HISTOIUCAr, NOTK. 21 



it there ;MV many white grains, which c:m he used for making a sort of porridge 

 for taking \vitli ordinary food. If (In- seeds are ground with water, and mixed 

 with green bean- tii>t ground t.. make :i jelly, it will 1* found excellent. 



Oil also can he nnde fn>m the seeds. As to the capsules, they are much used in 

 medicine, hut are not mentioned in the old Pliarmojcopceia. From this it may be 

 concluded that in ancient times the cap>ules were not i: 



The author ivt'eis here to the N ifiTinciiN Srxt; dynasty, A.D. 9GO to \\-lc~. 

 . the I'oppN lir vd in the I'liarniftcopceia. 



He i In Kiaiigsu the double Poppy 1 Ii-cJt'>in-hita (K & ?D, 



(lower of the bright spring. This is said by some to be a variety of the i/iinj-su-linn 

 (5K -JC ?) ; but this is a mistake. Its flower changes perpetually. It may be white, 

 <i red, purfile, pink, or apricot yellow, or it may be half red or half purple and half 

 white, and i beautiful, and this is the reason that it is called the li-ch'un. 



It i.-, also known as the Moutan pseony's rival and the flower of the embroidered 

 co\eilid." !! : ,:- ' s-iys of the seeds of the Poppy that they cure diarrhoea and 

 ivliexe fexeiish symptoms, and of the capsules that for medicinal purposes they 

 should Ix; well washed and softened in water. "The stalk and outer skin should 

 he rein", '. also the stringy fibres within. Let them be dried in a dark place 



and cut very small. They are then to be well mixed with rice vinegar and placed 

 over the fire to simmer, after which they are fit for use as a drug. They may also 

 lie prepared with honey instead of vinegar. In taste and nature the capsules thus 

 ired art; sour, astringent, and slightly cooling, without being poisonous. With 

 black prunes, or orange peel they are most effectual in curing diarrhoea, 

 asthma, rheumatism, or pain in the heart and abdomen." 



Proceeding to speak of Opium, he says, "Formerly Opium was not much heard 

 of: recently it has been used by some in medical recipes. It is said to be the juice 

 of the fi'tiiy-sn-liua (or Poppy). While the head of this flower is still green, in the 

 ke a large needle and prick the outside skin, taking care not to wound 

 the inner hard shell. It is to be pricked in from three to five placea The next day, 

 when the sip has come out, take a bamboo knife and scrape it into an earthenware 

 nip. Let it be dried in the shade. It being made in this way accounts for the fact 



