Black Medicine Anthology

by N. Mashiro

Figure 20

  The kick to the side of the chest can be slipped in under a raised arm, jarring the thoracic organs and bruising several important nerves in the armpit.

  Celiac (solar) plexus: The soft spot just below the stomach. A relatively light blow to this area will shock the diaphragm, momentarily paralyzing it, which makes breathing difficult. Pain and giddiness result, especially in an individual who has been exercising heavily and therefore is breathing hard. A powerful blow directed straight in (rather than upward as in the case of the xiphoid process) can injure portions of the liver and stomach, producing internal bleeding, shock to some of the thoracic ganglia and unconsciousness. This striking area is not protected by either bone or muscle which makes it singularly vulnerable even to finger pokes. The end of a nightstick can produce a very dramatic effect here, (Figure 21).

  Seventh intercostal space (liver): About four inches to the right of the solar plexus. The target area is the combined costal cartilages of the seventh, eighth, nineth and tenth ribs above the liver. Trauma to the liver can cause internal bleeding and possible fatal long-term metabolic dysfunction. A blow at this point will also paralyze the diaphragm temporarily, (Figure 15).

  Seventh intercostal space (stomach): About four inches to the left of the solar plexus. As in the case of the previous striking point, the target is the combined costal cartilages of the lower ribs, but on the left side they overlie the stomach and spleen. The stomach may be forced to regurgitate its contents by a blow to this region. The spleen is one of the blood reservoirs of the body and can be injured relatively easily, producing internal bleeding. And, again, the diaphragm can be adversely affected by a blow to this area, (Figure 15). It is possible to force the fingers up behind the costal cartilages at this point, grasp them, and yank them outward. The sensation is indescribably unpleasant.

  Eleventh intercostal space (floating ribs): The eleventh and twelfth ribs are the "floating ribs," so-called because they are not connected to the sternum by costal cartilages. They lie very low on the side of the abdomen, about four inches above the hip bones. These ribs can be broken by a relatively light blow damaging either the stomach or the liver as in the case of the previous two striking points. Such a blow is commonly delivered from the side, traveling in toward the center of the body. This is a favorite nightstick target, (Figure 22).

  Figure 21

  An elbow blow to the celiac (solar) plexus can knock the wind out of even the strongest attacker.

  Abdominal aorta and Vena cava: A knife wound anywhere in the abdomen can cause enough shock to put a man down, but this depends on the man and his state of mind. A deep thrust followed by jerking the blade sideways can sever the aorta or vena cava which lie along the backbone, resulting in massive internal bleeding and instant death, (Figure 10).

  Lower abdomen: This vital point is just below the navel. A punch directed downward into the bowl of the pelvis will injure the bladder, the lower large intestine, the genitals, the femoral arteries and a profusion of spinal nerves. The pain and shock caused by a blow to this complex area is stunning.

  Iliac crest: A thrust kick which lands squarely on the hip bone will badly jar an opponent, possibly injuring the nerves of the lower back. Breaking this bone, as with a heavy club, immediately puts the opponent on the ground.

  Kidneys: The striking point is just to the left or right of the eleventh thoracic vertebra, partially covered by the last rib. The kidneys are very delicate organs richly supplied with blood. Their proximity to the abdominal aorta makes them particularly prone to massive hemorrhage when injured. Damage to the kidneys can cause shock and even death. This is a primary knife target since the kidneys and the renal arteries are very close to the surface and can be reached by a shallow thrust, (Figure 23).

  First lumbar vertebra: There are several combat karate techniques which involve lifting an opponent up into the air and then dropping him across your bent knee, snapping his backbone at the level of the first lumbar vertebra, (Figure 16 and 24).

  Fifth lumbar vertebra: This is the last vertebra above the pelvis. It articulates with the sacrum, which is essentially fused to the pelvis, so all coordinated movement between the upper and lower halves of the body pivots upon this joint. Any damage to the spine at this point will serve to weaken an opponent even if no serious damage to the spinal nerves should result, (Figure 16).

