中药毒性药物的应用,历史悠久,是祖国传统医药治疗疾病的一大特色。然“毒药”之说,古往今来,莫衷一是。“毒药”一词,在古代医药文献中常是药物的总称。而现代医药对“毒药”的理解系指“毒性剧烈,治疗剂量与中毒剂量相近,使用不当会使人中毒或死亡的药品”(《医疗用毒性药品 The application of toxic drugs of traditional Chinese medicine has a long history and is a major feature of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of diseases. However, “poisons” are said to have no meaning in ancient times. The term “poison” is often used as a generic name for drugs in ancient medical literature. Modern medicine’s understanding of “poisons” refers to “drugs that are severely toxic and have therapeutic doses that are similar to toxic doses, and that can cause poisoning or death if used improperly” (“Toxic Drugs for Medical Use”).