(Strath, 1903), wekas (Flexon, 1897-1898), and watchuske mitsu 
in, “that which the musk rat eats” (Franklin, 1854); Chippewa 
(Ojibway) of Minnesota-Ontario, wiken (Densmore, 1928), and 
Chippewa of Ontario-Michigan, wika (Gilmore, 1933); J/ro- 
quoian language stock—the Mohawk of New York State, a- 
notion ao-titara (Rousseau, 1945); Siouan language stock—the 
Dakota Sioux, Minnesota and the Dakotas, si’ kpe-ta-wote 
(Gilmore, 1919). 
A Penobscot Indian dreamed that the “muskrat spirit” was 
the “muskrat root”: 
The muskrat told him that he was a root and where to find him. 
The man awoke, sought the muskrat root, made a medicine of it, 
and cured the people of the plague. (Speck, 1917). 
The Penobscot believed that they would be cured of cholera by 
utilizing Sweet Flag; observing that muskrats eating the plant 
had meager excrements, they believed that the effects would be 
the same for them (Speck, 1917). 
The occurrence of the name “muskrat root” or “muskrat 
food” among different tribes of three language families strongly 
suggests diffusion. The fact that these tribes were contiguous 
strengthens the case for diffusion. Furthermore, Europeans may 
have aided in the dissemination of the animal’s name in the fur 
trade, the British calling the animal musquash (later muskrat), 
the French using the term rat musque. 
Sweet Flag has been considered a panacea medicine among 
culturally diverse Indian tribes, such as the Cheyenne, Dakota, 
Micmac and Mohegan. Many tribes have employed Acorus 
Calamus as an expectorant and febrifuge for curing the common 
cold. The Chippewa snuffed Sweet Flag for colds (Densmore, 
1928). For colds and bronchial problems, the Chippewa also 
mixed Sweet Flag with the bark of Xanthoxylon americanum 
Mill., bark roots of Sassafras variifolium (Salisb.) Ktze., and the 
roots of Asarum canadense L. (Gilmore, 1933). For colds, the 
Dakota, Omaha, Winnebago and Pawnee chewed the root or 
made an infusion (Gilmore, 1919); for colds, they also used the 
smoke treatment—breathing fumes of the plant under a blanket 
from the root shavings or powder sprinkled on live charcoals. 
Among the Swampy Cree, Sweet Flag has been an important 
medicine for curing various throat troubles: 
240 
