发不生者，因禀受血气不足，不能荣于发也。古法用苁蓉丸（如苁蓉、生姜、地黄、当归、山药、白芍、胡
粉，炼蜜为丸），黑豆汤吞下。另用矾化二三十丸，涂擦头上。
〔真按〕发为血之余，血足自能自发。小儿以乳为粮，只要良好乳汁，培养后天，外擦生发油以助其发源，
不必服药。
齿不生由禀气不足。则髓不能充于骨，故齿久不生。古法用芎黄散（如川芎、生干地黄、当归、山药、白芍、
沉香、甘草，为末），白汤调服。再将干药末擦齿龈上，日二次，或用雄鼠脊骨为末，擦齿龈。
〔真按〕生齿较迟，儿之气力薄弱，已可想见。惟揠苗助长，恐无益而反有害。只用真燕窝粉平淡之味补之，
不用外擦之药。
五软，谓头项软、手软、脚软、身软、口软是也。
头项软者，天柱骨倒也。古法主健骨散（如白僵蚕炒为末，每服五分或一钱，薄荷泡酒调下）。外贴生筋散
（如木鳖子三个，蓖麻子三十粒，俱去壳，研匀，先抱儿头仰起，摩顶上令热，作饼贴之）。
手软者，无力以动也。古法主薏苡丸（如薏苡仁、当归、秦艽、酸枣仁、防风、羌活各等分，为末蜜丸），
荆芥汤化下。
脚软者，行迟也。古法主六味地黄丸，加五味子、鹿茸、牛膝、五加皮，久服有效。
身软者，肉少皮肤自离，或遍身筋软者。古法主鹿茸四斤丸〔如肉苁蓉、牛膝、木瓜、菟丝子、熟地、鹿茸、
天麻、杜仲、五味子（各等分），为末蜜丸〕，温酒或米饮下。
口软者，语迟也。古法主六味地黄丸，如鹿茸、五味子，久服有效。
〔真按〕头项软为肝肾病。手足软为脾胃病。身软为阳衰髓怯。口软为虚。五软之症，厥有二因∶（甲）因
禀受胎气不足。亏于先天者，补于后天。此语诚然。独不思儿体娇嫩。药性刚悍。方名健骨生筋，匪特骨不能健，
筋不易生，而反累及阴阳不协，水火不调。儿之体既涉于偏。儿之病安期其复。惟藉天然培养，寒热适宜，乳食
合度，自有不期然而然者，其效较着。（乙）因大病或久病之后。忽见头项软者。亦当察其何病之根源。不但强筋
骨之首乌、木瓜、五味子、五加皮诸味宜慎用，即补气血之人参、熟地等味亦宜慎用。盖此证重脾肾尤重在胃，
因胃为五脏六腑之化源，若能升举其脾气，则脏气有所禀，而诸软之症悉除矣。
头发不生长，是因为先天禀受的血气不足，无法滋养头发。古代方法使用苁蓉丸（包含肉苁蓉、生姜、地黄、当归、山药、白芍、胡粉，用炼蜜制成丸剂），用黑豆汤送服。另外将二三十丸矾化后，涂抹擦在头上。
〔陈守真按语〕头发是血液的余绪，血液充足自然能生出头发。小儿以乳汁为食物，只要保证良好的乳汁，培养后天脾胃之气，外用生发油帮助其发源，不必服用药物。
牙齿不生长是由于禀受的气不足。那么骨髓就不能充盈骨骼，所以牙齿长久不生。古代方法使用芎黄散（包含川芎、生干地黄、当归、山药、白芍、沉香、甘草，研为粉末），用白开水调服。再将干药末擦拭在齿龈上，每天两次，或者用雄鼠脊骨研为粉末，擦拭齿龈。
〔陈守真按语〕长牙较迟，小儿的气力薄弱，已经可以想见。只是拔苗助长，恐怕无益反而有害。只用真燕窝粉这种平淡的味道来补益，不使用外擦的药物。
头项软，是指天柱骨倒伏。古代方法主要使用健骨散（如白僵蚕炒后研为粉末，每次服用五分或一钱，用薄荷泡酒调下）。外用贴敷生筋散（如木鳖子三个，蓖麻子三十粒，都去掉外壳，研磨均匀，先让婴儿头部仰起，按摩头顶使其发热，做成饼状贴敷）。
手软，是指无力活动。古代方法主要使用薏苡丸（如薏苡仁、当归、秦艽、酸枣仁、防风、羌活各等分，研为粉末制成蜜丸），用荆芥汤化开送服。
脚软，是指行走迟缓。古代方法主要使用六味地黄丸，加入五味子、鹿茸、牛膝、五加皮，长期服用有效。
身软，是指肌肉少皮肤松弛，或者全身筋脉软弱。古代方法主要使用鹿茸四斤丸〔如肉苁蓉、牛膝、木瓜、菟丝子、熟地、鹿茸、天麻、杜仲、五味子（各等分），研为粉末制成蜜丸〕，用温酒或米饮送服。
口软，是指说话迟缓。古代方法主要使用六味地黄丸，加入鹿茸、五味子，长期服用有效。
〔陈守真按语〕头项软属于肝肾病。手足软属于脾胃病。身软属于阳气衰弱、髓海怯弱。口软属于虚证。五软的病症，主要有两个原因：（甲）因为禀受胎气不足。亏缺于先天者，通过补益后天来治疗。这句话确实正确。只是没考虑到婴儿身体娇嫩，而药性刚烈猛烈。方名虽然叫健骨生筋，不仅骨头不能强健，筋脉也不易生长，反而导致阴阳不协调，水火不调和。婴儿的身体既然偏向偏颇，婴儿的疾病又怎么能痊愈呢？只有依靠天然培养，寒热适宜，乳食适度，自然会有意想不到的效果，疗效更为显著。（乙）因为大病或久病之后。忽然出现头项软的症状。也应当考察是何种疾病的根源。不但强筋骨的首乌、木瓜、五味子、五加皮等药物宜慎用，就连补气血的人参、熟地等药物也宜慎用。因为这个证候重在脾肾，尤其重在胃，因为胃是五脏六腑化生的源头，如果能升举脾气，那么脏气有所禀受，各种软的症状就能全部消除。
