192 CHINESE MATERIA MEDICA. 



stand to clarify. Use only the clear part," Li Sliih-chen 

 says : "All sorts of beans can be used in making this product, 

 but that made from the black bean is used in medicine. There 

 are two kinds of this relish : one called insipid relish (Tan- 

 shih, f^ s^}, and the other salty relish (^ ^, Hsien-shih). 

 The liquid form of the former is the one most used in treating 

 diseases. To make this, in the sixth month take two or three 

 pecks of the black Hispidia beans, wash clean and soak in 

 water over night. Drain off the water and steam soft. Spread 

 out upon matting, and after it has become slightly cool, cover 

 with artemisia stalks. Examine it every three days to note 

 the process of fermentation. The layer of Mycoderma which 

 grows on top should not be allowed to become too thick. 

 When sufficiently fermented, take out and dry in the sun and 

 sift clean. Use clean water and mix into a half-dry-half- 

 moist condition, just so that the juice will exude between the 

 fingers when the material is squeezed in the hand. Put into 

 an earthenware jar and pack firmly, cover with a layer of 

 mulberry leaves three inches thick, and seal up with clay. 

 Set the jar in the sun every day for seven days. Then take 

 out and dry for a little while in the sun, and again moisten 

 with water and repack in the jar as before. This do seven 

 times, and then boil again, spread on matting, dry with fire, 

 pack again into the jars, and seal up for future use." 



"The method of making the salty relish is as follows: 

 Take one peck of Hispidia beans and soak them in water three 

 days. Wash, steam, and spread out in a store room, and when 

 they have fermented, take them up, sift them clean and wash 

 in water. For every four catties take one catty of salt, half a 

 catty of shredded ginger, and of peppers, orange peel, thyme, 

 fennel, and apricot kernels, a sufficient quantity. Put all into 

 an earthen jar and cover with water to the depth of an inch. 

 Cover with bamboo skin, and seal up the mouth of the jar. 

 Place in the sun for one month, when it will be finished. 

 To prepare the liquid bean relish, between the tenth and 

 first moons take three pecks of good salted beans. Boil fresh 

 hempseed oil until it smokes ; then put in the beans and 

 cook thoroughly. Spread the mixture out on matting and 

 dry in the sun. Wheu it is dry, steam again. Repeat this 



