130 
ON CHINESE PHARMACY. 
put forth in more enlightened places, and is probably much 
less mischievous. The Chinese panaceas, hero-making 
mixtures, philtres, and medicated charms, are believed to 
be generally harmless, which is more than can be predicated 
of many of the compounds so much vaunted and consumed 
in England under the name of antibilious, antidyspeptic, 
antinervous, antiomnia mala medicines. 
For a small fee, not equal in value to a shilling, the Chi- 
nese physician, after examining the pulse, exhibiting great 
interest in the welfare of the patient, and profound know- 
ledge of his case, writes a recipe, which, in imposing ap- 
pearance, would put to shame the most elaborate perform- 
ance of a London Professor. It occupies generally a large 
sheet of paper, is often diversified by red, added to the ordi- 
nary black characters, and is altogether a learned and labo- 
rious-looking composition. When carried to the Druggist, 
he spreads it on the counter, examines it attentively, and 
then proceeds to dispense secundum art em. Many ingre- 
dients, seldom less than nine or ten, make up the total of 
articles prescribed; they are almost always powders, sliced 
roots, or other dry substances, fluids being seldom sent from 
the apothecary's store. For each a separate piece of paper 
is laid out in regular array, some white, and others red; the 
former are the most numerous, and to them the most com- 
mon simples are consigned, the crimson being reserved for 
those which are most powerful, or more highly esteemed, 
such as ginseng. 
Surgeons dispense their own medicines, and local ap- 
pliances, and do a little, what they can, in short, in way of 
medical prescription, to any who will apply for it. They 
hold nearly the place of the English general practitioner, but 
their shops are generally poorly furnished, and neither their 
employment nor profit is on a large scale. 
The department of the Druggist is more lucrative than 
that of the Surgeon ; for as the people are fond of physic,, 
and they have no desire to balk the inclination, they not 
only give on every possible occasion, but give liberally. As 
