454 CHINESE MATERIA MEDICA. 



and there is given as an alternative term Iff H^ il (Yeh-wan- 

 tou), which in Japan is Latkynis mm'itiinus. Bnt Wei also 

 refers to a fern, and both in China and Japan the term is so 

 used. It is impossible, therefore, to distinguish the medical 

 uses of this from those of Osmunda regalis^ which are the 

 same as those of Pteris aqtiilina (which articles see). 



VICIA HIRSUTA.— ^ % (Ch'iao-yao), % % (Yao-ch'e), 

 >J^ ^ ^ (Hsiao-ch'ao-ts'ai). The fine leaves of this purple plant 

 can be eaten. It grows commonly everywhere, but is cultivated 

 in Szechuan. Its leaves are likened to those of Sopliora 

 japonica. The beans are small, and the pods resemble those of 

 peas. Their medicinal action is considered to be beneficial to 

 the blood, strengthening to the flesh, and they can be eaten a 

 long time without one's losing a taste for them. They are 

 recommended in chronic malarial difficulties. 



VINCETOXICUM ATRATUM. — i^ ^ (Pai-wei), 969. 

 This is a common plant in central and north China. It has 

 leaves resembling willow leaves, red flowers, and a yellowish- 

 white root. The root is used in medicine as an antifebrile 

 remedy in malarial fevers, and in all fevers attended by 

 delirium, which it is thought to quiet. It is also diuretic, and 

 is used in diseases of the urinary organs, especially incontinence 

 of urine. 



VINCETOXICUM PURPURASCENS.— ^ t\ (Pai- 

 ch'ien), 939. This grows freely in central China to the height 

 of a foot or more. Another name for it is l!|t ^ (Sou-yao), 

 * 'cough medicine," referring to its chief medicinal use. It is 

 recommended in all forms of bronchial and lung troubles, and 

 especially in chronic cough with bloody expectoration. 



VINEGAR.— 1^ (Ts'u). Other names for this are % (Tso), 

 ^ (Hsi), and ^ ?@ (K'u-chiu). Vinegar is made in Ciiina 

 from rice, wheat, leaven, chaff, must, fermented sweetmeats, 

 peaches, grapes, dates, cherries, and various other fruits. Old 

 rice vinegar is the kind most highly valued in medicine, but 

 other kinds are also used. Li Shih-chen gives an account of 



