Library

Books on throat diseases, I have seen more than ten families, some detailed and some brief, each having its own strengths. Regarding treatment with miraculous speed, none surpasses the secret transmission of the "Thirty-Six Syndromes," which has saved a vast number of people since its inception. However, these secret methods do not discuss pulse diagnosis essentials, remaining rigid and thus not perfect. I feared that physicians would cling to their secret transmissions without understanding adaptability, often causing harm through such rigidity. Therefore, I consulted with Fang Zixiuyun from Huan Chuan: extensively collecting ancient and modern texts to compile this "Continuation" to supplement the deficiencies of various schools. It details color and pulse indications, syndrome differentiation, etiology, and medication adjustments with extreme caution. If physicians can truly follow and apply it, grasping its spirit flexibly, they will avoid ridicule for being pedantic and unadaptable, offering perhaps a small contribution to the benevolent art.

Zheng Han, styled Ruoxi, identified at Shuangqiao Shufu

The Zheng family of Xiyuan in Shexian is famous for throat and dental care, passing down their skills through generations, possessing the miraculous ability to revive the dying and attain spiritual proficiency. Yet, they hoard their secrets, inflating their reputation, unaware that their fame and wealth rely entirely on the book *Chonglou Yuyue* (Jade Key to the Throat). The book consists of a Main Compilation and a Continuation. The Main Compilation has long been prevalent; practitioners revere it as the standard, believing it complete and sufficient, unaware of the even more profound Continuation. As stated in Mr. Shufu's preface, the book's rarity and the difficulty in obtaining it led to decisions against further transmission, reflecting an old habit of selfishness rather than moral sharing. Its value, due to its efficacy, far exceeds ordinary throat and dental texts. While the Main Compilation was leaked by a servant and copied widely, the Continuation is kept under strict secrecy.

My family's copy is handwritten on peach-blossom paper, with poor, sloppy handwriting and hasty, disordered binding, clearly showing it was compiled in haste during stolen moments. The original text was repeatedly edited by Mr. Shufu, particularly expanding on white patches in throat syndromes. Recent editions in Chen Xiuyuan's medical books and others specializing in this condition are less rigorous and appropriate than this text. The first page bears the inscription: "Copied by Wu Jiru of Nanxi, Shexian, in the first month of Xin Si, the first year of Daoguang." This date is only seventeen years after Mr. Shufu's preface in Jiading Year 9, during the Zheng family's peak, making public sale impossible. It must have been obtained by close friends through stealth, akin to the stories of Ru Ji stealing the tiger tally or Zun Wang deceiving for the bamboo tally.

In the early Tongzhi era, after the war settled, Mr. Zhou Bangyan of Lianchuan in my county bought this book from a peddler for a few coins and stored it on a shelf, never reading it, as he practiced internal medicine. My late father, Mr. Cuian, saw it, borrowed it, read it for a week, and said, "This is the Zheng family's secret manual. With it, one can become a master in throat, tooth, mouth, and tongue diseases." Mr. Zhou realized his mistake and retrieved it. Years later, facing financial distress and his son's remarriage, he gifted the book to borrow silver. Remembering my late father, he generously agreed, and the book became ours. My late father was versatile and respected, busy helping others. Though fond of medicine and fengshui, circumstances prevented deep specialization, so the book lay unused for over twenty years.

At that time, my fifth brother, Shinong, lived with his wife's family in Renli, studying Confucianism and medicine under his father-in-law, Mr. Cheng Jinmen. In the autumn of Jiawu (Guangxu reign), his daughter-in-law suddenly suffered a throat ailment. Initially treated by the father-in-law and son-in-law, then by specialists Cheng Bingwen from Shetou, Shexian, and renowned doctors Ge Juchuan, Zhang Yiting, and Zhongyi from Jixi. Despite many experts, the condition worsened until she was near death, unable to rise. Shinong wrote to our nephew Xiaotao, detailing the crisis and planning funeral arrangements, trying to hide it from our grandmother, Lady Zhu, to spare her grief. Xiaotao informed my late father, who suddenly remembered the book. He ordered it fetched and sent overnight. The distance was forty li; departure was at You hour (5-7 PM), arrival at Hai hour (9-11 PM). We worried about delays and ineffective treatments, keeping the house in turmoil until dawn. At noon, the messenger returned, reporting that upon arrival, medicine was prepared according to the book. After the first dose, the effect was miraculous. A second dose in the morning allowed her to sit up and ask for porridge by Si hour (9-11 AM); the illness had largely subsided. When I departed, I was earnestly told not to worry, as she had fully recovered. Only two formulas were used: Yangyin Qingzao Tang (Nourishing Yin and Clearing Dryness Decoction) and Shengong Dan (Divine Merit Pill). Thus, we treasured the book. Within days, the father-in-law and son-in-law hired scribes to make two copies each, to prevent loss if lent out. Subsequently, many patients were cured quickly. Locals seeking treatment from my late father were also healed.

In mid-spring of Wuxu, my late father passed away. Shinong traveled to Xuancheng and accepted an appointment in Yuzhang, gaining fame for treating throat diseases, owing to this lineage. I followed Shinong into practice for seven years, curing hundreds of throat and dental cases, greatly aided by this book. Friends and relatives practicing or interested in medicine requested copies, all satisfied. I lacked discretion but harbored a wish to save all, yet copying was limited, and printing was beyond my means, leaving me regretful. Fortunately, Mr. Qiu Jisheng undertook the grand project of publishing medical books, ensuring this work would not be lost and would spread widely, serving as another guiding light for throat and dental practitioners. Previously, I sent a handwritten copy for review to be included in *San San Yi Shu*, and received his consent.

The Pericardium Meridian. The Renying acupoint belongs to the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian (*Zhunsuo*). Among the twelve meridians, only the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian goes up to the forehead, crosses the vertex, connects with the brain, descends the nape, follows the shoulder blades, flanks the spine, reaches the waist, and knots at the Quepen acupoint, not traversing the throat. However, knotting at Quepen after descending the nape places it near the throat. (Xiuyun) The throat and pharynx are the pathways for food and drink. The larynx is where Qi ascends and descends. The epiglottis is the door of sound. The uvula is the gate of sound. (*Neijing*) The pharynx, larynx, epiglottis, and tongue reside in the same area but function differently. The larynx receives Qi, connecting to Heaven; the pharynx receives food, connecting to Earth. The epiglottis controls opening and closing above. Covering the epiglottis allows food to descend; failing to cover it causes error. Pressing the tongue against the palate allows the epiglottis to close the larynx. These four interact; lacking one leads to inability to eat or drink and death. (Hezi) The pharynx is in front of the larynx, for swallowing food; the larynx is behind the pharynx, for receiving Qi. Claiming the pharynx is behind the larynx is an error by Yang Shangshan. (*Zhunsuo*)