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The Fanshi San (Alum Powder) from *San Yin Fang* treats tongue stiffness and inability to speak caused by wind-cold-dampness. Niuhuang San (Calculus Bovis Powder) treats swollen and stiff tongue; alternatively, snake slough (burned until carbonized but retaining its nature) and Quanxie (Scorpio) in equal parts are ground into fine powder for external application.

The Classics state: When pathogenic factors invade the collaterals of the Hand-Shaoyang meridian, it causes throat obstruction, tongue retraction, dry mouth, vexation, pain along the lateral aspect of the arm, and inability to raise the hand above the head. Treatment involves needling at the corner of the nail of the middle finger and the index finger, approximately as wide as a leek leaf from the tip, one needle per point. It is also stated: Pathological changes in the sinews of the Hand-Shaoyang meridian manifest as pain in the branches, spasms, and tongue retraction. Treatment employs burning needle and rapid puncture techniques, using the resolution of symptoms as the indicator of efficacy, and using painful areas as acupoints. Furthermore, severe pathology of the Jueyin collaterals results in tongue retraction and testicular retraction. Additionally, the Liver governs the sinews. If the Liver meridian fails to nourish the sinews, they become tight; tight sinews pull on the tongue and testes, resulting in cyanotic lips, tongue retraction, and testicular retraction. This indicates the sinews are dying first; the condition worsens on Geng days and leads to death on Xin days.

Wind-heat patterns present with dry mouth, cracked tongue, and sores, treated with Ganlu Yin (Sweet Dew Decoction), Gualou Gen San (Trichosanthes Root Powder), or Ganlu Wan (Sweet Dew Pill). Externally, Lushui San (Aloe Powder), Xuanshen San (Scrophularia Root Powder), or Lvyun San (Green Cloud Powder) may be applied. Simultaneously, feet should be washed with water dissolved with Fanshi (Alum) powder. There was a case of a sore on the tongue that eroded into an ulcer over time; repeated use of cooling agents was ineffective. Later, Heixi Dan (Black Tin Pill) was administered, leading to gradual recovery. This exemplifies deficiency below causing excess above. Another case involves spontaneous numbness of the tongue without apparent cause; this should not be treated as wind-pattern but rather as insufficient Heart Blood, treated with Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) added with Danggui (Angelica Sinensis).

Excessive heat in the Heart Meridian, heat-toxin attacking the Heart in Shanghan (Cold Damage), or improper care after Shanghan often lead to these conditions. Zhenzhu Mo (Pearl Powder) and Bingpian (Borneol) in equal parts can be applied externally to achieve retraction. Alternatively, one Baidu Dou (Croton Seed), de-oiled to obtain the cake, is rolled in paper and inserted into the nose, causing the tongue to retract spontaneously (this method treats improper care post-Shanghan). A woman who delivered a baby had her tongue protruding and unable to retract. She was instructed to apply Zhusha Mo (Cinnabar Powder) to the tongue, then mimic the posture of childbirth while supported by two women. Secretly, pots and basins were placed precariously outside the wall and dropped to make a loud noise. Upon hearing the sound, the tongue retracted.

In the *Kouwen* Chapter of *Ling Shu*, the Yellow Emperor asked: What qi causes salivation? Qibo replied: Food and drink enter the stomach. Heat in the stomach causes parasites to move; movement of parasites relaxes the stomach; relaxation of the stomach opens the Lianquan acupoint; opening of Lianquan results in salivation. Treatment involves tonifying the Foot-Shaoyin meridian. Xiao Bing treated continuous drooling, facial deviation, and flaccidity of limbs using Shen Gui Zi Yin Wan (Divine Turtle Nourishing Yin Pill), Tongtian Yufeng Tang (Heaven-Penetrating Wind-Dispelling Decoction), Qingxin Daotan Wan (Clear Heart Phlegm-Guiding Pill), and Qingxin Niuhuang Wan (Clear Heart Calculus Bovis Pill). Lou Quanshan treated Xuan Wenbing’s continuous drooling, excessive laughter, aphasia, and surging pulse using Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome), Huangqin (Scutellaria Root), Huangbai (Phellodendron Bark), Zhizi (Gardenia Fruit), Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome), Cangzhu (Atractylodes Rhizome), Banxia (Pinellia Tuber), Zhuli (Bamboo Sap), and Jiangzhi (Ginger Juice). After five days, drooling ceased and laughter stopped. (Drooling refers to saliva flowing out naturally). Zhang Zhongjing stated: After a major illness resolves, if there is a tendency to expectorate saliva persistently, it indicates cold in the upper stomach; it should be warmed with pills, specifically Lizhong Wan (Regulate the Middle Pill). Li Dongyuan stated: Excessive spitting or spitting white foam indicates cold stagnation above the stomach entrance; Yi Zhi Ren (Alpinia Oxyphylla Fruit) should be added to the prescription.