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In epidemic febrile diseases, when the nostrils are dry and blackened like soot, it is caused by pathogenic heat scorching the Lung. This condition develops from dry nostrils and requires immediate clearing of heat and purging; a slight delay will lead to the withering and exhaustion of Lung and Stomach Yin. One may use San Chengqi Tang (Three Purging Decoctions) combined with Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction); or Sahuang Shigao Tang (Three Yellows and Gypsum Decoction) added with Qingdai (Indigo Naturalis); or Xiaoxiantong Tang (Small Trap-Opening Decoction) added with Xijiao (Rhinoceros Horn); or Xijiao Daqing Tang (Rhinoceros Horn and Isatis Decoction), selecting the appropriate formula based on accompanying symptoms.

There are three types of flaring nostrils. The first is phlegm turbidity obstructing the Lung, where breathing produces sounds, accompanied by wheezing, cough, chest fullness, and absence of thirst. It is suitable to use Gualou (Trichosanthes Fruit), Beimu (Fritillaria Bulb), Sangbaipi (Morus Bark), and Suzi (Perilla Seed) to drain the Lung; once Lung Qi flows freely, recovery occurs naturally. The second is stagnant heat in the Lung, where breathing feels hot, with slight exterior constraint causing internal heat stagnation. Ancients primarily advocated Yuebi Tang (Yuebi Decoction) to scatter the exterior constraint and clear internal stagnation. In epidemic febrile diseases, Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang) can be replaced with Puerariae Radix (Gegen), or Gegen Huangqin Huanglian Tang (Kudzu, Scutellaria, and Coptis Decoction) may also be used. The third is deficiency of Kidney Qi leading to rebellious flow, where breathing is faint; this usually indicates a poor prognosis. This condition typically arises after repeated sweating or purging treatments, or when accompanied by profuse sweating, palpitations, and deafness. Urgent treatment with a large dose of Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) combined with Shengmai San (Generate the Pulse Powder), added with Niuxi (Achyranthes Root) and Gouqi (Goji Berry), might save one or two out of a hundred cases.

Dryness of the throat is caused by pathogenic heat overflowing above the Diaphragm. In Cold Damage disorders, this belongs to Shaoyang Heat Syndrome, which is also the case in epidemic febrile diseases. Huangqin (Scutellaria Root) should be used; if severe, add Huafen (Trichosanthes Root) and Zhimu (Anemarrhena Rhizome).

Sore throat in epidemic febrile diseases is due to heat overflowing into the Lung. One must observe whether there is any swelling or nodulation in the throat: if there is no nodulation, the throat appears slightly red, treated with Jiegeng (Platycodon Root), Huafen (Trichosanthes Root), Huangqin (Scutellaria Root), and Xuanshen (Scrophularia Root). If there is nodulation, the throat is red and swollen; add Niubangzi (Arctium Fruit) and Chishao (Red Peony Root) to reduce swelling. If the nodulation is severe, purple or white blisters appear, known as Ru'e (Mandarin Duck Swelling/Tonsillitis). Pricking with needles to remove bad blood is essential, followed by administering heat-clearing herbs for optimal effect.
Epidemic febrile diseases often present two critical conditions: Ji Houfeng (Acute Wind-Throat) and Ji Houbi (Acute Throat Obstruction), which can cause death from morning to evening and must not be overlooked. Ji Houfeng involves sore throat and wheezing, caused by phlegm pathogens combining with heat and obstructing the Lung upwards. Ancient formulas used Danfan (Alum) to induce vomiting of phlegm and bad blood, or Zaogao (Gleditsia Paste) for vomiting. If treatment is delayed even slightly, death results from Qi closure. Ji Houbi refers to rapidly enlarging Ru'e blocking the throat; the primary treatment is also pricking to remove bad blood, and in severe cases, incising with a knife to drain pus and blood. Although seen in epidemic febrile diseases, these conditions inevitably arise in individuals who habitually consume rich foods, suffer from anger and depression, causing Liver Fire to move recklessly.