204 MOXA AND ACUPUNCTURE. Chap. XIII. 
puffs of a pithy-like combustible substance in four 
holes which had been made in the skin between 
the shoulders. To an European the operation 
would have been a most painful one; but the 
woman who was undergoing the treatment in the 
present instance was laughing and joking as if she 
enjoyed it rather than otherwise. This was the 
moara-burning operation, frequently noticed in the 
works of Ksempfer and other writers on Japan. 
Morn is said, in some books, to be made from the 
balls of a fungus, and in others to be furnished by 
the young leaves of wormwood (Artemesia). When 
used, it is in the form of little cones, which are 
placed in the holes above mentioned, and set on 
fire on the top. It bums slowly down, and leaves 
a blister on the skin, which afterwards breaks and 
discharges. The operation is considered very 
efficacious in preventing or curing the fevers of 
the country, as also in cases of rheumatism, gout, 
and even toothache. The Chinese irritate the skin 
for the same disorders by dipping the knuckles in 
hot tea, and pinching the neck, back, and other 
parts of the body until the skin becomes painfully 
tender. 
Acupuncture is another famous remedy with 
the Japanese, although, perhaps, not so common 
or such an apparent luxury as the moxa-burning. 
It is used in cases of bowel-complaint or colic, 
endemic to the country. This disease is supposed 
by them to be caused by wind, and, in order to let 
it out, several holes are made with needles in the 
