41 8 CHINESE MATERIA MEDICA. 



fication and concentration known to the ancient Chinese were 

 decantation and refermentation of the dregs. The rice spirit 

 was the principal one recommended in medicine. They said 

 that its prolonged use injured the mind (ipi^) and shortened life 

 (^), weakened the bones and ligaments, produced flatulence, 

 and when complete drunkenness was frequently produced, mania 

 would result. A drunk person should not take a cold bath, as 

 it was certain to result in rheumatism. Neither should a 

 drinker take cinnabar and other mineral drugs, nor ginger, as 

 these tended to the production of cancerous troubles. Spirits 

 and tea taken together are said to injure the kidneys and pro- 

 duce dropsy. The treatment of all poisonous difficulties is 

 made difi&cult by the ingestion of spirits. The antiseptic and 

 stimulant properties of spirits are recognized, especially the 

 stimulant action upon the circulation and apparently upon the 

 brain, but the incoherence of thought produced by its action is 

 also noted. It is thought to prevent the action of various 

 ptomaine poisons, and is often taken with meals on the chance 

 of the food not having been perfectly fresh. 



fi IR ?@ (Tsao-ti-chiu) is that which has stood on the dregs 

 for three years. It is stomachic, digestive, and corrective of 

 vegetable poisons. 



^ JS (Lao-chiu) is that which is made in the twelfth 

 moon, which is said to keep for several years. It is said to be 

 warming. 



^ Jg (Ch*un-chiu) is that made at the time of the Ching- 

 ming Festival, and is also said to keep good for many years. 

 Its habitual use is said to produce obesity. 



The sacrificial wine left over from the altar jH: Jt^ ||i ^^ Jg 

 (She-t'an-yii-t*so-chiu) is used in stammering of children, in 

 deafness, and is squirted into the corners of the room to destroy 

 mosquitoes. 



The spirits found in the pipes of the vat, |g ^ fi 4' ?5 

 (Tsao-sun-chieh-chung-chiu), is said to cure nausea, if taken 

 with milk, and is rubbed locally on urticaria. 



^ F# ^ (Tung-yang-chiu) is the same as ;^ ^ J® (Cliin- 

 hua-chiu), made at Kinhuafu in Chekiang. It is used in the 

 compounding of medicines. It is thought to bring out the 

 virtues of the medicines digested in it, and to enhance their 