Hair failure to grow is due to insufficient congenital Qi and Blood, which cannot nourish the hair. Ancient methods utilized Congrong Wan (Cistanche Pill) [containing Cistanches Herba (Roucongrou), Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (Shengjiang), Rehmanniae Radix (Dihuang), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), Dioscoreae Rhizoma (Shanyao), Paeoniae Radix Alba (Baishao), and Minium (Hufen), prepared as honey pills], taken with Black Soybean Decoction. Additionally, 20-30 pills dissolved in Alum were applied topically to the scalp.
[Chen Shouzhen’s Note] Hair is considered the surplus of Blood; when Blood is sufficient, hair grows naturally. Infants rely on milk for nourishment; provided there is high-quality breast milk to cultivate the Postnatal Qi (Spleen and Stomach function), topical application of hair-growth oil to aid hair origin is sufficient. Medication is unnecessary.
Teeth failure to erupt is caused by insufficient congenital Qi. Consequently, Marrow fails to fill the bones, resulting in delayed tooth eruption. Ancient methods employed Xionghuang San (Xiong Huang Powder) [containing Chuanxiong Rhizome (Chuanxiong), Dried Rehmanniae Radix (Sheng Dihuang), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), Dioscoreae Rhizoma (Shanyao), Paeoniae Radix Alba (Baishao), Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum (Chenxiang), and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao), ground into powder], taken with warm water. The dry powder was also applied to the gums twice daily, or powdered spine of a male rat was used for topical application on the gums.
[Chen Shouzhen’s Note] Delayed tooth eruption indicates weak Qi and strength in the infant. However, forcing growth (pulling shoots to help them grow) is likely futile and potentially harmful. Only plain-tonifying substances like real Bird's Nest Powder should be used; topical medications should be avoided.
