for infections and eruptions on the face and internally they are 
prescribed for colds, nervous disorders and others. Notable ts 
the fact that the drug is used in combination with Cannabis 
sativa and taken with wine as an anesthesia for small opera- 
tions and cauterizations. Cannabis was among the earliest 
plants used in China for its anesthetic effect. 
The delirious action produced by the Jimson weed seeds was 
also known to the Chinese along with its introduction. Li 
Shih-chén himself experimented with this and recorded his 
actual experience as follows: ‘‘According to traditions, it Is 
alleged that when the flowers are picked for use with wine 
while one is laughing, the wine will cause one to produce 
laughing movements; and when the flowers are picked while 
one is dancing, the wine will cause one to produce dancing 
movements. [I have found out] that such movements will be 
produced when one becomes half drunk with the wine and 
someone else laughs or dances to induce these actions.”’ 
Mao-kén — Ranunculus acris L.? 
The identity of this plant is uncertain. Mao-kén is the name 
generally referred to species of the genus Ranunculus. A 
species ora variety of a species of the genus, growing along the 
waters edge, is alleged, in some earlier works, to have delirious 
effects on man. The whole plant is considered poisonous and it 
is not used as medicine internally but applied only externally 
for irritation and inflammation. The delirious action, however, 
noted in earlier works, is not mentioned in later herbals. 
Li Shih-chén cites Ko Hung (4), an author of the 4th century, 
in the following account: ‘‘Among the herbs there is the Shui 
Lang (water Lang, a kind of Mao-kén) a plant with rounded 
leaves which grows along water courses and is eaten by crabs. 
It is poisonous to man and when eaten by mistake, it produces a 
maniacal delirium, appearing like a stroke and sometimes with 
blood-spitting. The remedy is to use licorice.”’ 
There is the possibility that there is some mistaken identity 
about the plant in question as a Ranunculus. A quotation 
similar to the one given above appears also in Li Shih-chén 
separately under Lang-tang (Hyoscyamus niger L.). This quo- 
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