Library

The True Person with the Broken-Headed Yellow (Potou Huang Zhenren), whose origin is unknown, transmitted the book *Houke Mijue* (Secrets of Throat Surgery), which is rarely known in the world. The deeds of Mr. Gong, Mr. Jiang, and Mr. Zhou are also unattainable to hear about. My family has practiced medicine for four generations; ancestors traveled to Huizhou and Fujian, their footsteps reaching far, with extensive social connections. The medical texts left behind are mostly works of former sages. The manuscript copy I have examined here is also a rare work. Recent books on throat surgery, such as Mr. Zheng Meijian's *Chonglou Yuyao* (Jade Key of the Double Tower), Mr. Zhang Shanwu's *Baihou Jieyao Liangfang* (Excellent Prescriptions for White Diphtheria), Mr. Yang Longjiu's *Nangshi Houshu* (Secret Book of the Throat Bag), Wu's *Yanhuan Ershisi Zheng Gejue* (Song Rhymes of Twenty-Four Throat Syndromes), Zhang's *Yanhuan Qishier Zheng Tushuo* (Illustrated Explanation of Seventy-Two Throat Syndromes), Mr. Cao Bingzhang's *Housha Zhengzhi Yaolüe* (Essentials of Diagnosis and Treatment of Throat Plague), and Mr. Zhang Ruoxia's *Tongsu Yanhou Kexue* (Popular Science of Throat Diseases), mostly elaborate on the diagnosis and treatment of throat syndromes. However, reading this solitary copy of the True Person's work involves selecting the essence and extracting the finest parts, possessing profound intent, using concise language without verbosity, being practical and useful, truly serving as an introduction for beginners and a reference for throat specialists. How can we allow it to remain obscure and unmanifested? Therefore, I hurriedly collated and recorded it into one volume, mailed it to Mr. Qiu Jisheng of the Medical Society, so that it could be printed and circulated in the world, made public to all under heaven, and wrote these few words merely to record the beginning and end of the matter.

Written respectfully by He Guangyue Ming from Dapu on August 18th of the 11th Year of the Republic of China at Xinghetang Medical Residence, Air Itam, Penang, Southeast Asia.

The essentials of throat surgery require distinguishing between internal and external causes and understanding the generation and restriction cycles of the Five Elements (Wu Xing). For example, external contraction of the Six Evils (Wind, Cold, Summerheat, Dampness, Dryness, Fire) leads to disease due to phlegm-fire obstructing upwards. Internal injury from fried and roasted foods damages the Lung and Stomach with heat; sexual exhaustion damages the Kidney; depression and anger damage the Liver. Regarding the generative and restrictive cycles among the five Zang organs: if Metal restricts Wood, one should diffuse the Lung Qi and tonify the Liver Wood; when Liver Wood is harmonized, the disease is pacified. If Wood restricts Earth, one should diffuse the Lung Qi and tonify the Spleen Earth; when Spleen Earth is tranquil, the disease heals itself. If Earth restricts Water, one should diffuse the Spleen Qi and tonify the Kidney Water; when Kidney Water is moistened, the disease stops. If Water restricts Fire, one should nourish the Kidney Water and nurture the Heart Fire; when Heart Fire is warm, the disease recovers. If Fire restricts Metal, one should purge the Heart Fire and tonify the Lung Metal; when Lung Metal is moistened, the disease is eliminated. Thus, diseases vary in depth and deficiency/excess; one must investigate the cause and treat accordingly. Hence, the characters Shen (Divine), Sheng (Sage), Gong (Skillful), and Qiao (Clever) are established, to be adapted according to the syndrome.