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Some say that throat wind (Houfeng, a category of acute throat diseases characterized by swelling and difficulty in swallowing or breathing) is nothing but a heat syndrome, and thus indiscriminately administer cold-natured remedies or mistakenly use knives and needles, resulting in many premature deaths. If one can accurately identify the syndrome, treating first and then regulating afterwards ensures success in every case. There are cases suitable for emesis, cases suitable for purgation, cases suitable for diaphoresis (sweating to release the exterior), and cases suitable for washing or gargling. If the syndrome has not been accurately identified, do not act rashly. Conditions such as Double Goose Wind (Shuang E Feng), Single Goose Wind (Dan E Feng), double tongue (Chong She), wooden tongue (Mu She), double gums (Chong Yin), double winding throat (Shuang Chan Hou), single winding throat (Dan Chan Hou), and bone-bursting teeth-searching (Bao Gu Sou Ya) are malignant prognoses (E Hou); they are easy to treat if observed and managed skillfully. Conditions such as Double Pine Cone (Shuang Song Zi), Single Pine Cone (Dan Song Zi), double swallow's mouth (Shuang Yan Kou), single swallow's mouth (Dan Yan Kou), fish scales (Yu Lin), dou bottom (Dou Di), Emperor Center (Di Zhong), fallen frame (Luo Jia), fish mouth (Yu Kou), and jaw-piercing (Chuan Han) are benign prognoses (Shan Hou); however, if they manifest as malignant diseases, they are difficult to treat. Conditions such as combined frame (He Jia), horned frame (Jiao Jia), millet house (Su Fang), scrofula covering the neck (Luo Li Yan Jing), double attachment (Shuang Da), cheek single attachment (Jia Dan Da), cheek double single swallow's mouth (Jia Shuang Dan Yan Kou), internal and external teeth-searching (Nei Wai Sou Ya), pillow-riding donkey mouth (Cheng Zhen Lv Zui), hanging fish cheek (Xuan Yu Sai), throat sores (Yan Chuang), tooth abscess (Ya Yong), forked throat (Cha Hou), side headache stealing food (Bian Tou Tong Duo Shi), fat stalk (Fei Zhu Zi), various winds (Zhu Feng), etc., are benign symptoms and prognoses. However, one must carefully distinguish the symptoms and treat according to their severity, avoiding the mistaken use of cold medicines. If needles or knives are used, each must correspond precisely to the condition; first use medication to subdue the pathology, then regulate with further medication. For such conditions, one must strictly follow the prescription and not seek quick relief; thus, a small dose (one bi) suffices for mild cases, and two doses for severe cases, naturally achieving efficacy. Even with medications one is confident in, careful examination is still required; do not be negligent. Generally, expelling pathogens from the interior outward is the best strategy; extracting phlegm and attacking upwards is the middle strategy; sinking downwards is the worst strategy. In cases of heavy heat, allow the internal heat to be removed, use medication to guide the pathogen upwards, intercept and stabilize the wind-heat, preventing it from descending. This is indeed the method of a skilled healer. If this is not done, the pathogen will enter the stomach and diaphragm, subsequently transmitting to the heart and lungs, often transforming into other syndromes, which is the fault of the physician. One must pay close attention and examine meticulously; do not be reckless. The pharynx (Yan) is located posteriorly and governs food ingestion; the larynx/pharyngeal inlet (Hou) is located anteriorly and governs qi respiration. Among the twelve meridians, only the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian governs the exterior and descends separately to the nape; all other meridians circulate internally through the throat and pharynx, making them susceptible to disease there, all governed by the Ministerial Fire (Xiang Huo) and Sovereign Fire (Jun Huo). The throat (Hou) governs heavenly qi and belongs to Lung Metal; its pathological change is dryness, which causes obstruction and closure. The pharynx (Yan) governs earthly qi and belongs to Spleen Earth; its pathological change is dampness, which causes swelling and distension. All these result from fire stagnation in the Upper Jiao, causing phlegm, saliva, qi, and blood to accumulate in the throat and pharynx, swelling to the exterior, accompanied by numbness, itching, pain, and tightness. This is called Winding Throat Wind (Chan Hou Feng). Redness and swelling on both sides accompanied by obstruction is called Throat Bi (Hou Bi).