14 CHINESE MATERIA MEDICA. 



Siebold, calls this TJialictrum rubclluni. While these may all 

 be similar in physiological action, it is scarcely probable that 

 they are of equal value and medicinal strength. The identifica- 

 tion of the various species remains yet to be done ; while, if the 

 drug has the medicinal properties ascribed to it by the Chinese, 

 the comparative value and action of the various kinds is still to 

 be ascertained. According to the Chinese books the chief 

 source of the drug is the mountain ravines of Szechuan ; but 

 the Customs Reports, in addition to the province already 

 mentioned, give Manchuria, Shensi, Chekiang, Kuangtung, 

 and Kuangsi as sources of supply. It is possible that the 

 various provinces may furnish roots from different but allied 

 genera and species. The superior quality of the drug is called 

 ^ Hi I^ (Sheng-ma-jou), 1133, while the inferior is designated 

 5^ ISI, li (Sheng-ma-t'ou), 11 34. The commonly used variety 

 of the plant most nearly resembles Actea in the descrip- 

 tion given in the books, so this article is written under this 

 classification. 



Marvelous properties are ascribed to this drug in Chinese 

 medical works. It is regarded as " a corrective for every form 

 of poison, preserving from old age and preventing death ; a 

 prophylactic against pestilence, malaria, evil miasms, and the 

 ku (^) poison". One is reminded that forty years ago 

 Cimicifiiga raceniosa was held in almost as high repute by a 

 certain school of physicians in America. Whether the Chinese 

 drug is as inert as the American product, remains to be 

 considered. To say the least, it is remarkable that empirics 

 separated by wide oceans and by reaches of time, should have 

 come to practically the same estimate of what is apparently so 

 worthless a drug. In addition to its use in miasmatic and 

 infectious disorders it is prescribed in nervous crying of 

 children, in skin diseases, in the treatment of malignant 

 tumors, in aphthous sore mouth, and in post-partum 

 hemorrhage. 



ACTINIDIA.— ^ % (Ch'ang-ch'u). This is the classical 

 name. The Shuo-wen says it is the -^ ^^ (Yang-t'ao). It is a 

 climbing shrub with edible fruit about the size of a plum. 

 There seems to be two varieties, which have been identified as 



