Illustration of Bone Ulcers and Whitlows

Human Figure

This diagram serves as a clinical reference for two distinct but related inflammatory conditions:

1. Bone Ulcers original: "Guju" (骨疽). In traditional medicine, these are deep-rooted, suppurative (pus-forming) lesions that reach the bone. They are characterized by a slow onset and can lead to the discharge of necrotic bone fragments, similar to what modern medicine describes as osteomyelitis.
2. Whitlows original: "Biao" (瘭). This refers to acute, painful swellings and abscesses occurring at the tips of the fingers or toes, often near the nail bed. In modern terms, these are frequently called felons or paronychia.

The accompanying Medical Atlas original: "Yixue tupu" (醫學圖譜). These collections of illustrations were vital teaching tools in the Ming and Qing dynasties, allowing doctors to visualize internal pathways and external symptoms. illustration depicts a standing male figure in a neutral pose. This type of woodcut was a standard feature in Traditional Chinese Medicine Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): A comprehensive system of healthcare that has evolved over thousands of years, focusing on the flow of vital energy (Qi) and the balance of bodily elements. texts. The figure provides a canvas for the physician to understand where these "deep-seated" and "superficial" toxins might emerge on the body.

While the previous section focused on the internal coldness and "deficiency-heat" affecting the ribs, this illustration focuses on the visible, physical results of such imbalances when they settle in the skeletal structure or the extremities.