Main Treated Disease Name:Diphtheria

Song Formula
Diphtheria can be either single or double in occurrence. For this critical disease, treat it promptly and don’t hesitate. Prick Shangyang, Shaoshang, Guanchong, and Shaochong with a triangular needle to let out blood and avoid disasters.

Introduction of Acupoints
Shangyang: Located on the inner side of the index finger of the hand, at a distance from the corner of the fingernail as wide as a chive leaf.

Shaoshang: Located on the inner side of the thumb of the hand, at a distance from the corner of the fingernail as wide as a chive leaf.
Guanchong: Located on the outer side of the ring finger of the hand, at a distance from the corner of the fingernail as wide as a chive leaf.
Shaochong: Located at the end of the inner edge of the little finger of the hand, at a distance from the corner of the fingernail as wide as a chive leaf.

Analysis of Etiology and Pathology
[Analysis 1]: According to the Inner Canon of Huangdi: If it suddenly occurs, it is not due to cold; if it occurs gradually, it is not due to heat. Distinguishing between deficiency-cold and excess-heat requires wisdom. Single and double tonsillitis, also known as throat blockage, is also called diphtheria. If it occurs above the throat pass, it is mild; if it occurs below the throat pass, it is severe. If the throat is blocked for a short time in this disease, it cannot be saved. For men, start from the center of the bridge of the nose and find the way to the top of the head; for women, start from the back of the head and find the way to the top of the head; for children, check the tiger’s mouth of both hands. If there are blisters or red spots, use a needle to prick them open, and the tonsillitis will be cured.
[Analysis 2]: As recorded in Volume 11 of the Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion: Throat blockage, according to the Original Disease Patterns, means numbness. Commonly written as “closed”, it means blockage. Fire causes swelling. Therefore, when heat invades the upper jiao, the pharynx and larynx swell. Zhang Daoren said: The two meridians of the Hand 少阴 (Heart Meridian) and Hand 少阳 (Triple Energizer Meridian) converge in the throat qi. When there is heat, there will be internal congestion and swelling. If the blockage is not relieved, it will lead to death. Later generations have arbitrarily named eight types: single tonsillitis, double tonsillitis, single throat blockage, double throat blockage, sublingual swelling, wooden tongue swelling, encircling throat wind, and sudden throat blockage. As the heat qi rises, it spreads to the two sides near the outside of the throat and swells. Due to its shape, it is called tonsillitis. One is single and two are double. Those slightly smaller than tonsillitis are named throat blockage. When heat congestion occurs under the tongue and a small tongue is formed, it is called sublingual swelling. When heat congestion occurs in the tongue, it causes swelling, which is called wooden tongue swelling. “Wooden” means stiff and not flexible. When heat congestion occurs in the throat and the swelling surrounds the outside, it feels numb and itchy. When the swelling is large, it is called encircling throat wind. Those who die suddenly are called sudden throat blockage. Although the eight names are detailed, they all belong to the category of fire. For mild cases, use alkaline agents to soften; for severe cases, use purging and dispersing methods. As for sudden throat blockage, life and death can be determined in an instant. Pricking to let out blood can cure the disease. Once, a woman with wooden tongue swelling was treated. Her tongue filled her mouth. A small and sharp needle was used to prick her five to seven times. It took three days for the swelling to subside, and the amount of blood let out was almost a bucket. For throat blockage, immediately use blowing medicine. It is advisable to prick Shaoshang, Hegu, Fenglong, Yongquan, and Guanchong.

Ancient People’s Treatment Experience
As recorded in Volume 11 of the Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion: Once, a woman with wooden tongue swelling was treated. Her tongue filled her mouth. A small and sharp needle was used to prick her five to seven times. It took three days for the swelling to subside, and the amount of blood let out was almost a bucket. For throat blockage, immediately use blowing medicine. It is advisable to prick Shaoshang, Hegu, Fenglong, Yongquan, and Guanchong.

Sun Peirong’s Clinical Experience

Medical Cases
[Case 1]: Mr. Chen, 46 years old, from Henan Province, lives on Xinsheng Road, Yonghe Town, Taipei County, Taiwan Province. He suffered from diphtheria. The growth hung down from above, blocking the throat and making it difficult to breathe. After taking medicine and getting injections, there was no improvement, and all the doctors were at a loss. Fortunately, introduced by his friend, he came by car on September 29, 1969 (the fifty-eighth year of the Republic of China) and asked me to diagnose and treat him. I saw that his condition was extremely dangerous. I pricked Shaoshang, Guanchong, Shaochong, Shangyang and other acupoints with a triangular needle to let out the evil blood, and he turned from danger to safety. The next day, acupuncture was performed again, and he was cured.
[Case 2]: Li Xiaoni, female, of a certain age, from Laiyang, Shandong Province, lives on the first section of Nanjing East Road, Taipei City. In the autumn of 1953 (the forty-second year of the Republic of China), she suffered from severe diphtheria. When it was first discovered, her eyes stared straight, and she had difficulty breathing. She came to me for diagnosis and treatment. After pricking Shangyang, Shaoshang, Guanchong, Shaochong and other acupoints with a triangular needle to let out blood, she was cured.
[Case 3]: Ms. Wang, 46 years old, from Zhejiang Province, lives on Xinsheng Road, Yonghe Town, Taipei County. She suffered from diphtheria. The growth fell down from above, shaped like a jujube. She couldn’t swallow food, couldn’t speak, and had difficulty breathing, which was extremely critical. All the doctors were helpless. On January 29, 1968 (the fifty-seventh year of the Republic of China), introduced by a friend, she asked me to diagnose and treat her. I immediately pricked the above-mentioned acupoints, all using a triangular needle to let out blood. After two successive treatments, she recovered completely.