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Swelling and pain in the throat are named Hou Bi (Pharyngitis/Laryngitis). Ancient physicians generally used Gan Jie Tang (Licorice and Platycodon Decoction) as the primary treatment. However, it is essential to distinguish between deficiency fire (Xu Huo) and excess fire (Shi Huo), as well as between Jin Hou Feng (Tight Throat Wind) and Man Hou Feng (Slow Throat Wind); this distinction must not be overlooked.

In cases of deficiency fire, the throat appears pale with slight swelling, urination is clear, bowel movements are normal, the pulse is deficient and fine, and appetite is reduced. This condition arises from excessive mental exertion, where Spleen Qi fails to protect the middle jiao, allowing deficiency fire to easily ascend. This is internal injury fire, known as Man Hou Feng (Slow Throat Wind), representing a deficiency syndrome. If pain worsens before noon, it indicates Yang deficiency; treat with Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) added with Jie Geng (Platycodon Root), Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra Fruit), and Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis). If pain worsens after noon, it indicates Yin deficiency; treat with Si Wu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) added with Jie Geng (Platycodon Root) and Xuan Shen (Scrophularia Root). If there is no improvement, Cinnamon Twig (Gui Zhi) and Prepared Aconite Root (Fu Zi) must be added as guiding agents, treating with Jia Jian Ba Wei Tang (Modified Eight-Ingredient Pill Decoction) added with Niu Xi (Achyranthes Root). If the pulse is rapid with heat, Liu Wei Di Huang Tang (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Decoction) should be used. Furthermore, sore throat caused by cold in the middle jiao should be treated with Ban Xia Gui Gan Tang (Pinellia, Cinnamon Twig, and Licorice Decoction); cool/cold-natured medicines must not be mistakenly administered.

In cases of excess fire, it results from excessive consumption of rich wine and fatty/sweet foods, combined with wind-fire accumulated heat. Fire stirs up phlegm, causing sudden and severe swelling and pain. In severe cases, wind-phlegm obstructs the throat, preventing the intake of fluids or speech. This is external fire, known as Jin Hou Feng (Tight Throat Wind), representing an excess syndrome. It is appropriate to use Ricinus Oil (Deng Wo You) mixed with grain water for administration to guide out phlegm and saliva; or use Achyranthes Bidentata Root (Tu Niu Xi), mashed and mixed with vinegar for administration; or prick the swollen and red areas to release toxic blood; or blow Jin Suo Chi Powder (Golden Lock Key Powder) into the throat until it gradually loosens, allowing food intake and speech, at which point treatment stops. Gan Jie Tang (Licorice and Platycodon Decoction) with additions is suitable. For severe heat, San Huang Jie Du Tang (Three Yellows Detoxification Decoction) may be used concurrently. As the proverb says: "Watch Hou Bi like a horse running," indicating the rapid progression of the disease. Any case of throat swelling without bloodletting, throat wind without expectoration, throat abscess without pus drainage, or tonsillar hypertrophy without pricking, constitutes improper practice. Additionally, chronic cough due to exhaustion leading to throat damage and voice loss has no effective treatment.

Chan Hou Feng (Entangling Throat Wind) presents with swelling and pain in the throat, distension and obstruction, and red filaments winding around, hence the name Chan Hou Feng. In severe cases, swelling extends externally, making the neck resemble a snake entanglement... [Text cuts off].

Chan She Hou Feng (Entangling Tongue-Throat Wind) presents with a stiff tongue root and ulceration on both sides. Treat by washing the area with licorice water using a wool pen, then blowing Liu Hua San (Willow Flower Powder) into the lesion.