典藏书目

Postpartum mania, along with delirious speech and hallucinations of seeing ghosts or spirits, may be caused by either the upward rushing of retained blood (stasis) or by blood deficiency leading to the spirit failing to reside in its proper place. Generally, if retained blood rushes upward, there will be distension and pain in the chest and abdomen, and lochia will not discharge; Ze Lan Tang (Dillettant Decoction) combined with Shi Xiao Wan (Pain-Relieving Pill) should be used. If it is blood deficiency causing the spirit to fail to reside, there will be palpitations and spontaneous sweating, but no distress in the chest and abdomen; An Shen Ding Zhi Wan (Calming the Spirit and Stabilizing Will Pill) should be used, with the dosage of Ren Shen (Ginseng Root) doubled, plus Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis Root) and Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum Wallichii Rhizome). Gui Pi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction) is also acceptable. This condition is mostly caused by insufficiency of Qi and Blood in the Heart and Spleen, resulting in a restless mind. It must be treated by tonifying Yuan Qi (Original Qi); if mistaken for an Excess pattern and treated with purgatives, disaster will follow immediately.

Ze Lan (Lycopus Lucidus Herb), Sheng Di (Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Prepared with Wine), Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis Root), Chi Shao (Red Peony Root) [each 1.5 qian], Gan Cao (Licorice Root, honey-fried) [0.5 qian], Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger Rhizome) [1 qian], Da Zao (Jujube Fruit) [4 pieces], Gui Xin (Cinnamon Twig Center) [0.3 qian].
Decoct in water and take orally.
Shi Xiao Wan (See "Retained Placenta").
An Shen Ding Zhi Wan (See "Insomnia").
Gui Pi Tang (See "Deficiency Patterns").

Postpartum palpitations and fright, or immobility of the eyeballs and forgetfulness in speech, are all caused by emptiness of Heart Blood. The human body is governed by the Heart, and the Heart governs Blood; once Heart Blood is deficient, the Spirit fails to abide, giving rise to palpitations and fright. The treatment method should primarily focus on tonifying Qi and Blood.

Unceasing sweating after childbirth is due to a sudden deficiency of Yang Qi, loose pores (Cou Li), and the reckless leakage of Body Fluids. Ji Yong Shi Quan Da Bu Tang (Complete Great Tonifying Decoction) should be used urgently to stop the sweating. If ineffective, use Shen Fu Tang (Ginseng and Aconite Decoction) or Zhu Fu Tang (Atractylodes and Aconite Decoction). If the condition is critical, combine these three decoctions (Shen, Fu, Zhu) and administer them together. If excessive sweating leads to collapse of Yang, transforming into Jing Bing (Spasm Disorder), characterized by locked jaw, grinding teeth, and opisthotonos, this is a particularly ominous sign of extreme Qi and Blood deficiency. One must quickly administer the aforementioned medicines to have a chance of rescue. Someone asked: "No sweat indicates Gang Jing (Rigid Spasm), while sweat indicates Rou Jing (Flaccid Spasm); why did ancients treat this with Xiao Xu Ming Tang (Minor Continuation of Life Decoction)?" The answer is: "This refers to spasm caused by external pathogens. When the disease belongs to external contraction, dispelling the pathogen is urgent. However, postpartum spasm caused by excessive sweating stems from internal injury to Yuan Qi, severe depletion of Qi and Blood, and malnourishment of sinews, generating wind from extreme deficiency. Without using Shi Quan Da Bu Tang added with Fu Zi (Aconite Lateral Root Prepared), how can one consolidate fluids and save this critical condition? Moreover, Tai Yang disease caused by excessive sweating and purging, or large loss of pus and blood from ulcers, also frequently leads to spasm; all should be treated primarily by tonifying Qi and Blood. Thus, the treatment principle for postpartum spasm leaves no doubt. Indeed, observing patterns must be clear, and prescribing medications must be prudent!"