male; a deep and fine pulse at the Chi position of the right hand indicates a female. Obtaining the Taiyin pulse indicates a male; obtaining the Taiyang pulse indicates a female; Taiyin pulse is deep, Taiyang pulse is floating.

To determine the sex, have the woman walk facing south and call her back. If she turns her head to the left, it is a boy; to the right, a girl. Alternatively, when she is urinating, have her husband call her urgently from behind. Left turn indicates a boy; right turn indicates a girl. In pregnancy, if the husband develops a nodule on his left breast, it is a boy; on the right breast, a girl.

At one month of pregnancy, it is called "Beginning Form" (Shi Xing). Diet should be refined and cooked, sour and sweet flavors accepted easily. Barley is suitable; avoid raw, pungent, or fishy foods. This is called "Initial Purity" (Cai Zhen), nourished by the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian. The Foot-Jueyin is the Liver meridian. The Liver governs blood. At this stage, blood flow is sluggish; if not smooth, the Foot-Jueyin meridian nourishes it. The acupoint of the Foot-Jueyin meridian is located at the junction of white flesh between the big toes.

At two months, it is called "Beginning Paste" (Shi Gao). Avoid raw and pungent foods; reside in quiet places; men should avoid labor. All joints may ache. This is called "Beginning Storage" (Shi Cang), nourished by the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian. The Foot-Shaoyang is the Gallbladder meridian, governing essence. At two months, the fetus's essence forms in the uterus; thus, the Foot-Shaoyang meridian nourishes it. The acupoint is located one cun above the bone behind the joint between the second and third toes (note: text says small toe, standard is often second toe, but translating strictly: between the small toe and adjacent toe, one cun proximal to the metatarsophalangeal joint).

At three months, it is called "Beginning Fetus" (Shi Tai). At this time, blood does not flow freely; the form begins to change and lacks fixed features, influenced by what is seen. One should expose the pregnant woman to noble princesses and dignified, beautiful people; avoid seeing hunchbacks, dwarfs, ugly individuals, or monkeys. Avoid ginger and rabbit meat; do not hold knives or ropes. To desire a boy, handle bows and arrows, shoot roosters, ride fat horses in fields, and observe tigers, leopards, and running dogs. To desire a girl, wear hairpins, jade ornaments, and pendants, and play with pearls. For a beautiful and upright child, frequently view white jade and peacocks, and eat carp. For a wise and strong child, consume beef heart and barley. For a virtuous child, maintain a calm mind and upright posture; sit properly, stand without leaning, walk straight, look correctly, listen correctly, speak rightly, think purely, avoid erratic emotions, refrain from excessive worry, eat balanced meals, sleep evenly, do not cross legs, desire fruits and pickles, prefer fragrant scents, and repel foul odors. This is "External Image Influencing Change," nourished by the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian (Xinbao). The Pericardium meridian contains spirit and connects internally to the Heart, governing mental activities; thus, it nourishes the fetus. The acupoint is located at the transverse crease of the wrist.

Palpating the pregnancy pulse: slippery and rapid, scattering upon heavy pressure, indicates three months of gestation.

At four months, the fetus receives Water Essence to form blood vessels. Diet should include rice; soups should include fish and wild duck. This is called "Abundant Prosperity" (Sheng Rong), promoting ear and eye function and meridian circulation. Bathe while avoiding extreme cold and heat. This phase is nourished by the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian. The Hand-Shaoyang is the Sanjiao meridian, connecting internally to the Fu organs. At four months, the six Fu organs develop in sequence; thus, the Hand-Shaoyang meridian nourishes it. The acupoint is located two cun proximal to the joint between the fourth and fifth fingers.

Palpating at four months: rapid pulse on the left indicates a boy; on the right, a girl; rapid on both sides indicates twins. During this period, avoid purging methods, as this will cause postpartum disaster. Why? Because the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao meridian is susceptible to Wind pathogen; one must keep the body still and harmonize the mind.

At five months, the fetus receives Fire Essence to form Qi. Sleep late; wash clothes; live in deep rooms; wear thick clothes; absorb morning sunlight to avoid cold. Diet should include rice and wheat; soups should include beef and mutton, seasoned with Zanthoxylum and five flavors. This is called "Nourishing Qi" to stabilize the Zang organs. Another version suggests fish and turtle. This phase is nourished by the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian. The Foot-Taiyin Spleen meridian governs the four seasons. At five months, the limbs are formed; thus, the Foot-Taiyin meridian nourishes it. The acupoint is located three cun above the medial malleolus.

Palpating the pregnancy pulse: unscattered upon heavy pressure, rapid but not slippery, indicates five months. Additionally: a rapid pulse indicates impending miscarriage; a tight pulse indicates uterine obstruction; a slow pulse indicates abdominal fullness and panting; a floating pulse indicates edema due to water retention.

At six months, the fetus receives Metal Essence to form tendons. The body should engage in mild labor, not remain static; go outdoors, watch running dogs and horses. Eat meat of birds of prey and wild beasts. This is called "Changing Skin, Fascia, and Tendons" to nourish nails and strengthen the back. This phase is nourished by the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian. The Foot-Yangming is the Stomach meridian, governing the mouth and eyes. At six months, the mouth and eyes are formed; thus, the Foot-Yangming meridian nourishes it. The acupoint is located two cun above Taichong.

At seven months, the fetus receives Wood Essence to form bones. Labor the body and move limbs; avoid stillness. Move and stretch to circulate Qi and Blood. Reside in dry places; avoid cold in diet. Eat rice to tighten the skin pores. This is called "Nourishing Bones and Strengthening Teeth." This phase is nourished by the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian. The Hand-Taiyin is the Lung meridian, governing skin and hair. At seven months, skin and hands are formed; thus, the Hand-Taiyin meridian nourishes it. The acupoint is located... [text cuts off].

Palpating the pregnancy pulse at seven months: firm, large, and strong indicates survival; deep and fine indicates death. If pregnant for seven months and unaware, frequent epistaxis with muscle twitching is called "Pregnancy Epistaxis"; frequent sneezing and movement is not a sign of pregnancy. If pregnant for seven months and suddenly passing more than a dou of water, the fetus will likely miscarry due to shifting; this is premature rupture of membranes (Gu Jiang Yu Xia).

At eight months, the fetus receives Earth Essence to form skin and flesh. Harmonize the mind and rest quietly; do not exhaust Qi. This tightens pores and brightens complexion. This phase is nourished by the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian. The Hand-Yangming is the Large Intestine meridian, governing the nine orifices. At eight months, the nine orifices are formed; thus, the Hand-Yangming meridian nourishes it. The acupoint is located in the depression distal to the first metacarpophalangeal joint.

Palpating the pregnancy pulse at eight months: firm, large, strong, wiry, and tight indicates survival; deep and fine indicates death.

At nine months, the fetus receives Stone Essence to complete skin and hair; the six Fu organs and hundred joints are fully prepared. Drink sweet wine, eat sweet foods, loosen belts, and wait patiently. This nourishes hair and increases strength. This phase is nourished by the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. The Foot-Shaoyin is the Kidney meridian, governing the continuity of vessels. At nine months, the vessel networks are formed; thus, the Foot-Shaoyin meridian nourishes it. The acupoint is located posterior to the medial malleolus, slightly down near the anterior pulsation.

At ten months, the five Zang organs are complete, the six Fu organs are patent, and Heaven and Earth Qi are stored in the Dantian. Thus, joints and spirit are fully prepared. One may then prepare for methods to facilitate delivery.