SMITAX CHINA. ORD. VIII. Sarmentacee. 165 
cfous than the oriental. Mr. Aiton informs us, that it was first 
cultivated in Britain by Miller: it seems however to be a tender 
plant, and is rarely brought to flower in this country, even when 
placed in the best stoves, and under the direction of the most 
scientific gardeners. 
According to Lewis, “ two sorts of the roots are common in the 
shops, an oriental, and occidental; the first, which is accounted the 
best, is considerably paler coloured, and harder than theother. Of 
either kind, such should be chosen, as is fresh and heavy, and which, 
when cut, exhibits a close smooth glossy surface.” 
«« These roots have scarcely any smell, or particular taste; when 
fresh they are said to be somewhat acrid, but as brought to us they 
discover, even when long chewed, no other than a slight unctuosity 
in the mouth. Boiled in water they impart a reddish colour, and a 
‘kind of vapid softness: the decoction, inspissated, yields an unctuous 
farinaceous almost insipid mass, amounting to upwards of half the 
weight of the root.” * 
About the year 1535 this root was first brought to Europe with 
the character of being an incomparable medicine for the cure of 
the venereal disease.” For this purpose it was given in the form 
of a decoction, of which a large cupful was ordered to be made 
hot;,and taken by the patient every morning while in bed, in order 
to produce a diaphoretic effect for two or three hours. 
This, and the occasional use of purgatives, was to be pursued for 
twenty-four days, after which the decoction was to be used as-a 
common drink*© 
This root was also recommended in many other disorders, espe-~ 
cially those of a chronic and inveterate kind, as some cutaneous 
_diseases, obstructions, rheumatisms, &c. But whatever may have 
-been the opinion formerly entertained of the efficacy of China root, 
2 Lewis. J. c, 
> Thevet.. Cosmogr. univers. LE, 11. c. 25. 
* Vesalius. Epist. de rad, chine in Aphor. p. 598. &c. Astruc. de morb, ven. p. 112.. 
No, 14. 2T 
