达生编一书。古人立法。可谓尽善尽美。予学医四十余年。每遇难产之症。无不奉为
圭臬。无一误事者。但其书不惮烦。再三告诫。亦恐不详细。有误于人也。惟篇页过多。
虽作者之苦心。而阅者反嫌其琐屑。岂非欲详备而反致疏略乎。予年六十有七。养
淮上。闲暇无事。揣摩是编。因择其至要者。集为一本。易于翻阅。凡稍涉繁冗者。概
置不录。并不敢妄为删除。实欲简便而令人易从也。抄集既成。爰弁数语于篇首。亦
济世之婆心。而世之难产者。亦可无虑矣。
同治戊辰年四月中浣安徽歙县洪门武林连氏
胎产非患也。而难产则为人患。人患不殄。则归之于天。天何尤乎。亦惟求之人事
而已。此编专为难产而设。盖区区一得之愚。亦即区区一点真诚之念。倘能熟看
谨行。皆可先生如达。于是人患弭而天德协矣。然知之而不言非也。闻之而不传
亦非也。好生者见之。宜为广布。有力者重刻通行。无力者手抄数册。口授数人。
随分所至。未必非吾儒同胞同与之一事。吾人利济为怀。原非求福。然积善余庆。
必有攸归。达天德也。但此编揣摩印证。委系无疑。凡重刻手抄时。不必改动。尤不
必增入方药。以相矛盾耳。
胎产一事。自产宝诸书以后。代有发明。其保胎临产。及产后调理之法。率皆至精至
密。似无遗义。又何俟今之多言。但或专精方药而未及其所以然。或略一及之而
未竟其旨。徜非究心有素之人。未易明而用之也。仓卒之际。殊难得力。兹特倡明
天德自然之说。不厌烦絮重复。以期于畅。使平日可以预防。临时可以应急。从此
天下后世产母婴儿。同登寿域。岂不快哉。然亦特曲遵古人之意而条达之。非创
为异说也。
此编只是反复以言其理。至于方药殊未之及。偶载一二。皆取先贤古方。极平极稳
者。盖极平常之事。须用极平常之药。一切矜奇炫异之方。概置不录。且保护得法。
虽平常之药。亦无所用之矣。倘必欲用。则他刻自有。原不相妨。
凡胎前临产。产后调护之法。一一备载。不厌烦复。盖原系家居日用闺房琐屑之事。
一有不到。皆足致病。与其服药于病后。曷若致谨于平时。
此编言语俚俗。未免见笑大方。但原为妇人而设。识字者固不必言。不识字者令人
诵之。皆可通晓。然须平时讲令心中明白。临时自有主张。不但产母宜知。一应老
幼男妇。皆当知之。与其看戏文。听说书。不如此等有益也。
此编虽为人所当知。而富贵之家。尤宜熟讲。盖闺人平时娇养。口厌肥甘。身安逸乐。
体气脆薄。且性情骄傲。不听人言。到此时才一知觉。即不能耐。点灯着火。上呼下
应。房中挤簇多人。内外嚷成一片。稳婆络绎。各要争功。脉未离经。胎未转下。即便
坐草。及至不顺。奇方珍药。纷纷乱投。以致母子两误者多矣。岂不惜哉。但能留意
此编。自可平安清吉。
胎产之书。可以汗牛。今此戋戋。特为难产而设。其胎前产后。特略载一二。以存其概
而已。若曰。此编足以尽之。则重予过矣。
开卷即载临产者何。盖临时仓卒。不及细检。因以切要者。载之首篇。且令开门见山。
人人熟习。专意行持。自可无误。若平时讲说。原不妨从保胎顺序看之也。
试痛一篇。尤为紧要。盖知试痛之误。方知正生之易。正与临产一篇。互相表里。最宜
细看。仍采先贤格言之足相发明者。数条载之。聊以征予言之不谬。然尝鼎一脔。
亦足以知其概矣。
语云。勿以善小而不为。此篇固小之小者。然诚有见于胎产。为生人之始。随时随地。
体验而成。且身经目击。口授耳闻。千试不爽。忘其猥陋。出以语人。漏万之讥。固所
不免。世之君子。原其心焉可矣。
The book *Da Sheng Bian* (Guidelines for Bearing Children), established by the ancients, can be said to be perfect in every aspect. I have studied medicine for over forty years; whenever I encountered cases of dystocia (difficult childbirth), I held this book as the ultimate standard (Guibie, 圭臬), and there was not a single case of error. However, this book is not afraid of being tedious, repeatedly giving warnings, yet it might still be considered insufficiently detailed, potentially misleading people. The excessive number of pages, while reflecting the author's painstaking effort, makes readers find it trivial and fragmented. Is this not an attempt to be comprehensive that ironically leads to oversight? At the age of sixty-seven, residing in Huai Shang during my leisure time, I pondered this compilation. I selected its most essential points and compiled them into a single volume for easy reference. Any content deemed slightly redundant was generally excluded, and I dared not arbitrarily delete anything, truly aiming for simplicity so that people could easily follow. Upon completing this transcription and compilation, I added a few words at the beginning, expressing a compassionate heart to save the world, so that those suffering from difficult childbirth need no longer worry.
