384 CHINESE MATERIA MEDICA. 



RUMEX. — Docks and sorrels are common in China, but 

 the identification of Chinese names is difficult. The same 

 names are used for widely differing plants, and as descriptions 

 are incomplete or confusing, definite identification in many 

 cases is well-nigh impossible. :^ ^ (Ko-ts'ai) is sometimes 

 used as a term, but this first character is properly applied to 

 Pachyriziis. ^ ^- (Wan-ching) is also used for Rumex^ but 

 what is described in the Pentsao under this title is Brassica 

 tapa. Another terra is ^ :^ ^ (Tzu-hua-ts'ai), and this 

 properly refers to RapJianus or Brassica. In Japan i :^ K 

 (T'u-ta-huang), or ;p± :fe ^ (Tu-ta-huang), is identified as 

 Rumex aqiiaticus, and it is probable that there is some con- 

 founding of genera by the Chinese, but the latter do not 

 distinguish this from Rheum. In the Peking mountains a 

 Ritmex goes by this name. 



Rumex aceiosa is ^ ^ (Snan-mo). This is confounded 

 with Oxalis corniculata and Physalis alkekengi. Other names 

 are ^ i^ 1% (Shan-yang-ti), [Jj :/c M (Shan-ta-huang), and ^ 

 •^ (Suan-mu). This last is Physalis. One kind that resem- 

 bles i^ 1E§ (Yang-ti) and is sour, is used in the treatment of 

 itch. The plant has a reddish-yellow root, and the juice of 

 this and of the leaves is used to correct the poison of corrosive 

 sublimate. The leaves are sour and the root slightly bitter. 

 Taken internally it is regarded as antifebrile and carminative. 

 Externally it is used for parasitic skin diseases and freckles. 

 Another name for this plant in Hupeh, according to Henry, 

 is 4^ ^ gf (Niu-she-t'ou) ; but at Peking this is Rumex cvispus. 

 It is a water dock having a leaf a foot or more long, according 

 to the description given in the Pentsao. The fruits of this are 

 considered tonic and constructive. These fruits are called ^ 

 -g* (Shih-shon), "hog's head," and the leaves ^ 5 (Niu-erh), 

 "cow's ear." Another kind of water dock, called |g ^ (Chiin- 

 she), is highly recommended in choleraic affections. 



RUMEX JAPONICUS.— -i^ 1% (Yang-ti). Another name 

 given for this is ^ g (Kuei-mn), which is also a name for 

 Tcchoma graiidi flora, the seeds of Solanum dulcamara.^ and a 

 sort of Amoiuum, also called ^ g (Lu-mu), found in Lingnan. 

 So this name is not very distinctive. Other names are 4^ § ^ 



