夫小儿者，幼科也。初生者曰婴儿，三岁者曰小儿，十岁者曰童子，儿有大小之不同，病有浅深之各异，
形声色脉之殊。望闻问切之间，若能详究于斯，可谓神圣工巧者矣。盖望者，鉴貌辨其色也。假如面部左腮
属肝，右腮属肺，额属心，鼻属脾，颏属肾。肝病则面青，肺病则面白，心病则面赤，脾病则面黄，肾
病则面黑，是乃望而知之也。闻者，听声知其症也。假如肝病则声悲，肺病则声促，心病则声雄，脾病则
声慢，肾病则声沉，此属于脏。又大肠病则声长，小肠病则声短，胃病则声速，胆病则声清，膀胱病则声
微，此属于腑，是乃闻而知之也。问者，问病究其原也。假如好食酸，则肝病；好食辛，则肺病；好食苦，则
心病；好食甘，则脾病；好食咸，则肾病；好食热，则内寒∶好食冷，则内热，是乃问而知之也。切者，切脉
察其病也。假如小儿三岁以下，有病须看男左女右手，虎口三关，从第二指侧看，第一节名风关，第二节名气
关，第三节名命关。辨其纹色，紫者属热，红者伤寒，青者惊风，白者疳病，黑者中恶，黄者脾之困也。
若见于风关为轻，气关为重，过于命关则难治矣 至三岁以上，乃以一指按寸、关、尺三部，常以六七至为
率，添则为热，减则为寒。浮洪风盛，数则多惊，沉迟为虚，沉实为积，是乃切脉而知之也。大抵小儿之疾，
大半胎毒，而少半伤于食也，其外感风寒之症，十一而已。盖小儿之在胎也，母饥亦饥，母饱亦饱；辛辣适
口，胎气随热；情欲动中，胎息辄躁；或多食煎爆，或恣味辛酸，或嗜欲无节，或喜怒不常，
皆能令子受患。其为母者，胎前既不能谨节，产后又不能调护，是
以惟务故息，不能防微杜渐。或未满百 ，而遂与咸酸之味，或未及周岁，而辄与甘肥之物，百病由是而生
焉。小儿脾胃，本自娇嫩，易于伤积，且如乳食伤胃，则为呕吐；乳食伤脾，则为泄泻。吐泻既久，则
成慢惊，或为疳病。乳食停积，则生湿痰，痰则生火，痰火交作，则为急惊，或成喉痹，痰火结滞，则成
痫吊，或为喘嗽。胎热胎寒者，禀受有病也；脐风撮口者，胎元有毒也；鹅口口疮者，胃中有湿热也；重
舌木舌者，脾经有实火也；走马牙疳者，气虚湿热也；爱吃泥土者，脾脏生疳也；胎惊夜啼者，邪热乘
心也；变蒸发热者，胎毒将散也；丹毒者，火行于外也；蕴热者，火积于中也；中恶者，外邪乘也；睡惊者，
内火动也；喉痹者，热毒也；眼痛者，火盛也；脓耳者，肾气上冲也；鼻塞者，因感风邪也；头疮者，热毒
攻也；脐疮者，风湿中也；尾骨痛者，阴虚痰也；诸虫痛者，胃气伤也；阴肿疝气者，寒所郁也；盘肠气痛
者，冷所搏也；脱肛者，大肠虚滑也；遗尿者，膀胱冷弱也；尿浊者，湿滞脾胃也；便血者，热传心肺也；下
淋者，膀胱郁热也；吐血者，荣卫气逆也。小便不通者，有阴有阳也；大便闭结者，有虚有实也。解颅鹤
节者，胎元不全也；行迟发迟者，气血不充也；龟胸者，肺热胀满也；龟背者，风邪入脊也；语迟者，邪乘心
也；齿迟者，肾不足也。疟者，膈上痰结也；痢者，腹中食积也；咳嗽者，肺伤风也；喘急者，痰气盛也；
心痛者，虫所啮也；腹痛者，食所伤也。内伤发热，则口苦舌干也；外感发热，则鼻塞声重也。腹胀
者，脾胃虚弱也；水肿者，土亏水旺也；黄胆者，脾胃湿热也； 疹者，阴阳毒瓦斯也；自汗者，气虚也。积
者，有常所有形之血也；聚者，无定位无形之气也。胃主纳受也，脾主运化也，调理脾胃者，医中之王道也；
节戒饮食者，却病之良方也。惊疳积热者，小儿之常病也望闻问切者，医家之大法也。若夫疗疾用药
如箭，箭中鸿心者，则又可以心悟，而不可以言传也。孟子所谓梓匠轮舆，能与人规矩，不能使人巧，斯言得之矣。
儿科，即专门诊治小儿疾病的学科。刚出生的称为婴儿，三岁的称为小儿，十岁的称为童子。儿童有年龄大小的不同，疾病也有病情浅深的差异，以及形体、神色、声音、脉象的差别。在望、闻、问、切四种诊法中，如果能详细探究这些规律，就可以被称为医术高明、技艺精巧的神圣工巧之医了。
所谓“望”，是通过观察面貌来辨别气色。例如，面部左腮属肝，右腮属肺，额头属心，鼻子属脾，下巴属肾。肝病则面色发青，肺病则面色发白，心病则面色发红，脾病则面色发黄，肾病则面色发黑，这就是通过望诊而知晓病情。
所谓“闻”，是通过听声音来知晓病症。例如，肝病则声音悲凉，肺病则气息急促，心病则声音洪亮雄壮，脾病则声音缓慢，肾病则声音低沉，这属于五脏的病变。又比如大肠病则声音悠长，小肠病则声音短促，胃病则语速快，胆病则声音清脆，膀胱病则声音微弱，这属于六腑的病变，这就是通过闻诊而知晓病情。
所谓“问”，是询问病情以探究病因。例如，喜好食用酸味食物，则是肝病；喜好食用辛辣味食物，则是肺病；喜好食用苦味食物，则是心病；喜好食用甘甜味食物，则是脾病；喜好食用咸味食物，则是肾病；喜好食用热性食物，说明体内有寒；喜好食用冷性食物，说明体内有热，这就是通过问诊而知晓病情。
所谓“切”，是通过切脉来察知疾病。例如，三岁以下的小儿患病，必须看男左女右的手部虎口三关，从第二指侧面观察，第一节名为风关，第二节名气关，第三节名命关。辨别其指纹颜色：紫色属热证，红色属伤寒，青色属惊风，白色属疳病，黑色属中恶，黄色属脾虚困顿。若指纹见于风关，病情较轻；见于气关，病情较重；超过命关，则难以治疗。到了三岁以上，则用一根手指按压寸、关、尺三部脉象，通常以每分钟六七次为正常标准，脉搏次数增多则为热证，减少则为寒证。脉浮洪表示风邪盛，脉数表示易患惊风，脉沉迟表示虚证，脉沉实表示积滞，这就是通过切脉而知晓病情。
