Zhenjiu Bianyong Tukao

(

Illustration on Acupuncture and Moxibustion

) is composed of the empirical prescriptions

dictated by

ZHANG Xichun

the medical master of acupuncture in the Qing Dynasty

recorded and drawn in detail by

SU Yuanzhen

. There are 5 existing editions of this book preserved

and stored in library of Shanghai University of TCM

bookstore of Nanjing Ancient Classics

library of Heilongjiang Provincial Institute of TCM

library of Beijing University of CM

and China Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences

respectively. Different from the official canonical book

this book provides a simplified and easily understandable contents

including 3 sections

named illustrations

prescriptions

and medicinal properties. In the book

the acupoints were illustrated specially rather than character portrayal

and the empirical treatment for painful symptoms was emphasized. The majority of prescriptions was intended for external application

often accompanied by ritualistic incantations. Medicinal herbs were systematically classified

and the effects were described clearly. This book provides the records on the experience in treatment for common diseases in rural areas

combined with the unique pictorial view of acupuncture-moxibustion prescriptions

representing the diversity of local medicine in the Qing Dynasty.