l8o CHINESE MATERIA MEDICA. 



ties are not grown in China, which facts lead the Chinese to the 

 same result. See Epiphytes^ Dcndrobiuin^ Exidia^ Loraiithus^ 

 Miishrooms^ Pachyma cocos^ and Viscuni. 



FUNKIA SUBCORDATA.— ^ ^ (Yii-tsan), j^ t| 1il| 

 (Pai-hao-hsien). This is a common cultivated plant of the 

 Chinese gardens, growing to the height of a foot or so, having 

 large, round leaves, which are dark on the under side. The 

 stem of the plant is bracted, and the flowers grow in the axils 

 of the bracts. They are white and pearly, giving origin to 

 the Chinese name. The root and leaves are used in medicine ; 

 both being regarded as poisonous. The expressed juice of the 

 root is considered to be a connter poison to infectious abscesses 

 and cancerous sores. It is prescribed in the early stages of 

 cancer of the breast, abortion, to overcome cantharidal poison- 

 ing, and as an anodyne in fish bone lodged in the throat, 

 fractures, and the extraction of teeth. The bruised leaves are 

 applied in insect bites, and a spirit is taken or applied in car- 

 diac pain. The flowers are now distilled and a perfumery made, 

 which is used in cosmetics. They are also prescribed in sup- 

 pression of urine or dysuria, as well as being added to prescrip- 

 tions for the treatment of skin diseases and wounds. 



■ >.i<* eo o *>i ' <« 



