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Baihou disease (White Diphtheria), whether previously misdiagnosed or not, if treated with the correct method, should invariably recover. If diet and daily life return to normal after recovery, there is no need to take tonic medicines.

If Lung Yin has not yet recovered, the method of "Supplementing Earth to Generate Metal" (nourishing the Lungs by strengthening the Spleen) can be used. Zhang's Yangzheng Decoction (Zhang Shi Yangzheng Tang), with Tianhuafen removed and processed Gancao (Licorice Root) and Shashen added, should be administered as the primary formula. If a sensation of obstruction in the throat persists for months, Danggui Shen (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) and Huangqi (Astragalus Root) should be added to the previous prescription. In severe cases, Li Dongyuan's Sweet-Warm Method should be employed.

Baihou is caused by Dry-Fire scorching Metal (Lung). Therefore, post-illness care should naturally suit clear-moistening and sweet-bland methods, supplementing Earth to generate Metal. Zhang's Yangzheng Decoction is most appropriate. Removing Tianhuafen prevents the medicine from becoming too cold again. Alternatively, after excessive consumption of cold-natured medicines, Ying Blood often suffers injury, resulting in a persistent sensation of obstruction in the throat throughout the year. This definitely requires heavy use of Danggui and Huangqi, relying on sweet-warm properties to harmonize Ying Blood. Because the initial treatment relied solely on cold medicines, residual heat must have remained, stagnating in the channels of Ying and Wei. After long-term stagnation, it inevitably steams upward. As the ancient expert Lu Jiuzhi stated, "Excessive consumption of Dihuang (Rehmannia) easily triggers bone-steaming consumptive fever," which is truly insightful advice.

There was a case of a patient who, months after recovering from Baihou, constantly felt an obstruction in the throat. Later, due to contracting Cold, they were cured only after taking large doses of sweet-warm medicines. The lecturer returned from Beijing, stating that this disease is very common in the North, and only by taking warm-tonifying medicines after recovery can symptoms be completely eliminated. These words coincidentally matched reality. My eldest daughter suffered from this simultaneously; because the initial treatment was improper and failed to unblock the meridians, residual toxins flowed into the bone marrow. The following year, she still developed severe Qingtui Yagan (Green Leg and Tooth Gangrene), requiring over a month of treatment to recover.

Ingredients: Yuzhu (Polygonati Rhizoma), Huai Shanyao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma), Bai Fuling (Poria), Shu Dihuang (Prepared Rehmanniae Radix), Sheng Dihuang (Raw Rehmanniae Radix), Sheng Baishao (Raw Paeoniae Radix Alba), Zhi Shouwu (Prepared Polygoni Multiflori Radix), Nvzhenzi (Ligustri Lucidi Fructus), Beishashen (Glehniae Radix), Zhi Gancao (Prepared Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Maimendong (Ophiopogonis Radix, heart removed).
The above eleven herbs are decocted in five cups of water until three cups remain. Take half at a time, warm.

When the primary syndrome of the Hand-Taiyin Lung channel in Baihou has not resolved, the blowing-the-throat method should never be used. If redness, swelling, and phlegm-saliva appear at the onset, accompanied by superficial syndromes of Wind-Fire, the blowing method may be used occasionally. Since Wind-Fire arises urgently and easily generates phlegm, without external treatment, rapid effect is unlikely.

Generally, epidemic throat syndromes are often caused by Wind-Fire carrying phlegm, rushing against the narrow passage of the throat, suddenly unable to exit, leading to instantaneous swelling and closure. At this moment, the internal organs initially have no major disease. Oral medication is too slow; only by using acrid-dispersing medicines blown into the throat to expel phlegm-saliva can one succeed. Thus, external treatment is the key secret of throat specialties. However, Baihou is characterized by dry throat, no phlegm, no pain, and no swelling. It is purely Taiyin Dry-Fire scorching Metal, with Lung fluids internally dried up. There is no time even to moisten them, let alone reuse acrid-dispersing medicines for blowing. I have seen cases where there was initially no phlegm, but after using blowing medicines, gurgling phlegm sounds increased. This is actually because the Dry-Fire was severe, and the acrid-aromatic nature of the medicine fanned the flames. If accompanied by Shaoyang and Shaoyin Wind-Fire superficial syndromes, with abnormal redness and swelling and abundant phlegm-saliva, the blowing method can also be used occasionally. For mild cases, Qinghuang San (Blue-Yellow Powder) is used; for severe cases, Zhang's Xionghuang Jiedu Wan (Realgar Antidote Pill) or Bai Tianya San (White Fill-Duck Powder) is used. Using Xionghuang Jiedu Wan is truly a temporary expedient in desperate, critical situations, not a standard method. Yet, there is profound logic here. Badou (Croton Seed) is extremely acrid and hot. Although it is the greatest taboo for Baihou, it cuts through barriers with unparalleled potency. After swallowing, it inevitably reaches the anus directly, which is vastly different from ordinary acrid-hot substances that cannot drive phlegm downward but instead help fire flare up. If this condition progresses to phlegm-Qi congestion and closure, preventing medication intake, it is mostly due to fire spreading like a prairie fire after misdiagnosis. At this time, using only Zhang's Guashuang San (Melon Frost Powder), Naixiu Zi's Fengyi San (Phoenix Feather Powder), or the external Yigong San (Extraordinary Efficacy Powder) is not only useless but may worsen the disease. One must temporarily borrow these medicines to open the pathway, then frequently administer large doses of Great-Cooling or Sweet-Salty-Cold medicines orally to achieve rescue effects. The medicine will not stay in the Upper Jiao to assist the fire. This is what is called winning by surprise tactics; only those with a clear strategy can use it, and dare not use it lightly. Bai Tianya San has not been tested, but generally, it is not suitable for the primary Hand-Taiyin syndrome. However, for those with abundant phlegm-saliva, it can be kept as a backup option and is superior to Xilei San. My eldest daughter once used Xilei San for blowing the throat and immediately lost her voice. This is because ingredients such as Pearl, Calculus Bovis, Human Nail, Wall Spider Web, Borneolum Syntheticum, and Ivory are both drying and astringent, all of which are strictly contraindicated in Baihou.