34^ CHINESE MATERIA MEDICA, 



It is prescribed in wasting diseases, ulcerations, gangrene, 

 toothache, failing of the hair after sickness, and ear difficulties. 



POLYPODQ:,! lingua.— :5^ (Shih-wei), 1161, ^^ 

 ;j^ (Chin-hsing-tsao). Tiie second name applies wiien the 

 plant is spornlating. It is also called ^ j^ (Snili-p'i), on 

 account of its b'^^-'t of growing on rocks and its leatherv leaves. 

 One kind which grows on old brick walls is called ^ :^ (Wa- 

 wei). This is Polypodiimi lineare. It is useful in the treat- 

 ment of urinary calculus. The leaves of the Shih-zvei are 

 gathered in the second moon and dried in the shade. "The 

 best kind is that which grows in places where neither the noise 

 of water nor the human voice is heard." The drug is consid- 

 ered to be diuretic and tonic, and it is prescribed in gravel, 

 urinary difficulties, menorrhagia, hematuria, wounds, aud 

 carbuncle. 



The Chin-hsing-ls''ao^ or sporulating plant, shows fronds 

 two or three feet long, with star-shaped spore cases on the 

 back arranged iu pairs. The fronds and root are both used 

 medicinally in carbuncle, carcinomatous ulcers, scrofulous 

 glands, brimstone poisoning, and digested in oil as an applica- 

 tion to make the hair grow. It cools the blood and promotes 

 the excretion of water, 



POPULUS ALBA.— ^ }^ (Pai-yang). This Chinese 

 name refers to both the poplar and aspen^ the name of the 

 latter being more specifically \^ ^ (I-yang). There is little 

 discrimination between Popiilus alba^ Populus treniula^ and 

 Populiis siiiiveolens. The last has a smaller, green leaf, aud is 

 called H j:^ (Ch'ing-yaug). A name common for this and 

 other species of Populus^ refering to their moving leaves, is ^ 

 ^ (Tu-yao), '* self-moving." The bark of the tree is con- 

 sidered to be antiseptic and astringent, aud is prescribed in colds, 

 hemorrhage, fluxes, the bloody stools of preguant women, and 

 as a local application in goiter. The decoction in water, wine, 

 or vinegar is the preparation usualy exhibited. The twigs are 

 used in colic, herpes labialis, enlarged spleen, and to clear the 

 complexion. A decoction of the leaves is used in decayed 

 teeth and necrosis of bone where there is a sinus. 



