Page:The punishments of China.djvu/83

 PLATE XVII. HAMSTRINGING A MALEFACTOR. HIS punishment is reported to have been inflicted upon malefactors, who have endeavoured to make their escape. A vessel containing Chunam, a species of mortar, is at hand, to be applied, by way of styptic, to the wounds. It is said, that this punishment has been lately abolished, the legislature considering, that the natural inclination for liberty, merited not a chastisement of such severity.