  Testicles: The genitals are very delicate and are so loaded with sensory nerves that even a glancing blow to the groin can be completely debilitating. A full power blow to the scrotum and testes will crush these organs against the pubic bones and can result in actual castration. The drawback in using this target is that street fighters universally expect the attack and learn to defend against it. Fathers who advise their daughters to "knee the bastard in the crotch" usually haven't taken this into consideration.

  Figure 22

  A knee-kick to the floating ribs is a persuasive method of keeping a grounded opponent down.

  Figure 23

  The stab to the kidney is the classic example of an effective, skillfullyexecuted knife attack.

  Figure 24

  One of the more brutal unarmed defense techniques consists of breaking a man's back over your bent knee. The victim has been forcefully dropped across the knee from shoulder height.

  The reader should be cautioned that there is a slight delay between this injury and the resulting agony. Some combat karate schools train their students to make use of the second or so between injury and collapse to catch the attacker offguard and kill him before becoming helpless. A full second to work with is more than enough time for a desperate karateist to land several potentially lethal blows.

  Coccyx: This is the tailbone, located at the tip of the spinal column beneath the sacrum. The coccyx overlies the sacral plexus where nearly all of the major nerve trunks of the hips and legs originate. In addition, the coccyx is a vestigial part of the spine and as such is innervated directly by a spinal nerve which descends from the extreme tip of the spinal cord. Fracture of the coccyx affects all the above mentioned nerves, producing agonizing pain. Fracture of the coccyx requires corrective surgery but does not endanger the life or health of the injured party.

  Healing, even after surgery, is delayed and painful because the anal muscles attach to the coccyx, and pull against the fracture whenever the victim has a bowel movement, (Figures 16, 25 and 36).

  Figure 25

  A knee kick to the coccyx is extremely painful and the injury takes a long time to heal.

  Shoulder joint: Under the proper circumstances the humerus can be twisted and torn entirely out of its socket in the shoulder. The dislocation takes the fight out of an opponent immediately.

  Subaxillary bundle: There is a target located high on the inner side of the arm, about an inch down from the fold of the armpit. The brachial artery can be felt at this point, and within a fraction of an inch of this artery lie portions of several major nerves, including the radial, ulnar, and medial nerves. A sharp blow or pinch at this point will damage these nerves and temporarily paralyze the arm. A slashing cut with a knife will sever the artery and the nerves, causing permanent paralysis at the least, and death within minutes if the bleeding is not stopped, (Figure 26).

  Radial nerve (lateral aspect): About halfway down the outer side of the upper arm the radial nerve is exposed where it crosses the humerus on its way from the shoulder down into the forearm. The striking point is immediately beneath the insertion of the deltoid muscle. Bruising the nerve at this point produces much the same effect as that of striking the "funny bone," i.e., a general weakening of the arm and a peculiarly debilitating pain in the arm and shoulder, (Figure 27).

  Triceps muscle: The muscle on the back of the upper arm which causes the straightening of the arm at the elbow. A sharp blow, such as a knuckle blow, to the belly of the muscle will cause temporary paralysis of the arm making it very difficult for the opponent to use hand techniques effectively.

  The mechanism for this is rathe
r complex. Most of the muscles of the body operate in opposing pairs and pull against each other at all times. By stimulating one muscle and inhibiting the opposite muscle the body achieves movement. But most muscles are actually strong enough to tear their own tissue if they attempt to contract at full power when no movement is possible, such as in the case of a man trying to lift a very heavy object. To prevent injuries of this sort the body has nerves within the muscles and their tendons which sense this sort of self-inflicted damage and react by paralyzing both the injured muscle and the opposing muscle. This inhibition of the strained tissue makes it impossible for the muscle to contract strongly enough to do itself any further damage. The karateist can take advantage of this protective reaction by striking at the bellies and tendons of large muscles. This triggers the paralyzing reflex which then weakens not only the muscle which was attacked, but other muscles as well.

