Tongue diagnosis chart, Chinese woodcut, late Ming

Chinese woodblock illustration from an edition of the late Ming period. It shows the symptom known as Chong sui se (insect broken colour). The tongue is described as pure red and covered in red spots like insect bites. It is a symptom of abundant, burning heat toxin, with fire floating to the surface, and water submerged below. It is therefore treated by combating the condition with decoctions that slightly support Qi.

PICTURE TITLE: Chong sui se (insect broken colour). OTHER LETTERING: Chong sui se (insect broken colour); pure red (chun hong); dark red spots