NAT. ORDER.- — ARACE^. 
37 
Medical Properties and Uses. Arwn is certainly a very pow- 
erful stimulant, and by promoting the secretions may be advanta- 
geously employed in cachectic and chlorotic 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 insupportable pungen- 
cy it discovers on the tongue, it may be used in substance mixed 
with milk or molasses, as it does not impart 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 sperma- 
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, and after- 
wards in the remoter parts manifestly promoted perspiration, 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 powder of this root, which never failed 
to relieve them. 
