473 
But thofe of Engliih growth are now very generally fubftituted, and 
found to be little or nothing inferior to the exotic fort, which is 
merely a variety of the lame fpecies. b 
The root, in its dried ftate, has a moderately ftrong aromatic fmell, 
and a warm pungent bitterifh tafte.. Water is found to extrad the 
bitter matter of the root moil completely, and rectified fpirit that of 
the aromatic. It imparts its virtues to water in diilillation along with 
a fmall quantity of eflential oil, amounting only to two ounces from 
fifty pounds of the root, according to Hoffman ; but Neuman and 
Cartheufer obtained the oil in a much larger proportion. 
The root of Calamus, though not heating like the fpices, manifefts 
to the tafte confiderable pungency, and a moderate mare of bitternefs, 
and has therefore been deemed ufeful as a warm itomachic, and was 
formerly much ufed here in combination with the more iirnple bitters, 
which, by this addition, were rendered more grateful and carmina- 
tive. It has been recommended in vertigo, proceeding from a vitiated 
flomach, and in intermittent fevers, which we are told were cured by 
this root, after the bark had failed/ We are alfo informed of its 
efficacy in fcorbutic and hemorrhagic complaints ; c but to this, little 
elexipharmic 
credit will be given, and much lefs to the 
power of Calamus, though, it is an ingredi 
fuppofed 
mcrreaient in the theriaca and 
mithridate of dignified memory, and ftill is much ufed in eailern 
countries as a prefervative againft contagion. 
h ' Vide Lin. .Sp. PL p. 462. 
■ 
De May erne 4 Prax. Med. p. 59. 
d 
Aft. S octet. Med. Havn. vo !..(). p. 206. 
c - See Murray. App*.. Med. v».. 5. p* 42. 
CALAMUS 
