64 CHINESE MATERIA MEDICA. 



children and other eruptions. The root is cooling and is nsed 

 in fevers. The Lark is used in decoction for the cure of hem- 

 orrhage from the bladder, while the sap is used in ulcerated 

 sore mouth, ophthalmia, and toothache. The Kan-chu root 

 (species unknown) is said to quiet the uterus and to be useful 

 in post-partum fever. The bark of the Kuei-chu is the only 

 part used, and this only in decoction as a febrifuge. The sap 

 of the T'zu-chu is also used in fevers and rheumatic affections. 

 The sap is prepared by heating short pieces of bamboo, when 

 it exudes from the cut ends and is collected. All the forms of 

 bamboo shoot are considered cooling to the blood. It is said 

 that if they are eaten together with sheep's liver, blindness will 

 result. They are given to suckling mothers to increase the flow 

 of milk, and some kinds are thought to increase all of the secre- 

 tions of the body. The shoots from two kinds of bamboo, the 

 t^^ ft (T'ao-chu, "peach bamboo") and the ^J ft (Chih-chu, 

 Banibtisa spinosa\ are considered to be slightly poisonous. The 

 first is used as a wash for maggots on cattle and the second has 

 no medical use, but when eaten it is thought to cause the hair 

 to fall out. 



The excrescences which grow on the bamboo are mentioned 

 in the Pentsao. One comes upon the T'zii-chii in the form of 

 a deer horn, is called f^ ^ (Chu-ju), and is edible. The other, 

 which grows upon the K'u-chu, is called fj* j^ (Chu-ju), and is 

 considered to be very poisonous. This latter looks like a 

 lichen, and is anthelmintic. The former is used in dysentery. 

 The first leaves (called ^, t'o) of the T'zu-chu are used in 

 decoction as a wash for scald-head and other ulcerous eruptions 

 of children. A small mountain bamboo, called jlf |^ fj 

 (Shan-pai-chu), is incinerated and the ash used as an escharotic 

 in cancer. Exploding bamboos by fire is used to drive away 

 evil spirits and mountain sprites. The fruits of the bamboo 

 enliven the animal spirits and benefit the respiratory organs. 



The silicaceous concretion called Tabasheer^ found in the 

 joints of large bamboos, is also used in Chinese medicine. It 

 is called ft k (Chu-huang) and 5c ^ M (T'ien-chu-huang), 

 211. The Chinese did not probably derive the substance 

 originally from India, but it is possible that the knowledge of 

 its medicinal uses were derived from that country, where it has 



