162 GRASSES OF IOWA. 



India, and by distillation yields the Rusa oil. These aromatic 

 oils have been known since early in the eighteenth century, and 

 have become commercial products since the early part of tbis 

 century. It is used principally for rheumatism, and Rusa is 

 said to stimulate the growth of hair. The lemon grass oils are 

 used most extensively in America by soap makers and perfum- 

 ers. In India cattle are said to be very fond of the fragrant 

 Andropogon and the fltsh and milk become strongly flavored 

 with its strong aroma. 



Andropogon. — A related species of Andropogon, A. laniger, is 

 used in India for cholera. The roots have a very strong odor 

 analagous to myrrh. The roots of A. muricatus, native to 

 southern India and Bengal, were anciently much used by the 

 Brahmins, where it is known as cuscus grass. The roots are 

 much used for making screens known as tatties, and when 

 wetted give off an agreeable odor. 



Cumarin. — Several of our grasses are known to give off an 

 odorous product, e. g. cumarin, and this is identical with that 

 found in the tonka bean (Dipterix odorata). Two grasses pro- 

 ducing cumarin are found in this state, namely, sweet vernal 

 grass {Anthoxanthum Puelli) and our northern vanilla grass 

 {Hierochloe borealis). 



Phragmites and Arundo — An infusion of the roots of Phrag- 

 mites vulgaris \s MS*^ A as a diuretic. The rhizomes of Arundo 

 Donax are also used for the same purpose. 



Paspalum and Goix. — The Paspabim notatum Flugge is used for 

 gonorrhoea. The Goix lachryma is used as a diuretic and to combat 

 inflammatory affections of the respiratory organ. In China it 

 is extensively cultivated for a similar purpose. It is also used 

 as a diuretic according to Gomez de la Maza.* The capsules 

 are used by followers of the Roman Catholic faith for rosaries. 



Uordeuin. — Mention should be made alfcO of the use of barley 

 (Hordeum sativum) in medicine. This anciently cultivated 

 plant has been used in medicine for a long time. The so-called 

 pot or hulled barley is only partially deprived of its husks. 

 In pearl barley all the integuments are removed, and this is 

 the barley that finds a place in the Pharmacopoeia. Barley is 

 used especially for the making of drinks for sick in ftbrile, in 

 pulmonary and urinary disorders. 



Sugar cane. — Saccharum offlcinarum also largely enters into 

 medicines. It is known by the pharmaceutical name of Sac- 



*£ssayo f armacofltologla Cubana 8. 



