620 MEDICAL BOTANY. 



This is found in many places in the United States, growing in moist situa- 

 tions. It flowers very early in the season, at which time the leaves have 

 not appeared, not being developed till the end of April, and gradually in- 

 creasing in size, and at last attaining very large dimensions. The whole 

 plant, especially when bruised, emits a very disagreeable alliaceous odour, 

 resembling that of garlic and assafoetida combined, or as its vulgar name in- 

 dicates, that of the Skunk. 



The root is officinal in the U. S. Pharmacopoeia. The roots as found in 

 the shops consist of both caudex and fibres ; the former of a dark brown 

 colour externally, and white and amylaceous within ; the fibres are of a 

 lighter tint, much wrinkled, and are by no means as acrid as the tuber. The 

 taste of the fresh root or leaves is very acrid; this depending in a great mea- 

 sure on a volatile principle, is much diminished by drying, and is entirely 

 dissipated by heat. The seeds in an entire state have no odour, but when 

 bruised give out the peculiar smell of the plant, and are extremely acrid. 

 From an examination of the roots and seeds by Mr. Turner (Amer. Jour. 

 Pharm. ii. 1), it appears that they contain Volatile fatty matter, Volatile oil, 

 Fixed oil, Wax, Starch, &c. The seeds contain much of the fixed oil, yield- 

 ing twenty per cent. 



Medical Uses.— The root and seeds are stimulant, antispasmodic and nar- 

 cotic. In large doses Dr. Bigelow states that they occasion nausea, vomiting, 

 headache, vertigo and dimness of sight. Schoepf notices the plant as an ex- 

 pectorant, and useful in phthisical coughs (Mat. Med. Am. 133). Dr. Cutler 

 attracted (he attention of the profession to it, as a palliative in asthma, and it 

 has been employed by olher practitioners with some success in that disease, 

 as well as in chronic catarrh, rheumatism, hysteria, &c. Dr. Thacher even 

 speaks of it as useful in dropsy. 



The leaves are often used in the country to dress blisters, where it is wish- 

 ed to keep up a discharge ; when bruised they are also considered as a good 

 application to ulcers and wounds ; and their expressed juice is stated to have 

 been beneficially employed in obstinate cutaneous diseases. The dose of the 

 powdered root is from 10 to 20 grains, several times a day, gradually in- 

 creasing the dose. It has also been given in infusion and syrup. 



Tribe 3. Acore^e. — Flowers with a regular perianth. Leaves ensiform, equitant 

 Ovules pendulous. 



Acorus. — Linn. 



Spadix naked, and closely covered with flowers. Flowers surrounded with 6 scales. 

 Ovaries 3-celled; with about 6 suspended ovules in each cell; stigmas 3-lobed. Capsule 

 several-seeded. 



A small genus, found in most parts of the world, the species of which so 

 closely resemble each other, that they are probably merely varieties, caused 

 by differences of climate. 



A. calamus, Linn. — Rhizome thick, jointed, somewhat spongy, with long slender roots, 

 aromatic. The joints are from half an inch to an inch in length, and are variously 

 shaded with different tints of red and white. The leaves are radical, sheathing at base, 

 of a reddish colour below, long, flat and ensiform. The scape is similar to the leaves, 

 but is generally longer, and bears a spadix about its middle. This is solitary, oblique 

 and cylindrical, tapering towards the obtuse extremities. The flowers are small, and 

 arranged in a spiral form, of a greenish colour, with six equal truncated scales, enclosing 

 six stamens, having thick filaments and bilobate anthers. The ovary is sessile, with a 

 pointed stigma. The capsule is several-seeded. 



