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The throat and pharynx are the passages for the respiration of Qi (vital energy) and the entry and exit of food, serving as the gateway of the human body. Although its manifestations are numerous, they mostly return to Fire pathogen. This is because the Shaoyin Junhuo (Ministerial Fire of the Heart Meridian) and Shaoyang Xianghuo (Ministerial Fire of the Sanjiao and Gallbladder Meridians) both connect to the throat and pharynx. When Junhuo's momentum is slow, heat accumulates causing pain and swelling; when Xianghuo's momentum is urgent, heat accumulates causing abscesses and obstruction (Bi syndrome). Severe obstruction leads to blockage, and phlegm accumulation causes death. The Classics state: "When one Yin and one Yang knot, it is called Bi." The so-called "one Yin" refers to the Liver and Pericardium; the so-called "one Yang" refers to the Gallbladder and Sanjiao. These four meridians all possess Ministerial Fire. Fire is the root of Phlegm, and Phlegm is the manifestation of Fire. Therefore, speaking of Fire implies Phlegm is within it; speaking of the Throat implies the teeth and tongue are also included. Fire has deficiency and excess types. Excess Fire arises from overconsumption of fried and roasted foods, accumulating heat toxins, leading to irritability, thirst, and blockage of urination and defecation. Wind-Phlegm surges upward. Before a throat obstruction (Hou Bi) manifests, there will be discomfort in the chest and diaphragm three days prior, with a wiry and rapid pulse. Treatment should dispel wind-phlegm and resolve heat toxins. As for Deficiency Fire, it arises from alcohol consumption stirring Spleen Fire, anger stirring Liver Fire, or sexual indulgence stirring Kidney Fire. Fire flares upward attacking the throat, causing dryness, while urination and defecation remain normal, with a rapid Shao Yin pulse. Treatment should nourish Yin and descend Fire. This is the general principle for treating throat diseases; now we specifically elaborate on the details.

If swelling and pain occur in the first one or two days, the condition stabilizes by the third or fourth day, and chills and fever appear on the third day, or headache persists, using this physician's "Qiu Zi Medicine" will cure the disease. Variations in throat conditions often result from negligence on the third day.
Throat obstruction (Hou Bi) belongs to Heat, Phlegm, and Wind. If Wind is predominant, blow "Biyu San" (Jasper Powder) administered by this physician; if Phlegm is predominant, blow "Qiu Zi Medicine". If not treated promptly, obstruction stagnates and combines with heat toxins, leading to conditions like Ru E (Mandible Tonsils). The treatment method involves dispelling wind-phlegm, resolving heat toxins, and opening stagnation.
Unilateral Mandible Tonsil (Dan Ru E) often develops due to stagnation from alcohol and sexual activity. It appears on one side of the throat, left or right. On the first day, there is pain; on the second day, redness and swelling; on the third day, small white spots resembling fine stars appear. Chills and fever indicate a ominous prognosis. By the fourth day, the condition stabilizes, and recovery occurs in about four to five days. Use 5 fen of Qing Medicine (Green Medicine), 1 fen of Huang Medicine (Yellow Medicine), then blow a mixture of 3 parts Qing Medicine and 2 parts Huang Medicine. After all phlegm is expelled, administer a decoction to mildly promote bowel movement. Recovery follows once stool is passed.
If on the third day, only redness and swelling are seen without small white spots, it is an Abscess (Yong) condition. If after three days the redness subsides but swelling remains on both sides, it is Bilateral Mandible Tonsil (Shuang Ru E). The left side corresponds to the Heart, and the right side to the Liver. In the decoction, add 5 fen of Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome) and 7 fen of processed Zao Jiao (Gleditsia Sinensis Fruit) for the left side; add 8 fen of Chishao (Red Peony Root) and 6 fen of Chaihu (Bupleurum Root) for the right side. For bilateral tonsils, use both modifications. If constipation exists, add 1 qian of Zhike (Aurantii Fructus) and 7 fen of Xuanningfen (Mirabilite). Lianzhu E (Pearl Chain Tonsils) features two white spots connected vertically, described as resembling a tied bag. Use the same medication as before. Bilateral tonsils are more severe than unilateral ones, and Pearl Chain Tonsils are even more severe.
Throat Abscess (Hou Yong) develops from excessive consumption of spicy, grilled, rich, and alcoholic foods, contracting heat. It belongs to Lung Meridian pain. In throat conditions, there are no visible traces, only throat swelling and pain. Severe cases involve chills, fever, and headache, resolving in four to five days. Use Qing Medicine with a small amount of Huang Medicine, taken internally as a decoction, along with paste medicines.
