(Conditions at Birth) Seventeen Categories in Total

The *Qianjin Fang* (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold) discusses: When an infant does not cry upon landing after birth, pour a vessel of warm water into the mouth; within a short time, crying should commence. It further states: If an infant does not cry upon birth, this is due to Qi deficiency caused by difficult labor.
One may grasp the umbilical cord and stroke it towards the body to direct Qi into the abdomen, while blowing air towards the infant up to a hundred times, so that crying arises spontaneously. Alternatively, one may gently whip the infant with white parts of green onions (*Cong Bai*), whereupon crying will occur immediately. The infant should be lifted immediately after birth; delay will cause cold invasion, leading to borborygmus (rumbling sounds in the abdomen). In such cases, bathe the infant first, then cut the umbilical cord.
The *Yingru Shu* (Book for Infants and Toddlers) states: Whenever an infant does not cry upon birth, take a vessel of cold water to bathe the infant, and within a short time, sound will emerge. (Note: *Qianjin Fang* uses warm water; here cold water is used. Is this appropriate? *Qianjin Fang* attributes the condition to Qi deficiency from difficult labor, suggesting cold water might be unsuitable.)
The *Xianren Shuijian* (Immortal's Water Mirror) records a formula for infants who do not cry within seven days after birth.
For inability to cry due to Fetal Wind (*Tai Feng*) at birth, use small-leaf hibiscus (*Kui Cai*) from the garden. Crush to extract natural juice, mix with powdered bear gallbladder (*Xiong Dan*). Once it enters the mouth, danger is averted.
Use the above method: crush hibiscus leaves to extract natural juice, mix with bear gallbladder powder, drip three or two drops into the mouth; crying commences immediately. This is miraculous.

The *Miyao Zhimi* (Secret Essentials Pointing to Confusion) discusses: Whenever an infant has not opened their eyes after one week of birth, this is due to heat accumulation in the womb and toxicity from consuming wheat flour, causing illness. Medication should be administered to the mother to effect a cure.
The *Huiyan Guanzheng* (Observing Signs with the Eye of Compassion) states: Whenever an infant is born with Fetal Heat (*Tai Re*), eyes closed and mouth open, often making groaning sounds, due to heat received in the womb, use only herbs to cool the Five Zang organs. Administer Tianzhu Huang San (Formula see section on Double Tongue) to the mother, and subsequently wash the eyes with decoction prepared in a bamboo tube.
*Huiyan Guanzheng* Eye-Washing Formula
Coptis Rhizome (*Huang Lian*)
Phellodendron Bark (*Qin Pi*)
Juncus Effusus (*Deng Xin*)
Jujube Fruit (*Da Zao*) (Equal parts)
Boil the above in a bamboo tube to prepare a decoction for washing; treats infantile Fetal Heat and failure to open eyes.

The *Qianjin Fang* discusses the treatment for infants dying immediately after birth: One must observe the area anterior to the uvula in the infant's mouth. If there is a vesicle/bulla above it (the *Qianjin Yi Fang* specifies: a red vesicle), use a finger to puncture the head of the vesicle, allowing blood to drain and be removed (the *Qianjin Yi Fang* specifies: wipe clean with cotton). Do not allow blood to enter the pharynx; if blood enters the pharynx, it can kill the infant. Act urgently and with caution.