典藏书目

Modern practitioners of pediatrics invariably take the moment of birth as the starting point. Therefore, discussions on pathology and treatment always begin from infancy through childhood, and methods of care and nurturing follow the same pattern. It seems to imply that if attention is paid to the infant after birth, there will be no child who does not grow robust, and none who does not become strong upon reaching adulthood. Nevertheless, the starting point of an infant's life does not begin after birth, but rather at the time of conception. When the embryo first begins to sprout, spiritual potential is already implanted. As it grows day by day, it is constantly receiving influences from the mother's Qi (vital energy). If these influences are favorable, the fetus will be excellent; if unfavorable, the fetus will be inferior. At the time of conception, whether the parents' bodily Qi is suitable, and whether the parents have physical defects, are all transmitted to the fetus. Even subtle aspects such as voice and facial expressions are entrusted to the offspring. All these influences, whether deeply felt or lightly perceived, can either become permanent traits or subtly transform the individual. From this perspective, postnatal temperament, health, and physical model almost all originate from the prenatal period. Robust growth and strength cannot be achieved solely through efforts made after birth. Thus, to seek methods for protecting infants, one must trace back to the source and start with the embryonic period. Practitioners of pediatrics should indeed advance their starting point further. The prenatal education and nurturing methods described in this book are based entirely on experiments and truth. Using this as a starting point is also using it as the foundation for creating good infants. Aspects such as cultivating physical strength,弥补ing defects, conserving essence and accumulating vitality, and seeking good genetic stock belong to the realm of eugenics and will not be elaborated here.

1. Abstain from Sexual Indulgence
The great virtue of Heaven and Earth is life. Life continues endlessly, thereby creating this world. Thus, the stirring of spring emotions and the union of men and women are rooted in natural endowment and the instinct of life. This is called reproductive nature, which also belongs to sexual desire. Although this sexual desire is indispensable for procreation, it must not be unregulated. Unregulated desire not only harms one's own life but also endangers the lives of children. Since Heaven endowed humans with sexual desire without setting pre-defined limits, sages, embodying the heart of Heaven, established rituals and ethics. They earnestly taught the distinction between husband and wife and the precautions between men and women. This was not merely for the sake of social customs but also for the sake of reproduction. It is noted that after a woman conceives, it is best for her to sleep separately from her husband, maintaining solitude and abstinence. In this way, the children born will surely be intelligent and easy to raise. Regarding the harms of not abstaining from sexual indulgence, the major points include: First, susceptibility to miscarriage. Pregnant women vary in physical strength, and fetal roots vary in stability. If desires are indulged freely, newly formed fetuses may miscarry due to stimulation, or even strong fetuses may suffer from spotting during pregnancy. Once the fetal root is injured, even if the child is born, it will not be perfect. Second, susceptibility to illness. Excessive desire in pregnant women harms not only themselves but also causes children to develop fetal toxins, boils, and sores, making diseases like smallpox more severe than usual. Third, damage to temperament. If a pregnant woman maintains abstinence, the fetus receives good endowments, and its future temperament will likely be gentle. Otherwise, the temperament may tend toward irritability, and desires may burn more fiercely than in ordinary people. Regarding the abstention from sexual indulgence, superficially it seems to refer only to factual acts of lust. However, the harm of mental lust, though lacking factual behavior, is exactly the same. This is because the power of resonance between mother and child is greatest; if the mother has delusional thoughts, the child senses them. Therefore, during pregnancy, women must emphasize prenatal education. The method of restraining desire begins with correcting one's mindset, ensuring the mind does not wander into delusion, which is the best approach.

