Bianzheng (Periodic Growth and Development in Infants) refers to the steaming process of Yin and Yang, Water and Fire within the Blood and Qi, which promotes the maturation of the physical form. It is the Qi of transformation of the Five Zang Organs and the origin of the Seven Emotions. Generally, from the day of birth, a "Bian" (Transformation) occurs every thirty-two days. After each Bianzheng cycle concludes, the infant's temperament shows differences from before. Why? Because the intent and wisdom of the internal organs are growing. What is meant by "growing bones and adding spirit every thirty-two days"? The human body has three hundred and sixty-five bones to symbolize the heavenly days, corresponding to the annual cycle, and dividing into the Twelve Meridians. Thus, from birth to thirty-two days, the first Bian generates Gui Water, belonging to the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian; the Kidney stores Essence and Will. At sixty-four days, the second Bian and first Zheng (Steaming) generate Ren Water, belonging to the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian; its manifestation is cold ears and buttocks. At ninety-six days, the third Bian generates Ding Fire, belonging to the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian; the Heart stores Spirit, and its emotion is Joy. At one hundred and twenty-eight days, the fourth Bian and second Zheng generate Bing Fire, belonging to the Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian; its manifestation is sweating and slight palpitations. At one hundred and sixty days, the fifth Bian generates Yi Wood, belonging to the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian; the Liver stores Hun (Ethereal Soul), manifesting as crying. At one hundred and ninety-two days, the sixth Bian and third Zheng generate Jia Wood, belonging to the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian; its manifestation is eyes not closing and redness. At two hundred and twenty-four days, the seventh Bian generates Xin Metal, belonging to the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian; the Lung stores Po (Corporeal Soul), manifesting as vocalization. At two hundred and fifty-six days, the eighth Bian and fourth Zheng generate Geng Metal, belonging to the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian; its manifestation is skin fever and sweating, or no sweating. At two hundred and eighty-eight days, the ninth Bian generates Ji Earth, belonging to the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian; the Spleen stores Intent and Wisdom. By three hundred and twenty days, the tenth Bian and fifth Zheng generate Wu Earth, belonging to the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian; its manifestation is anorexia, abdominal pain, and vomiting milk. Furthermore, the Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian and Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao (Triple Burner) Meridian have no specific shape, so they do not undergo Bianzheng. The first ten Bians and five minor Zhengs follow the numbers of Heaven and Earth for generation and formation. Only then do teeth grow, speech begins, and emotions like joy and anger are known, thus it is said that the body becomes complete. Taicanggong stated: Qi enters the four limbs, growing fragmented bones. Sixty-four days after the ten Bians, a major Zheng occurs, totaling three hundred and eighty-four days, nourishing the meridians of the hands and feet. When the hands receive blood, they can grasp; when the feet receive blood, they can walk and stand. The Classics state: "Bian and Zheng" implies that completing the steaming is equivalent to having lived more than a year. The Master said: For fever without sweating, induce sweating. For severe vomiting, stop it slightly; do not treat separately. Another sixty-four days later, the second major Zheng occurs, totaling four hundred and forty-eight days. Another sixty-four days later, the third major Zheng occurs, totaling five hundred and twelve days. In total, five hundred and seventy-six days. Once Bianzheng is complete, the child becomes an adult. "Bian" means transforming and generating the Five Zang Organs; "Zheng" means steaming and nourishing the Six Fu Organs, thereby achieving adulthood. "Bian" manifests as upper Jiao Qi excess; "Zheng" manifests as body heat. With each meridian undergoing one Bian and one Zheng, the temperament changes. Mild cases present with low-grade fever and slight sweating, resembling fright; severe cases present with high fever, chaotic and rapid pulse, vomiting, sweating, irritability, crying, and thirst. Mild cases resolve in five days; severe cases in seven to eight days. The signs resemble Cold Damage (Shanghan). Some infants may contract cold pathogens during the residual phase of Bianzheng. However, during Bianzheng, the ears and buttocks are cold, and blisters appear on the upper lip, resembling pearl bubbles. If cold pathogens contend with this, cold and heat struggle, causing abdominal pain and ceaseless crying day and night. "Bian" means change; steaming the Liver causes dizziness and slight redness of the eyes; steaming the Lungs causes sneezing, coughing, and erecting of hair. All Five Zang and Six Fu Organs, tendons, vessels, bones, and joints have cyclical manifestations. Treatment involves mild exterior-releasing agents for peace, mild purgatives for heat-excess, or sometimes self-resolution.

