Page:Indian Medicinal Plants (Text Part 2).djvu/602
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 diarrhœa." (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 stomachic and carminative. 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.) 1833, 34.]— (Watt's Commercial 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, C15H26O2 , m. pt. 168 °0. named Calameone and asarone, C12H16O3 . Asarone forms a solid compound with phosphoric or arsenic acid, in the same manner as cineol (eucalyptol). During the reaction it becomes polymerised, forming parasarone (C12H16O3 )3 , a product which becomes transparent and vitreous at 173 °C, and melts at 203°C, and is readily soluble in most organic compounds.— J. S. Ch. I, 15-10-1904, p. 949.