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General Overview: Swelling and pain in the throat are called Hou Bi (Throat Bi / Sore Throat). The root cause is the counter-flow of Xiang Huo (Ministerial Fire). It is urgent to pierce the area to drain phlegm and apply Li Xiao San (Miraculous Efficacy Powder) externally for recovery.

Pulse Diagnosis: If the Cun (inch) pulses on both hands are floating and overflowing, it indicates Hou Bi. If the pulse is minute and hidden/deep, the prognosis is fatal.

The *Nei Jing* (Inner Canon) states: "When one Yin and one Yang bind together, it is called Hou Bi." Wang Bing's commentary explains that "one Yin" refers to the Jue Yin (Liver and Pericardium), and "one Yang" refers to the Shao Yang (Gallbladder and San Jiao). Ministerial Fire exists in these four meridians. Zhang Zihe said: "Treat Gallbladder and San Jiao by addressing fire; treat Liver and Pericardium similarly." Li Dongyuan said: "Fire and Yuan Qi (Original Qi) cannot coexist; when one prevails, the other declines." Generally, when Yuan Qi is deficient, Ministerial Fire rises, causing sudden diseases like Hou Bi. The epiglottis in the throat is referred to in the meridians as Xi Men (Gate of Inhalation), as it governs respiration and the ascending/descending of Qi, serving as a critical portal for the body's breath. If swelling and pain occur suddenly, preventing the intake of water or food and speech, death may follow shortly, which is indeed alarming. Swelling on both sides of the epiglottis is commonly known as Shuang Ru E (Double Tonsillar Hypertrophy) and is easy to treat; swelling on only one side is known as Dan Ru E (Single Tonsillar Hypertrophy) and is difficult to treat. Ancient formulas generally refer to this as Hou Bi, all caused by the counter-flow of Ministerial Fire. Treatment must first involve inducing copious expectoration of phlegm or needling the affected area; this is the method of treating the branch (symptoms) in acute cases. For internal medication, use herbs such as Jie Geng (Platycodon Root), Gan Cao (Licorice Root), Xuan Shen (Scrophularia Root), Sheng Ma (Cimicifuga Rhizome), Fang Feng (Saposhnikovia Root), Qiang Huo (Notopterygium Rhizome), Jing Jie (Schizonepeta Spike), Bo He (Mint), and Shan Dou Gen (Sophora Tonkinensis Root), combined with external application of Li Xiao San.

[Attached Formulas]
Li Xiao San (Miraculous Efficacy Powder): Borax, Borneol, Realgar, and Mirabilite, all ground into powder, applied dry to the lesion.
Another Method: For Hou Bi, take several earthworms from leek fields, place them alive in honey, leave for half a day, remove the worms, and immediately consume the honey mixed with the worm residue. Effective.
Yi Ji Jiu San (One-Emergency Rescue Powder): Use one Momordica charantia seed (Mu Bie Zi), grind it with fresh cold water, and drip the juice into the throat to reduce symptoms immediately, followed by decoction treatment.

General Overview: Infants receive various heat pathogens in utero; heat stagnates in the San Jiao, manifesting in the tongue. This may develop into E Kou (Goose Mouth / Thrush), causing worry; treatment involves medication and needle pricking to release blood.

Pulse Diagnosis: A surging and rapid pulse at the Right Guan (bar) position indicates Kou Chuang (Mouth Ulcers), or Chong She (Double Tongue), or Mu She (Wooden Tongue).

The *Nei Jing* states: "The center corresponds to yellow, connects internally to the Spleen, opens into the mouth, stores essence in the Spleen, so disease manifests in the tongue." Among oral diseases, Chong She (Double Tongue) results from heat in both the Heart and Spleen. The Heart corresponds to the tongue and governs blood; the Spleen's collaterals emerge under the tongue. (Commentary: Spleen collaterals attach to the sides of the tongue, Liver collaterals attach to the root of the tongue, Heart collaterals attach to the base.) If the Heart is hot, Qi and Blood become excessive, attaching to the tongue root, growing anew like a small tongue. Growth inside the cheeks or on the palate is named Chong E (Double Palate); growth at the gum line is named Chong Yin (Double Gum). These should be pricked to release blood, then applied with Zhen Pu Huang (True Cinnamon Flower/Corydalis Rhizome ash?), Fa Hui (Hair Ash), Ma Ya Xiao (Saltpeter), or Borax, or pointed with Huang Bai (Phellodendron Bark) soaked in Bamboo Sap.

