此病由肺肾气虚,风寒客之,令人颐颔粗肿,咽喉闭塞,汤药不下,死在须臾者,急灌黄药子散,吐出恶
涎而愈。此病轻者治肺,服姜附汤,灸天突穴五十壮亦好;重者服钟乳粉,灸关元穴,亦服姜附汤。
治验
一人患喉痹,痰气上攻,咽喉闭塞,灸天突穴五十壮,即可进粥,服姜附汤,一剂即愈,此治肺也。
一人患喉痹,颐颔粗肿,粥药不下,四肢逆冷,六脉沉细。急灸关元穴二百壮,四肢方暖,六脉渐生,
但咽喉尚肿,仍令服黄药子散,吐出稠痰一合乃愈,此治肾也。
一人患喉痹,六脉细,余为灸关元二百壮,六脉渐生。一医曰∶此乃热证,复以火攻,是抱薪救火也。遂
进凉药一剂,六脉复沉,咽中更肿。医计穷,用尖刀于肿处刺之,出血一升而愈。盖此证忌用凉药,痰见寒则
凝,故用刀出其肺血,而肿亦随消也。
(先生治肺治肾之法,千古卓见。况咽喉之证,风火为患,十有二三,肺肾虚寒,十有八九。喉科不明此
理,一味寒凉,即有外邪,亦致冰伏,若元本亏损,未有不闭闷致死者。所以咽喉妙法,第一开豁痰涎,痰涎
既涌,自然通快,然后审轻重以施治,姜附、灼艾,诚为治本之法,但人多畏之,而不肯用耳。然当危急时,
亦不可避忌,强为救治,亦可得生也。至于刺法,亦须知之。雍正四年,咽喉证甚行。友人之子沈礼庭亦患喉
痹,次日即烂。予诊其两寸无力,两尺空散,乃阴虚火动,以七味丸作汤与服一剂,证虽未减而痛势少缓。邻
家强其延喉科视之,彼医笑予动辄用热药,不知此乃阳明热甚证,火性急速,故一日而喉即腐溃,岂可用温补
剂耶!乃投白虎二剂,服未半,而神气改常,语言错乱,甚至颠倒不眠,其家惶急,复延予。予诊其脉乱而八
九至,予曰∶果病阳明燥火,石膏实为良剂。今系无根之焰,而妄用白虎,使胃络陷下,而不能上通,故心神
失守。以归脾汤加桂饮之,甫一剂而神恬脉静矣。噫!彼喉科一无学之人,妄为评品大方,乱投汤药,几至杀
人,亦愚矣。)
This disease is caused by deficiency of Qi in the Lung and Kidney, with pathogenic Wind-Cold invading. It leads to swelling of the chin and jaw, obstruction of the throat, inability to swallow liquids or medicines, and death may occur within moments. In such emergencies, urgently administer Huangyaozi San (Yellow Medicament Powder) to induce vomiting of foul phlegm, after which the patient will recover. For mild cases, treat the Lung by administering Jiangfu Tang (Ginger and Aconite Decoction); moxibustion on Tiantu (CV-22) for fifty moxa cones is also effective. For severe cases, administer Zhongru Fen (Stalactite Powder), moxa Guanyuan (CV-4), and also administer Jiangfu Tang.
Clinical Records:
One patient suffered from Hou Bi (Sore Throat/Obstruction), with Phlegm-Qi attacking upward, causing throat obstruction. After moxibustion on Tiantu (CV-22) for fifty cones, he was able to consume porridge. Subsequently, taking one dose of Jiangfu Tang (Ginger and Aconite Decoction) led to complete recovery. This illustrates treatment targeting the Lung.
Another patient suffered from Hou Bi (Sore Throat/Obstruction), with coarse swelling of the chin and jaw, inability to swallow porridge or medicine, cold limbs, and deep, fine pulses in all six positions. Emergency moxibustion on Guanyuan (CV-4) for two hundred cones warmed the limbs, and the pulses gradually returned. However, the throat remained swollen. He was instructed to take Huangyaozi San (Yellow Medicament Powder), and after vomiting one he of thick phlegm, he recovered. This illustrates treatment targeting the Kidney.
Another patient suffered from Hou Bi (Sore Throat/Obstruction) with fine pulses. I moxaed Guanyuan (CV-4) for two hundred cones, and his pulses gradually returned. A physician stated, "This is a Heat syndrome; using fire therapy is like carrying firewood to save a fire." He then administered a dose of cooling herbs. Consequently, the pulses became deep again, and the throat swelling worsened. The physician, having exhausted his methods, used a sharp knife to puncture the swollen area, releasing one sheng of blood, after which the patient recovered. This condition contraindicates cooling herbs because Phlegm coagulates upon encountering Cold. Therefore, puncturing to release Lung blood caused the swelling to subside.
(The Master's methods for treating the Lung and Kidney are outstanding insights of the ages. Moreover, among throat diseases, those caused by Wind-Fire account for only 20-30%, while those caused by Lung-Kidney Deficiency-Cold account for 80-90%. If throat specialists do not understand this principle and indiscriminately use cold-cooling herbs, even if external pathogens exist, they will become frozen and trapped. If the root Yuan Qi is depleted, closure and suffocation leading to death are inevitable. Thus, the best method for treating throat conditions is first to open and expel Phlegm-Saliva. Once the Phlegm-Saliva surges out, natural unblocking and comfort follow. Then, treatment should be applied based on severity. Jiangfu Tang (Ginger and Aconite Decoction) and burning moxa are indeed fundamental treatments, but people often fear them and refuse to use them. However, in critical situations, one must not avoid taboos; forced rescue can still lead to survival. Puncture therapy should also be understood. In the fourth year of Yongzheng, throat diseases were prevalent. A friend's son, Shen Liting, also suffered from Hou Bi (Sore Throat/Obstruction), which ulcerated the next day. I palpated his Cun positions (both left and right) as powerless and Chi positions (both left and right) as empty and scattered, diagnosing Yin Deficiency with Fire Hyperactivity. I prescribed Qiwai Wan (Seven-Ingredient Pill) prepared as a decoction. After one dose, symptoms did not diminish, but pain eased slightly. Neighbors insisted on consulting a throat specialist. That physician laughed at my frequent use of hot herbs, claiming this was a Yangming Excess-Heat syndrome where Fire nature is rapid, causing daily ulceration, and thus warm-tonifying agents should not be used. He administered Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) for two doses. Before half was consumed, the patient's spirit changed abnormally, speech became confused, and he experienced insomnia and agitation. The family panicked and summoned me again. I palpated his pulse as chaotic, beating 8-9 times per breath. I said, "If it were truly Yangming Dryness-Fire, Shigao (Gypsum) would be an excellent agent. Now it is a Rootless Flame; recklessly using Baihu Tang has caused the Stomach collaterals to sink and fail to ascend, resulting in loss of Heart Spirit control." I administered Guipi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction) with added Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig). After just one dose, the spirit calmed and the pulse stabilized. Alas! Those throat specialists are unlearned individuals who rashly critique major prescriptions and indiscriminately administer herbal formulas, nearly killing patients through ignorance.)