70 Acorus calamus. 
of the root; but Neuman and Cartheuser obtained it in much 
greater proportions. It was formerly recommended by a writer of 
authority,* in vertigo, proceeding from a vitiated stomach; and in 
intermittents, which are said to have been cured by this medicine, 
after the bark had failed.; To its reputed efficacy in scorbutic and 
hemorrhagic complaints, in the words of Dr. Woodville, “ little cre- 
dit should be given, and still less to its supposed elexipharmic 
power.’’*{ Calamus also stands as an ingredient in the renowned 
mithridate and theriaca, and in the compound powder of arum. 
The candied roots are said to be used by the Turks in Constan- 
tinople, as a prophylactic against contagion. The preparations of 
it enumerated by Murray,@ are, a dry confection of the roots, a 
distilled water and oil, a spirituous and aqueous extract, and the 
elixir vite Matthioli, and elixir vitrioli Mynsichti. The infusions 
in water are strongly imbued with the odour of the root, and 
have a moderately warm and very bitter taste. Spirituous tinc- 
tures are more warm and pungent than aqueous infusions, but 
much less bitter, and have but little smell, and water applied after 
spirit gains a considerable bitterness.|| Hence it is evident that water 
is a better menstruum than spirit to extract the medical virtues of 
* De Mayerne, Prax. Med. p. 59. 
+ Act. Societ. Med. Hav. vol. 9. p. 206. 
+t Med. Bot. 
§ App. Med. 2. 5. p. 39. 
|| Lewis, Mat. Med. p. 252. vol. 1. 
