Paediatric finger diagnosis chart: Yi graph vein pattern

Paediatric finger diagnosis chart, from Youyou xin shu (New Book of Paediatrics) by the Song (960-1279) writer Liu Fang, in an edition dated '14th year of the Wanli reign period of the Ming dynasty, bingxu year' [i.e. 1586]. It illustrates the 'Yi graph' (yi zi) vein pattern. The character yi, denoting the second of the Heavenly Branches, looks much like an upside-down '2'. This pattern is a sign that malignance (xie) has affected the liver, or that wind in the lung has been transmitted to the liver. Clinical signs of this condition include visual disturbances, paroxysms of tears or prolonged weeping, etc.

PICTURE TITLE: 'Yi graph' (yi zi) vein pattern