264 ARACE^. 



impression wliich persists for Lours. It lias been employed cliiefly in 

 domestic practice, as a stimulating expectorant, and to relieve flatulent 

 colic. Topically it has been emj^loyed in aphthous sore mouth, as a 

 stimulant to indolent ulcers, and in cutaneous affections. 



SYMPLOCARPUS.— Skunk Cabbage. ; 



Symplocarpus fcetidus Salisbury. — Skunk Cabbage. 



Descrij^tion. — Flowers perfect, thickly crowded ujDon a globular, short- 

 stalked spadix, which is surrounded and covered by a fleshy, hooded spathe ; 

 the latter strij^ed and sjDotted with purple. Sepals 4, hooded. Stamens 

 4, opiDosite the sepals. Ovary 1-celled, immersed in the fleshy receptacle ; 

 Style 4-angled ; stigma small. Fruit a globular mass, 2 to 3 inches in 

 diameter, composed of the enlarged fleshy spadix enclosing the seeds just 

 below the surface. 



A perennial herb, vdth a thick descending root-stock, and numex'ous 

 strong fibrous roots. Leaves all radical, 1 to 2 feet long when fully grown, 

 ovate, cordate, entire, short petioled, smooth and shining green. It blooms 

 very early in spring, sometimes even in winter when the weather is mod- 

 erate ; the fruit matures about September. 



Habitat. — In bogs and wet places, often associated with veratrum ^d- 

 ride ; common. 



Farts Used. — The rhizome and roots. Formei'ly official under the name 

 dracontium, but droj)ped from the Pharmacopoeia in 1880. 



Constituents. — AU parts of this plant have a strong odor like that of 

 the skunk. The root has an acrid, j)ungent taste, and possesses an acrid 

 principle of a volatile character which has not been isolated. This prin- 

 ciple is dissipated in drying or by heat, and is entirely lost by long keep- 

 ing. 



Preparations. — It has been employed in infusion, tincture, and in sub- 

 stance. 



Medical Properties and Uses. — Skunk cabbage has been used chiefly in 

 spasmodic affections, its disgusting odor having probably first afforded 

 the suggestion. It is said to have produced happy effects in spasmodic 

 asthma and iii .hysteria. In the latter it probably acts quite as strongly 

 upon the mind as upon the body of the patient, possibly more so. As its 

 activity is diminished or lost by long keeping, it is essential that the drug 

 be used as fresh as possible, or at least that the preparations employed be 

 made from the fresh i^lant. 



ACORUS.— Sweet Flag. 



Acorus Calamus Linne. — Sweet Fla,g, Calamus. 



Description. — Flowers perfect, thickly crowded upon a cylindrical 

 spadix which emerges from the side of a simple, 2-edged, leaf-like scape. 