大体上，小儿的疾病，大半源于胎毒，少半是由于饮食损伤。外感风寒的症状，仅占十分之一。小儿在母体中时，母亲饥饿胎儿也饥饿，母亲饱食胎儿也饱食；母亲食用辛辣适口的食物，胎气随之受热；母亲情欲发动，胎息就会躁动；或者母亲多食煎炸爆炒之物，或放纵口味嗜食辛酸，或欲望无节制，或喜怒无常，都能导致胎儿受害。作为母亲，如果在孕期不能谨慎节制，产后又不能妥善调护，只是一味贪图安逸，不能防微杜渐。有的未满一百天，就给予咸酸味道；有的未满周岁，就给予甘甜肥腻的食物，各种疾病由此产生。
小儿脾胃本就娇嫩，容易因饮食停滞而受伤。例如乳食伤胃，就会导致呕吐；乳食伤脾，就会导致泄泻。吐泻时间久了，就会形成慢惊风，或者发展为疳病。乳食停积，就会产生湿痰，痰郁化火，痰火交作，就会形成急惊风，或者形成喉痹；痰火结滞，就会形成痫吊（癫痫抽搐），或者出现喘咳。
胎热胎寒，是禀受于母体的疾病；脐风撮口，是胎元有毒；鹅口疮，是胃中有湿热；重舌木舌，是脾经有实火；走马牙疳，是气虚兼湿热；爱吃泥土，是脾脏生疳；胎惊夜啼，是邪热乘袭心脏；变蒸发热，是胎毒即将发散；丹毒，是火行于体表；蕴热，是火积于体内；中恶，是外邪乘虚而入；睡惊，是内火扰动；喉痹，是热毒所致；眼痛，是火盛所致；脓耳，是肾气上冲；鼻塞，是因为感受风邪；头疮，是热毒攻注；脐疮，是风湿侵袭；尾骨痛，是阴虚痰凝；诸虫痛，是胃气受损；阴肿疝气，是寒邪郁结；盘肠气痛，是冷邪搏结；脱肛，是大肠虚滑；遗尿，是膀胱冷弱；尿浊，是湿滞脾胃；便血，是热传心肺；下淋，是膀胱郁热；吐血，是营卫之气逆乱。小便不通，有阴证阳证之分；大便闭结，有虚证实证之别。解颅鹤节，是胎元不全；行迟发迟，是气血不充；龟胸，是肺热胀满；龟背，是风邪入脊；语迟，是邪气乘心；齿迟，是肾气不足。疟疾，是膈上痰结；痢疾，是腹中食积；咳嗽，是肺伤风邪；喘急，是痰气旺盛；心痛，是虫咬所致；腹痛，是饮食所伤。内伤发热，则口苦舌干；外感发热，则鼻塞声重。腹胀，是脾胃虚弱；水肿，是土亏水旺；黄疸，是脾胃湿热；疹子，是阴阳毒瓦斯所致；自汗，是气虚。积，是有固定位置、有形质的血瘀；聚，是无固定位置、无形质的气滞。胃主受纳，脾主运化，调理脾胃，是医学中的王道；节制饮食，是祛除疾病的良方。惊风、疳病、积滞、发热，是小儿的常见病。望、闻、问、切，是医家的大法。至于治疗疾病用药，如同射箭一样，箭射中大雁心脏那样精准，就可以用心领悟，而不能完全用言语传授。正如孟子所说：“梓匠轮舆，能与人规矩，不能使人巧”，这话是很对的。
Pediatrics is the medical specialty dedicated to treating diseases in children. Newborns are called "infants" (ying'er), three-year-olds are called "children" (xiao'er), and ten-year-olds are called "young boys/girls" (tongzi). Children vary in age, and illnesses differ in depth and severity, as well as in physical appearance, complexion, voice, and pulse. If one can thoroughly investigate these aspects through the four diagnostic methods of Inspection (Wang), Auscultation and Olfaction (Wen), Inquiry (Wen), and Palpation (Qie), one may be considered a master physician possessing divine skill and dexterity.
Inspection involves observing facial features to discern complexion. For instance, the left cheek corresponds to the Liver, the right cheek to the Lungs, the forehead to the Heart, the nose to the Spleen, and the chin to the Kidneys. Liver disease manifests with a bluish complexion; Lung disease with a white complexion; Heart disease with a red complexion; Spleen disease with a yellow complexion; and Kidney disease with a black complexion. This is how illness is known through inspection.
