I am grateful to Dwight Peretz for his insights related to traditional Asian medical practices. I agree that moxibustion, coining, cupping and other traditional practices are extremely common, both in Asia and among immigrant populations in Canada. Nonetheless, the stigmata of these practices remain unfamiliar to many clinicians who have not had the benefit of practising in Asia or among Asian immigrant populations. Recognition of these clinical signs for what they are will allow clinicians to avoid misdiagnosis and may provide insights into the health beliefs of individual patients. I hope that the publication of the photographs in my article1 has helped to familiarize clinicians with the skin manifestations of these traditional techniques.
David N. Fisman Associate Medical Officer of Health Hamilton Department of Social and Public Health Services Hamilton, Ont.
Reference
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