Dorema Ammoniacum. Gum Ammoniacum.

Description: Natural Order, Umbelliferae. A native of Persia, India, and other Oriental countries. It is a biennial, attaining the height of six or seven feet, and abounding in a somewhat milky juice. This juice is gathered in the spring time, from incisions made in the roots, after the manner of asafoetida. It is a gum resin, and comes to market in the form of tears consolidated into rough masses; yellowish without, whitish within, compact and brittle. At a moderate heat, it softens without melting; and will burn with a white flame and much smoke. It is partly soluble in water, with which it forms a milky emulsion; and acts as other resins with alcohol.

Properties and Uses: Stimulant, with moderate relaxing powers, rather diffusive in its action, chiefly influencing the mucous membranes. It should not be used in any case where inflammation is present, but is suited to relaxed and atonic conditions. It is employed in old coughs with pulmonic debility and excessive mucous secretion; and sometimes in leucorrhea, and amenorrhea under similar circumstances. It has been found of use in asthmatic and catarrhal affections under the same conditions. It gently promotes the flow of urine; and a warm preparation will act moderately upon the skin. It is not an agent to be relied upon largely; but makes an excellent adjunct to stronger and less diffusive articles. From ten to twenty grains may be given at a dose, three times a day; and though it may be used as a pill, the form of emulsion is better. The emulsion is formed by triturating two drachms of the gum with half a pint of water; and one to two tablespoonfuls of this may be given as a dose.

The Physiomedical Dispensatory, 1869, was written by William Cook, M.D.
It was scanned by Paul Bergner at http://medherb.com