V'EGRTAP.LR KINTGDOM. 169 



poisonous properties. It is considered to be antiseptic and anti- 

 putrefactive, and is used in decoction as a wash for foul ulcers, 

 gangrenous throat, and skin diseases. It is not much used 

 internally. 



EUPHORBIA PEKINENSIS.— :^ $^ (Ta-chi), 1215. 

 In Japan this is Eiipharhia lasiocaiila. It is a common marsh 

 plant, growing to the height of two or three feet, and having 

 a hollow stem. The stem, when broken, discharges a white 

 juice. The purple plant of Hangchow, 539, is considered to 

 be the best for medicinal purposes. The root is the part used 

 in medicine, is thought to be poisonous, and has a bitter acrid 

 taste, causing a sensation of scratching in the throat. It is a 

 favorite remedy with the Chinese for the kit (^1 disease, 

 dropsies, persistent nausea and vomiting, and for diarrhoeas. 

 It is thought to have specific action on the bowels and kidneys, 

 and to quiet the uterus in pregnancy. A number of popular 

 prescriptions contain this as the principal ingredient. The 

 acrid juice secured from the stem of the plant is said to cure 

 toothache. 



EUPHORBIA SIEBOLDIANA.— # 51 (Kan-sui), 584. 

 This is a Japanese identification, which Faber follows. Henry 

 called it Wickstrcemia^ which again Faber adopts. Tatarinov 

 considered it to be Passerina^ in which he is followed by 

 Porter Smith. This plant is also a common weed found grow- 

 ing in mid-China, especially in Shensi and Kiangsu. The 

 stem and leaves contain the same kind of milky juice as is 

 found in other spurges. The root has a reddish skin and white 

 flesh. It is cylindrical, or eliptical, in shape, and smells some- 

 what like ginger. As sold on the market, the tubers are 

 usually separated, and as a rule much worm-eaten. They are 

 administered in anasarca, ascites, tympanitis, hernia, hydrocele, 

 and dysuria. The drug is also applied to aching parts to 

 relieve pain and numbness, and is thought to relieve deafness. 



EURYALE FEROX.— ^ ^ (ChMen-shih), 125. Tlais 

 plant, of the order of water lilies, has, like the lotus, been 

 cultivated throughout China from remote antiquity. Its fariu- 



