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The mother of Brother Huang Tai from Qiucun, over fifty years old, had a swelling on the right side under the tongue resembling a strip, about one cun in length, yellowish in color with slight pain, difficulty in swallowing, and food stuck in the throat. The area beside it was also swollen, like a phlegm nodule, feeling soft yet hard upon palpation. Initially, a physician was consulted; the pulse at the left Guan position was slightly wiry. Black Xiaoyao San (Black Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) was administered internally, Qingxue Dan (Green Snow Powder) was blown into the throat, and externally, powders of Baijiezi (White Mustard Seed), Xiangfu (Cyperus Rhizome), and Beimu (Fritillaria Bulb) were applied. Subsequently, Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) supplemented with Danggui (Angelica Sinensis) and Shaoyao (Peony Root) was given, resulting in 70-80% recovery. Due to reluctance to take medicine, after half a month, combined with anger and frustration, the swelling worsened significantly, the swelling under the tongue enlarged, and eating became twice as difficult. The previous method was repeated but yielded no effect, so another physician was sought. Herbs such as Haizao (Sargassum), Xiakucao (Prunella Vulgaris), Xiangfu, Chuan Yujin (Curcuma Aromatica Rhizome), Baishao (White Peony Root), Danggui, and Muli (Oyster Shell) were prescribed for several doses, but without success. Upon returning for treatment, the external swelling was even larger, hard like an inverted cup, and tender to touch, with the tongue swelling slightly protruding. Therefore, Liuwei Dihuang Wan was used exclusively, with Shudihuang (Prepared Rehmannia Root) increased to six qian. Ten doses were prescribed, but after seven doses, both internal and external swellings completely disappeared, leading to recovery. The addition of Danggui and Shaoyao in the previous formula was ineffective, demonstrating the profound efficacy of Liuwei Dihuang Wan.

Furthermore

Old Gentleman Cheng Zhitang from Shangshi, who habitually smoked while drinking strong liquor, reached seventy years of age in the Jiwei year. Suddenly, both sides under the tongue swelled. Initially, there was no discomfort or hardness. Gradual medical intervention led to increasing swelling and hardness, eventually hindering speech and eating. However, various physicians persisted in diagnosing Heart Meridian heat accumulation caused by liquor and smoking. Treatments included Daochi San (Guiding Out Red Powder) to purge Heart fire, Huanglian Qingxin Yin (Coptis Clear Heart Decoction), Fumai Yin (Reviving Pulse Decoction) added with Xijiao (Rhinoceros Horn), combinations of Shengdihuang (Raw Rehmannia Root), Mudong (Ophiopogon Tuber), Xuanshen (Scrophularia Root), Lianqiaoxin (Lonicera Flower Bud Heart), Lianzixixin (Lotus Plumule Heart), and Dengxincao (Juncus Effusus Pith), as well as Zixue (Purple Snow) applied topically. After one year of treatment with no improvement, a surgeon skilled in knife work forcibly incised the swollen areas on both sides, causing blood to flow profusely. The patient died half a month later.

Throat: The Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) reaches the throat. The Du Mai (Governing Vessel) enters the larynx. The Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) and Ren Mai converge at the throat. The Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian follows the throat. The Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian follows the pharynx. The Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian follows the throat. The Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian follows behind the throat, ascending into the nasopharynx (Hangsang). A branch of the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian ascends to flank the pharynx. An collateral branch of the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian ascends to flank the pharynx. The Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian ascends along the pharynx. The Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian joins the Yangming Meridian and ascends to knot at the pharynx. The Zheng (Regular) pathway of the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian ascends to the larynx. The Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian emerges and follows the throat. The Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian follows the throat. The Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian flanks the arterial pulse at the pharynx. The Upper Jiao (Upper Burner) runs alongside the pharynx upwards.

Yi (Pharynx/Oesophagus): The Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian connects with the Yi.

Epiglottis: If the epiglottis is small and thin, voice emission is rapid and its opening/closing is smooth. If the epiglottis is large and thick, opening/closing is difficult and air expulsion is slow. The Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian connects with Henggu (KI13) and terminates at the epiglottis.