白喉证古书未载。而时医专目为疫证。谬矣。凡治病必先寻经络。次察寒热。次审虚实。三者既明。虽杂证百
出。可一以贯之。如白喉证亦寒暑之不时。气血之不调所致。非六经之外别有一病也。焉有不审寒热虚
实。而概指为疫者乎。经云。赤属热。白属寒。如所言则白喉只有寒而无热。其曰热者。亦从证而别之耳。
若概指为疫。则只有热而无寒矣。于理安在。此其弊皆由不辨证不辨脉徒听时医之说。以人之性命。委诸无形之斧
斤。予甚惜之。诵读之暇。因将白喉证治法。条分缕晰。以寒热二字为纲领。而寒热之中又分轻重虚实。庶用药
无毫厘千里之谬。书既成。或有疑之者。曰既非疫。焉有传染。曰气之相感。理之常然。如伤风疮毒之类。防身者每
不与共寝食。若以传染为疫。则伤风疮毒。不亦可云疫乎。曰有传染不传染何也。曰物必先朽也。而后虫生。其传染
者。必其人内有寒热。始触而发也。故有同一室而传与不传各异。传者之寒与热亦各异。曰其色白。何也。曰白属肺。
凡风寒热之中人。未有不由肺入而伤气者。喉为气之门户故宜宣发。而时医忌表药。谬矣。曰寒热之为病甚
多。而独发于喉何也。
曰十二经惟足太阳主表。别下项。余皆内循于喉。尽得而病之也。盖阳明为水谷之海。而胃气直透咽喉。故喉
疾惟阳明之火最盛。少阳厥阴。为木火之藏。亦多热证。少阴之脉。络于舌本。凡阴火冲逆。多生喉疾。但
其中有虚有实。不得概从火断。而少阴尤不可概从火断。如酒色过度。真阴中之阴亏损。火无所养。非补水以
配火不可。易所谓水火既济者是也。真阴中之阳亏损。火无所归。非补火以引火不可。易所谓火就燥者是也。
此褚氏遗书所以有上病疗下之说也。曰何死之速也。白喉急证。非死证也。治之不善。则死矣。如热证投以
热药。寒证投以寒药。或表证而攻下。或虚证而表散。如人之无辜受戮。虽欲不死。焉得而不死。且每闻白喉之死。
死于热证者少。死于寒证者多。大抵人知有热证。而不知有寒证。即知有寒证。而不知有虚寒之证。皆误于
疫之一字也。然则予之辨之也。其容已乎。但见浅学寡。不无疏漏。尚冀高明之士。匡予不逮。则幸甚。
The condition of *Baihou* (White Throat) is not recorded in ancient medical texts. However, contemporary physicians exclusively categorize it as an epidemic disease (*Yi Zheng*). This is erroneous. In treating any disease, one must first identify the meridians, then observe cold and heat patterns, and subsequently assess deficiency and excess. Once these three aspects are clarified, even if a hundred miscellaneous symptoms arise, they can be understood through a single unifying principle. For instance, *Baihou* is caused by irregularities in cold and summer-heat climates and disharmony of Qi and Blood; it is not a distinct disease existing outside the Six Meridians (*Liu Jing*). How can one indiscriminately label it as an epidemic without assessing cold/heat and deficiency/excess? The Classics state: "Red indicates Heat, White indicates Cold." If we follow this, *Baihou* should only involve Cold and no Heat. Those who claim it involves Heat are distinguishing based on specific manifestations. If all cases were labeled as epidemics, there would be only Heat and no Cold, which defies logic. These errors stem from failing to differentiate syndromes and pulses, blindly following contemporary physicians, and entrusting human lives to invisible axes (metaphor for harmful treatments). I deeply lament this.
During my leisure time reading, I systematically outlined the treatment methods for *Baihou*, using "Cold" and "Heat" as the guiding principles. Within these categories, I further distinguished severity and deficiency/excess, ensuring that medication usage avoids minute errors leading to disastrous outcomes. Upon completion, some may doubt: "If it is not an epidemic, why is it contagious?" I reply: "Contagion arises from the mutual influence of Qi, which is a natural law. For example, with common colds or sores, those taking precautions often avoid sharing meals or beds with patients. If contagion defines an epidemic, then common colds and sores could also be called epidemics." Asked: "Why do some cases transmit while others do not?" I reply: "Objects must rot before worms emerge. Contagion occurs only when internal Cold/Heat imbalance exists, allowing external pathogens to trigger illness upon contact. Thus, within the same room, transmission varies, and the nature of Cold/Heat in transmitted cases differs." Asked: "Why is the color white?" I reply: "White corresponds to the Lung. When Wind-Cold or Heat pathogens invade, they invariably enter via the Lung and damage Qi. The throat is the gateway of Qi, so it requires dispersing and releasing. Contemporary physicians' taboo against using exterior-releasing herbs is erroneous." Asked: "Cold and Heat cause many diseases; why specifically manifest in the throat?" I reply: "Among the Twelve Meridians, only the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian governs the exterior and descends through the nape; the others circulate internally through the throat, making them susceptible to throat pathology. The Yangming Stomach Meridian, being the sea of water and grain, has Stomach Qi penetrating directly to the throat; thus, Yangming Fire is most prevalent in throat disorders. Shaoyang Gallbladder and Jueyin Liver are stores of Wood and Fire, often presenting Heat syndromes. Shaoyin Kidney Meridian connects to the tongue base; rebellious Yin Fire frequently causes throat issues. However, these involve both deficiency and excess, and cannot be uniformly diagnosed as Fire, especially Shaoyin conditions. Excessive sexual activity or alcohol consumption depletes True Yin (Yin within Yin), leaving Fire without nourishment; this requires tonifying Water to harmonize with Fire, known as 'Water and Fire in Mutual Interaction' (*Shui Huo Ji Ji*). Depletion of True Yang (Yang within Yin) leaves Fire without residence; this requires tonifying Fire to guide Fire back, known as 'Fire follows Dryness' (*Huo Jiu Zao*). This explains the theory of 'treating lower body ailments for upper body symptoms' found in Chu Shi's遺書 (*Chu Shi Yi Shu*)." Asked: "Why is mortality so rapid?" I reply: "Acute *Baihou* is not inherently fatal; poor treatment leads to death. Applying Hot herbs to Heat syndromes, Cold herbs to Cold syndromes, purgatives to Exterior syndromes, or diaphoretics to Deficiency syndromes is akin to executing the innocent. Though survival is desired, it is impossible. Moreover, deaths from Heat syndromes are rare compared to Cold syndromes. People generally know of Heat but ignore Cold; even when aware of Cold, they overlook Deficient-Cold. All these mistakes stem from the misconception of 'epidemic.' Therefore, my differentiation is necessary. Due to my limited knowledge, omissions may exist. I hope learned scholars will correct my deficiencies, which would be greatly appreciated."