File:Early C20 Chinese Lithograph; 'Fan' diseases Wellcome L0039468.jpg

Huitu zhenjiu yixue(Illustrated Acupuncture Made Easy), by Li Shouxian, was composed in 1798 (3rd year of the Jiaqing reign period of the Qing dynasty). It comprises two volumes (juan), plus a supplementary volume containing illustrations of the 'Seventy-twofan'.The 'Seventy-twofan' are not mentioned in any other early Chinese medical sources. Judging from the accounts given in this text,fanmust be a generic term for a category of acute illness of unexplained origin. The wordfanis qualified by names of animals and insects to characterise the external manifestations of these illnesses.This illustration shows the manifestations of Deadly Numbness(?) (masha) fan, Pearlfan, Mole Cricketfan(mole cricket,luogu, a member of the gryllotalpidae family) and Lambfan.According to the captions, the signs of these conditions are as follows: In Deadly Numbnessfan, one side of the body is paralysed. This is treated by striking the joints of the limbs with unpeeled hemp stalks dipped in cold water. When bluish bruises appear, the treatment has been successful.In Pearlfan, one side of the body erupts in pearl-like vescicles. This is treated by lancing with a needle so as to draw blood.In Mole Cricketfan, both breasts develop sores resembling mole crickets which itch unbearably. This can be treated by rubbing in bran stir-fried with salt and vinegar.In Lambfan, the patient makes bleating sounds like a sheep and foams at the mouth. This can be treated with realgar (xionghuang), alum, cicada shell and ginger juice, washed down with cold water.
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