Chinese woodcut: Obstruction of the urinary tract

Woodcut 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). It illustrates an explanation of the pathogenesis of xiaobian zhongbi (inflammation and obstruction of the urinary tract). This disease is said generally to be caused by Qi becoming hot, coagulating and causing an obstruction, as a result of exogenous wind-cold. The preferred method of treatment is by dispelling the wind-cold, clearing the heat and inducing diuresis.

PICTURE TITLE: Xiaobian zhongbi (inflammation and obstruction of the urinary tract). OTHER LETTERING: Xiaobian bi (obstruction of the urinary tract), sharp swelling as if glazed.