In front of a screen sits a patient who is suffering from vomiting brought on by eating mutually antagonistic foods. A doctor, seated on the left, is explaining to the patient about food incompatibilities.
Mutually antagonistic foods (shiwu xiangfan) are also known as mutually dominating foods (shiwu xiangke). These terms refer to antagonistic interactions which may alter the flavours of foodstuffs, reduce their quality or nutritional value, or even render them toxic. Yinshan zhengyao records many such food incompatibilities, e.g. 'Rabbit must not be eaten with ginger as it causes huoluan (cholera and similar conditions). Pork must not be eaten with coriander as it rots the intestine. Wild chicken (pheasant) must not be eaten with catfish as it causes leprosy(?). Mustard must not be eaten with ginger as it causes abscesses.'
