颈痈生于颈之两旁,多因风温痰热而发。盖风温外袭,必鼓动其肝木,而相火亦因之俱
动。相火上逆,脾中痰热随之,颈为少阳络脉循行之地,其循经之邪至此而结,故发痈也。
初起头痛,身发寒热,颈项强痛,渐渐肿赤,投以疏解散邪,势轻者即能消散;若四、五日
后,寒热不解,便欲成脓,当清热和营,出脓后扶胃和营,大约半月收功。亦有因于阴虚,
少阳三焦火郁上攻,气血凝滞而发者。然此证必兼挟风热,非纯乎内伤之证也。所以较他证
肝邪所发者,犹为易愈耳。
锁喉痈,生于结喉之外,红肿绕喉。以时邪风热,客于肺胃,循经上逆壅滞而发;又或
因心经毒瓦斯,兼挟邪风结聚而发。初起外候与火痰相似,根盘松活,易于溃脓者顺,坚硬而
难脓者重。治法与前证可以参用。
夫风热痰皆发于颈项间,以风温阻于少阳梢络而发。初起寒热,项间酸痛,结核形如鸡
卵,根盘散漫,色白坚肿,斯时宜用牛蒡解肌汤,五日后身凉自能消散。如身热不退,即顶
尖色渐转微红,而成脓矣,穿溃后脓泄邪退,自能收口。然此证生于幼孩者多,盖风温袭入
,化火发热最易成脓,以幼孩纯阳,不耐身热故也。成脓时,或发痉厥不妨。
又有小儿惊后发痰者,以风温初袭,来势急暴,肝阳弗宁,即手足搐搦,有顷其势稍杀
,邪即循经而上,结于颈项之间,肿硬成疡,此名惊痰,其儿即惊止体安。如热不退,即欲
成脓,不可妄用惊药,但以牛蒡解肌汤主之。
Jing Yong (abscess on the neck) occurs on both sides of the neck, mostly caused by Wind-Warmth and Phlegm-Heat. This is because external invasion by Wind-Warmth inevitably stirs up Liver Wood Qi, causing Ministerial Fire to move along with it. As Ministerial Fire rebels upward, Phlegm-Heat from the Spleen follows suit; the neck is the pathway where the Shaoyang meridians circulate, so these pathogens traveling along the meridians accumulate here, resulting in an abscess. In the initial stage, symptoms include headache, fever and aversion to cold, stiffness and pain in the neck and nape, followed by gradual swelling and redness. At this time, administering formulas that disperse and scatter pathogens can resolve mild cases. If after four or five days the fever and aversion to cold persist, suppuration is imminent; one should employ methods to clear heat and harmonize Ying (Nutritive) level. After pus is discharged, tonifying Stomach Qi and harmonizing Ying level is required, with recovery typically taking about half a month. There are also cases caused by Yin deficiency, where Fire of the Shaoyang Sanjiao (Triple Burner) is depressed and attacks upward, causing stagnation of Qi and Blood. However, this condition must be accompanied by Wind-Heat and is not purely an internal injury disease. Therefore, compared to other conditions caused by Liver pathogenic factors, this type is easier to cure.
Suo Hou Yong (abscess locking the throat) arises outside the Jie Hou (Adam's apple), with redness and swelling encircling the throat. It is caused by seasonal Wind-Heat pathogens lodging in the Lung and Stomach meridians, rebelling upward and causing stagnation; or it may result from toxic vapors in the Heart meridian combined with pathogenic Wind accumulating. The initial external signs resemble those of Fire-Phlegm: if the base is loose and mobile, making suppuration easy, it is a favorable prognosis; if hard and difficult to suppurate, it is severe. The treatment method can refer to that of the previous condition.
Feng Re Tan (Phlegm due to Wind-Heat) all occur in the neck and nape region, triggered by Wind-Warmth blocking the terminal collaterals of the Shaoyang. Initial symptoms include fever and aversion to cold, soreness and pain in the neck, with nodules shaped like chicken eggs, diffuse bases, white color, and firm swelling. At this stage, Niubang Jieji Tang (Burdock Decoction for Relieving Muscular Tension) is appropriate; after five days, when body temperature normalizes, spontaneous resolution occurs. If fever persists, the apex of the nodule gradually turns slightly red, indicating suppuration. After puncture and drainage, as pus exits and pathogens recede, healing occurs naturally. This condition is common in children, largely because Wind-Warmth invading the body easily transforms into Fire and generates heat, leading quickly to suppuration, as children possess "Pure Yang" constitution and cannot tolerate high fever well. During suppuration, occasional spasms or convulsions are not necessarily detrimental.
There are also cases of Phlegm occurring in children after fright (Jing), where initial Wind-Warmth invasion has a sudden and violent onset. Liver Yang becomes unsettled, leading to twitching and convulsions of the limbs. After a short while, the intensity subsides, but pathogens travel upward along the meridians, accumulating in the neck and nape, causing swelling, hardness, and formation of an ulcer, known as Jing Tan (Fright-Phlegm). At this point, the child’s fright stops and the body becomes calm. If heat does not subside, suppuration is imminent; one must not recklessly use anti-fright medications, but instead primarily treat with Niubang Jieji Tang (Burdock Decoction for Relieving Muscular Tension).