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Lei Gong Zhen Jun said: Generally, when a person suffers from unbearable abdominal pain that worsens upon pressure, and thirst quenched by drinking cold water temporarily relieves the pain but severe pain returns shortly after, this indicates Fire pathogen binding in the Large Intestine (Da Chang) and Small Intestine (Xiao Chang). If not treated urgently, it may lead to sudden Qi collapse. The prescription is Ding Tong Zhi Shen Tang (Stabilize Pain Extremely Divine Decoction): Stir-fried Gardenia Fructus (Chao Zhizi) 3 qian, Licorice Root (Gancao) 1 qian, Poria Sclerotium (Fuling) 1 liang, White Peony Root (Baishao) 5 qian, Atractylodes Rhizome (Cangzhu) 3 qian, Rhubarb Radix et Rhizoma (Dahuang) 1 qian, Magnolia Bark (Houpo) 1 qian. Decoct in water and take orally. The brilliance of this formula lies in soothing the Qi of the Liver Meridian (Gan Jing); using Baishao and Gancao to harmonize and relieve pain; particularly brilliant is using Fuling as the sovereign herb to promote diuresis via the Bladder (Pang Guang); even more brilliant is using Zhizi to drain stagnant Heat; fearing the action might be too slow, Dahuang is added as an assistant, which moves without staying, thereby draining Fire and expelling Blood stasis (Yu Yu), making it extremely divine.

Lei Gong Zhen Jun said: Generally, when a person’s throat suddenly swells and hurts, developing double tonsillar hypertrophy (Shuang E), making swallowing impossible, death will occur if no food is taken for five days. However, among these conditions, Excess Fire (Shi Huo) is easy to treat, while Deficient Fire (Xu Huo) is difficult. For Excess Fire, there are already excellent prescriptions, such as using Manchu Walnut Tree Root Bark (Shandougen), Scutellaria Root (Qin), Coptis Rhizome (Lian), Pinellia Tuber (Banxia), Bupleurum Root (Chaihu), Licorice Root (Gancao), Platycodon Root (Jiegeng), and Trichosanthes Root (Tianhuafen), which can eliminate symptoms immediately. Only Deficient Fire occurs when Kidney Fire (Shen Huo) fails to reside in the Gate of Vitality (Ming Men) and floats between the throat and pharynx. Its symptoms resemble Excess Fire, but are worse at night and lighter in the early morning; conversely, Excess Fire is heavier in the morning and lighter at night. Excess Fire presents with dry mouth, dry tongue, and cracking; Deficient Fire presents with little thirst, a slippery tongue surface, and no cracking. By distinguishing symptoms thus, errors are avoided. If this Deficient Fire pain is treated with methods for Excess Fire, it is like pushing someone into a well and adding stones. Therefore, one must not use Cold/Cool herbs, nor dispersing herbs. Since Deficient Fire requires tonification, merely tonifying Kidney Water (Shen Shui) allows Water to control Fire, offering slight improvement, but if Fire is too strong, it is hard to subdue. It is better to tonify Fire within Water, guiding Fire back to its source (Yin Huo Gui Yuan), causing the Fire to vanish instantly. The prescription is Yin Huo Tang (Guide Fire Back to Source Decoction): Prepared Rehmannia Root (Shudi) 1 liang, Scrophularia Root (Yuanshen) 1 liang, White Mustard Seed (Baijiezi) 3 qian, Cornus Fruit (Shanzhuyu) 4 qian, Schisandra Berry (Beiwuweizi) 2 qian, Chinese Yam (Shanyao) 4 qian, Poria Sclerotium (Fuling) 5 qian, Cinnamon Twig (Rougui) 2 qian. Decoct in water and take orally. After one dose, phlegm sounds cease, pain disappears, and swelling vanishes completely; after two doses, full recovery occurs. Shudi, Shanzhuyu, and Wuweizi are purely sacred herbs for tonifying Kidney Water; Fuling and Shanyao benefit Essence (Jing) and promote diuresis, assisting Rougui in descending; Yuanshen eliminates floating Fire above; Baijiezi resolves obstructive Phlegm (Tan). With the Upper Jiao (Shang Jiao) cleared and the Lower Jiao (Xia Jiao) warmed by Rougui’s heat, how could Dragon-Lei Fire (Long Lei Zhi Huo) fail to return to Ming Men? One dose brings life, possessing mechanisms beyond human comprehension, surpassing Even-Numbered Rehmannia Pill (Ba Wei Di Huang Wan). If throat swelling causes complete obstruction, preventing even a spoonful of water from passing, although this divine formula exists, where can it be applied? I have another method: use one Aconite Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Fuzi) and 5 qian Psoralea Fruit (Pogu Zhi). Grind each into powder, mix into a paste-like plaster, spread on cloth like a patch, size of a teacup lid. Apply to the center of the sole (Yongquan acupoint area), warm with fire for one shichen (two hours). The throat will relax, opening a passage for medication. This wonderful method must also be known.