190 CHINESE MATERIA MEDICA. 



which promote flesh and sluggishness. The characters ;^, ^^ 

 or ^^ (Shu) are the classical name, while ^ ^^ (Jen-shu) and 

 ^ M (J^^"g-shu) are equally ancient compound names for this 

 plant, sk al (Shih-tou), *' bean-relish bean," indicates its 

 use in making the bean relish and soy. 



Medicinally, the black beans are considered to have much 

 value. Their frequent use is thought to have a most beneficial 

 effect upon the body, giving strength and vigor, albeit with 

 heaviness. This latter fact is the only objection offered to the 

 use of these beans. They are regarded as an admirable counter- 

 poison against most of the vegetable poisons, such as Aconite 

 and Croton iiglii. Carminative and quieting properties are 

 also ascribed to them. They are pescribed in a large number 

 of difficulties, notably post-paitum and sexual disorders ; but 

 as they are always in combination with other active drugs, it 

 may be readily supposed that the beans play no very important 

 part in these prescriptions. The green bean hulls, 1317, 

 chewed into a pulp, are applied to smallpox ulcers, corneal 

 ulcer, and the excoriation produced in children by urine. The 

 bruised leaves of the plant are used as a local application in 

 snake bite. The flowers, 13 10, are used in blindness and 

 opacity of the cornea. 



The bean sprouts^ called ::^ ^ H ^ (Ta-tou-huang-chiien) 

 and ^1^ (Tou-nieh), are also mentioned in the PS fiisao. Bean- 

 sprouts {^ ^'', Tou-ya) are a common article of diet with the 

 Chinese, but these former are made of the black bean, and are 

 especially used in medicine. Li Shih-chen gives the following 

 mode of preparation : "On a water day (^ ^ H j soak black 

 beans in clear water, and after the sprouts have grown, take 

 off the hulls and dry the sprouts in the shade." Their 

 medical properties are considered to be laxative, resolvent, and 

 constructive. They are reputed to have special influence upon 

 the growth of the hair, and to be curative in ascites and 

 rheumatism. 



The yellow variety of beans is also given a separate dis- 

 cussion in the Pentsao. As was before said, these are used for 

 the most part in the preparation of bean oil, bean-curd, and 

 soy. The beans and pods of this variety are larger than those 

 of the black kind, and in the green state they are highly 



