356 CHINKSK MATERIA MEDICA. 



in water and tlie infusion given in typhoid fever to relieve 

 thirst. The 'Svhite plums/' also known as "-salted plums," 

 are much relished as a savory pickle, aiid will be found at most 

 Chinese feasts, under the name of ^ |^ (Ch'ing-mei). Tliey 

 are crushed and applied locally as a styptic in incised wounds, 

 in cancer of the breast, and are taken internally in epilepsy, 

 fluxes, and choleraic afFectioiis, menorrhagia, and the like. 

 The kernels of the seeds are considered strengthening and 

 cooling, and are crushed, mixed with vinegar, and applied 

 to a felon on the finger. The flowers are added to various 

 congees and other preparations, and are thought to iniprove 

 the strength-giving qualities of these. The leaves are nsed in 

 fluxes and menorrhagia. The root is prescribed for colds and 

 fluxes, and it is taken, together with that of the peach and of 

 the domestic plum, and decocted in water for a bath for a new 

 born infant, with the result that the infant will remain free 

 from prickly heat and boils. 



PRUNUS PERSIC A.— I'^ (T^ioj. The peach is indigen- 

 ous to China, which is also show'n by the character represent- 

 ing it being one of the few ancient, unchanged characters. 

 The wood of the tree is used in fortune telling, and this is 

 indicated by the composition of the character ; the right hand 

 part meaning " omen^' and the left meaning *'wood." It is 

 also suggested that the right side of the character means a 

 million, and that this refers to the prolific character of the tree 

 as to leaves, flowers, and fruit. The varieties of peaches in 

 China are very numerous, and marvelous stories are told in 

 regard to the size of some of the friiits. Also, there is an account 

 of having grafted the peach upon persimmon and plum trees, 

 and prod\icing a modified fruit. In the former case it is called 

 ^ ^j^ (Chin-t'ao), and in the latter ^ ^fc (Li-t'ao) or ;fg ^ (Mei- 

 t*ao). It is said that the fruit is heating and produces fever 

 if taken in excess. It improves the complexion, and as a fruit, 

 belongs to the lungs and should be freely used in diseases 

 of that organ. The late variety, known as ^ t^fe (Tung-t'ao), 

 is recommended for the feverishness of work or anxiety. The 

 kernel of the seed, 1257, is often combined with, or substituted 

 for, the kernels of the apricot seed, and it is these which have 



