NAT. ORDER. ARACEiE. 37 



Medical Properties and Uses. Armn is certainly a very pow- 

 erful stimulant, and by promoting the secretions may be advanta- 

 geously emj)loyed in cacliectic and clilorotic cases, in rheumatic 

 affections, and in various other complaints of phlegmatic and tor- 

 pid constitutions ; but more especially in a weakened or relaxed 

 state of the stomach, occasioned by the prevalence of viscid 

 mucus. If this root is given in powder, great care should be taken 

 that it be young and newly dried, when it may be used in the dose 

 of a scruple or more twice a day ; but in rheumatisms and other 

 disorders requiring the full effect of this medicine, the root should 

 be given in a recent state, and to cover the insup2)ortable pungen- 

 cy it discovers on the tongue, it may be used in substance mixed 

 with milk or molasses, as it does not imjjart its virtues to any liquor ; 

 or the fresh roots may be grated, or reduced to a pulp, with three 

 times their weight of sugar, thus forming a conserve, the dose of 

 which is a teaspoon-full twice a day. Dr. Lewis advises it to be 

 administered in the form of emulsion, with gum arable and sjierma- 

 ceti, increasing the dose from ten grains to upwards of a scruple 

 three or four times a day ; in this way, says he, " it generally oc- 

 casioned a sensation of slight warmth about the stomach, arid after- 

 wards in the remoter parts manifestly promoted pei'spiration, and 

 frequently produced a copious sweat." It is also used for flatu- 

 lence, cramp in the stomach, asthmatic and consumptive affections, 

 and has been strongly recommended for the removal of the most 

 obstinate rheumatic pains. It quickens circulation, and promises 

 to be a useful topical stimulant when the acrid principle may be 

 rendered available. It has been found beneficial in lingering atro- 

 phy, debilitated habits, great prostration in typhoid fevers, chronic 

 catarrh, &c. 



Bergius speaks highly of the efficacy of Arum in headachs, 

 which were of the most violent kind, and resisted all the means he 

 employed, till he used the jiowder of this root, which never failed 

 to relieve them. 