"Wu Ruan" (Five Flaccidities) refers to five conditions: flaccidity of the head and neck, hands, feet, body, and mouth.
Flaccidity of the head and neck refers to the collapse of the Tianzhu Bone (the cervical spine supporting the head). Ancient methods primarily prescribed Jianggu San (Bone-Strengthening Powder) [such as Bombyx Batryticatus (Bai Jiangcan), stir-fried and powdered, 1.5g or 3g per dose, taken with Mint-infused wine]. Externally, Shengjin San (Sinew-Generating Paste) [containing three Strychni Semen (Mubiezi) and thirty Ricini Semen (Bimazi), shells removed, ground uniformly] was applied as a cake after warming the crown of the infant's head by massage.
Flaccidity of the hands refers to weakness preventing movement. Ancient methods primarily prescribed Yiyi Wan (Coix Seed Pill) [containing Coicis Semen (Yiyiren), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix (Qinjiao), Ziziphi Spinosae Semen (Suanzaoren), Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fangfeng), and Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix (Qianghuo) in equal parts, made into honey pills], taken with Schizonepeta Decoction.
Flaccidity of the feet refers to delayed walking. Ancient methods primarily prescribed Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill), supplemented with Schisandrae Fructus (Wuweizi), Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum (Lurong), Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix (Niuxi), and Acanthopanacis Cortex (Wujiapi), effective with long-term use.
Flaccidity of the body refers to scant muscle mass with loose skin, or generalized sinew flaccidity. Ancient methods primarily prescribed Lurong Sijin Wan (Deer Antler Four-Jin Pill) [containing Cistanches Herba (Roucongrou), Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix (Niuxi), Chaenomelis Fructus (Mugua), Cuscutae Semen (Tusizi), Prepared Rehmanniae Radix (Shudi), Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum (Lurong), Gastrodiae Rhizoma (Tianma), Eucommiae Cortex (Duzhong), and Schisandrae Fructus (Wuweizi) in equal parts, made into honey pills], taken with warm wine or rice drink.
Flaccidity of the mouth refers to delayed speech. Ancient methods primarily prescribed Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill), supplemented with Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum (Lurong) and Schisandrae Fructus (Wuweizi), effective with long-term use.
[Chen Shouzhen’s Note] Head and neck flaccidity relates to Liver and Kidney disorders. Hand and foot flaccidity relates to Spleen and Stomach disorders. Body flaccidity relates to Yang deficiency and Marrow insufficiency. Mouth flaccidity relates to Deficiency patterns. There are two main causes for Wu Ruan: (A) Insufficient prenatal Qi inherited from conception. "Deficiencies in the Pre-heaven (Congenital) are compensated by tonifying the Post-heaven (Acquired)." While this statement is true, one must not overlook that infants have delicate bodies while medicinal properties can be harsh and potent. Formulas named "Strengthen Bones and Generate Sinews" may fail to strengthen bones or generate sinews, instead disrupting Yin-Yang harmony and Water-Fire balance. If the infant's constitution becomes biased, recovery is unlikely. Natural nurturing, appropriate temperature regulation, and proper diet/breastfeeding will yield spontaneous and significant results. (B) Following severe or chronic illness. If head/neck flaccidity suddenly appears, one must investigate the root cause of the prior disease. Caution is advised even with herbs known to strengthen bones and sinews such as Polygoni Multiflori Preparata (Shouwu), Chaenomelis Fructus (Mugua), Schisandrae Fructus (Wuweizi), and Acanthopanacis Cortex (Wujiapi). Tonics for Qi and Blood like Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen) and Prepared Rehmanniae Radix (Shudi) should also be used cautiously. This condition emphasizes the Spleen and Kidney, but particularly the Stomach, as the Stomach is the source of transformation for the Five Zang and Six Fu organs. By raising Spleen Qi, the Zang organs receive adequate Qi, and all flaccidity symptoms will resolve.