Throat Fungus (Hou Jun) develops from melancholy, blood heat, and Qi stagnation. It is common in women. It resembles duckweed, slightly elevated and thick, purple in color, appearing on the side of the throat. Initially, use 5 fen of Qing Medicine and 1 fen of Huang Medicine, then blow a mixture of 3 parts Qing Medicine and 2 parts Huang Medicine. Internal decoctions must not be interrupted. Rapid cure is difficult; mild cases take over half a month, severe cases may last a year. With proper treatment and strict dietary restrictions, it can heal.
Neck Abscess (Jing Yong) presents with redness and swelling on the chest. Though external, it requires internal treatment. Severe cases cause throat swelling and closure, requiring pus discharge. Apply Sanhuang San externally, blow Qing Medicine internally, and take decoctions.
Facial Abscess resembles Neck Abscess, largely due to stagnation.
Cheek-Supporting Abscess (Tuo Sai Yong) develops from accumulated heat. Treatment is the same as for Neck Abscess.
External Application Sanhuang San Formula: Raw Dahuang (Rhubarb Rhizome) 1 qian, Raw Puhuang (Typha Pollen) 5 fen, Ginger Slice 5 fen, Bingpian (Borneol) 5 fen, Shexiang (Musk) 2 li. Grind into powder, mix with honey, add 2-3 spoons of Scallion Juice. Apply to the affected area. Banana juice or Cupressus juice can also be used.
HT She Syndrome: A structure resembling a small tongue grows under the tongue. If it connects to throat pain and swelling, it is a Throat Abscess; if not connected to throat pain, it is not an abscess. It is caused by Lung heat, dryness, and contracted heat toxins. Use Xijiao Dihuang Tang (Rhino Horn and Rehmannia Decoction) modified as a decoction. Blow Huang Medicine, ensuring it reaches both sides of the tongue root. Frequent blowing yields quick results. Internally in the throat, blow a mixture of 10 parts Qing Medicine and 1 part Huang Medicine frequently.
Throat Closure (Hou Bi): Difficult to treat if seen after Shanghan (Cold Damage), due to blocked Qi flow, formlessness, and soundlessness. Chan Hou Feng (Coiling Throat Wind) develops from internal dryness and knotting. Two days prior, there must be tightness in the chest and diaphragm, shortness of breath. Suddenly, throat and tongue swell and hurt, hands and feet become cold, neck shows wrinkle-like marks, knots internally, and swells externally. Numbness and obstruction occur. Red threads tighten around the throat, fingernails turn white, palms burn hot, throat swells large, wind-phlegm surges, producing a sound like sawing wood. This is the most urgent condition. Quick blowing and medication can cure it. If delayed beyond one day and night, fixed gaze, and roaring sounds in the throat indicate incurability. If a lamp extinguishes near the patient's mouth, it is incurable. Panting, head sweating, and imminent death follow. If administering purgatives, add 1 qian of Niuhuang (Calculus Bovis). Of these two conditions, none survive out of ten. Do not treat lightly.
Any case of Pearl Chain Tonsils or Throat Closure following Shanghan is mostly incurable. Stiffness of the throat and neck, upward rolling of the eyes, are signs of death.
For any throat condition, absence of chills and fever in the first one or two days indicates mildness. If chills and fever appear on the third day, the condition worsens. One must ask about the patency of urination and defecation. If patent, symptoms decrease immediately; this is merely floating fire attacking the throat. Internal administration of heat-clearing, detoxifying, and wind-dispersing herbs is suitable. If urination and defecation are blocked, the condition worsens due to internal toxic fire. Only agents that descend fire, disinfect, and promote urination/defecation can resolve the fire and disease. Thus, conditions vary in severity, and treatments vary in urgency. Also inquire about headache. Even if the condition is fierce, if it manifests externally without death signs, it is manageable.
For any throat condition, blowing medicine 4-5 tubes can expel phlegm. Phlegm must be removed three times for cure. To expel phlegm, using Huang Medicine is essential. Blowing must be directed straight into the throat, repeatedly inserted for effect. Withdrawing the tube too quickly may cause phlegm-saliva to surge.
For fragmented throat conditions, cool medicines should be blown first, followed by Qing Medicine. To expel phlegm, use only Huang Medicine to lift stubborn phlegm. In the first one or two days, use Qing Medicine, gradually increasing Huang Medicine. When heat is severe, Huang Medicine becomes the sovereign agent.
