Profound Principles of the Grotto-Heavens, Volume 9: Cane Sores
Daya Hall

Profound Principles of the Grotto-Heavens: Volume 9

Written by Chen Shiduo of Shanyin, courtesy name Jingzhi, styled Yuangong

Published by his grandson Chen Wohui, courtesy name Yuyi

Commentary by Tao Shiyu of Kuaiji, courtesy name Shangbai, styled Cunzhai

Proofread by Lu Fang of Lizhai, styled Suhui

Cane Sores

original: 杖瘡 (Zhangchuang). These refer specifically to the wounds, bruises, and open sores resulting from being beaten with a wooden staff or bamboo cane, a common form of judicial punishment in imperial China.

Cane sores are sores that form after one has undergone official punishment. If a person’s Qi and Blood [vital energy and circulation] are abundant, the wound will easily heal and close. However, if their Qi and Blood are insufficient, it will be difficult for the injury to resolve and dissipate.

If the punishment received is light, the blood will not stagnate; if the punishment is heavy, the blood will surely become corrupted and foul. In cases where the punishment is mild, the Qi will not be depleted; but when the punishment is severe, the Qi will inevitably be broken and ruined.

Generally, when the punishment is mild and the strikes are few, the person can endure the pain without crying out. When the punishment is heavy and the strikes are many, there is great sorrow and much weeping. This emotional distress is the reason why the Qi and Blood become even more significantly depleted.