Seventeen Reputedly Antipyretic Chinese Drugs

The recent introduction into the Western World of ephedrine, an alkaloid of the Chinese drug Ma Huang which has been included in the Chinese pharmacopoeia for five thousand years, has stimulated study of other obscure Chinese drugs. In order to view the field in its true perspective, a brief survey of the history of Chinese medicine, particularly in relation to the Chinese materia mnedica, is essential. Dr. Wu Lien Teh and Dr. K. Chimin Wonge0 divide the history of Chinese medicine into four periods: the ancient or legendary period, 2697-1122 B.C.; the historical or golden period, 1121 B. C.-960 A. D.; the medieval or controversial period, 961-1800 A. D.; and the modern or transitional period, since 1800. Medicine in the first period was chiefly a matter of spirits and demons, charms and plant lore, and psychotherapy. The second period, 1121 B. C.-960 A. D., was famous for its "accent on scientific observations." It was during this period (first century B. C.) that the first Pen Ts'ao or pharmacopoeia was compiled. This herbal contained 265 drugs, 240 of which were vegetable. The drugs were divided into .three classes: (1) superiortonics, non-poisonous however large the dose; (2) medium-tonic, but toxic in large doses; and (3) inferior-poisonous, only used in disease. This classification is diametrically opposed to our present classification of potent drugs. The doctrine of the Yin and the Yang arose during this period. Yin signified earth, passivity, female; Yang signified heaven, activity, male. All parts of the body were classified under the Yang and the Yin; for example, the back was Yang and the abdomen Yin. The Yin and Yang principles were supposed to be equally bal-