Wulin Lian Shi of Hongmen, Shexian County, Anhui, Mid-April of the Wuchen Year of Tongzhi (1868)
Childbirth itself is not a calamity, but difficult childbirth becomes a human affliction. If human afflictions are not resolved, they are blamed on Heaven; what fault does Heaven have? One must only seek solutions through human efforts. This book is specifically designed for difficult childbirth, representing my humble愚见 (opinion) and sincere intention. If one can read it thoroughly and practice it cautiously, one can achieve smooth delivery ("Xiansheng Ruda", 先生如达 - delivering as easily as stated). Thus, human afflictions will cease, and the virtue of Heaven will harmonize. However, knowing without speaking is wrong; hearing without spreading is also wrong. Those who cherish life should widely disseminate it; those with resources should reprint and circulate it; those without resources should copy a few volumes by hand or teach it orally to a few people. Acting according to one's capacity may well be an act of "Minbao Wuyu" (Tongyu, 同与 - regarding all people as compatriots and all things as companions), a concept from Confucianism. Our intent to benefit others originates not from seeking blessings, but accumulated good deeds will inevitably yield rewards, which is to understand the Virtue of Heaven. This book has been carefully verified and is undoubtedly correct. When reprinting or copying, do not make changes, especially do not add herbal prescriptions to avoid contradiction.
Regarding obstetrics, since the publication of books like *Chanbao* (Treasures of Childbirth), each dynasty has made new discoveries. Methods for preserving pregnancy, managing labor, and postpartum care are extremely precise and meticulous, seemingly leaving no gaps. Why then the need for further elaboration today? Some physicians specialize in herbal formulas without exploring their underlying principles; others mention them briefly without fully elucidating their meaning. For those who have not studied diligently, it is difficult to understand and apply them correctly. In emergencies, such knowledge is hard to rely upon. Here, we specifically advocate clarifying the theory of "Tiande Ziran" (Natural Virtue/Spontaneity), repeating details不厌其烦 (without tiring of repetition) to ensure clarity, enabling prevention in daily life and emergency response when needed. May mothers and infants of future generations attain longevity together, how joyful would that be! This merely follows the ancients' intent and organizes it logically, rather than creating heterodox theories.
This book focuses on explaining principles through words, rarely involving herbal prescriptions. The few recorded are ancient formulas from sages, extremely mild and stable. Ordinary matters require ordinary medicines. All eccentric or flashy prescriptions are excluded. Moreover, if protection methods are proper, even ordinary medicines become unnecessary. If medication is insisted upon, other texts already contain them, causing no harm.
Methods for prenatal care, labor management, and postpartum nursing are recorded in detail, without fear of repetition. These are essentially domestic and private matters; any negligence can cause disease. It is better to be cautious in daily life than to take medicine after illness occurs.
The language of this book is colloquial and may be laughed at by experts. However, it is designed for women. Literate women need no explanation; illiterate women can have it read to them and understand. They must comprehend it beforehand to maintain composure during labor. Not only should mothers know this, but all men, women, old, and young should learn it. This is more beneficial than watching plays or listening to storytellers.
Although everyone should know this, wealthy families especially should study it carefully. Women from affluent backgrounds are often pampered, accustomed to rich foods, leading to delicate constitutions and proud temperaments that ignore advice. When labor begins, panic ensues: lights are lit, cries echo, rooms crowd with people, midwives compete for credit. Before the pulse deviates or the fetus descends, the mother is placed on the bed. When complications arise, strange and precious medicines are indiscriminately administered, often harming both mother and child. How tragic! Paying attention to this book ensures safety and peace.
Books on obstetrics are numerous enough to make oxen sweat (Han Niu, 汗牛). This small volume is set specifically for difficult childbirth. Prenatal and postnatal contents are briefly mentioned only to preserve the general outline. To claim this book covers everything would be an overestimation of my work.
Why start with labor? Because in emergencies, there is no time for detailed checking. Essential points are placed first for immediate familiarity and application, ensuring no errors. During normal times, one may read it sequentially starting from pregnancy preservation.
The section on false labor pains (Shitong, 试痛) is particularly crucial. Understanding false labor helps recognize true labor, complementing the labor section. I included several aphorisms from sages to corroborate these points. Tasting one piece of meat reveals the flavor of the whole pot (Chang Ding Yi Luan, 尝鼎一脔); similarly, this brief account suffices to grasp the essence.
As the saying goes, "Do not fail to do good because it is small." This section is indeed minor, but recognizing childbirth as the beginning of human life, based on personal experience and observation, tested thousands of times without failure, I share it despite my inadequacy. Criticism of overlooking details is inevitable. Gentlemen of the world should appreciate my intentions.