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This volume was presented by Mr. Shen Qingzhi of Liyang. Shen Qingzhi possesses the art of saving lives; having interacted with him for ten years, I have observed that his treatments for diseases are invariably effective, particularly in the field of Throat Diseases (Houke). Whenever I inquired about his methods, he would always select specific ones but refused to show them to me. One day, someone said to me, "You are aging. Is not the method of treating throat diseases that you desire to see but have not yet obtained contained herein?" Thus, he handed this volume to me and said, "My life's blood and heart are poured into this. Since ancient times, there have been no lack of miraculous prescriptions and famous theories regarding throat disorders. However, some are effective while others are not. With books filling warehouses (numerous), those who love learning find it difficult to penetrate the gate. A deviation can cause significant harm. The discussions and formulas listed in this volume are derived from master-to-student transmission, ancient texts, or personal experience, tested a hundred times with consistent results, benefiting many people. Why do you not make it public among your peers, allowing beginners to enter the field and experts to appreciate and correct any errors?" The time is the first month of autumn in the Xinsi year of the Guangxu reign. Recorded by Zhao Borong, a scholar from Dingyuan, at the Wencui Pavilion in Yangzhou (Han Shang).

For critical cases of throat disorders, acupuncture should be performed when indicated, avoiding random needling; emesis should be induced when appropriate, avoiding reckless administration. Life and death hang in the balance, determined instantly. If one treats without identifying the root (Ben) and branch (Biao) of the disease, disaster will follow swiftly. Upon carefully reviewing the works of various masters in throat medicine, the critical conditions generally involve Throat Bi (Houbi), Wind-Throat (Houfeng), Entangling Wind-Throat (Chanhoufeng), White-Throat-Wind (Baihouteng), Rotten-Throat-Scarlet-Like-Rash (Lanhou sha), and Yin-Deficiency Throat disorders. Deaths occur annually, especially during droughts. In the autumn of the 54th year of Qianlong, White-Throat-Wind epidemics were most prevalent in Zhili. In the 6th year of Xianfeng, this condition spread widely across north and south China, and many physicians did not recognize the syndrome. The *Neijing* states: The Lung belongs to Metal, its color is white, and it is the official of transmission, a delicate organ. Regardless of age, if during a rainless summer day one contracts damp-cold qi, it is like dry wood growing fungus over time, thus generating this disease. Therefore, administering wind-drying herbs fails to cure, whereas using clearing and moistening agents leads to recovery. I often observe patients recovering without medication; however, misprescribed drugs make treatment difficult. Initially, symptoms include headache, aversion to cold, fever, whitish swelling in the throat, high body heat, palms feeling like burning coals, faint red macules resembling scarlet rash on the skin, dry and agitated heat, anhidrosis, restlessness, and inability to remain still. Alternatively, the face and whole body may appear red as fire, with dry throat, dry tongue with black coating, cracked lips and mouth, unbearable throat pain, trismus (lockjaw), and difficulty swallowing liquids or solids. Survival is possible if sweating occurs, but one must carefully observe facial complexion, apply the Five Elements generation-restriction theory, and differentiate pulse qualities (cold/heat, deficiency/excess) to formulate prescriptions. These formulas are derived from ancients; for instance, Zhang Jun's Longhu Erxian Tang is modified from ancient formulas such as Longdan Xiegan Tang, Baihu Tang, Puji Xiaodu Yin, Xijiao Dihuang Tang, and Huanglian Jiedu Tang, by removing ascending, acrid-warm, wind-drying, and astringent herbs. Thus, the concept of "Ten Difficulties" serves as a guide for later learners. In the Xinsi year of Guangxu, Inspector Fang Borong and I collected thirty-six types of throat treatments from various masters, detailing syndromes of deficiency/excess, herbal usage, emetic methods, and acupuncture techniques clearly. In the last month of spring in the Gengyin year, White-Throat-Wind epidemics were severe in Hanjiang, with continuous patients in urban and rural areas, leading to morning onset and evening death. Contagion was rampant; out of eighteen cases, only two or three survived. Returning to Hanjiang, I found survival rates extremely low, which was heartbreaking. This differs slightly from the epidemic Rotten-Throat-Scarlet-Like-Rash in the Wanjiang region during the Daoguang era, being even more perilous. From youth to adulthood, I studied the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon and Spirit Pivot for decades, practicing daily regardless of weather, regretting not mastering the entirety. Regarding throat disorders, I focused intensely, though I lamented not grasping the profound subtleties. Examining the throat closely, it is the passage for food and drink, crucial for life, and cannot be ignored. I exerted great mental and physical effort, studying continuously for years, seeking healing methods tirelessly, compiling dozens of throat disorder categories, classified meticulously without error. I dare not keep this secret but publish it for the world, serving as a practical raft for saving lives. Inspector Fang offered silver for my review, but I stated my intent was not fame but sincere compassion. Many patients from Zhenjiang and Yangzhou came to me; seven or eight out of ten survived, and many sought to buy the book, which I declined. My purpose was not profit but public service. Presuming my limitations, I selected verified cases, named this work *Houke Jiye* (Collected Fragments of Throat Medicine), divided into upper and lower volumes. I hope noble families and wise scholars will correct it and facilitate printing, thereby benefiting society. Recorded in the second month of winter in the Gengyin year of Guangxu by Shen Qingzhi, junior student from Laijiang, at the Jujing Shufang in Guangling.