12 OPIUM : 



8. 



Use of capsules Li SniH-CHEN (^ fl$ |), in the Pen-ts'ao-Jcang-mu (& ^ $| g), or Chinese 



probaUy derived 



from the West., Matcria Medica, follows a chronological order in his arrangement of passages taken 

 from the works of the medical authors who preceded him. It may be concluded, 

 therefore, that the use of the Poppy capsule in medicine began with the SOUTHERN 

 SUNG dynasty, that is, in the latter part of the twelfth or in the thirteenth century. 

 YANG SHIH-YING published his work A.D. 1265, and WANG Sum is by Li SHIH- 

 CHEN placed later. The latter does not say whence the use of the capsule was 

 derived ; it may therefore be supposed that it was introduced from the West, where 

 its hearing virtues were known from the most ancient times. 



9. 



ue <.f capsules In the work called Hsuan-ming-fang (!g BfJ #), by Liu HO-CHIEX (ij ftf Faj)> 



in North China ill 



twelfth century. O f the CHIN (^) dynasty, it is said that for asthmatic cough, with perspiration, in 

 summer and winter of several years' standing, the Poppy capsule may be used. 

 2^ ounces in weight should be taken. The stem and outer membrane should be 

 removed. Let it simmer in vinegar. Take 1 ounce and mix with half an ounce 

 of black plunis ; let it be slowly heated and then pulverised. Take for a dose 

 two-tenths of an ounce. Let it be administered in hot water and drunk at bed-time. 

 capsules in Li RAO (^ jic), a physician of the same period (born A.D. 1180, died 1252), 



,\<>rtli China in 



thirteenth cen- savs the Poppy capsule is efficient as an astringent and in strengthening the system. 

 It operates on the kidneys, and is useful in the cure of disease affecting the bones. 



10. 



Use in South WEI I-LiN (fa 3$ $fc), of the YUAN dynasty, a native of Kiangsi and of the 



China in thir- 



teenth century. c ity of Chien-chang, published a book called Te-hsiao-fanrj (^ 3fc #), made up of 

 prescriptions collected by himself and his ancestors for four generations before his 

 time. He says that in cases of obstinate diarrhoea of a chronic nature the Poppy 

 capsule may be used. The stringy parts should be removed, and it should be dipped 



