48 CHINES?: MATERIA MEDICA. 



root of Ariscsma tJmnbergii. The tendency of the Chinese is 

 to refer the less frequently used species of a genus to the one 

 most frequently employed, especially if the medicinal virtues 

 coincide. In this way most of these aroid plants are consid- 

 ered to hold some relationohip to either AriscBjna tJmnbergii or 

 Pineilia tiiberifera^ which bear the highest reputation medici- 

 nally of this class of plants. This drug is considered to be 

 alterative and febrifuge. It is not much used. 



ARIS3MA THUNBERGIL— ;^ % (Hu-chang). This 

 plant is found in different parts of the central and northern 

 provinces of China. Tho supply comes for the most part from 

 Shensi, Szechuan, Hupeh, and Anhui. The tubers are the 

 part used, which from their shape slightly resembling the paw 

 of an animal, receive the name of "tiger's paws." They 

 resemble those of the allied species Pineilia tziberifera^ Ariscs- 

 ma japojiicujUy Ariscsma ringens^ and Conophyhis konjak. 

 Indeed the distinction between some of these tubers is difficult 

 to make, and is probably not made by the Chinese druggists. 

 So the description of the drug as found in the sliops must have 

 an element of uncertainty about it. In general, however, they 

 are hard, yellowish-brown, or whitish, flattened, round, general- 

 ly divided into small branching tubers grouped around the 

 central portion, which is umbilicated and marked with pits and 

 tubercles. The cicatricial remnant of the stalk is often seen in 

 the umbilicus of the tubers. The interior firm, starchy, white 

 substance has a considerable of acridity when chewed for some 

 time. The drug is considered to be exceedingly poisonous. 

 Alterative, deobstruent, expectorant, diuretic, discutient, and 

 vulnerary properties are attributed to it. It is recommended in 

 Chinese medical practice for apoplexy, hemiplegia, epilepsy, 

 and many other diseases supposed to depend upon the presence 

 of phlegm. It is pounded and mixed with vinegar or oil, and 

 applied to small tumors or swellings. Having a somewhat 

 benumbing influence, similar to that of aconite, it is sometimes 

 used as an ingredient in certain local ansesthetic compounds, 

 which are applied to painful growths, or to abscesses previous 

 to being opened by those who are bold enough to venture upon 

 such a surgical procedure. 



