306 CHINESE MATERIA MEDICA. 



attempts at keeping the translation of this character and ^ 

 distinct. At Peking the non-glutinous millet is commonly 

 called ^1 ^ (Mi-tzu). This character is also written j^. ^ /i^ 

 (Huang-mi) is another common name. There are several 

 sub-varieties, producing red, white, yellow, and dark colored 

 grains. This is considered the chief of grains, and as the 

 chiefest and best should be offered in sacrifice, it is the proper 

 sacrificial grain (^). If eaten exclusively it is said to predis- 

 pose to the twenty-six "cold" diseases (including marasmus, 

 ague, paralyses, and the like). Its use is considered strengthen- 

 ing and nourishing. It is cooling, and antidotal to the 

 poisoning by cinnabar or Momo7'dica charaiitia. Its action 

 upon the stomach is considered to be demulcent and beneficial. 

 It should be eaten with mutton. The cooked mass also makes 

 an excellent poultice for boils and abscesses. The root of the 

 plant is used in decoction for pyrosis and difficult labor. 



The glutinous variety (^) has also several sub-varieties. 

 The red is called ^ (Men) also written ^ ; the white "g (Ch'i); 

 the dark colored fg (Chii) ; and a kind said to contain two 

 seeds within one glume is called f^i (P'ei). Prolonged use of 

 this millet as food is said to cause fever and discomfort, to 

 produce in children and animals which eat it continuously 

 incoordination of voluntary motion, and to predispose to 

 infection with pin worms. The former condition is probably 

 due to the presence of some parasitic growth upon the grain, 

 and the latter is probably a co-incidence, nematode infection 

 being exceedingly common in China. Its ordinary use as food 

 is considered to be nutritious and strengthening. If inciner- 

 ated, mixed with oil and applied to venereal sores, they will 

 heal without a scar. If chewed and the juice applied to gaping 

 sores of children, it is considered to be a sovereign remedy. 

 The red variety is especially recommended in coughs, fevers, 

 fluxes, to restore the yin principle in males, and to prevent 

 jealousy in females. The stalks and root are considered to be 

 slightly deleterious. A decoction is prescribed in Momordica 

 poisoning, and is used in the bath for prickly heat and skin 

 eruptions. When taken with Phaseolus beans, it is diuretic. 

 It is also administered in the hematuria of pregnant women, 

 and in sprains it is used as a fomentation. 



