the materia medica, the root of a species of Smilan, brought both from the East and West Indies; and thence distinguished into oriental and occidental. Both sorts are longish, full of joints, of a pale-reddish colour, with no smell, and very little taste. The oriental, which is the most esteemed, is considerably harder and paler-coloured than the other. Such should be chosen as is fresh, close, heavy, and upon being chewed appears full of a fat unctuous juice. It is generally supposed to promote insensible perspiration and the urinary discharge, and by its unctuous quality to obviate acrimonious juices. China-root was first brought into Europe in the year 1535, and used as a specific against venereal and cutaneous disorders. With this view it was made use of for some time; but has long since given place to more powerful medicines.

China-Ware. See Porcelain.

Chinca, a sea-port town of Peru in South America, situated in an extensive valley of the same name, in W. Long. 76° 0'. S. Lat. 13° 0'.

Chin-cough, a convulsive kind of cough to which children are generally subject. See (the Index subjoined to) Medicine.