2. Nurture Temperament
Yang is firm, Yin is soft. A woman's temperament should value gentleness and flexibility. Especially at the time of conception, the influence of her temperament on the fetus is particularly significant; how can one not be cautious? Upon investigation, after conception, women often become more prone to anger due to the influence of fetal Qi compared to normal times. Those accustomed to acting on impulse may believe that being pregnant is a major event for women, deserving special treatment from parents-in-law and husbands, leading some to frequently fly into rages. One must know that anger easily damages the Liver, directly harming oneself and indirectly harming the fetus. Therefore, those prone to anger due to pregnancy should strive to suppress it, even if they lack self-cultivation, and should consult a doctor for medication when necessary. Throwing tantrums is absolutely unacceptable. Childbirth is a woman's duty and a common occurrence in the world. Women naturally hope their children are excellent. Nurturing one's temperament ensures success; otherwise, inheriting bad temperaments makes future correction difficult. Thus, during pregnancy, women must emphasize prenatal education. Not only anger should be avoided, but also excessive expressions of sorrow or joy. In short, although the Seven Emotions cannot be completely eliminated, they must be kept within moderation. Then, the children will likely have gentle and kind temperaments, be intelligent, and be easy to raise.

3. Be Cautious in Daily Life
Daily routine and diet require caution for everyone, especially for pregnant women. These two factors have a significant relationship with the health of both the mother and the fetus. If the mother is ill, the child is ill; if the mother is healthy, the child is healthy. If a pregnant woman suffers from high fever syndromes, the heat may damage the fetal root, leading to miscarriage. If she suffers from deficiency-cold syndromes, the cold may destabilize the fetal root, also leading to miscarriage. Furthermore, food should be mild and nutritious. Otherwise, frequent consumption of roasted, fried, greasy, or strongly flavored foods can make the fetal blood impure, causing heat and toxins to accumulate, resulting in frequent illnesses after birth. Ancient sages advised pregnant women to avoid living on upper floors in summer to better connect with earth Qi, avoid sitting outdoors at night to keep the back and abdomen warm, avoid climbing heights for fear of falling, avoid lifting heavy objects for fear of injuring the fetus, avoid raw and cold foods for fear of damaging the Spleen, avoid fried foods for fear of damaging the Stomach, and limit the intake of tea and alcohol. Eating according to proper timing and balancing work and rest sufficiently cultivate good habits in the fetus. Therefore, emphasizing prenatal education, cautious daily living is a key matter. *Da Sheng Yao Zhi* states that pregnant women should not wash their hair or bathe, should not watch scenes of slaughter or violence, and should not see strange creatures like turtles or snakes. Ultimately, one must strictly observe the *Book of Rites*: do not look at what is contrary to propriety, do not listen to what is contrary to propriety, do not speak what is contrary to propriety, and do not act contrary to propriety. This is the highest level of prenatal education. Foods suitable for pregnant women include fresh vegetables and fruits. Others include lotus seeds, pine nuts, cooked lotus root, Chinese yam, Euryale seed, crucian carp, young chicken, young duck, perch, sea cucumber, pork lard, pork kidney, pig lung, sesame oil, dried mussels, and bamboo shoots, which ancient people also considered suitable. While claims such as "eating frog makes the child mute," "eating crab causes breech presentation," and "eating sparrow leads to promiscuity" may not be entirely credible, they should not be dismissed outright, as these foods do have unsuitable aspects.

4. Modern Prenatal Education
After pregnancy, women should not be too idle. Light labor, such as regular walking and handling light tasks, can cultivate the child's innate ability to endure hardship later in life. On beautiful days in spring and autumn, traveling to scenic areas can broaden the mind and cleanse worldly thoughts, leading to children who are elegant outside and wise inside. Additionally, associating with beneficial friends, reading useful books, discussing proper careers, and fostering lofty thoughts will cause children to naturally reject lowliness and aspire to excellence. The home should ideally be decorated artistically, with portraits of historical heroes or beautiful women hanging in the room. If the pregnant woman sees nothing but heroes and beauties, and thinks nothing but heroes and beauties, her children will naturally stand out with distinctive heroic spirits. During this period, the couple should live in harmony without falling into licentiousness. Those who can achieve this can expect their children to have pure natures and exquisite appearances, surpassing others.