164 CHINESE MATERIA MEDICA. 



ERGOT. — As rye does not grow in China, true ergot is 

 not found. A decoction of the shoots oi Avena fatua (^ ^, 

 Ch'iao-mai) is given to parturient women to excite uterine 

 contractions, and it may be surmised that there is an ergot- 

 like growth on these shoots. The Pentsao describes a growth 

 appearing on the heads of wheat and barley when the grain is 

 nearly ripe, which it calls ^ ^ (Mai-nu). But this is prob- 

 ably a rust or smut, as no special action upon the uterus 

 has been discovered under its use. (See Avena fatua^ HoV' 

 deu7n^ Triticum^ and Zea mays.) 



ERIANTHUS JAPONICUS.— •£ (Mang). This is a 

 grass, also called "g "^ (Pa-mang) or "^ ^ (Pa-mao), and used 

 for making screens and fences. In Hupeh it is called A i ii^ 

 (Pa-wang-ts'ao). It is also used to make ropes, boxes, and 

 shoes, and the awns are used for brooms. The stem is used 

 in decoction, or the juice of the green plant is employed, as a 

 dressing in animal bites and to promote the absorption of 

 extra vasated blood. It is claimed that worn out boxes made 

 of this grass may be employed in the preparation of the decoc- 

 tion with wine, equally well as the plant itself, and it is there- 

 fore to be presumed that old shoes and ropes made of the 

 substance would be found similarly useful for this purpose. 



ERIGERON KAMTSCHATICUM.— ii (P'eng). This 

 is the same as Erigeron acre. It is a very common weed of 

 north China and Mongolia, but strange to say it is not de- 

 scribed in any of the Chinese medical works consulted. In 

 Japan the same character is used for Coiiyza atnbigua. This 

 being a "tumble weed," blown about by the winds, it is to 

 be presumed that the Chinese would have thought it useful 

 to quicken the circulation or give sprightliness to the muscles, 

 or something of thatsort. 



ERIOBOTRYA JAPONICA.— tifc fa (P'i-p'a). This is 

 the "loquat," or Japanese w^'^f^/^^r. Its Chinese name is said 

 to be derived from the shape of the leaves, which are likened 

 to that of the Chinese guitar, || ^ (P'i-p'a). The term 

 joquat, however, is a transliteration of the Cantonese sound 



