412 CHINESE MATERIA MEDICA. 



identified by Porter Sinitli as Solamim dulcamara^ but on 

 what authority he does not mention. The Japanese identify it 

 as Solamim lyratum^ which is a variety of Solanum dulcamara. 

 In the Pentsao it is confounded with Sagina maxima; but 

 although Li Shih-chen notes the confusion in these very 

 different genera, he does not attempt to clear up the matter, 

 but adds further confusion by likening both to Solamim 

 nigrum. See the article on Sagina maxima for medical 

 uses. 



Another plant identified by the Japanese as Solajmm 

 dulcamara is j^ ^ (Pai-ying), The young leaves of this are 

 whitish and can be eaten. The flowers are small and white, 

 and the fruit, which is called ^ @ (Kuei-mu), is at first 

 green, but turns dark-red when ripe. This, however, is not 

 the only use to which the name ^ g is put. The root 

 and shoot of this plant are considered to be cooling and con- 

 structive, as are also the leaves, which are used in chronic 

 malaria and fev^ers of children. The fruit, besides its cool- 

 ing and nutritive properties, is considered to be a useful 

 remedy for the eye. The whole plant is used as a counter- 

 poison. 



SOLANUM MELONGENA.— )][f (Ch'ieh). This is the 

 brinjal^ ambcrgine^ or egg-plant of western countries. Another 

 name is -^ ^ (Lo-su), which is said to be wrongly written 

 for 1^ ^ (Lo-su), referring to the resemblance of the fruit to 

 a ball of cheese. Still another name is ^ -^ /JS. (K'un-lun- 

 kua), " Kunlun melon." . There are many varieties of the 

 egg plant ; the fruit varying in color — white, yellow, azure, 

 and purple. These fruits are not regarded by the Chinese as 

 being free from deleterious properties ; prolonged use being 

 thought to produce digestive troubles and to injure the uterus. 

 They are regarded as cooling, and are used bruised with 

 vinegar as a poultice to abscesses and in cracked nipple. The 

 peduncle, incinerated, is used in intestinal hemorrhage, piles, 

 and toothache. The root, loi, and the dried stalk and leaves 

 are used in decoction for washing sores and discharging 

 surfaces, and as an astringent in hemorrhage from the bladder 

 and other hemorrhagic fluxes. 



