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In infants and young children, those slightly older can speak; if a few-month-old infant is ill and cannot communicate, how can one know they have throat pain? One must carefully observe their physical condition.
If the infant cries every time they attempt to suckle milk, or are unable to suckle, hold the child in a bright place and tilt their head back. Press the root of the tongue with chopsticks (bamboo chopsticks may scratch the throat; alternatively, trim fingernails and use fingertips to press the tongue, which is better). Inspect the throat for any redness, swelling, or discoloration, and clearly examine both sides of the tongue, the hard palate, gums, etc. Look for conditions such as hard palate abscesses, lock-throat toxins, cheek-swelling abscesses, wooden tongue, double tongue, double palate, double gums, horse teeth, or thrush. It is essential to identify these clearly to consult relevant sections and apply appropriate treatments without delay. Infants have delicate internal organs and are least tolerant of disease. Since milk is their life source, inability to suckle for two or three days leads to an empty stomach. Even if correct medicine is administered, without the functioning of Stomach Qi (Stomach Energy) to transport and transform, it will likely be ineffective. Once Stomach Qi is exhausted, even divine elixirs cannot save them. If it is a throat condition, quickly trim fingernails, remove sharp edges, and smooth them (to avoid injuring the infant's throat and tongue). Adhere Yuanzhu Dan (Pearl Pearl Pill) to the fingertip and gently apply it inside the infant's mouth, or apply it to the lactating mother's nipple for the infant to swallow. Frequent application will cure the throat condition. For slightly severe cases, have the lactating mother take the decoction until the throat heals. The mother must avoid chicken, fish, ginger, pepper, mutton, and other spicy, hot, or stimulating foods. Since infants cannot speak, constant vigilance is required; negligence is not permitted. Administering water infused with Jiuzhi Renzhonghuang (Aged Human Excrement Powder) yields miraculous results. Alternatively, wrap Renzhonghuang in silk like an olive, moisten it, and offer it to the infant's mouth as if breastfeeding, which is also excellent.

The person often experiences dry throat, dry pharynx, toothache, tongue pain, night fever, and night cough. Occasionally exposed to heat, consuming hot foods, or engaging in sexual excess, they develop sore throat with redness and swelling, or intense redness without swelling, worsening at night compared to day. The pulse is surging and rapid (Hong Shu) or fine and rapid (Xi Shu). This is Yin Deficiency, caused by the depletion of True Yin in the Kidneys. In the Kidneys, there is Water and Fire; Water is True Yin, and Fire is True Yang. What is called Ministerial Fire (Xiang Huo) or Dragon Fire (Long Huo) refers to this Fire. Water and Fire reside in the same palace; sufficient Water nourishes and controls Fire, keeping Fire hidden within Water so it causes no harm. When Water is depleted, Fire lacks nourishment and control, allowing its flaming-upward nature to prevail. The Kidney meridians flank the pharynx, follow the throat, and connect to the root of the tongue. When Fire does not stay rooted, heat floats up along the meridians and rushes upward, causing sore throat; hence it is named Yin Deficiency Throat Pain. Although all stem from Fire, there are distinctions between Yin-Yang, deficiency-excess, and Yang-pattern throat pain. Fire in Yang patterns arises from the Yang aspect of the Six Fu Organs; it is acquired excessive Fire, i.e., Excess Fire. Thus, bitter-cold and salty-cold herbs are used to directly suppress it. Fire in Yin patterns arises from the Yin aspect of the Kidney Meridian; it is congenital insufficient Fire, i.e., Deficient Fire. Bitter-cold herbs are inappropriate. Instead, one should greatly tonify Water to nourish and control it, employing strategies to guide and consolidate it. Suitable formulas include Liuwei Dihuang Tang (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Decoction) added with Maidong (Ophiopogon Root) and Wuweizi (Schisandra Berry), or added with Jiujin Dadihuang (Wine-soaked Large Rehmannia Root), Xuanshen (Scrophularia Root), and Jiuzheng Huainiuxi (Wine-steamed Huai Achyranthes Root). After recovery, adjust Liuwei Dihuang Tang and Renshen Guben Wan (Ginseng Solidifying Root Pill) according to the condition, taking them long-term. Avoid alcohol, sexual indulgence, new chicken, ducklings, fish, shrimp, and all fire-assisting foods. Cultivating a clear mind and reducing desires is necessary for the medicine to be effective; otherwise, relapse and difficult treatment are inevitable.