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For children under three years old, they are referred to as "Pure Yang" (Chunyang), meaning their primordial Qi (Yuanqi) has not yet dissipated. If a pulse can be palpated, it should be taken at the Cun position (the distal end of the radial artery), and one must not use the proportional measurement method used for adults.

If the pulse is not yet manifest (referring to an extremely slow rate), it is called "three beats per cycle" (San Zhi), where the pulse beats three times during one respiration cycle. Specifically, it beats three times during exhalation and three times during inhalation, and beats once more during the pause between breaths (Dingxi). This indicates a state without disease. The term "Dingxi" refers to the moment when exhalation has ended and inhalation has not yet begun; if the pulse beats once during this pause, it signifies a harmonious and healthy state. Using the adult standard of "five beats per cycle" would be incorrect here.

If the pulse reaches seven beats or more per cycle, it indicates internal heat. Or, if the pulse is floating and taut like a drawn bowstring, this indicates Wind pathogen invasion. Treatment should follow the formulas provided later. If the pulse is fewer than seven beats per cycle, this indicates a Cold syndrome, which should also be treated according to the subsequent formulas. If the pulse is balanced and neither floating nor sinking, or if it suddenly becomes imperceptible, fluctuating between deep and superficial levels, or hidden deeply with a flat root, this is considered a disease caused by spirits or evil influences. One should temporarily seek to dispel the malevolent influence, and subsequently, it is appropriate to use herbal medicine or a bath of Peach and Willow branch decoction, along with a decoction drink containing two peach kernel hearts.

If a child's pulse beats fifteen times or more per respiration cycle, or fewer than three times, both are signs of death.

Newborn infants presenting with Goose-mouth sore (Ekou, white patches in the mouth), Grasping-jaw (Cuo Jing, tight lips), and Lockjaw (Jin Feng, trismus) are caused by external Wind pathogens attacking the head and umbilicus at birth. These can be cured by moxibustion with small cones (three burns) and cauterization.

Newborn infants who cry incessantly at night do so due to abdominal pain caused by blood stasis; the pain intensifies at night when Yin energy is dominant.

Newborn infants whose stool resembles glue within the first month after birth have suffered stomach injury from maternal Cold.

Newborn infants whose stool contains blood within the first month are affected by stagnant Heat in the mother's chest transmitted to the infant.

Newborn infants with red eyes within the first month were exposed in utero to stagnating Qi from the mother consuming roasted, hot wheat noodles, which steamed and affected the infant's brain.

Pediatric febrile diseases result from the interaction of Heat Qi with Stomach Qi; recovery occurs when the Qi in the lower body calms down. If Qi is deficient, it leads to fright and transforms into Epilepsy (Xian).

Pediatric fright and epilepsy arise from the conflict between deficient pathogens and external guest pathogens. Recovery is achieved through tonification, nourishment, and harmonizing methods. However, if combined with a cold constitution or excessive treatment, it leads to death.

Infant hiccups and vomiting stem from Stomach Qi deficiency, where rebellious Qi invades the Zang organs. Treatment requires harmonizing the Stomach and nurturing Qi. If it progresses to extreme cold in the lower body, it becomes Infant Huoluan (cholera-like vomiting and diarrhea), caused by the struggle between Stomach Qi and Yin-Yang Qi. Anharmonizing and tonifying medicines should be used for recovery.

Infant Ke Wu (fright from external intrusion) and Wugu Gan (a chronic wasting disease) occur due to exposure to external pathogens and exposure to starlight/moonlight. Because infants are tender and weak, these conditions are often severe.

Symptoms of pediatric Gan (malnutrition/wasting syndrome): Greenish eyes with itching/rubbing indicate Liver Gan; scorched teeth indicate Bone Gan; abnormal muscle color with dry nose indicates Lung Gan; dry skin with cracked flesh indicates Sinew Gan; scorched yellow hair indicates Blood Gan; ulcers on the tongue indicate Heart Gan; craving dirt indicates Spleen Gan. If a child has solid muscles and bones, white skin, but suffers from unexplained irritability and thirst, it is due to lung damage from forceful breastfeeding in infancy. Treat with Gancao (Licorice) and Renshen (Ginseng) decoction. If there is severe shortness of breath, chest distension, blueness around the nose and lower eyelids, and groaning, it is a sign of inevitable death, and no medicine should be given.

Dysentery resembling indigo dye is difficult to treat. Dysentery resembling goose or duck blood indicates rotting of the Spleen, and medicine is contraindicated.

Any pediatric disease accompanied by drooping and pulling of the eyelids indicates certain death.

Malaria in children is difficult to cure. If attacks are irregular and accompanied by lockjaw, teeth grinding, and sounds, it is fatal. This is called Liji Gan Malaria or Suochang Gan.

Unexplained head shaking in children indicates Wind attacking the top of the brain.

Thirst, desire for milk/food, and nocturnal crying indicate abdominal pain.

Vomiting all milk indicates Cold Spleen.

Enlarged abdomen with a thin neck, emaciated limbs, and lax sinews/bones/joints indicate insufficient breastfeeding in early life and premature introduction of solid foods, leading to early onset of Bone Heat Gan Lao (consumption). Initially, give Baotong Wan, followed by Chaihu Biejia Yinzi. (See Baotong Wan formula in the General Gan section, and Chaihu Yinzi formula in the Delayed Walking section.)

Thick flesh on the head, face, chest, and back, with thin arms and legs and delayed walking indicates improper holding during infancy.

Clear nasal discharge or redness/itching below the nose indicates severe Gan in the brain and nasal cavity. Use Qingdai San (Indigo Powder) insufflated into the nose and applied to the red/ulcerated areas below. (See formula in the Gan Disease Nasal Insufflation section.)

The above describes diagnosing pediatric conditions. Children's Qi and pulses are unregulated, their Zang-Fu organs are fragile, and their Couli (pores) are open. Pulse diagnosis must consider seasonal timing, and treatment follows specific formulas.

During summer heat, if the lactating mother frequently bathes in cold water, her milk absorbs Cold Qi, causing blood vessels to contract. Feeding the infant before their Qi stabilizes poisons the Stomach, leading to dysentery (red and white types). This is the mother's fault. After bathing, allow the infant to rest until Qi stabilizes, then massage the breast before feeding to prevent harm.

When shamans burn money for rituals, the lactating mother must pray beforehand and ensure no water is sprayed on the infant, as this allows Fright-Heat to enter the Heart and cause harm. Caution is essential.

From birth, children undergo natural Yin-Yang transformations. Every sixty days, they experience "Bian Zheng" (growth spurts involving bone development and limb fever), during which they may refuse milk. At such times, pearl-like bumps appear on the upper lip, called Bian Zheng Zhu Zi. Treat with the subsequent Releasing Heat Decoction; do not use other medicines. *Youyou Xinshu* notes: *Luxin Jing* states 60 days per cycle, while Chao Yuanfang's *Zhubing Yuanhou Lun* states 32 days per cycle. Both views are preserved due to discrepancy.