Woodblock illustration of surgical instruments/instruments of external medicine from Waike tushuo (Pictorial Manual of External Medicine), published in 1856 (6th year of the Xianfeng reign period of the Qing dynasty). It shows the zhi qian (straight forceps), tan gang tong (tube for probing the anus), jian zhen (sword needle), guo gang zhen (anal lance) and shengyao tong (mercuric oxide tube). The tube for probing the anus and anal lance were both used in diseases of the anus and rectum. The former was a kind of speculum, used for examination, while the latter was a sharp, pointed instrument, used for lancing and draining anal abscesses. The sword needle was so called because of its appearance.
Shengyao, or crude mercuric oxide, was considered to draw out pus, remove toxins, get rid of decayed flesh and promote the growth of new tissue. It was used as an external treatment for festering sores and ulcers, lingering decayed flesh, fistulas, syphilis etc.
