296 CHINESE MATERIA MEDICA. 



tile preparation, it will produce thirst. The rust sometimes 

 found growing on the ears of rice, called f H ^ ^ (Keng-ku- 

 nu), is administered in acute paralysis of the fauces. The 

 lixiviated ash of rice straw, ^ f^ (Ho-kan), is used as an 

 antidote in arsenical poisoning. 



Another sort of rice is described under the term fjli (Hsien). 

 It was brought irom Cochin-China (i5 M W) ^Y ^^^^ Fukienese, 

 and is therefore called ^ |Q (Chan-tao). It is an upland rice, 

 and as it ripens earlier than other varieties it is called ^ |g 

 (Tsao-tao). Its qualities are the same as the ordinary rice. 

 The lixiviated ash of the straw is used in nausea and to destroy 

 stomach worms. The Chinese dry boiled rice in the sun and 

 then grind it into flour, called ^ ^ (Mi-fen). This is used 

 for making gruel to feed dry-nursed infants and invalids. 

 It also makes an exceilent poultice. (For malted rice see Malt^ 

 and for Congee see that article in the Addenda.) 



OSMANTHUS FRAGRANS.— 1 1^ (Yen-kuei), % ^ 

 (Mu-hsi). This tree grows on cliffs ; hence the first name. It 

 is spoken of in the Pentsao at the close of the article on 

 cinnamon, where it is said that there are three varieties : one 

 with white flowers, called ^ j^ (Yin-kuei), one with yellow 

 flowers, called ^ j^ (Chin-kuei), and one with red flowers, 

 called ^ j^ (Tan-kuei). There are some varieties that flower 

 in the autumn, some in the spring, some each season, and some 

 monthly. The bark of the tree is thin, has not the properties 

 of true cinnamon, and is not used in medicine. The flowers 

 are very fragrant, are employed for scenting tea and wine, and 

 an oil is distilled from them, called i^ ^* f^I (Kuei-hua-yu)^ 

 662. This tree is much cultivated in China for its fragrant 

 flowers, which appear in great profusion in the axils of the 

 leaves. These are used semi-medicinally as a flavor for other 

 medicines, to disguise foul odors, as a tussic remedy, and in 

 cosmetic preparations for the hair and skin. The plant is the 

 same as the Olea fragrans of Thunberg. 



OSMUNDA REGALIS.— ^ (Wei). This is a Japanese 

 identification, but without doubt the same term is sometimes 

 applied to this fern in China. However, the plant described 



