Woodblock illustration from Waike xinfa zhenyan zhinan (Guide to Tried and True Methods at the Heart of External Medicine), published in 1887 (13th year of the Guangxu reign period of the Qing dynasty). The cupping vessel (huo gan, fire pot) was an instrument employed in Chinese medicine for external treatment. In early times, it was generally made of porcelain. It was supposed to possess the properties of promoting the circulation of Yang Qi and dispelling poisonous Qi, and could be used not only to remove toxins, but also to get rid of cold. Cupping was considered effective against all kinds of cold conditions, whether caused by external factors or by diet
