The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-10-21
CELESTIAL t..
 DRUG CHEST
STRANGE REMEDIES USED BY THE
 CHINESE DOCTORS.
Glue to Patch Human Frame-Petrihed Crabs, Snake Skins md, in Fact, Almost Every Natural Produce
 ton Enters Into This Ori-
 entaI PharmacOpOeia.


 A curious collection of medicinal drugs in vogue in different countries and periods Is 'on view in the Nation al Museum at Washington. Most cu- rious of the lot are the weird remedies employed today, 1t is said. by the Chi- nese physician. Among these cantha- rides is considered a sure cure for ny drophobia; the fruit of the cardamon Is supposed to increase knowledge by strengthening the stomach, Wh1cn or gan the Chinese identify with a per sons disposition and mental capacity; the dried skin of a certain kind or orange Is used as a sedative; dried alVe flowers are used in pulmonary affec- lions. and are also employed in cook cry as a tonic or relish. The honey suckle Is given in cases of rheuma- tism. and the dogbane in disease of the kidneys
 Almonds are sedatives in the Chinese pharmacopoeia, and cassia buds a tonlc and astringent. Melon seeds are taken for coughs, colds and asthma. while the morning glory root Is used in severe dyspepsias. Pumpkins are supposed to possess soothing properties and are used in cases of colics, spasms. etc. Quite a number of vegetables are con- sidered oures for consumption and re- mittent fever. The under shell Of the land turtle Is ground and taken as a decoction by the aged and weak and is used generally as a stimuiant. as is also the mustard seed. To oleandefs are attributed rejuvenating and highly nutritive qualities. One yegetaDle, with an unpronounceable name. Is em- ! nloyed to work off the effects of drunk enness.
 Fossil Crabs Specific for Eye Trouble Fragments of fossil crabs. crushed l l in affections of the eye. Rhubarb ls | indigenous to China, and in former times Canton was the only port from which that drug was exported. me | Chinese dig the roots early in the | spring. before the leaves appear. cu' them into long flat pieces. dry them ] for two or three days in the shade and then string them on cords. rum 1 eric is used for diseases of the skln also as a yellow dye in the prepar'
 ation of tobacco. and. mixed with Tn
 digo or Prussian blue. Is the means | employed for coloring green tea ane also to season curries. Another or th' ! Chinese vegetables is used to bring ou the eruption of smallpox, as well al | to color candies, while still anotne' plant is found indispensable in curing boils and strengthening the hair.
 From castor oil beans the Chinese
 express an oil which is used in the man ufacture of candies. as well as To-
 medicinal purposes. very costly gel
 atne Is made by boiling down dee
 horns. after which 1t is employed al
 a tonic. One medicine. taken in liquor
 is thought to heal fractures of an!
 kind. Petrified crabs are used fo
 boils, sores, etc: snake skins for small
 pox and caterpillars are employed il bronchial complaints; dried cows gal
 Is used as an expectorant: the refus
 of tobacco. mixed with straw. as
 stimulant, and cows glue. made Iron
 buffalo hides. as a sedative.
 In fact. it is shown that almost ev cry natural production. mineral. vege table and animal, is used in China fo l some medicinal purpose. Glue seem to the Celestial to possess wonderfu
 healing properties when taken intern ally, and is regarded as one of tn
 surest means for mendng the huma
 machinery. That made from tortois shell is considered a tonic. while tha obtained from tigers bones has als { great virtue and fetches price Sl.5oO per picul C33 1-2 pounds), pro