540 AROIDEM 



identify it with Sicertla Chirata. Hajd Zein states tliat in liis 

 time (1368) Kasab-ed-darira came from Calicut, where it was 

 called by the natives Buringa ; if this statement is correct, the 

 drug used by him must have been either Premna herhacea or 

 Clerodendron serratum, the Bharinga of the Hindus. Roylo 

 supposes Calamus aromaticus to hare been an Andropogon. 

 Mahometan writera describe it a» deobstrucnt and depurative, 

 useful for the expulsion of the phlegmatic humours, which they 

 suppose to be the cause of paralysis, dropsy, and many other 

 diseases; they recommend it to be given to children to bite 

 when teethings and prescribe it internally in calculous affec- 

 tions. It has also a reputation as a diaretic, eramenagogue, 

 and aphrodisiac, and is applied in the form of poultice to 

 paralysed limbs and rheumatic swellings. A pcssaiy composed 

 of Acorus, saffron, and mare^s milk is used to promote 

 delivery; a hip bath of the decoction is also said to be 

 efficient for this purpose. Dr. Ondaatji, Colonial Surgeon of 

 Ceylon, has brought to notice the use of sweet-flag as an 

 anthelmintic in that island. He says: *^ An infusion of the 

 rhizome given to young children acts effectually, as I have 

 seen many such cases treated among the natives. " Dr. Evers 

 at the Seoni Main Dispensary has found the di'ug very effectual 

 in dysentery. Houses the following decoction: -Bruised rhi- 

 zome 2 ozs., Coriander 1 dr.. Black pepper \ dr.. Water one 

 pint. Boil down to 12 ounces, and let cool. Dose for an adult 

 1 ounce three times a day ; for a child 1 to 3 drachms, s^veetened 

 with sugar, two or three times a day. He also remarks :— " The 

 decoction is not only useful in dysentery and diarrhoea, but also 

 in the brouchitic affections of children." I have often taken 

 It myself when suffering from a bad cold in the chest. ( Ind. 

 Med. Gazette, Feb. 1875.) 



r 



The evidence collected by Dr. Watt for Did. EcoyuProd.of 

 India testifies to the value of Acorus as an aromatic bitter and 

 stimulant, especially useful in allaying distressing cough. 



Description.— The root-stock occurs in somewhat tor- 

 tuous, sub-cylindrical or flattened pieces, of variable length ; to 



