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Throat diseases occur in the square-inch area of the mouth floor, where life and death hang by a breath, making them extremely critical. The symptoms are complex and difficult to list exhaustively, but they generally relate to the scorching connection with fire-heat pathogens. An imbalance of Yin and Yang leads to Hou Bi (Sore Throat/Obstruction), where Fire is the root of Phlegm, connected with Cold. One must carefully distinguish between deficiency and excess; the interaction of two Fires combined with dietary errors causes Heat-Toxin to accumulate over time, triggering Hou Bi, accompanied by chest and diaphragm discomfort and a洪 (Surging) or 弦 (Wiry) pulse. For cases involving thirst, throat closure, and wind-phlegm obstruction, treatment should first remove phlegm, followed by cooling agents to eliminate heat-toxins, ensuring no pathogenic dominance remains and the disease resolves. Deficient Fire often stems from excessive alcohol and sexual activity, causing fire-phlegm to obstruct upward, making the mouth feel smoky. If pulses are normal yet appear fine and weak, treatment should prioritize descending fire and nourishing Yin. Avoid using cold-cooling medicines merely for temporary effect, as this may cause middle-jiao cold, making subsequent symptoms hard to cure. Symptoms such as upper panting, lower diarrhea, high chest swelling, and cyanotic black nails indicate a fatal condition. Generally, treatment should begin with inducing sweating; acupuncture bleeding is not a comprehensive solution.

Throat diseases belong to Phlegm, Wind, and Fire, giving rise to conditions like Ru E (Tonsillar Hypertrophy). Removing Wind, resolving Phlegm, clearing Heat-Toxins, and opening stagnation can lead to recovery. If chills occur at onset, relief follows when the body cools after sweating, provided there is no double tongue or cracked lips; do not mistakenly apply hot medicines. This arises from deficient Yin and Cold, where body fluids transform into phlegm; be cautious not to drain all phlegm, lest spirit be exhausted leading to danger. First, use insufflation medicine to relieve throat distension, disperse Wind and harmonize without delaying decoction, then administer warming tonics and Yin-nourishing agents; this is the method for deficient-cold. If chills recur after three days, accompanied by heart cold, hypochondriac pain, and a fragile life thread, with oral sores and tight closure indicating double tongue, it is known as a heat syndrome; treat with Shigao Baidu San (Gypsum Toxin-Resolving Powder). Although dangerous, it is easily cured. Only if the jaw is not tightly closed, appearing severe but actually not urgent, is it rare. Tongue swelling like a walnut or eggplant makes heat-clearing medicines unsuitable; pressing the tongue reveals white, lifting reveals purple, indicating certain death. Panting, coughing, thick phlegm, red neck, bad breath, black complexion, and bloodless oral ulcers with no phlegm are all unsuitable for treatment.

If throat disease does not suppurate within three days, internal medication to dissipate it is effective. After five days, when signs stabilize, mouth-caner medicines can be insufflated into the throat, adding Longgu (Fossilized Bones) and Zhenzhu (Pearl) powder for complete recovery. Sore throat following Shanghan (Cold Damage) or Lianzhu E (String-of-Pearls Tonsillitis) is ominous. Constipation with excess fire requires resolving excess and descending fire to unblock bowels. Initially, constipation responds well to Shengjun (Raw Rhubarb) and Mangxiao (Mirabilite). If delayed to eight or nine days, though constipated, the stomach Qi is empty; use Xiaoshi (Mirabilite) and Huanglian (Coptis) cautiously, or employ honey suppositories. For oral ulcers, first insufflate Shengji San (Flesh-Regenerating Powder), then Jin Yu Er Dan (Golden Jade Two Cinnabars). Initially, more Bixuan Jindan and less Yuzhen Jindan; adjust gradually. For severe cases, only Jindan is used to expel stubborn disease effectively. Redness and swelling extending to the chest suggest Fei Yong (Lung Abscess); add Baicaoshuang (Soot from Hundred Herbs) melted with honey. For formless throat redness/swelling, add Yuandan and other herbs. For women with amenorrhea causing throat disease, follow methods to regulate menstruation. Facial edema with deep-fine pulses indicates Yang-deficiency, signaling impending death. Oral sores swollen and rotting, painless upon wiping with wet cotton, indicate terminal illness. If the tongue swells filling the mouth, preventing insufflation, insufflate Jiangcan (Bombyx Batryticatus) and Yazao (Gleditsia Sinensis) into the nose. If the jaw opens spontaneously with salivation, moisten the red tongue with Gancao Tang (Licorice Decoction). Add Bingpian (Borneol) to mouth-caner medicine and insufflate frequently to avoid death. For severe early-stage cases, use Yudan; remember: more Bingpian, less Caowu (Aconitum Carleilii).