  Figure 26

  Front of the arm.

  a. Subaxillary bundle (arteries, nerve and tendons)

  b. Insertion of the biceps muscle (cubital fossa)

  c. Superficial branch of the radial nerve (in the mound of the forearm)

  d. Inside of wrist (radial artery, flexor tendons, and medial nerve)

  Figure 27

  The back of the arm.

  a. Radial nerve (just below the insertion of the deltoid muscle)

  b. Triceps muscle

  c. Ulnar nerve ("funny bone")

  d. Superficial branch of the radial nerve (in the mound of the forearm)

  e. Ulna (about one and one-half inches above the wrist)

  f. Nerve pressure points of the hand

  The triceps muscle and the radial nerve are also very vulnerable to a knife slash, as when one fighter lunges for the kill but his opponent sidesteps and slashes at the extended arm, (Figure 27).

  Biceps: The belly of the bicep muscle can be bruised, or slashed with a knife, temporarily paralyzing the arm.

  Cubital fossa (insertion of the biceps): The thick bundle of tendons extending down from the bicep into the hollow of the elbow can be injured by a chop, or severed by a heavy "sabre cut" with a Bowie knife. Both attacks render the arm useless, (Figure 26).

  Ulnar nerve: There is a soft spot in the back of the upper arm about an inch up from the point of the elbow, beneath which lies a portion of the ulnar nerve. This is the point commonly called the "funny bone." A sharp blow at this point produces a paralyzing kind of pain in the arm and shoulder. Many armlocks depend on pressure applied to this point, (Figure 27).

  Elbow joint: The striking point is the back of the straightened arm at the elbow. A relatively light blow to this spot will dislocate the elbow, breaking the arm.

  Olecranon: Point of elbow. When the elbow is bent, a sharp blow on its point from a nightstick can shatter the end of the ulna, (Figure 28).

  Superficial branch of radial nerve: This is the branch of the radial nerve which passes through the mound of the forearm, the muscular bulge in the top of the forearm about three inches down from the elbow. A blow to this nerve will produce a dull aching pain in the forearm and hand that results in a weakening of the muscles which control the fingers and hand. Once struck in the mound of the forearm an opponent will experience difficulty in forming a fist or grasping a weapon. This nerve center is commonly a target for a knife-hand block (chop), (Figures 26 and 27).

  Figure 28

  A nightstick blow on the tip of the elbow can chip or break the end of the ulna, immobilizing the arm.

  Figure 29

  A club blow or karate chop to the inside of the wrist can shock the median nerve, making it difficult for the opponent to control his hand. A sharp blow here can force the hand to open involuntarily, releasing the weapon.

  Median nerve: The inside of the wrist about an inch and a half up the arm from the heel of the hand. The striking point is the soft area between the radius and ulna. A blow at this point produces damage to the underlying median nerve. Digging lightly into this area with a knuckle produces an unusually intense and sickening kind of pain in the forearm, (Figures 26 and 29).

  Radial artery and Flexor tendons: A knife slash across the inside of the wrist will sever the radial artery and several of the tendons which pull the fingers into a fist. The opponent loses the ability to grasp anything with his hand, and will pass out within thirty seconds, (according to Fairbairn) if he does not use his other hand to stop the bleeding. Therefore, a slashed wrist will effectively "disarm" an opponent. It takes about two minutes to bleed to death from this injury, (Figures 26 and 30).

  Back of the wrist: About two inches up the back of the arm from the wrist joint. The median nerve can be shocked by a sharp blow at the back of the wrist, such as a knifehand chop.

  Ulna: A sharp blow to the ulna, about one and one-half inches above the wrist, such as with a nightstick, will snap it in two and immobilize the arm. (The author speaks from painful experience), (Figures 27 and 31).

  Wrist joint: When bent in certain ways, the wrist will lock painfully and can be broken or used as a controlling pain. Aikido students in particular are fond of wrist locks, (Figure 32).