Mu She (Wooden Tongue) results from organ stagnation and accumulated heat in the Heart and Spleen, with hot Qi rushing upward, causing tongue swelling that gradually fills the mouth. If not treated urgently, it can be fatal. Mix 2 parts Mirabilite, 1 part Frost Purple (likely a specific preparation), and 0.5 part White Salt, grind together, and apply with Bamboo Sap. Using only Borneol is also effective.

Nong She (Playing Tongue) results from slight heat in the Spleen, causing slight tension in the tongue collaterals and frequent protrusion of the tongue. Treatment: Do not use cold purgatives. Instead, administer small amounts of Xie Huang San (Drain Yellow Powder) or give water. Physicians mistakenly suspect excess heat and use cold purgatives, which is incorrect. Giving water addresses Spleen/Stomach deficiency and scant fluids. Combined with emaciation, yellow complexion, and five-palm heat, this becomes Shou Gan (Emaciation Syndrome), suitable for Hu Huang Lian Wan (Coptis Pill). If playing tongue occurs after medication during a severe illness, the prognosis is ominous. White coating with black patches on the tongue should be treated with Borax powder; add Borneol if heat is severe.

Kou Mi (Oral Miasma/Sloughing) occurs when Bladder heat transfers to the Small Intestine, causing dysuria, with heat rising to cause oral sloughing. Heart/Stomach heat stagnation leads to poor digestion of water and grain, transmitting downward to the Small Intestine. Use Dao Chi San (Guide Out Red Powder) to clear Small Intestine heat and Wu Ling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria) to clear Bladder heat; using both together for two doses is appropriate.

E Kou (Goose Mouth) appears in newborns as white flakes in the mouth and on the tongue, resembling a goose's mouth. This is due to fetal heat, most intense in the Heart and Spleen, steaming upwards to the mouth. Ge Shi suggests wrapping hair around a finger, dipping it in Jing Hua Shui (First-drawn well water), wiping the lesion, then applying Huang Dan (Lead Monoxide) calcined to remove fire toxicity, sprinkled on the site.

Kou Chuang (Mouth Ulcers) result from infants being kept too warm, leading to accumulated heat in the Heart steaming upwards. Treat with Nan Xing (Arisaema Rhizome) powder mixed with vinegar, applied to the soles of the feet. The nursing mother should take Xi Xin San (Wash Heart Powder) and Xie Xin Tang (Drain Heart Decoction).

Zhu Danxi said: "If an infant with mouth ulcers refuses milk/food, treating it as Hu Huo Disease (Beriberi-like/Fox Infection) will lead to death. (Commentary: Sores on the upper lip indicate 'Huo' worms eating the viscera; sores on the lower lip indicate 'Hu' worms eating the anus.) One must soak the feet in Fan Tang (Alum Water) for half a day for immediate relief. Apply powdered Huang Bai (Phellodendron Bark) honey-fried and Jiang Can (Silkworm) stir-fried to the lesion to restore nursing and peace."

The tongue is the organ of the Heart. Heart heat causes sores and rupture; Liver stagnation causes bleeding like a surge; Spleen closure causes white coating like snow; Heat causes swelling; Wind causes stiffness like wood, locking the mouth shut. Robust limb heat, asthma, and slurred speech are all signs.

If the tongue suddenly swells and extends outside the mouth like a centipede, commonly called Centipede Poison, smear with one cup of Rooster Blood to retract it. If the tongue extends over one inch, apply crushed Borneol to retract it.

Applying Mulberry Tree Juice to mouth ulcers leads to recovery; swallowing it is harmless and effective for adults and children alike.

[Attached Formulas]
Xie Huang San (Drain Yellow Powder): See in Heat Syndromes section.
Hu Lian Wan (Coptis Pill): Hu Huang Lian (Coptis Chinensis), Xuan Huang Lian (Coptis Teeta), Moschus (1 spoon), Aloe (1 qian), Cinnabar (2.5 qian).
Dao Chi San (Guide Out Red Powder): See in Five Strangury Syndromes section.
Wu Ling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria): See in Convulsion Syndromes section.
Xi Xin San (Wash Heart Powder): See in Cold Damage Syndromes section.
Xie Xin Tang (Drain Heart Decoction): See in Various Heat Syndromes section.