107 



157.— " ARDRUE" OR " AB'R'U'E."—Cypei-ii.s artkulatus, L. 



In the annual Report of the Department for 1892, I mentioned 

 that supplies of the root of this Cyperus had been forwarded to an 

 eminent firm of manufacturing druggists in the United States. From 

 this material has been manufactured a "' Fluid Extract" which is said 

 to be useful in ''atonic dyspepsia" — " Yelljw Fever," and has a 

 special reputation for checking excessive vomiting in various dis- 

 orders. " ]t possesses a fine aromatic flavour, and produces a general 

 feeling of warmth and comfort to the stomach." It is especially 

 recommended as an anti-emetic. Samples of the drug may be easily 

 obtained from the druggists, or may be seen at the office of the Royal 

 Botanic Gardens at any time. 



The plant has been recorded as a native of the "West Indies by 

 nearly all the older writers on West Indian Botany, and by some of 

 these it is also stated to be a specific in cases of yellow fever. It was 

 sent in a collection of medicinal products to the Indian and Colonial 

 Exhibition from the Jamaica Botanical Department in 1886. It is 

 rather a common plant in Trinidad and was found in 1819 by Dr. 

 Cruger ; in 1866 by Dr. Finlay at Oropuche, and specimens by both 

 collectors are well preserved in the Departmental Herbarium. It has 

 also been found in the St. Juan and Caroni swamps, from the former 

 of which, our material was procured. The roots or rhizome is the 

 part used, and of this only the tuberous portion, which if picked out 

 with care and well dried in the sun will keep good for a great length 

 of time. 



It does not appear however that its merits have as yet been fully 

 tested by the medical profession, and further trial will have to be 

 made before it can take rank as a standard remedy of the Pharma- 

 copoeia, but at any rate it is certainly harmless, and well deserving 

 extended trial. 



In small communities "' Remedies" having a local reputation are 

 often used, and great faith in their virtue is found, not alone among 

 the ignorant, but among the well educated. Still, year after year 

 passes, and these ** remedies" are not brought into use in the medical 

 service. Of late years, however, some of this class of medicines 

 have been examined by competent men in experimental laboratories, 

 and in a few cases the results have proved decidedly encouraging. On 

 the other hand, however, not only have many of the so-called 

 " remedies" been found to be utterly worthless, but in certain cases 

 they have been proved to be of a highly dangerous character, and not 

 suitable for ordinary administration. 



