Chinese woodcut, illustrating food poisoning

In the centre of the picture, a man with food poisoning reclines on a bed. His facial expression indicates acute suffering. He is surrounded by members of his household, who are tending to him. In front of the bed on the right sits a doctor, who is explaining methods of treating food poisoning. Yinshan zhengyao records various methods of treatment for food poisoning. If the cause of the food poisoning cannot be ascertained and the patient is in distress, one should immediately give a decoction of sophora flavescens to induce vomiting. Alternatively one can administer a draught of rhinoceros horn, vinegar or good wine, all of which are said to have detoxicant properties. If the cause is known, specific antidotes can be used. For instance, abdominal distension due to a surfeit of melons can be treated by eating salt; and dijiang counteracts the effects of poisonous fungi.

Shiwu zhongdu (food poisoning)