VEGETABLE KINGDOM. 55 



of its leaves. It is found in rocky ravines anywhere between 

 the Huai and the Yangtsze, and probably any place else in 

 Central China. Its continued use will give a fragrant odor to 

 the body. The root is the part used, and it is prescribed for 

 fevers, coughs, goitre, and for intestinal worms. A caution is 

 offered in regard to a plant called Tfc i^.g ^ (Mu-hsi-hsin), which 

 is considered to be poisonous, and the similarity of names to 

 the i i|0 -^ (T'u-hsi-hsin) might lead to error. 



ASARUM SIEBOLDI. — $m 5^ (Hsi-hsin), 388. This 

 drug seems to be confused with the last in commerce. It, 

 however, is a northern plant, being found principally in Korea, 

 Manchuria, and the extreme northern provinces of China. 

 The Chinese name refers to the fibrous character of the roots 

 and their extreme acridity. The dried root appears in the 

 shops in the form of fibrous radicles, having a strong, aromatic 

 smell and a subacrid taste, having lost some of the acridity of 

 the fresh root in the process of drying. The Pentsao assigns 

 to this drug emetic, expectorant, diaphoretic, diuretic, and 

 purgative properties. It is prescribed in rheumatic affections, 

 and in epilepsy. It is used in powder in the treatment of nasal 

 polypus and in deafness, and in strong decoction or powder ia 

 the treatment of ulcers of the mouth. 



ASCLEPIAS.— ^ % % (Pai-t'u-huo). This seems to be 

 a Sarsa-like plant, both as to its form and as to its reputed 

 medicinal virtues. It is said to grow in various parts of China, 

 such as Kuangtung, Hupeh, and Shensi. Its species is not 

 determined. It is considered to be a counterpoison, and is 

 recommended in the treatment of insect and animal stings and 

 bites, to counteract the ^ (Ku) poison,- and to destroy the 

 eflfects of poisons that may have been swallowed. 



ASPARAGUS IvUCIDUS.— 5; P^ % (T'ien-men-tung), 

 1301, 1302. Other names, ^ % (Men-tuug), %^ 1^ (Tien-le), 

 and M ^M (Wan-sui-t'eng). This is said by the Pentsao to 

 be a creeping plant with prickly leaves. In the region of 

 Taishan, in Shantung, is the mkDst famous place of its production. 

 But it is cultivated iu and around Peking. The Customs Lists 



