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In the treatment of pediatric diseases, one must first observe the child's physical form and complexion, followed by pulse diagnosis. The changes in facial complexion primarily reflect conditions at five specific areas: If the complexion at these five areas is cyanotic (Qing), it indicates that fright and stagnation are not dispersing, and wind syndrome is about to manifest; if the complexion is red, it indicates excessive accumulation of phlegm-dampness, accompanied by palpitations and restlessness; if the complexion is yellow, it indicates damage from food stagnation, presenting with malnutrition (Gan) and abdominal masses (Pi Pi); if the complexion is white, it indicates deficiency of Lung Qi, predisposing to loose stools, vomiting, and diarrhea; if the complexion is black, it indicates impending failure of the Zang-Fu organs, signifying a critical condition.

A cyanotic face with cyanotic eyes indicates Liver pathology; a reddish face indicates Heart pathology; a yellow face indicates Spleen pathology; a white face indicates Lung pathology; a black face indicates Kidney pathology. One must first distinguish the involvement of the Five Zang organs, as each has its specific dominion, and then investigate the exterior-interior and deficiency-excess nature to determine the etiology.

Liver diseases are associated with Wind. Excess patterns manifest as staring eyes, loud crying, neck stiffness, and irritability; deficiency patterns manifest as teeth grinding and yawning, with symptoms appearing externally if there is internal heat or internally if there is internal cold. Heart diseases are associated with Fright. Excess patterns manifest as crying and wailing, fever, desire for water, convulsions, and trembling of the hands and feet; deficiency patterns manifest as lethargy, drowsiness, and restless palpitations. Spleen diseases are associated with lethargy. Excess patterns manifest as drowsiness, body heat, and anorexia; deficiency patterns manifest as vomiting, diarrhea, and the generation of Wind. Lung diseases are associated with wheezing. Excess patterns manifest as chaotic and rapid breathing, with some patients desiring water and others not; deficiency patterns manifest on long sighs, short exhalations, and panting. Kidney diseases are characterized by deficiency rather than excess, manifesting as lackluster eyes, photophobia, heaviness of the body and bones, and blackening/involution of chickenpox lesions.

Among these symptoms, one must further distinguish between deficiency and excess syndromes. For instance, in Lung disease, if Liver symptoms also appear, such as teeth grinding and frequent yawning, the prognosis is favorable because the Liver Qi is deficient and cannot overcome the Lung Metal. However, if staring eyes, loud crying, neck stiffness, and severe irritability occur, the condition is difficult to treat. This is because prolonged Lung disease leads to deficiency-cold, while strong Liver excess overcomes the Lung. According to the principle of treating deficiency and excess, deficiency is treated by tonifying the mother organ, and excess is treated by draining the son organ.

Redness inside the eyes indicates Heart excess-heat; pale red indicates deficiency-heat; bluish-green around the eyes indicates Liver heat, while pale green indicates Liver deficiency; yellowness indicates Spleen heat; whitish and turbid complexion indicates Lung heat invasion; and lackluster eyes indicate Kidney deficiency.

If the philtrum (Ren Zhong) of the child is cyanotic, it is often caused by eating fruits; if the philtrum is purple, it indicates stagnation from fruit consumption leading to abdominal masses. If the philtrum appears yellow, it indicates retained milk accumulating in the Stomach. Cyanotic veins rising at the "Dragon Horn" (a point near the inner canthus) are due to fright from four-legged animals. If the "Tiger Horn" (a point near the outer canthus) is black, it indicates trauma from being splashed or knocked down by water. Redness on the Yintang (between the eyebrows) indicates fright caused by human interaction. Red, black, or purple colors on the glabella require urgent rescue without hesitation. Redness below the eyebrows clearly indicates a fatal condition with no hope of survival.