典藏书目

6. When the Shao Yin pulse (pulse of the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney meridian) is vigorous, pregnancy can be known; this is determined by comparing the Yin and Yang positions at the Cun Kou pulse site. If the pulse is merely forceful but not slippery, it indicates a three-month pregnancy; if the pulse is both forceful and slippery, it indicates the morphological characteristics of a five-month pregnancy.
[Note] A vigorous pulse at the Shao Yin Kidney position is the pulse sign of pregnancy. One should rely on the fact that the Yin pulses at the two Chi positions (which monitor the Kidneys) are forceful against the fingers, while the Yang pulses at the two Cun positions (which monitor the Heart and Lungs) are not forceful and differ from the two Chi positions. This is undoubtedly the pulse sign of pregnancy. Cases where the pulse is merely forceful but not slippery indicate a three-month fetus; cases where the pulse is both forceful and slippery indicate a five-month fetus.

7. An abdomen that is small above and large below, resembling a winnowing basket, suggests a female fetus; an abdomen that is central, round, and high, resembling a cauldron, suggests a male fetus. A rapid pulse at the right hand indicates a female; a rapid pulse at the left hand indicates a male. Fetal Qi gathering in Yin results in a dominant right pulse indicating a girl; gathering in Yang results in a dominant left pulse indicating a boy.
[Note] An abdomen that is small above and large below, shaped like a winnowing basket, occurs because a female fetus faces the mother's abdomen, with its feet and knees pressing against the abdominal wall. An abdomen that is central, round, and high, shaped like a cauldron, occurs because a male fetus faces the mother's back, with its spine pressing against the abdominal wall. The right hand belongs to Yin; a rapid pulse indicates a female fetus. The left hand belongs to Yang; a rapid pulse indicates a male fetus. This signifies that when fetal Qi gathers in Yin, the right pulse becomes strong, indicating a girl; when it gathers in Yang, the left pulse becomes strong, indicating a boy.

8. When pregnancy and disease symptoms are indistinguishable, the breasts must be examined. After the fifth month of pregnancy, the breasts will elevate. How can one know that both mother and child are auspicious? Even if there is illness, as long as the pulse is harmonious, it is auspicious.
[Note] When a woman's menstruation ceases and it is unclear whether it is due to pregnancy or disease, after five months of gestation, one can distinguish by observing the pregnant woman's breasts. If the breasts are elevated, enlarged, and produce milk, it is pregnancy; if the breasts are not enlarged and do not produce milk, it is disease. Whenever a pregnant woman suffers from illness, the danger is evident. How then can one know that both mother and child are safe? Only by examining the pulse as harmonious can one conclude that even with illness, the outcome is auspicious and without worry.

9. The theory of nourishing the fetus according to specific meridians is unreliable; the claim that there is no dedicated nourishment is contrary to canonical principles. Although the fetal form has not yet differentiated, all physiological principles are present; the Way of Yin and Yang gradually differentiates to form the body.
[Note] Chao Yuanfang stated: In the first month of pregnancy, named Pei Tai (embryo), it is nourished by the Foot-Jueyin Liver meridian; in the second month, named Shi Gao (beginning of fat), it is nourished by the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder meridian; in the third month, named Shi Tai (beginning of fetus), it is nourished by the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium meridian. At this time, blood does not circulate freely, and the image begins to transform; in the fourth month, it begins to receive Water Essence to form blood vessels, nourished by the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao meridian; in the fifth month, it begins to receive Fire Essence to form Qi, nourished by the Foot-Taiyin Spleen meridian; in the sixth month, it begins to receive Metal Essence to form sinews, nourished by the Foot-Yangming Stomach meridian; in the seventh month, it begins to receive Wood Essence to form bones, nourished by the Hand-Taiyin Lung meridian; in the eighth month, it begins to receive Earth Essence to form skin and flesh, nourished by the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine meridian; in the ninth month, it begins to receive Stone Essence to form hair, nourished by the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney meridian; in the tenth month, the Five Zang organs, Six Fu organs, joints, and Shen (spirit) are all complete. Others who advocate Chao Yuanfang's theory of fetal nourishment argue that the seasons begin in Spring; thus, in the first and second months, it is the Foot-Jueyin and Foot-Shaoyang Wood meridians; in the third and fourth months, it is the Hand-Jueyin and Hand-Shaoyang Fire meridians; in the fifth and sixth months, it is the Foot-Taiyin and Foot-Yangming Earth meridians; in the seventh and eighth months, it is the Hand-Taiyin and Hand-Yangming Metal meridians; in the ninth and tenth months, it is the Foot-Shaoyin and Foot-Taiyang Water meridians. Only the Hand-Shaoyin Heart meridian and Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine meridian have no specific nourishing function, because the Ruler organ (Heart) acts through non-action. This view is even more uncanonical. Sexual intercourse causes Jing and Xue (essence and blood) to gather and form the embryo, which is the beginning of the pregnant form. Although the body and Zang-Fu organs have not yet differentiated, the principles are fully present. It is like Taiji being whole and encompassing all phenomena, with the single Qi of Yin and Yang mingling, gradually transforming into existence. The separation of mother and child forms happens naturally, just as plants mature, the shell falls off, and the stem detaches.