典藏书目

To regulate pediatric edema causing wheezing, shortness of breath with rapid respiration, inability to sit or lie comfortably, generalized edema of the four limbs, vomiting and regurgitation of food, mental fatigue, and excessive sleepiness, it is appropriate to administer Fenqi Yinzi (Qi-Dividing Decoction).

Schisandrae Fructus (Wuweizi), Platycodonis Radix (Jiegeng), Poria (Fuling), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao, processed with honey), Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Chenjupi), Morus Cortex (Sangbaipi), Tsaoko Fructus (Caoguo, dehusked), Arecae Pericarpium (Dafupi), Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu), Aurantii Fructus Immaturus (Zhike, pith removed, sliced, and stir-fried), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Chuan Danggui), Perillae Folium (Zisu), Perillae Fructus (Su Zi), and Pinelliae Preparatio (Banxia Qu).

Take equal parts of the above herbs, coarsely crush them. For each dose, take two large teaspoonfuls, add one small cup of water, two thin slices of fresh ginger, and half a jujube. Decoct until the liquid reduces by half, strain, and drink warm through the mouth at any time without restriction. Concurrently, decoct Bawei Lizhong Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill for Regulating the Middle) to swallow the powder with.

For the above conditions, it is appropriate to use Jiusheng Dan (Divine Efficacy Life-Saving Pill) to promote unblocking and purgation.

Discussion: When clear and turbid qi do not mix, and pathogenic and righteous qi do not interfere with each other, if the upper jiao receives cooling and the lower jiao receives warmth, qi stagnation leads to impaired ascending and descending, while blood deficiency leads to excessive flow and deposition. Although infants have only one breath per respiration, their pulse beats slowly and responds to the finger without violating the normal rate, similar to adults, differing only in depth due to age. If the pulse remains stagnant, with excessive slowness or rapidness, or being too weak or too strong, pathology arises. A skilled practitioner treats stagnation by dispersing it, reversals by smoothing them, accumulations by draining them, and blockages by descending them. The method of regulation first involves facilitating qi flow. Generally, infants are easy to treat if their qi flows smoothly, and easy to manage if their pulse is robust. If symptoms slightly transmit and show stagnation and reversal, one must clarify the pathology beforehand, rather than waiting for transmission to investigate thoroughly. This formula, "Fenqi" (Dividing Qi), is intended to benefit qi in advance; its function differs from that which separates fluids and grains, as discerning individuals will observe.

To treat pediatric qi deficiency causing wheezing, edema of the four limbs, abdominal distension and urgency, flank heat alternating with cold, diarrhea or constipation, all caused by long-standing deficiency accumulation and disharmony of Ying and Wei (Nutritive and Defensive qi), it is appropriate to use pushing methods to expel toxic qi. Shen Gong Jiusheng Dan (Divine Efficacy Life-Saving Pill) is recommended.

Realgar (Xionghuang, finely ground), Cinnabar (Zhusha, 1 fen each, finely ground), Croton Seed (Badou, 21 seeds, dehusked), and Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (Ganjiang, 2 qian).

Take one cup of water and vinegar, boil the Badou and Ganjiang together until dry. Remove the Ganjiang and discard it. Take out the Badou, mix with oil, grind evenly, add Zhusha, and grind uniformly. Use snow ice cream (or a specific binding agent implied by context, literally 'snow ice') to knead into pills the size of hemp seeds. Administer three pills per year of age. Use Chishao (Red Peony Root soaked in wine) as an adjuvant, taking a small amount to send down the pills.

Discussion: Diseases in young children originate primarily from fright-wind, phlegm-heat, malnutrition accumulation (Ganji), vomiting, and diarrhea. Many former sages discussed symptoms, and editors compiled prescriptions, each offering profound insights. Conditions such as Wugu Ganji (Innocent Malnutrition Accumulation) present various manifestations recorded in thousands of texts. Some rare syndromes lack detailed theoretical explanation, making them difficult to predict or understand throughout history, such as Turtle Chest, Splitting Ribs, and Macaque Confinement. Furthermore, severe complications arise when patients self-administer various pills and powders from different schools; improper dosing fails to achieve full recovery and exacerbates the disease, leading to conditions like Pi Feng (Spleen Wind). Over time, what methods are suitable? Medical practitioners encountering such diseases should not decline or retreat. By applying analogical reasoning and regulation, even if efficacy is not immediate, there is still hope. However, many act on subjective speculation and force treatments, where slight errors lead to significant harm. Regarding the Jiusheng Dan prescription, it records Tan Shi's treatment of Wugu Ji.

The efficacy is excellent. Younger generations who learn of this may be surprised and delighted, as they may not have known its use. If studied deeply and understood correctly, it can achieve complete efficacy, becoming miraculous and subtle, embodying the highest principles. Practitioners dealing with such syndromes must act with utmost sincerity. In treating and saving infants, success rates can reach ten out of ten, and hundred shots hitting the target every time.