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Those skilled in treating diseases intervene before the disease occurs, thereby gaining profound benefits without expenditure. Thus it is said: "Achieve order before chaos arises; secure the state before danger looms." In such a manner, there is no so-called disease, and what need is there for treatment? Nevertheless, how few are those who can achieve this? Human life in this world, birth and death, are of utmost importance. If one does not follow the proper way, at the time of birth, mother and child may both die; even if they survive, they may suffer various pains in vain. To survive after facing death ten thousand times is truly pitiable and compassionate. Ji Zhai Ju Shi (Layman Ji Zhai) personally compiled *Da Sheng Bian* (Guidelines for Childbirth) to elucidate that difficult childbirth in the world often stems from mistaking false labor pains for true labor, leading to dangerous situations such as malpresentation or breech birth. This is a critical factor in childbirth. It is also stated that preserving pregnancy prioritizes the abstinence from sexual desire above all else. Therefore, the core principles of safe delivery first prohibit intercourse. The text states: "Once a woman becomes pregnant, she must strictly abstain from intercourse." This is because in ancient times, upon becoming pregnant, women would reside in separate rooms and not share a bed with their husbands, to avoid arousing desires. Generally, if this prohibition is violated within the first three months of pregnancy, the arousal of desire causes the uterus to reopen, leading to various ailments such as spotting and fetal restlessness. If violated after three months, the placenta thickens, causing difficult labor. One must understand that the fire of desire damages the fetus, inevitably leading to the accumulation of turbid sweat and fluids. Consequently, conditions such as infant body cloudiness, smallpox toxins, and sores become difficult to cure, all due to the negligence of parents. This is a critical factor at the initial conception. If one truly comprehends the critical relationship between conception and childbirth, then anyone giving birth will naturally avoid miscarriage and difficult labor. The children born will be physically robust and gentle in temperament, free from toxins like smallpox, and enjoy longevity and health. If people foresee this principle, they will ensure physical and mental peace, virtuous descendants, family honor, and social benefit. Treating disease before it occurs encompasses the superior benefits of achieving order before chaos and securing the state before danger. Thus, the significance of this book is immense. Zhang Shanzheng of Weiyang, whose mother Lady Liu passed away when he was still young and unable to support her in life, hoped that through his mother's legacy, all mothers and children might enjoy the benefits of peace, longevity, and health. He therefore resolved to print and distribute forty thousand copies of this book to all those with affinity, enabling them to know the methods of treating disease before it arises and during its onset, so as to avoid the suffering of difficult childbirth and the worry of infertility. Furthermore, since ancient times, slow convulsions (Man Jing Feng) has been the most dangerous condition, with nine out of ten deaths. However, Mr. Zhuang Yikui’s *Fu You Bian* (Guidelines for Infant Care), based on which treatment yields ten out of ten survivals, is indeed the most important book in pediatrics. It is attached here to facilitate widespread dissemination. Four printing blocks were cast for future benefactors to use for printing. Regarding the proximate cause of difficult childbirth, it has been discussed previously. As for the remote cause, it is mostly due to karma from past lives and present actions involving killing. If girls frequently recite the sacred names of "Namo Amitabha Buddha" and "Namo Guanyin Bodhisattva" during childhood, they can eliminate past and present killing karma. Once this karma is eliminated, there will be no obstruction preventing birth during delivery. This is another method of treating disease before it occurs. For those unfamiliar with Buddhist teachings, if they face difficult labor and cannot deliver immediately, the parturient and relatives assisting should sincerely recite "Namo Guanyin Bodhisattva." All karmic enemies from past lives obstructing birth, upon hearing the Bodhisattva's name, will flee due to the Bodhisattva's majestic power and virtue, daring not to interfere. Some argue that being naked and unclean during childbirth makes reciting the Bodhisattva's name disrespectful or offensive. This is a delusion based on ordinary worldly views, failing to comprehend the Bodhisattva's mindset. This is a matter of life and death; it cannot be judged by standards applicable to times of normal health. For instance, if children fall into fire or water and cry out to their parents for rescue, the parents will rush to save them immediately, never refusing due to disheveled clothes or unclean bodies. A disciple of mine was in Sichuan several years ago and visited a friend's home, where he heard a woman crying bitterly. Upon asking why, he was told that a woman had been in labor for two days with the baby stuck, fearing for her life. He advised urgently having the woman recite the sacred name of Guanyin, while he himself knelt in the courtyard burning incense and reciting. He guaranteed success. The man informed the woman and recited himself. Soon, the baby was born, but the woman did not realize it until she heard the crying. She explained that initially, she felt someone holding her lower body with cloth, preventing birth; but upon reciting the sacred name of Guanyin, she saw the cloth disappear, allowing the baby to pass, though she remained unaware until hearing the cry. The ancients said, "Birth and death are great matters," can one not grieve? The Pure Land Dharma Gate is specifically established for the time of death and the transcendence of consciousness to the Pure Land after death. This book, however, is established for protection before and after birth. May benevolent gentlemen circulate this widely, ensuring every household keeps a copy, jointly dedicating themselves to cultivating virtue and restraining desires. Then, the contents of this book will find no application, and the intentions behind the previous circulation, Zhang Shanzheng's printing and donation, and my preface will be fulfilled without regret. Written by Yin Guang, a monk from Gushen, in the late autumn of the Jisi year, the 18th year of the Republic of China (1929).

Bananas and taro must not be eaten together. Xu Zishan of Jiading stated that a friend ate bananas and then immediately ate rice containing taro. Shortly after eating, the person died, appearing as if poisoned heavily. Everyone was puzzled. Not long after, another person died in the same manner, showing signs of poisoning. Western doctors examined the feces and attributed it to the conflict between the two viscous substances, confirming death resulted from consuming these two foods. The previous case was also due to this. One day, discussing this at a relative's house, everyone was astonished. They tested mixing the two foods into a ball and feeding it to a chicken, which died. Placing the two foods in a vessel overnight turned them completely black and ruined their original color. Thus, it is known that bananas and taro cannot be consumed together. This is recorded here to inform the world.

Two Excellent Prescriptions for Treating Lung Disease:
1. Consuming this vegetable with meals leads to self-healing over time. (This vegetable grows abundantly in lakes and marshes of Jiangsu and Zhejiang. It has oval leaves and sticky mucilage on the stem and underside of leaves. It makes delicious soup. When used for medicinal purposes, do not cook with meat.)
2. Decocted tea made from peeled Loquat Leaf (Loquat Folium) drunk daily will result in the expulsion of small worms in the stool after one month, indicating a cure.