86 A COMPENDIUM OF 
found in commerce, are of a light-brown color 
externally, wrinkled, and showing on the main 
root many scars for the insertion of the stems. 
The horizontal rhizome is from 1 to 3 inches (7 
to 21 millimeters) long, and about 3-5 of an inch 
(15 millimeters) in thickness, Internally the 
arnica is somewhat spongy and of a creamy 
white color, showing many circular, woody 
zones. The odor of the root is somewhat aro- 
matic, and the taste bitter and pungent. Ar- 
nica contains, according to analysis, sannin, mu- 
cilage, inulin, arnicin, capronic and caprylic acids, 
also a volatile o7/, The arnica root is stimulant, 
diuretic, and vulnerary. It has been given in 
doses of 5 to 15 (0.3 to 1.0 grams) grains, but 
rarely used in thisform. In fact, the root is not 
often found in the stores of to-day. The offici- 
nal preparations are the EXTRACT, FLUID EX- 
TRACT AND TINCTURE ARNIC& RADICIS; but the 
tincture most generally used is that made from 
the flowers, and this is used principally as an 
external application. Arnica and its prepara- 
tions are poisonous when given in large doses. 
The dose of the extract is uncertain, but may 
be given in doses of from 5 grains to 15 drops 
(o.33-1 gram), and repeated at the option of the 
physician. The name arnica is derived from 
the Greek word ars, a lamb, or arnion, a little 
lamb, because the leaves are possessed of a pu- 
bescence resembling the wool of a young lamb. 
Asarum, Asarum Canadense, American 
. Asarabacca, Canada Snake-root, Wild Ginger, 
etc.—Natural order Aristolochia. The Euro- 
pean variety is said to differ from the American 
Asarabacca by not only being cathartic, but 
