Tongue diagnosis chart: Long, swollen, red, protruding tongue

Woodcut from Shanghan she jian (Tongue Examination for Cold Damage), a Chinese manual of tongue diagnosis, published in 1668 (7th year of the Kangxi reign period of the Qing dynasty) -- simple outline drawing, illustrating the tongue morphology known as hong changzhang chu kouwai she (long, swollen red tongue protruding from the mouth). In this condition, the tongue is bright red and so swollen that it protrudes from the mouth, indicating that heat toxins are attacking the heart. This is treated internally with heart-purging decoction of rhubarb and Golden Thread (huanglian, Rhizoma Coptidis) and externally by the use of stone needles to expel malign blood. In addition, a mixture of bingpian (borneol) and renzhonghuang (liquorice in human faeces) is applied to the tongue.

PICTURE TITLE: Hong changzhang chu kouwai she (long, swollen red tongue protruding from the mouth). OTHER LETTERING: Long; large; swollen.