2l6 CHINESE MATERIA MEDIC A. 



bodies in tbe throat — copper coins aud other metals that have 

 been inadvertantly swallowed — as well as in thorns and splinters 

 in the flesh. It is said that if the white flowers are mixed 

 with the leaves and root, and all beaten into a pulp and rubbed 

 into the four canthi (^) of a sick horse's eye, the horse will 

 break into a sweat and immediately recover. 



IMPERATA ARUNDINACEA.— ^ ^ (Pai-mao). Li 

 Shih-chen says : " This plant is short and small. In the third 

 month it bears panicles of white flowers, followed by the 

 fruits. The root is white, very long, flexible like a tendon, 

 provided with joints, and of a sweet taste. The common 

 people call the plant ^ ^ (SsH-mao), 'floss grass.' It is used 

 for thatching houses. It furnishes the drug ^ ;j<^ (Mao-ken), 

 spoken of in the Penching. Ki night the dry root gives out a 

 light, and after decaying, changes into glow worms." The root, 

 ^ j^ (Mao-ken), 825, is used in medicine. To it are ascribed 

 restorative, tonic, hemostatic, astringent, antifebrile, diuretic, 

 and antivinous properties. It is prescribed in fevers, nausea, 

 dropsy due to weakness, jaundice, asthma, hematuria, nosebleed, 

 and the like. The sprouts of the ptant which shoot forth in 

 the spring are likened to needles, and are therefore called ^ ^ 

 (Mao-chen). These are regarded as solvent to other food and 

 thirst relieving. They are also prescribed in hemorrhages and 

 wounds. The flowers are similarly regarded. The rotted grass 

 from a thatch is boiled with wine and used in the treatment of 

 hemoptysis and the bites of poisonous insects. It is also pre- 

 scribed in vaginismus, obstipation, and other urgent difficulties. 



INCARVILLEA SINENSIS.—;^ % (Chio-hao). This 

 is named for Father Petrus d'Incarville, who lived at Peking 

 from 1740 to 1757, during which period he did much research 

 in the flora and fauna of China. This is a beautiful bignonaceous 

 plant, with large scarlet flowers, found at the end of summer 

 in the mountains and plains near Peking. The seeds are angular, 

 black, and resemble those of Silejie aprica. The leaves resem- 

 ble those of Cnidium 7non7iieri. The plant is considered to 

 be slightly poisonous. It is prescribed for every form of skin 

 disease or ulcer, and for spongy gums. 