Auscultation and Olfaction involve listening to sounds to identify symptoms. For example, Liver disease presents with a mournful voice; Lung disease with rapid breathing/shortness of breath; Heart disease with a loud and vigorous voice; Spleen disease with a slow voice; and Kidney disease with a deep voice. These correspond to the Zang organs. Furthermore, Large Intestine disease presents with a long voice; Small Intestine disease with a short voice; Stomach disease with a fast speech rate; Gallbladder disease with a clear voice; and Bladder disease with a faint voice. These correspond to the Fu organs. This is how illness is known through auscultation.
Inquiry involves asking about the illness to investigate its origin. For example, a craving for sour foods indicates Liver disease; a craving for pungent/spicy foods indicates Lung disease; a craving for bitter foods indicates Heart disease; a craving for sweet foods indicates Spleen disease; and a craving for salty foods indicates Kidney disease. A preference for hot foods suggests internal Cold; a preference for cold foods suggests internal Heat. This is how illness is known through inquiry.
Palpation involves feeling the pulse to examine the disease. For children under three years old, one must inspect the "Three Passages" (San Guan) on the Tiger's Mouth area of the hand, specifically looking from the side of the second finger. The first segment is named the Wind Passage (Feng Guan), the second the Qi Passage (Qi Guan), and the third the Life Passage (Ming Guan). One must distinguish the color of the vein: purple indicates Heat; red indicates Cold Damage (Shang Han); green/blue indicates Convulsion due to Fright (Jing Feng); white indicates Malnutrition disease (Gan Bing); black indicates Evil Strike (Zhong E); and yellow indicates Spleen deficiency or stagnation. If the vein appears only at the Wind Passage, the condition is mild; at the Qi Passage, it is severe; if it extends beyond the Life Passage, it is difficult to treat. For children over three years old, palpate the Cun, Guan, and Chi positions on the radial artery with one finger. The normal rate is typically six to seven beats per cycle (or breath). An increased rate indicates Heat; a decreased rate indicates Cold. A floating and surging pulse indicates excess Wind; a rapid pulse indicates frequent fright; a deep and slow pulse indicates Deficiency; a deep and forceful pulse indicates Accumulation. This is how illness is known through pulse diagnosis.
