小儿血气俱盛者,则腑皆实,故胃中生热。其状∶大便则黄,四肢壮,翕然体热者
小儿中客忤者,是小儿神气软弱,忽有非常之物,或未经识见之人触之,与鬼神气相忤
而发病,谓之客忤也,亦名中客,又名中人。其状∶吐下青黄白色,水谷解离,腹痛反倒夭
矫,面变易五色。其状似痫,但眼不上摇耳,其脉弦急数者是也。若失时不治,久则难治。
若乳母饮酒过度,醉及房劳喘后乳者,最剧,能杀儿也。
小儿神气软弱,精爽微羸,而神魂被鬼所持录。其状∶不觉有余疾,直尔萎黄,多大啼
唤,口气常臭是也。
小儿卒死者,是三虚而遇贼风,故无病仓卒而死也。三虚者,乘年之衰一也,逢月之空
二也,失时之和三也。有人因此三虚,复为贼风所伤,使阴气偏竭于内,阳气阻隔于外,而
壅闭,阴阳不通,故暴绝而死也。若腑脏未竭,良久乃苏;亦有兼挟鬼神气者,皆有顷
邪退乃生也。
凡中客忤及中恶卒死,而邪气不尽,停滞心腹,久乃发动,多发成注也。
小儿中恶者,是鬼邪之气卒中于人也。无问大小,若阴阳顺理,荣卫平和,神守则强,
邪不干正。若精气衰弱,则鬼毒恶气中之。其状∶先无他病,卒然心腹刺痛,闷乱欲死是也
凡中恶腹大而满,脉紧大而浮者死,紧细而微者生。余势不尽,停滞脏腑之间,更发后
,变为注也。
In children whose blood and qi are both abundant, the fu organs are all full, thus heat generates in the stomach. The presentation includes: yellow stools, robust limbs, and a generalized fever that is palpable to the touch.
When children have solid zang-fu organs and abundant blood and qi, there is heat in both the interior and exterior, leading to distress from irritability and restlessness, as well as hot skin.
When children have abundant blood and qi, heat generates within the zang-fu organs. Heat causes dryness of the zang organs, resulting in thirst.
Infantile Ke Wu (Guest Intoxication) occurs when a child with weak Shen Qi (Spiritual Energy) is suddenly exposed to unusual objects or unfamiliar people, causing a clash with ghostly or spiritual energies, thereby inducing disease. This condition is called Ke Wu, also known as Zhong Ke or Zhong Ren. Its manifestations include vomiting and diarrhea of green, yellow, or white substances, separation of water and food undigested, severe abdominal pain causing the body to arch backward and twist contortedly, and facial complexion changing among five colors. The presentation resembles Epilepsy (Xian Bing), but without upward rolling of the eyes; the pulse is wiry, rapid, and frequent. If treatment is delayed, it becomes difficult to cure later. If the wet nurse has consumed excessive alcohol, breastfeeds while intoxicated, or after sexual exertion and panting, the condition is most severe and can be fatal to the infant.
When a child’s Shen Qi is weak and Jing Shuang (Essence and Spirituality) is slightly emaciated, the Hun and Po (Soul and Corporeal Soul) may be possessed by ghosts. The presentation involves unknowingly suffering from other ailments, manifesting directly as sallow complexion, frequent loud crying and calling, and persistent foul breath odor.
Sudden death in infants results from encountering "Three Deficiencies" combined with invasion by Thieving Wind (Zei Feng). Thus, death occurs abruptly without prior obvious illness. The "Three Deficiencies" are: first, coinciding with a year of declining annual luck; second, encountering the time of the new moon (emptiness); third, deviating from the harmonious climate of the season. When these three deficiencies exist, and the individual is further injured by Thieving Wind, Yin Qi becomes excessively depleted internally, while Yang Qi is blocked externally, causing stagnation and closure. With unblocked communication between Yin and Yang, sudden cessation of breath and death occur. If the zang-fu essence has not completely exhausted, revival may occur after a long period; some cases involve concurrent ghostly/spiritual energy, where survival depends on the retreat of the pathogenic factor after a short interval.
For those who suffer from Ke Wu or Zhong E (Evil Invasion) with sudden death, if the pathogenic qi is not fully expelled and remains stagnant in the heart and abdomen, it may trigger later attacks, often developing into Zhu Bing (Casting Disease/Chronic Infectious Disease).
Zhong E (Evil Invasion) in children refers to ghostly or evil qi striking the person suddenly. Regardless of age, if Yin and Yang follow their proper order, Ying and Wei (Nutritive and Defensive Qi) are harmonious, and the Shen is secure, Zheng Qi (Upright Qi) remains strong, and pathogens cannot invade. However, if Jing Qi is weak, one will be struck by ghostly toxicity and evil qi. The presentation begins with no prior illness, followed suddenly by stabbing pain in the heart and abdomen, severe oppression, confusion, and a sensation of impending death. In Zhong E, if the abdomen is distended and full, and the pulse is tight, large, and floating, the prognosis is poor (death); if the pulse is tight, fine, and faint, the prognosis is good (survival). If residual pathogenic force remains stagnant between the zang-fu organs and reactivates, it transforms into Zhu Bing.