Supposedly, the Chinese had a techniques that was cheap. low tech, and easy (and also would leave no marks on the body).The luckless victim would be tied down so that he could not move, and a slow drip of water would be palced on his forehead. this would be a gentle drip-drip-drip-harmless!
But after a few hours, the victim wouls fell the drops as a hammer blows on his head, and would do anything to have this stop!
My question: is this all Hollywood fiction?And, if it was so effective, why isn’t is used today? I mean, electric shocks to the genitals are soo messy…why not water torture?
I don’t have the answer but that is because I logged in this morning to ask this exact same question. That is quite a coincidence.
Cecil says it’s not really Chinese, though the column doesn’t comment on its efficacy. I’m guessing that being held immobile for long periods would have effects far more traumatic than the water…muscle stiffness, restricted circulation, not being able to scratch that really bad itch on your nose, etc.
The modern equivalent is locking someone in a room where the Teletubbies theme song is played non-stop. 
Oh, frell…never mind. I missed that Number got to it first…
The water Torture is when a prisoner is forced to drink large quantities of water, until his stomach bursts.
I don’t know if the Chinese used it, but the Spanish Inquisition did.
http://wiccanhistorian.home.att.net/histories/torture.html
http://www.aztriad.com/letter5.html
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Dungeon/4712/torture.html
please don’t mention comfy chairs
NOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition!
[SDMB Cliche]
Blast! You beat me to it!
[/SDMBC]