典藏书目

In general, the innate constitution of wet nurses varies in thickness and thinness, their temperaments differ in urgency and slowness, their skeletal structures vary in firmness and fragility, and their moral conduct ranges from good to evil. Infants can quickly imitate and become similar to their wet nurses; this relationship is significant. It is unknown that after long-term exposure and contamination, the child's awareness and nature will become identical to the wet nurse's, just as grafting trees alters their nature. Therefore, the selection of a wet nurse cannot be neglected.

For newborns, people often apply moxibustion at the acupoint before the anterior hairline on the forehead, presumably to intercept the path of wind pathogens. However, one must not ignore the division of regions into north and south. In the Heluo region (Central Plains), the soil and climate are mostly cold. Applying moxibustion to the fontanelle three days after birth to prevent convulsions is indeed appropriate. Nowadays, in the southeast, the land is damp, and infants have weak constitutions; how can they endure moxibustion? If one rigidly argues based on the cold climate of the Guanzhong region, one will only bring about danger and distress.

Mr. Tang said: When diagnosing pediatric diseases, one must first observe the physical form, symptoms, and spirit/color, and secondarily palpate the pulse. To distinguish the diseases governed by each of the five Zang organs, one must examine the surplus or deficiency of innate endowment, the excess or deficiency of fetal Qi, and the syndromes of Yin-Yang, cold, and heat. If tonification is excessive or purgation is too much, one must investigate the errors. The five Zang and six Fu organs have corresponding internal-external pairings. If one can understand the root and branch of the disease, the divine and sacred efficacy of medical skill will naturally be attained.

Master Qian said: The Heart governs fright. Excess syndromes manifest as shouting and crying, fever, drinking water, and convulsions; deficiency syndromes manifest as lethargy, lying down, palpitations, and restlessness. Heart diseases often present with shouting, trembling of hands and feet, and fright/palpitations. If Heart Qi is hot, the chest and heart feel hot, the desire to speak exists but speech is difficult, and there is an intention to seek coolness, hence the preference for sleeping face down. With Heart heat, observing sleep reveals warm breath from the mouth, or phenomena such as sleeping face down, head thrusting upward, shaking the head, and grinding teeth, all indicating Heart heat; these are primarily treated with Daochi San (Coptis Decoction). In Heart excess syndromes, Qi flow up and down becomes obstructed; side-sleeping blocks Qi flow, so the infant prefers supine position to allow Qi to flow freely; these are treated with Xiexin Tang (Guttreaper Decoction).

The Liver governs wind. Excess syndromes manifest as eyes staring straight, loud crying, yawning, neck stiffness, and irritability; deficiency syndromes manifest as teeth grinding and frequent yawning. Heat in Qi generates external warmth; internal Liver heat causes the hand to grasp clothing collars and fumble with objects. Wind in the Liver causes eyelid twitching without convulsions; if combined with Heart heat, convulsions occur. Liver diseases are treated with Xieqing Wan (Drain Green Pill); Heart diseases are treated with Daochi San. When Liver heat is extreme, the body arches backward and becomes stiff without convulsions; the treatment is the same as for wind syndromes. Whether new or chronic, all diseases can draw out Liver wind. Wind moves and stops at the head and eyes, causing twitching. If heat enters the eyes and pulls the sinews, both eyes become tight and unable to turn, resulting in staring. If Heart heat is present, convulsions occur because the mother and son (Liver Wood generating Heart Fire) both have excess heat, leading to the struggle of wind and fire.

Jiegong said: The Liver governs strategy and courage. Heat causes seeking clothes, fumbling objects, eyelid twitching, staring inability to turn, or severe cases where the body becomes rigid and bent; these are all due to wind-heat. The eyes are the orifice of the Liver. The Liver belongs to Wood, and Wood has an urgent nature, hence such manifestations.

Master Qian said: The Spleen governs lethargy. Disease manifests as drowsiness, diarrhea, and refusal of milk and drink. Excess syndromes involve drowsiness, body heat, and drinking water; deficiency syndromes involve vomiting, diarrhea, and generation of wind.

Master Qian said: The Lung governs panting/wheezing. Excess syndromes involve chest stuffiness, confusion, rapid breathing, with some desiring water and others not; deficiency syndromes involve shallow breathing and prolonged exhalation. Lung heat causes rubbing of eyebrows, eyes, nose, and face with hands. If Lung excess is compounded by wind-cold, it results in chest fullness, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, coughing, and rising Qi. One should first disperse Lung heat, then disperse wind-cold. If the Lung is only affected by cold pathogen, there is no chest fullness. Lung deficiency-heat presents with deep red lips; treatment should disperse deficiency-heat. Lung frailty presents with white lips; tonification is indicated. If there is chest stuffiness, coarse breathing, panting, and choking, it is difficult to treat due to Lung deficiency and damage. Chronic Spleen-Lung diseases lead to deficiency and white lips. The Spleen is the mother of the Lung; when both mother and son are deficient and cannot nourish each other, it is named "Qie" (Frailty). The Lung governs the lips; white lips with luster are auspicious; white like dry bone indicate death.

Jiegong said: The Lung governs Qi. Dry-heat causes high fever, drinking water, panting/stuffiness, dry nose, and rubbing of brows/face; these are treated with Xiebai San (Drain White Powder). Chest fullness, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, coughing, and rising Qi are all due to excess Lung Qi compounded by wind pathogen injury, termed minor pathogen; treat with purgation first, then dispersion.

Master Qian said: The Kidney governs deficiency, having no excess syndromes. Only black depression in variola/rash indicates Kidney excess. Infants with Kidney deficiency are inherently frail; due to incomplete fetal Qi, Shen (Spirit) is insufficient, there is excessive white sclera, and cranial sutures remain open. The complexion is pale; these are difficult to nurture, rarely living beyond 64 years (8x8). Those who indulge in sexual desires may die before 40. Attributing this solely to illness-induced Kidney deficiency is incorrect. Furthermore, insufficient Kidney Qi causes downward curling of the legs; bones are heavy and desire to drop and contract. Kidney Water is Yin; Kidney deficiency leads to fear of light, requiring tonification.

Jiegong said: Downward curling is due to insufficient Kidney Qi, with hot feet disliking covering with clothes. This area below the umbilicus is governed by the Kidney, originating from Heart Qi descending to the Kidney region. This is Kidney deficiency with Heart excess, primarily treated with Dihuang Wan (Rehmannia Pill).