Acute pathologies, thoracic oppression, Chinese lithograph

Lithograph from Huitu shajing hebi (Illustrated Compendium of Acute Pathologies), published in 1911 (3rd year of the Xuantong reign period of the Qing dynasty). This is a specialised text dealing with shabing - a category of sudden, acute diseases. It contains descriptions of 44 conditions, each accompanied by an illustration. This image illustrates menxin sha (acute illness characterised by thoracic oppression). Patients with this condition experience feelings of oppression in the heart and chest, or have symptoms of zhongshu (heat stroke) or zhongfeng (wind stroke). According to the text, the condition is treated by acupuncture in the 'heart's nest' (xinwo, precordium); in the canthus, at the corner of the eye; in the 'purple tendons' (zijing) at the knees; in the tongue etc.

Picture title: Menxin sha (acute illness characterised by thoracic oppression). Other lettering: Part the teeth and needle the tip of the tongue once. Needle the precordium once. Needle the canthus int the fleshy corner of both eyes. Needle the 'purple tendons' (zijing) at both knees once.