The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-12
CELESTIAL DRUG STORES
Many Curious Remedies in Chinese
Apotheeary Shops.
TONES. Astrinxents. and scdatives
Used by the Physicians-PccuIia
Virtues of Plants and Roots of All
h,nds-Pctrined Crabs for Skin
Eruptions-CandIes of Castor Oil.

The Chinese physician employs strange
and wonderful means for the recovery OF
his patient, and the list Of medicines in
vogue with the Celestials will doubtless
open the eyes of many an Occidental prac-
titioner.
For instance, cantharides is considered
sure cure for hydrophobia; the fruit Of
cardamom is supposed to increase knowl-
edge by strengthening the stomach, which
organ the Chinese identify with persons
disposition and mental capacity; the dried
skin of certain kind Of orange is used
as a sedatIye; dried aloe flowers are used
in pulmonary affections, and are also en-
plOyed in cookery as a tonic or relish. The
honeysuckle is given in cases of rheuma-
tism, and the dogbane in diseases Of the
kidneys.
Almonds are sedatiyes in the Chinese
pharmacopoeia and cassia buds 4 tonic ant
astringent. Melon seeds are taken for
coughs, colds, and asthma, while the morn
ing glory root is used in severe dyspeg-
sias. Pumpkins are believed to possess
soothing properties and are used in cases
of coiics, spasms, etc. Quite a number of
vegetables are considered cures for con-
sumption and remittent fever. The under
5Eell Of the land turtle Is taken as de-
coction by the aged and weak and is used
generally as stinsulant, as is also the
mustard seed To 3leanders are attsib-
uted rejuvenating and highly nutritive
qualities. One vegetable, with an unpro-
nounceable Chinese name, is employed to
work off the effect Of drunkenness.
Fragments Of fossil crabs, crushed and
powdered. are considered a specific in az
fections of the eye. Rhubarb is indigen-
Gus to China, and in former times Canton
was the only port from which the drug
was exported. The Chinese dig the roots
early in the spring, before the leaves APP
pear cut them into long fiat pieces, dry
them for two or three days in the shade,
and then string them on cords. Tumeric
is used for diseases of the skin, also as a
yellow dye in the preparation of tobacco
and, mixed with indigo or Prussian blue,
is the means employed for coloring green
tea and also to season curries. Another of
the Chinese vegetables is used TO bring
on the eruption of smallpox, as well as to
col ,r candles; while still another plant is
fou nd Indispensable in curing boils and
str tightening the hair.
+ -om castor oil beans the Chinese ex-
press an oil which is used in the manu-
facture of candles. A very costly gelatine
is made by boiling down deer horns. after
which it is employed as a tonic. One uIedi-
cine, taken in liquor. is thought to heal
fractures of any kind. Petrifed crabs are
used for boils. sores. etc, snake spins for
smallpox. and caterpillars are employed in
bronchial complaints; dried cows gail is
used as an expectorant; the refuse of to-
bacco, mixed with straw, as a stimuant,
and cows glue. made from buffalo hides, as
a 5edalive
In fact, almost every natural production
mineral. vegetable. and animal, Is used in
China for some medicinal purpose. Glue
seems TO possess wonderful healing prop
critics taken internally, a rather striking
means for mending the human machinery
That made from tortoise shell is con-
sidered a tonic. while that obtained from
tigers bones has also great virtue. and
costs $500 per picul (133 IL pounds)
prohibirive price in China
Sailed scorpions are considered excellent
in cases Of smallpox. Ant eaters scales
cure rheumatism, and although the of
live leeehes is unknown, those animals ara
made into a decoction, being first put into
WAFER or spirit, and the result taken In
ternaliy as a purgative, CT applied out
war1iy IN cases of bruises. Dried toads
are considered tonic, and being sold
at 2 cents each, are especially popular. A
tigers skull is regarded as charm against
typhoid fever, ague, rheumatism, and
rheumatic headache; also a protection
from the danger~of being bitten by mad
dog Pearls are prescribed in affections of
the heart and bile; also in cases of deaf
ness