304 A COMPENDIUM OF 
Lactucarium occurs in the stores in small, 
irregular pieces, but in commerce the pieces 
are circular, plano-convex cakes, externally of 
brownish-gray color, internally of a yellowish- 
white, possessing a waxy lustre when cut; odor 
heavy and opium-like; taste bitter and gummy; 
partially soluble in alcohol and ether, but form- 
ing a turbid mixture with water. Lactucarium 
contains caoutchouc, resin, mucilage, sugar, as- 
paragin, lactucin, lactucic acid (crystalline), 
lactucopicrin, and 50. per cent. of /actucerin, 
which is said to be tasteless, Lactucin is the 
principal bitter found in the concrete juice of 
the lettuce, and crystallizes in pearly scales 
which are soluble in 60 per cent. of water. 
The medical effects of the Lactucarium are 
anodyne, hypnotic and sedative. It is admin- 
istered in form of syrup, powder, and fluid ex- 
tract. A fluid extract of the root of the let- 
tuce is also used, and said to be the French 
Lactucarium. Dose of the powder, 2 to 8 
grains; of the extract, about the same amount; 
of the syrup, 1 or 2 fluid drachms (4 to 8 
grams). The name is derived from the Latin 
lac, and has reference to its milk-like juice. 
Narthex Asafcetida, Ferula Narthex Scoro- 
dosma Feetidum and Ferula Scorodosma.— 
Natural order Umbelliferee Orthosperme. The 
Asafcetida plant is large and herby, arising to 
the height of 8 or 10 feet, adorned with long, 
green bipinnate leaflets, about 18 inches long, 
linear, obtuse, entire or sinuate in contour. 
Flowers in umbels, small and not at all showy. 
Fruit matures on partial umbels, supported on 
short foot-stalks, and number from 7 to 15. 