Generally, most pediatric diseases stem from fetal toxins (Tai Du), while fewer result from dietary injuries. External contraction of Wind-Cold accounts for only about one-tenth. While in the womb, if the mother is hungry, the fetus is hungry; if the mother is full, the fetus is full. If the mother consumes spicy and palatable foods, the fetal Qi follows the heat. If the mother experiences emotional arousal or desire, the fetal respiration becomes restless. If the mother eats excessive fried or roasted foods, indulges in pungent and sour flavors, lacks restraint in desires, or suffers from irregular emotions, all these can harm the fetus. If mothers fail to exercise caution during pregnancy and proper care after birth, seeking only comfort and failing to prevent problems early, issues arise. Giving salty or sour foods before 100 days, or rich and sweet foods before one year of age, generates various diseases.
The Spleen and Stomach of children are naturally delicate and prone to injury from food stagnation. For instance, if milk and food injure the Stomach, vomiting occurs; if they injure the Spleen, diarrhea ensues. Prolonged vomiting and diarrhea lead to Slow Convulsion (Man Jing) or develop into Malnutrition disease (Gan Bing). Food stagnation produces Damp-Phlegm; Phlegm transforms into Fire. When Phlegm and Fire interact, Acute Convulsion (Ji Jing) or Throat Bi (Hou Bi) may occur. Phlegm-Fire obstruction leads to Epileptic convulsions (Xian Diao) or wheezing and coughing.
Fetal Heat and Cold are conditions inherited from the mother. Umbilical wind and mouth closure (Qi Feng Cuo Kou) result from toxic fetal origins. Goose-mouth sores (E Kou Chuang) indicate Damp-Heat in the Stomach. Double tongue or wooden tongue indicate Excess Fire in the Spleen channel. Running horse gum rot (Zou Ma Ya Gan) indicates Qi deficiency with Damp-Heat. Craving dirt indicates Spleen malnutrition. Fetal fright and night crying indicate pathogenic Heat affecting the Heart. Transformation fever (Bian Fa Re) indicates the dispersal of fetal toxin. Erysipelas (Dan Du) indicates Fire circulating externally. Accumulated Heat indicates Fire accumulating internally. Evil strike indicates external pathogens invading. Sleep fright indicates internal Fire stirring. Throat Bi indicates Heat toxicity. Eye pain indicates Excess Fire. Suppurative otitis (Nong Er) indicates Kidney Qi rushing upward. Nasal congestion results from Wind pathogen invasion. Head sores indicate Heat toxicity attacking. Umbilical sores indicate Wind-Damp invasion. Coccyx pain indicates Yin deficiency with Phlegm. Worm-related pain indicates Stomach Qi injury. Scrotal swelling and hernia indicate Cold stagnation. Intestinal colic pain indicates Cold contraction. Rectal prolapse indicates Large Intestine deficiency and slipping. Enuresis indicates Cold weakness of the Bladder. Turid urine indicates Damp stagnation in the Spleen and Stomach. Hematochezia indicates Heat transmitting to the Heart and Lungs. Dysuria indicates Bladder stagnant Heat. Hematemesis indicates rebellion of Ying and Wei Qi. Obstruction of urination has Yin and Yang distinctions; constipation has Deficiency and Excess distinctions. Open fontanelle and crane joints indicate incomplete fetal origin. Delayed walking and speaking indicate insufficient Qi and Blood. Crane chest indicates Lung Heat and distension. Crane back indicates Wind pathogen entering the spine. Delayed speech indicates pathogen affecting the Heart. Delayed teething indicates Kidney insufficiency. Malaria indicates Phlegm knotting above the diaphragm. Dysentery indicates food accumulation in the abdomen. Cough indicates Lung injury by Wind. Wheezing and urgency indicate abundant Phlegm-Qi. Heart pain indicates biting by parasites. Abdominal pain indicates injury by food. Internal injury fever presents with bitter taste and dry tongue; external contraction fever presents with nasal congestion and heavy voice. Abdominal distension indicates Spleen-Stomach weakness; edema indicates Earth deficiency and Water excess; jaundice indicates Spleen-Stomach Damp-Heat; rashes indicate Yin-Yang toxic vapors; spontaneous sweating indicates Qi deficiency. Ji (Accumulation) refers to fixed, tangible blood stasis; Ju (Gathering) refers to mobile, intangible Qi stagnation. The Stomach governs reception; the Spleen governs transformation and transportation. Regulating the Spleen and Stomach is the royal way of medicine; regulating diet is the good prescription for dispelling disease. Fright, malnutrition, accumulation, and heat are common pediatric diseases. Inspection, auscultation, inquiry, and palpation are the major methods of physicians. As for prescribing medication to treat diseases, it is like shooting an arrow; hitting the heart of a wild goose requires intuitive understanding that cannot be fully conveyed by words. As Mencius said, "Carpenters and wheelwrights can teach others the rules but cannot make them skillful." This statement is apt.