VEGETABLE KINGDOM. 49 



ARISTOLOCHIA CONTORTA. — ± ^ :^ fs (T'u- 



cli'ing-inu-hsiaug). This plant is found at Peking and north- 

 ward. It is described in the Phitsao under Aristolochia 

 kcempferi. Whetlier the drug met with in coninierce is tlie 

 product of this plant, of Aristolochia ko^nipfcri^ or of Aristolo- 

 chia recnrvilabra^ is uncertain, with a probability in favor of 

 the last named. 



ARISTOLOCHIA KCEMPFERI.—,^ ^ ^ (Ma-tou- 

 ling), 813. Called by Faber % |^ (Ton-ling), Aristolochia 

 ichilis. The drug conies principally from the northern prov- 

 inces; some being exported (possibly re-exported) from Foochow. 

 It consists of dry, oval, pediculated fruits of one to one-and- 

 three-quarters inch in length when whole. But thev are 

 usually broken, showing a division into six thin, papery valves, 

 inclosing flat, obtusely-triangular, winged seeds. Some say that 

 the Chinese name of this plant, "horse bell," refers to the 

 shape of the leaf. As the open, cellular structure of these fruits 

 is considered by the Chinese to resemble the human lung, 

 they are strongly recommended in all forms of pulmonary 

 affections. They have very little taste or smell and are not 

 poisonous. Other diseases for which they are prescribed are 

 hemorrhoids and ascites. One of the fruits burued over a lamp, 

 and the charred remains taken with wine, is considered a sure 

 cure for heartburn. 



ARISTOLOCHIA RECURVILABRA.— ^Tfc^ (Ch'ing- 

 mu-hsiang), 192, [|j jf^ (Pai-shu), 961. These are the identifica- 

 tions of Hance. The latter is cultivated in Shaohsing prefecture, 

 .Chekiaug province, and large quantities are therefore exported 

 from Ningpo. The plant resembles the birthwort, and evident- 

 ly belougs to this genus. It is said to sometimes be substituted 

 for Indian putchuk. The various kinds of the drug are known 

 as 2j5 ;|f; (P'ing-shu), /^ )\c (SUieng-shu), ^ ;[t (Tung-shu), ± H 

 (T'u-shu), % -)\c (Wu-shu), 7^ )\l (Yiian-shu), >], % )% (Hsiao- 

 yiian-shu), and ^ % (Yiin-shu). Besides the province of Che- 

 kiang, Kiangsi, Anhui, and Yunnan are sources of supply for 

 the drug. The best kind is said to be produced at %\ iff (Yii- 

 chien) in Hangchow prefecture. Of the former, the sources 