  Back of the hand: There are three vulnerable areas. The radial nerve and the ulnar nerve form a loop of nerve tissue which runs out the thumb side of the hand, across the back of the hand just behind the knuckles, and back down the little finger side of the hand. These nerves are particularly vulnerable at three points: (1) between the thumb and the index finger where the radial nerve is exposed against the side of the second metacarpal bone, (2) between the knuckles of the middle and ring fingers where the two nerves meet, and (3) along the little finger side of the fourth metacarpal where the ulnar nerve is exposed. A sharp digging blow with a yawara stick or gouging with the fingernails at these points will produce surprisingly severe pain in the hand and arm. These nerve points are usually used to break the opponent's grip on a knife or other object, (Figures 27 and 33).

  Figure 30

  In this photo one fighter has tried to grab the other but has been blocked by a slash to the inside of the wrist.

  Figure 31

  Baton attack to the ulna. The smaller of the two long bones of the forearm is easy to break just behind the wrist.

  Figure 32

  The wrist joint can be locked painfully and used to control an opponent with the threat of dislocation. When the wrist is forced into this position the opponent's hand involuntarily opens and drops any weapon he may be holding.

  Fingers: The fingers can be "jammed" or sprained very easily, a frequently used tactic being to strike the opponent's hands to hurt his fingers and make it difficult for him to make fists. Many releases depend on spraining or breaking one or more of the opponent's fingers, (Figure 34). In knife and bayonet fighting the fingers are primary targets, and a heavy blade can actually sever them. Once the hands have been muli- lated in this manner the enemy is defenseless.

  Figure 33

  The nerve pressure points of the back of the hand. The dotted lines show the paths of the nerves, and the arrows indicate the three locations where the nerves can be squeezed against underlying bones by gouging with the fingernails.

  Figure 34

  In a fist fight a fast punch to the opponent's relaxed fingers can sprain, break or dislocate them making the hand useless.

  Inguinal region: The inside front of the upper thigh, at the fold where the thigh joins the trunk. The striking point includes the first few inches of the path of the femoral nerve, the femoral artery and vein, and the genitofemoral nerve at the point where they exit the abdomen and enter the thigh. Of primary importance is the femoral nerve, which innervates the sartorius and quadriceps femoris muscles. Trauma to this nerve will paralyze or greatly weaken the thigh muscles, preventing the use of any coordinated foot techniques by the opponent. In addition, the pain generated by a blow to the femoral nerve can be sufficient to take the fight out of an opponent even if loss of muscle control does not occur. A deep gouging of the opponent's inguinal areas with y
our thumbs is a quick release from a bear hug even when both your arms are pinned to your sides.

  A knife or bayonet injury to this area is extremely serious because of the large size and exposure of the femoral artery. Unconsciousness and death follow in seconds. Note that some military manuals have mistakenly shown this point as being almost halfway down the thigh. The true target is no lower than the level of the testicles, (Figure 35).

  Sciatic nerve: The striking point is the center of the back of the thigh just below the fold of the buttocks. The largest nerve of the body, the sciatic nerve, is vulnerable at this point. The sciatic nerve gives rise to the peroneal nerve and the tibial nerve, hence a kick to the gluteal fold will interfere with muscular control of the back of the thigh and the entire lower leg and foot. The blow also produces relocated pain in the abdomen as well as pain and cramping at the point of impact, (Figures 36 and 37).

  Femur: There are karate techniques, mainly kicks, which purport to snap the thighbone in two, but this takes tremendous power, (Figure 37).

  Vastus lateralis: The large muscle running down the outside of the thigh. This is one part of the quadricips femoris, the alliance of four large muscles which extend the leg by straightening the knee. This and the next striking point ...

  Figure 35

  The front view of the leg.

  a. Inguinal region (femoral vein, artery and nerve)

  b. Vastus lateralis

  c. Rectus femoris

  d. Patella (kneecap)