[Formula] The *Treatise on Bianzheng* in *Qianjin Fang* states: An infant undergoes one Bian at thirty-two days, two Bians at sixty-four days, Bian and Zheng. Three Bians at ninety-six days, four Bians at one hundred and twenty-eight days, Bian and Zheng. Five Bians at one hundred and sixty days, six Bians at one hundred and ninety-two days, Bian and Zheng. Seven Bians at two hundred and twenty-four days, eight Bians at two hundred and fifty-six days, Bian and Zheng. Nine Bians at two hundred and eighty-eight days, ten Bians at three hundred and twenty days, Bian and Zheng. Accumulating three hundred and twenty days completes the minor Zhengs. Then, sixty-four days later, a major Zheng occurs. Sixty-four days after that, another major Zheng. One hundred and twenty-eight days after that, yet another major Zheng. From birth, an infant has one Bian every thirty-two days; two Bians constitute one Zheng. Ten Bians and five minor Zhengs, plus three major Zhengs, accumulate to five hundred and seventy-six days, completing all minor and major Zhengs, marking adulthood. The reason for Bianzheng in infants is to nourish the Blood and Vessels and transform the Five Zang Organs. Hence, after each Bianzheng, the temperament appears different. Signs of Bianzheng: Bian manifests as upper Jiao Qi excess; Zheng manifests as body heat. Bianzheng has mild and severe forms. Mild: body heat, slight fright, cold ears and buttocks, white blisters on the upper lip like fish-eye pearls, slight sweating. Severe: high fever, chaotic pulse, sweating or no sweating, anorexia, vomiting upon eating, slightly red whites of the eyes, slightly white pupils. Also stated: White whites of the eyes indicate severity; red/black indicates mildness. After Bianzheng ends, vision naturally becomes clear. These are the signs. Single Bian is mild; combined Zheng is more intense. Generally, for Zheng, mild heat subsides in five days, distant in ten days. Within ten days (five days early or late), the heat should subside. If heat persists beyond the days, absolutely do not treat recklessly or use moxibustion/acupuncture. (Haizang said: Bianzheng totals eighteen times; the first three hundred and twenty days are ten minor Zhengs, the next two hundred and fifty-six days are ten major Zhengs. , pronounced 'hu dian', meaning vomiting without retching.)

[Zhu Danxi stated]: If the body, ears, and buttocks are all hot, this is another disease and should be treated differently.

Zishuang Wan (Purple Frost Pill) treats infantile Bianzheng fever that does not resolve, combined with Cold Damage or warm-febrile diseases where fever persists after sweating without thirst, phlegm-stagnation in the abdomen, refusal to nurse, vomiting upon nursing, food-induced epilepsy, and alternating chills and fever.

Dai Zhe Shi (Hematitum, prepared with vinegar, 1 liang) Chishi Zhi (Halloysitum Rubrum, 1 liang) Badou (Crotonis Fructus, 30 grains, oil removed) Xingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum, 50 grains, peel and tip removed)

First, grind Xingren and Badou paste finely into a paste. Then mix in the two mineral powders and pound for one to two thousand strokes until they blend naturally. If too hard, add a little honey and pound together. Store in a sealed container. For a thirty-day-old infant, administer one pill the size of a hemp seed, given with a small amount of breast milk. After a short while, give a little more milk, but not too much. By noon, there should be mild diarrhea to remove the heat. If not fully resolved, give one more pill the next day. For a hundred-day-old infant, administer one pill the size of a mung bean, adjusting dosage accordingly. Zishuang Wan treats all conditions; even if it induces purgation, it does not weaken the patient.