Medicine

土茯苓. Chinaroot. Found growing like a fungus from the roots of fir trees, or in the ground apart from the trees, and appears to be caused by disease in the roots. The taste of the fresh root is sharp and bitterish, and the cut surface smooth, close grained, glossy and flesh colored. In China it has been long used as a remedy in syphilitic diseases, and in medicine generally. It is supposed to posses tonic, cooling, stomachic, sedative and diuretic qualities, even superior to the West Indian and South American Sarsparilla. From Sichuan province. Value at Ningbo, $30 per picul. Brown dried slices. One of a collection of samples of Chinese medicine, each in an individual glass jar sealed with cork top.