Acute throat wind

Also constricting throat wind. A form of throat wind that develops swiftly, soon making the throat swollen and blocked. It occurs in patients given to excessive consumption of fat meat, fine grain, and strong flavors (i.e., rich food), and liquor and fried foods, or who have brewing lung-stomach heat. Acute throat wind arises when contraction of wind-heat stirs fire and engenders phlegm, the combined evil toxin becoming congested in the throat. At onset, the throat quickly becomes swollen, inhibiting normal swallowing. Subsequently, the whole throat becomes scorching red, hot swollen, and congested with phlegm-drool. There is a constricted sensation, phlegm rale, hasty labored breathing, and hoarse voice. Blockage of the throat hampers the swallowing of liquids, and, in severe cases, can lead to death by asphyxiation.

Biomedical correspondence: edema of the throat; retropharyngeal abscess.

See throat wind.

Medicinal therapy: Disperse swelling and resolve toxin; clear heat and disinhibit the throat. Use Scourge-Clearing Toxin-Vanquishing Beverage (清瘟败毒饮 qīng wēn bài dú yǐn). If there is heart vexation and clouded spirit, open the orifices and sweep phlegm with Peaceful Palace Bovine Bezoar Pill (安宫牛黄丸 ān gōng niú huáng wán). When pus has formed, lance and drain, and insufflate Borneol and Borax Powder (冰硼散 bīng péng sǎn). Where asphyxiation is threatened, modern surgery is necessary to maintain respiration.