ARQ_
- rp astringent, as cinnamon ; others
afford a strong mucilage, as the Cas- sia lignea; and again, others a bit- terness, as orange and lemon peel. The aromatic ingredient is ex- tracted in different proportions from various substances, by rec- tified spirits of wine ; though it is sometimes obtained by mere infu- sion with water. Aromatics form an useful and agreeable ingredient in many ar- ticles of cookerv, but especially in dishes prepared of watery and fla- tulent vegetables, of which they are the best correctors : they warm the stomach, and stimulate the whole system ; raise the pulse, and quicken the circulation. In cold, languid habits, and a relaxed state of the solids, they support the ani- mal spirits, or increase vital action, and promote the salutary secre- tions : but to hot, bilious tempera- ments, full habits, and inflamma- tory dispositions, they are certainly pernicious. ARQUEBUSADE WATER, a medicinal preparation, which has received this name, from its great" efficacy in healing gun-shot wounds, though it is, at present, with more propriety, applied to bruises, tu- mors arising from blows, and par- ticularly to suggillated parts con- taining coagulated blood. Various mixtures are used for this purpose, but according to our experience, the following deserves the preference, both on account of the easy manner of preparing it, and its superior virtues : " Take distilled vinegar and rectified spirit of wine, of each one pound and a half, double refined loaf-sugar, half a pound, and five ounces of com- mon oil of vitriol. This composi- t on may be applied to the injured parts in a cold or lukewarm state, ARR 1>3 and the compresses should be kept continually moist, for as soon as they become dry, the pain is liable to return. By its astringent pro- perty it contracts the skin ; and the sugar which settles on it, not un- like a coating of glue, ought to be carefully washed off every other, or third day, with Goulard-water. No other remedy is equal to this, if it be properly and timely applied ; but we think it necessary to add, that care must be taken, not to sprinkle or shed any of the mixture on clothes or linen, which would be burnt and destroyed by its cau- sticity. — See Bruises. ARRACK, Arac, or Rack, is a spirituous liquor imported from the East Indies, and uied either as a cordial, or an ingredient in punch. It is obtained by distillation from rice, or sugar, fermented with the juice of cocoa-nuts. Goa and Ba- tavia are the chief places from which arrack is exported. At the former, there are three sorts, viz. the single, double, and treble dis- tilled. The double is but a weak spirit, in comparison with that obtained at the latter place ; but, on account of its peculiar flavour, it is preferred to all the others. The arrack now in general use contains but a sixth, and some- times onlv an eighth part of alco- hol, or pure spirit. A spirituous liquor of this name is also extracted by the Tartars of Tungusia, from mare's milk, which is first suffered to turn sour, and then distilled two or three times, between two close earthen pots, from which it runs dirough a small wooden pipe. It is possessed of the most intoxicat- ing qualities ; so that, according to Prof. Pallas, men, women and children, frequently drink them- selves into 3 sem'.-delirious trance, K 4 which
