VEGETABT.E KINGDOM. 299 



these growths is called fii^ Tf; (Shen-mu), and is prescribed ia 

 contractions of the tendons and convulsive disorders. (See 

 articles on Smilax and Fungi.) 



PAdMftfilzUS THUNBERGIANUS.--:^ (Ko), 599. 

 This is a wild growing creeper, of the order of Leguminosse, 

 furnishing a textile fiber of which a kind of cloth is made. 

 The cloth somewhat resembles in texture that made from 

 Boehmeria iiivea., and is also called grass-cloth. The Chinese 

 name for this cloth is % ^ (Ko-pu) or ;^ ^ (Kung-pu), and 

 it is of a yellow color, very fine and durable, and is much 

 prized by the Chinese as a summer cloth. The root of the 

 plant, 600, 601, is used both as food and medicine, although 

 that portion which is above the ground is considered to be 

 somewhat poisonous, having emetic properties. The plant is 

 much cultivated both on account of its textile fiber and of its 

 root. The latter is considered to be thirst-relieving, antifebrile, 

 anti-emetic, and counter-poisonous. It is prescribed in colds, 

 fevers, influenza, dysentery, snake and insect bites, and to 

 counteract the effects of croton oil and other poisonous drugs. 

 Externally, it is applied in dog bites. The seeds, '% ^ (Ko- 

 ku), are prescribed in adults for dysentery and in alcoholic 

 excess. The flowers are also prescribed in the latter difficulty. 

 The leaves are applied in wounds as a styptic. The shoots 

 are used in insuflScient secretion of milk, as an application in 

 incipient boils, and in aphthous sore mouth in children. 

 Every part of the plant is also used in the treatment of skin 

 rashes. The root is made into an arrowroot-like preparation 

 called % % (Ko-fen). 



P^DERIA FCETIDA.— ^ % (Nii-ch'ing). This plant 

 is also called ^ % (Ch'iao-piao), "sparrow's calabash;" the 

 latter character indicating the shape of the fruit, and the 

 former its small size, which is about that of a jujube. The 

 stem and leaves have an ofi'ensive odor. To the root is ascribed 

 remarkable virtues in driving away the Ku poison, expelling 

 foul gases, destroying evil demons, and curing ague. It is 

 used in virulent epidemics, and is said to restore to life those 

 who are already in articulo mortis. 



