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Throat diseases caused by epidemic pathogens must present with redness and swelling in the throat, which may become purple in severe cases. However, this specific disease (Baihou/White Diphtheria) uniquely presents with whiteness, appearing as spots, patches, or plaques, with a color resembling chicken fat. Symptoms may appear several days after fever onset, or the entire throat may be covered within moments. Although the severity of the illness varies, its nature is consistently identified as Dryness-Fire affecting the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian. If the color turns slightly yellow after medication, the disease is nearing resolution. Cases presenting with redness and swelling indicate an involvement of Shaoyang Ministerial Fire and Shaoyin Sovereign Fire. Purple discoloration signifies intense fire transforming into toxicity.

Zhang Xiuxiu stated: This condition involves mostly heat syndromes and few cold syndromes. (Chen Baoshan notes: If it is indeed epidemic Baihou, there must be no cold syndromes.) Some consider the white color as a sign of cold, not realizing that this disease originates in the Lungs. The Lung belongs to Metal, whose color is white. As the "Canopy" (Huagai) covering all viscera and bowels, it resides at the highest position, where toxic vapors steam upward from below. (These two statements are inaccurate.) As lung pathology deepens, the original color becomes more prominent. This elucidates the passages in the *Neijing* stating that patients with Lung Heat Disease have white complexions and brittle hair, and that symptoms of Lung Wind include a pale white complexion. I propose further insight: Since the Lung's color is white, and the pathogenic factor is Dryness, which also belongs to Metal and corresponds to the White Tiger of the West (whose color is white), other meridian-related heat throat diseases do not present with whiteness, whereas this one does. Redness and purple hues indicate the concurrent presence of Sovereign and Ministerial Fires.

In the early stage of Baihou, the remaining pulse qualities are like those of a healthy person, but the Right Cun pulse is slightly rapid and choppy, or deep and rapid, indicating the primary disease of latent pathogens in the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian. A floating, rapid, or tight pulse indicates concurrent exterior contraction of epidemic pathogens. A moving and rapid pulse at the Left Cun and Guan positions indicates concurrent disease of Shaoyang Ministerial Fire and Shaoyin Sovereign Fire. A surging and slippery pulse indicates fire stagnation transforming into phlegm. If the disease persists for a long time or has been treated incorrectly, a very rapid and slippery pulse at both hands that feels forceful upon pressure indicates intense fire. A surging and large pulse that is weak and feels hollow (Kou pulse) or scattered upon pressure indicates extreme depletion of Yin fluids.

Zhang Xiuxiu stated: In all cases of this disease, the pulses at both Guan positions and the Left Chi are often deep, rapid, and restless. His intent was specifically to refer to pathological changes in the Foot-Sanyin meridians. Based on my clinical experience, I find this not entirely accurate. Only in cases without swelling or redness, with dry throat and no phlegm, attributed to self-originating Dryness-Fire of the Hand-Taiyin, will the Right Cun pulse be slightly rapid and choppy. In cases with redness, swelling, pain, and abundant saliva/phlegm from the onset, due to concurrent Wind-Fire of Shaoyang and Shaoyin, the Left Cun and Guan pulses will be moving and rapid. Other pathological pulses typically appear only after incorrect treatment and are not necessarily present at the onset.

When treating internal injuries, one must examine the pulse before assessing symptoms. For diseases caused by the Six Exogenous Pathogens (Liu Yin), pulse and symptom assessment must be combined to ensure accuracy. There are even instances where symptoms take precedence over the pulse (e.g., distinguishing between a Hidden Pulse and an Absent Pulse is difficult; referencing symptoms clarifies the distinction). Relying solely on pulse diagnosis is most prone to error. This conclusion is based on extensive experience and repeated verification, not deception.