634. Civetta.—Civet.
SOURCE.—The glandular pouch between the genitals, and anus of the male and female animals belonging to the two species Viver'ra zibe'tha Schreber, and V. civetta Schreber, the first of which is found in Southern Asia and the other in Africa.
DESCRIPTION.—The secretion, when fresh, is yellowish, becoming brown with age, soluble in hot absolute alcohol, partly soluble in ether, and insoluble in water; odor musk-like; taste acrid and nauseous.
ADULTERATIONS.—Butter or lard is not infrequently used as an adulterant of the commercial article.
CONSTITUENTS.—Resinous and coloring matters are the chief components, together with volatile oil and fat.
ACTION AND USES.—The manufacture of perfumery is the principal use of civet, but it is also sometimes administered as a stimulant and antispasmodic in doses of 5 to 15 gr. (0.3 to 1 Gm.). As a perfume it is superior to musk, as the odors of various kinds of flowers can be successfully imitated with it.
