1 86 CHINESE MATERIA MEDICA. 



the leaves mixed with vegetables, they die in the course of 

 half a day." The plant is also called g^ Hi ^ (Tuan-ch'ang- 

 ts'ao) and -^ f|§ i^ (Lan-ch'ang-ts'ao), because when it comes 

 in contact with the bowels of man or beast, they become black 

 and gangrenous in a short time. The younger leaves in 

 spring and summer are especially dangerous. The old leaves 

 in autumn are less injurious. The counter-poison recommend- 

 ed by the Phiisao is the blood of a white goose or duck. 

 Medicinally the root is used, and it is recommended for 

 wounds, caked breast, perspiring feet, and skin eruptions. In 

 these cases it is presumed that it is used locally. It is also 

 said to be useful in coughs and poisonous effluvia, as well as 

 in difficulties of the vocal organs. How it is administered in 

 these cases is not mentioned. The substance is also used for 

 killing birds and other animals. So exceedingly fearful are 

 the Chinese of its poisonous properties, that full directions are 

 given for counteracting its effects. It would seem that fuller 

 directions as to its administration and dosage would have been 

 equally advantageous. 



GENTIANA SCABRA.— M ^ (Lung-tan), 791. ^ ^ 

 (Ling-yu) is another name. The first Chinese name is used 

 for more than one species of Gentiaji. Indeed the Index 

 Florae Sinensis enumerates fifty-seven species of this genus, 

 many of which are called by this one name. Morrison, in 

 his dictionary, applies this name also to Dictamnus albiis^ and 

 according to Porter Smith, this substance has been found iu 

 the markets under this Chinese name. The plant is common 

 in mid-China, growing in mountain valleys. It has a blue, 

 bell-shaped flower, and a perennial root, which in the recent 

 state is almost white. As it appears in the shops, it consists of 

 long, reddish-brown, numerous rootlets, attached to a short, 

 twisted rhizome^ which is seen on section to be much closer and 

 more of a brown color than the European gentian root. The 

 taste is agreeably bitter. It is prescribed in fevers, rheumat- 

 ism, poisonous effluvia of the viscera, fluxes, and general 

 debility. Its use is thought to benefit the liver, strengthen the 

 memory, and give lightness and elasticity to the body. It is 

 used locally in skin diseases and ulcers, and iu affections of the 



