152 ORD. VII. Hederacee. PANAX QUINQUEFOLIUM. 
that he seems to have given them full credit, and confirms 
them in some measure from his own experience.‘ But. we 
know of no proofs of the efficacy of Ginseng in Europe, and from 
its sensible qualities we judge it to possess very little power as a 
medicine.* It is recommended in decoction, viz. a dram of the 
root to be long boiled in a sufficient quantity of water for one 
dose. 
i He says, ‘* Nobody can imagine that the Chinese and Tartars would set so high 
a value upon this root, if it did not constantly produce a good effect.”—*“+ I ob. 
served the state of my pulse, and then took half of a root raw: in an hour after 
I found my pulse much fuller and quicker; I had.an appetite, and found myself 
much more vigorous, and could bear labour much bctter and easier than before. 
But I did not rely on this trial alone, imagining that this alteration might proceed 
from the rest we had that day: but four days after, finding myself so fatigued and 
weary that I could scarce sit on horseback, a Mandarin who was in company with 
us perceiving it, gave me one of these roots: I took half of it immediately, and an 
hour after I was not the least sensible of any weariness. I have often made use of 
it since, and always with the same success.. I have observed also, that the green 
leaves, and especially the fibrous parts of them chewed, would produce nearly the 
same effect.” Phil. Trans. vol. xxviii. p. 239. 
* Dr. Cullen says, ‘* We are told that the Chinese consider Ginseng as a power- 
ful aphrodisiac ; but I have long neglected the authority of popular opinions, and. 
this is one instance that has confirmed my judgment. I have known a gentleman, 
a little advanced in life, who chewed a quantity of this root every day for several 
years, but who acknowledged he never found his faculties in this way improved. 
by it.” Mat. Med. o. ii. p. 161, 
