1352 
INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
the effect of croton. Ts considered as an antidote in cases of 
croton-poisoning.” (Surgeon W. A. Lee, Mangalore.) 
“ The burnt root acts as an astringent in infantile diarrhoea.” 
(Asst. Surg. Ruthnam T. Moodelliar, Chingleput.) “ In 3-grain 
doses it is very effectual in relieving the colic of small 
children.” (Surg.-Maj. John North, Bangalore.) 
“In Western India it is used externally as an application 
on bruises and rheumatism rubbed up with the spirits made 
from the Cashew-nut fruit.” (Surg.-Maj. C. T. Peters, South 
Afghanistan.) 
Powdered rhizome is used for removing fleas from water 
in which the rhizome is steeped for a day or more, and is given 
to fowls for the same purpose (K. R. K.). 
Gildemeister and Hofflman (Volatile Oils (written under the auspices of 
Schimmel & Co.). 302) say that though the oil has been repeatedly examined 
no satisfactory insight into its chemical nature has been obtained. It is used 
in 'the manufacture of liquors and of snuff," but is less in demand than 
formerly for medicinal purposes. Native Medical practitioners consider the 
rhizome in large doses an emetic, in small doses tonic or stomachio and car- 
minative. It is prescribed in cases of fever, rheumatism and dyspepsia, as 
well as for flatulence even in infants. It is also a pleasant adjunct to tonic 
or purgative medicines, and as an aromatic stimulant is recommended for 
catarrh and distressing coughs. Dr. Childe, Second Physician to the Sir 
Jamsetji Jijibhai Hospital, Bombay, tried an authentic tincture for malaria, 
dyspepsia, dysentery and chronic bronchitis, and after careful experiment 
pronounced it inert. Linschoten, who studied the cultivation of sweet-flag 
in Gujarat and Deccan (a. d. 1598), mentions a preparation called arata (a 
mixture of the rhizome of sweet-flag with garlic, cumin seeds, salt, sugar and 
butter) which was used as a strengthening medicine for horses. Nicholson 
(Man. Coimbatore, 247) refers to its use in the treatment of foot and mouth 
disease. [Cf. also Taleef Shereef (Playfair, transl.) 1888, 84.]— (Watt’s Com- 
mercial Products of India, p. 24). 
The following constituents have been recognised in the essential oil of 
Acorus calamus Free normal heptylic and palmitic acids, eugenol, asaryl 
aldehyde, esters of acetic and palmitic acids, the crystalline body, C, s 
0 2 , m. pt. 168 °C. named Calameone and asarone, C l2 H ia 0 3 . Asarone forms a 
solid compound with phosphoric or arsenic acid, in the same manner as cineol 
(euealyptol). During the reaction it becomes polymerised, forming para- 
sarone (C 12 H„ Oj) 3 , a product which becomes transparent and vitreous at 
178 °C., and melts at 203°C., and is readily soluble in most organic 
compounds.— J. S. Ch. I, 15-10-1904, p. 949. 
