230 CHINESE MATERIA MEDICA. 



seem to like the juice, and if it is dropped into the ear when 

 an insect has entered that cavity, the insect will be driven out. 

 The seeds are considered to be galactagogue and anodyne. 

 They are prescribed in swelling of the genitals and to make 

 the hair grow on scar tissue. 



Another article in the Peiitsao gives us ^ '% (K'u-ts*ai), 

 ^ (THi), -^ -^ (K^i-chh), -"B ^ (K'u-mai), it ^ (Yu-tung), 

 % "g (Pien-chli), ^MM (Lao-kuan-ts'ai), and ^ '^ M (T'ien- 

 hsiang-ts'ai) as more or less synonymous terms. Here we have 

 a thorough confounding of genera, as well as of species ; at the 

 least Ctc/iormm, Lactiica^ and Soiichiis being in all probability 

 included among this large number of names. These genera 

 are very similar, resembling each other in their general appear- 

 ance, inflorescence, and milky sap, as well as in the more or 

 less bitterish taste of most of the species. ^ "^ and ^ ^ are 

 probably Cichoi'i^nn endivia or Cichorium intybiis. Henry says 

 that in Hupeh K^'n-ts'-ai is Lactuca squar-rosa. ^ Cr'u) seems 

 to be uniformly referred to Sonchiis oleracciis^ and in Japan 

 K''ii-ts'-ai is used as a synonym. This last term is frequently 

 used in the sense of "bitter vegetable," so cannot always be 

 considered as a distinctive term. According to Li Shih-chen, 

 the leaves of this plant clasp the stem, and this would indicate 

 that wdiat he meant was a Sonchus. The action of this vege- 

 table upon the body is much the same as that of the last, but 

 its medicinal virtues are considered to be much greater. Pro- 

 longed use is thought to be highly beneficial, preserving youth 

 and vitality. The expressed juice is much regarded as an 

 application to boils, abscesses, and carbuncles, and if put upon 

 warts will cause them to drop off. It is also used in snake 

 bite and bleeding piles. The root is prescribed in fluxes and 

 hematuria. The flowers and seeds are used as an antifebrile 

 and quieting remedy, and in jaundice. 



LACTUCA DEBILIS.— M If Hx (Chien-tao-ku). This 

 is another kind of lettuce that is eaten raw, and is also made 

 into pickle. No medicinal virtues are ascribed to it. 



LACTUCA DENTICULATA.— 7K "B S (Shui-k'u-mai). 

 This is a Japanese identification. Other names are |§J ^ || 



