Lane M. Robson, MD

February 02, 2005

A 14-year-old boy presented with a 3-day history ofrunny nose, cough, and fever. His temperature was37.7°C (100ºF); heart rate, 78 beats per minute; and respirationrate, 26 breaths per minute. Several symmetric,circular ecchymotic lesions that measured 4 cm in diameterwere noted on the upper chest. There was no evidenceof external injury to other parts of the body. Thechild reported that the bruises resulted from cupping,performed by a Chinese practitioner in an attempt torelieve the fever.