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Whenever a person suffers from Hou Bi (throat closure) or Chan Hou Feng (a type of acute sore throat and swelling disease), after using medication to open the throat so that they can consume liquids, they should immediately drink half a bowl or one bowl of thin porridge to suppress the pathogenic heat. If not suppressed, the illness will recur; this must not be ignored.

Once the throat is unobstructed, if symptoms such as fever and headache appear, besides ruling out external evil invasion, one must observe the pulse quality and bowel/bladder functions. If there are exterior signs (pathogen in the body surface), sweating therapy should be applied; if there are interior signs (pathogen in the internal organs), mild purgation should be used. Both methods lead to recovery.

After recovery, if wheezing due to deficiency occurs without fever, it is likely caused by excessive intake of cooling medicines leading to lower jiao (lower burner) deficiency-cold. In this case, medications with sedative and warming-tonifying properties, such as Hei Xi Wan (Black Tin Pill) or Zheng Yi Dan, should be taken, assisted by porridge to stabilize the effect.

There was once a patient suffering from sore throat and swelling, unable to swallow food, accompanied by fever, headache, and constipation. Physicians debated extensively, all believing it was a heat syndrome requiring cooling medicines. However, a skilled physician stated, "The pulse is tight and rapid, indicating contraction of cold pathogens." The other physicians did not agree. The skilled physician said, "I have a method to verify this. Generate fire in a bathroom and bathe with warm decoction of fried wood and scallion. If it is a heat syndrome, sweat must occur in this warm environment, and the sore throat will not subside. If it is cold contraction, even bathing will not produce sweat." The patient believed him, entered the bath, but no sweat occurred. Consequently, he took one dose of Ma Huang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) in the bathroom. Shortly after, profuse sweating occurred, bowels moved freely, and he recovered immediately. All physicians marveled at his efficacy. This method can be used to distinguish between heat diseases and cold contraction. (From *Yi Yu*)

During the Xianping era, Wei Gong, Director of the Bureau of Military Affairs, resided in Tanzhou. Several young children were playing together, using a fishing rod with dates as bait to catch chicks on land. One child imitated them but accidentally swallowed the hook into his throat. Upon urgent pulling, the barbed hook could not be extracted. Various doctors were summoned but dared not attempt removal. Wei Gong was terrified and sent people to inquire among elderly women, believing someone with extensive experience could solve it.

An elderly woman over ninety years old stated she had never seen such a case and surmised that only someone with wisdom and insight could resolve it. At that time, there was a craftsman in the prefecture named Mo Duliang, known for his exceptional skill. Hearing this, Wei Gong called the old woman and reproached her, saying, "My son swallowed a hook; how can Mo Duliang extract it?" The old woman replied, "It is said that medicine relies on intent. That Mo Duliang once salvaged steles and pagodas underwater, adding inverted tiles." Wei Gong's relatives advised, "Try asking him." Wei Gong then summoned Mo Duliang. After deep contemplation, Mo Duliang requested a silkworm cocoon and a string of large prayer beads. Wei Gong provided them. Mo Duliang cut a piece of iron wire into a coin-sized disc, softened its edges, lubricated it with oil, and made a hole in the center. He first threaded the hook line through it, then strung three to five beads onto it. He instructed the child to sit upright with mouth open. Gradually, the beads were added and adjusted until they reached the throat, sensing the location where the hook line was tied. With forceful downward pressure, the hook detached. It was then quickly extracted upwards. The iron wire cocoon-like structure wrapped downwards around the hook line and barb, causing no damage upon removal. Wei Gong was overjoyed and rewarded him generously. Wei Gong remarked, "One whose mind is clear possesses great skill; one whose intent is focused possesses a good heart. This is the way of the healer." (From *Ming Yi Lu*)