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Refer to the section on Surgery (Waike) for cross-reference.

Differentiation of Syndromes:
The functions of the throat differ: the pharynx (Yan) is used for swallowing food, connecting through the three epigastria to communicate with the Stomach; the larynx (Hou) is used for breathing air, consisting of nine segments to connect with the Lungs. They operate in parallel without conflict, as the pathways for Qi and food are distinct. If a patient has chronic phlegm-fluid retention in the chest and diaphragm, excessive alcohol consumption may stir up Stomach Fire, sexual indiscretion may disturb Kidney Qi, and anger may ignite Liver Fire. This internal heat causes phlegm to rise and obstruct the epiglottis. Swelling on both sides is called Ru E (Goose Egg Throat); slight swelling is called Hou Bi (Throat Closure); heat accumulation under the tongue is called Zi She (Child Tongue); heat accumulation in the middle of the tongue is called Mu She (Wood Tongue); heat spreading outward causing numbness, itching, and swelling is called Chan Hou Feng (Choking Wind); sudden swelling and pain preventing the intake of fluids and speech is called Zou Ma Hou Feng (Running Horse Throat). Ancient texts collectively refer to these conditions as Hou Bi (Throat Bi). The treatment principle is: in acute cases, treat the branch (symptoms) using pills or powders to induce vomiting and expel phlegm; in mild cases, treat the root (cause) using decoctions to descend fire and nourish Yin. Regarding pulse diagnosis, if the Cun position pulse is floating, surging, and overflowing, it indicates Bi syndrome; if the pulse is faint and deep-hidden, it is incurable.

Ganjie Tang: Jiegeng (Platycodon Root) 3 qian, Gancao (Licorice Root) 1.5 qian, Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia Root), Jingjie (Schizonepeta Spike), Bohe (Mint), Huangqin (Scutellaria Root), Xuanshen (Scrophularia Root) each 1 qian. Decoct in water, gargle, and swallow.
If there is throat pain, add Niubangzi (Arctium Fruit) and Zhuru (Bamboo Shavings); if there is coughing with rebellious Qi, add Chenpi (Aged Tangerine Peel); if there is coughing, add Zhimu (Anemarrhena Rhizome) and Beimu (Fritillaria Bulb); if there is thirst, add Wuweizi (Schisandra Berry); if there is expectoration of pus and blood, add Ziwan (Aster Root); if there is Fei Wei (Lung Atrophy), add Ejiao (Donkey-Hide Gelatin); if there is facial edema, add Fuling (Poria); if there is vomiting, add Banxia (Pinellia Tuber); if there is Qi deficiency, add Renshen (Ginseng Root) and Maidong (Ophiopogon Tuber); if the lips are red, add Zhizi (Gardenia Fruit) and Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome); if there is hoarseness, add Banxia (Pinellia Tuber) and Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig); if there is chest and diaphragm discomfort, add Zhike (Aurantium Fruit); if there is chest fullness and oppression, add Zhishi (Immature Aurantium Fruit); if there is insomnia, add Zhizi (Gardenia Fruit); if caused by alcohol toxicity, add Gegen (Kudzu Root) and Chenpi (Aged Tangerine Peel); if there is skin pain, add Huangbo (Phellodendron Bark); if there is epidemic toxin headache, add Niubangzi (Arctium Fruit), Mangxiao (Mirabilite), and Dahuang (Rhubarb Root); if there is macules/rash, add Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia Root) and Jingjie (Schizonepeta Spike).

Formula for Treating Throat Bi: Take Lizhicao (Prunella Vulgaris) and Niuxicacao (Achyranthes Bidentata), crush and extract juice, add Aiye (Mugwort Leaf) juice and human milk for gargling. Alternatively, drip into the nostrils, then frequently drink Xiakucao (Prunella Decoction).

Emergency Formula for Throat Bi: Use Yangmei shupi (Yangmei Tree Bark) growing towards the east, remove the coarse bark and grind into powder, or use Saojiao mo (Gleditsia Sinensis Powder), and insufflate into the nostrils. Induction of sneezing indicates efficacy.

Another Formula: Zhusha (Cinnabar) 3 fen 2 li, Pengsha (Borax) 1 fen 2 li, Kufan (Alum), Danfan (Chalcanthite) each 1 fen 6 li, Xionghuang (Realgar), Yanxiao (Saltpeter), Pian Nao (Borneol) each 1 fen, Xiang (Musk) a small amount. Grind all into fine powder and insufflate into the throat. In urgent cases, use a goose quill tube sharpened to pierce the affected area.

Chunfeng San: On the first day of the twelfth lunar month, take Jiangcan (Silkworm), Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome), Puxiao (Mirabilite), Baifan (Alum), Qingdai (Indigo Naturalis) in equal parts. Store inside a pig gallbladder and suspend it in a pit in the ground.

Qingshang Wan:
Treats various disorders of the throat.
Xiongdan (Bear Gallbladder) 1 fen, Xionghuang (Realgar), Qingyan (Blue Salt) each 5 fen, Pengsha (Borax) 1 qian, Boheye (Mint Leaf) 5 qian, Danfan (Chalcanthite) a small amount.
Melt white sugar into frost, form into pills the size of Erythrina seeds. Place one pill under the tongue and let it dissolve slowly.

Qingxiang San:
Treats aphonia (loss of voice).
Hezi (Chebulic Myrobalan) 1.5 qian raw, 1.5 qian processed; Mutong (Akebia Stem) (same preparation); Gancao (Licorice Root) (same preparation); Jiegeng (Platocodon Root) 3 qian raw; Shengdi (Rehmannia Root) 5 qian (crushed and added to the medicine).

Additional Remarks:
If throat pain is due to deficient fire rising, the treatment method should follow the nature of the disease (concordant treatment). Use Jiegeng (Platycodon Root), Gancao (Licorice Root), Xuanshen (Scrophularia Root), Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia Root), Qianghuo (Notopterygium Rhizome), Jingjie (Schizonepeta Spike), Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome), Shengma (Cimicifuga Rhizome), Fuling (Poria), with a small addition of Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) and Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root) as guides, treating gradually is appropriate. If cold medicines are used abruptly, the fire will become more constrained, which is harmful.

Guntan Wan (See formula in "Phlegm-Fluid Retention" chapter)