For any throat condition, recovery occurs only after bowel movement. If constipation persists, do not lightly promise recovery. If there is no phlegm, it is incurable.
In any throat condition, if the face becomes red and swollen, bright white without spirit, and the pulse is deep, faint, and weak, it indicates leakage of Shen (Spirit) and lack of Yang. The prognosis is ominous and fatal. If the face is red and swollen, but the pulse is large and forceful, the condition is severe but not fatal, indicating intact Yuan Qi (Original Qi) and flourishing Fire Qi.
Throat stabbing pain, resulting from long-term exhaustion, rising deficiency fire, depletion of Ying (Nutritive) Qi, and exhaustion of Blood, presents with redness and swelling on the hard palate, densely packed like mosquito bites. This is a critical sign of impending death.
Throat connecting to chest redness and swelling indicates Lung Abscess (Fei Yong). Honey-mixed paste medicines and Baiyao Jian (Quince Fermented Cake) are mandatory. (For suspected Lung Abscess, chew raw Mung Beans; if no bean smell is perceived, it is confirmed.)
For throat conditions with no visible traces, only redness and swelling, use plenty of Dengcao Hui (Juncus Ash). This applies to Mandible Tonsils as well.
At the onset of throat conditions with constipation, use 1.2 qian each of Raw Dahuang and Xuanningfen to mildly promote bowel movement. Fire descends naturally, facilitating cure. If, after five or six days of fasting, constipation persists, mistaken use of strong purgatives leads to immediate death. Due to prolonged illness, Stomach Qi is deficient, and Yuan Qi is weak. Even with severe blockage, honey suppositories should be used to guide passage.
At the onset of throat conditions, internal administration of detoxifying agents combined with dispersing agents facilitates toxin resolution. Detoxification requires Niubangzi (Arctii Fructus) and Lianqiao (Forsythiae Fructus). Dispersing requires Zisu (Perilla Leaf), Gegen (Puerariae Radix), Jingjie (Schizonepetae Spica), and Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix). Avoid Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix).
For women with throat swelling and pain due to amenorrhea causing fire ascent, taking menstruation-promoting medicines for three to four doses allows menstruation to resume and the condition to self-heal. The symptom is throat swelling with redness.
Throat conditions must not be treated purely with cool medicines for immediate effect. If upper heat does not descend and lower cold rises, toxic vapors enter the abdomen through deficiency. Chest swelling, upper panting, lower diarrhea, black/blue fingernails, and total refusal to eat after seven days lead to death resembling a fish's mouth.
Treating the throat contraindicates inducing sweat or bleeding via acupuncture/cupping, as these are forms of sweating. Kidney deficiency Shanghan and Huazhong Hounei Houhua Zhong (Flower-like Swelling inside the Throat Base) especially contraindicate needling. Internal injury with deficiency damage, ulcers in the pharynx, and loss of voice are fatal and incurable.
Five peaks resembling a lotus under the tongue are named Shexia Lian (Lotus Under Tongue). Only the four outer peaks may be needled; the central peak must not be needled. Mistaken needling of the central peak causes death.
For tongue swelling filling the mouth and protruding, use processed Jiangcan (Bombyx Batryticatus) and processed Zao Jiao (Gleditsia Sinensis Fruit). Grind into fine powder, mix evenly, and blow a small amount into the nose (left for males, right for females). The jaw will open naturally, and phlegm-saliva will vomit. Then, wrap silk cotton around a chopstick, dip in Gancao Tang (Licorice Decoction), and moisten the tongue and lips. Finally, blow Huang Medicine with added Bingpian (Borneol) frequently.
For swelling and ulceration inside the cheek, tie silk cotton around a chopstick, dip in water, and gently stir the affected area. The patient heals immediately. If there is no pain, it is dead flesh, which is difficult to heal.
For enlarged tongue, apply Raw Puhuang (Typha Pollen) powder mixed with Bingpian (Borneol). To stop bleeding, use Stir-fried Puhuang.
For HT She and Throat Abscess conditions with constipation, add 1.2 qian each of Raw Dahuang and Xuanningfen to the decoction. This is a mild purging method and also draws heat downward. Do not use Chengqi Tang (Major Order the Qi Decoction) to avoid aggressive purging and its adverse effects. For urinary obstruction, administer Liuyi San (Six-to-One Powder) mixed with water; it is effective.
For initial throat and tongue conditions, after one blowing session, instruct the patient to bow their head and open their mouth to leak phlegm-saliva and sticky sputum. Such cases are easy to cure. Blowing medicine without salivary response indicates incurability.