392 A COMPENDIUM OF 
with a peculiar, bitter taste. The size of the 
sac varies, but is usually one or two inches in 
diameter; 95 per cent alcohol dissolves only 
about +, of the weight of musk, and water 
nearly one-half of the weight of the substance, 
the solution of which is of a deep brown color, 
very odorous and of an acid reaction. On being 
burned the musk gives off an odor somewhat 
like urine. The musk found in commerce is 
known as the Chinese, Thibet or Tonquin 
musk ; this is said to be the best, although the 
Siberian or Russian mask is often of fine qual- 
ity. The musk sacs are often relieved of their 
contents, and dried blood, resin, etc., perfumed 
with the genuine secretion, is placed therein. 
Musk contains fat, acid, ammonia, war, gela- 
tone, albumin, and a substance called choles- 
erin, and its powerful odorous principle, which 
has not been isolated. Musk is anti-spasmodic, 
stimulating and aphrodisiac in its action, and 
may be given in form of pill, powder and tinc- 
ture, the dose of which is from 5 to 10 grains 
(0.3 to 0.6 grams). The tincture is officinal, 
but is rarely prescribed, probably on account 
of the high price. 
There is no doubt that the musk is obtained 
from the animal described; but the Chinese 
writers assert that this timid animal is capable 
of throwing off the secretion during the rutting 
Season, and does so always in one place, and 
Dr. Macgowan asserts that as much as twenty 
pounds have been found in these depositories 
made by the animal year after year. This 
statement seems reasonable from the fact that 
the animal is very timid, the demand large, 
