Menreat Prorentizs ayn Uszs. The whole pl 
dried or fresh, is inert, except the root: It is the milky 
juice of this, which produces the pure Scammony of the 
i 
ss . 4 ee . 
ode of obtaining it.—Having cleared away the earth 
from about the root, inthe beginning of June, the 
sants cut off the top in an oblique direction, just below 
the corona, or about two inches from the point whence 
the stems arise, and below it. Under the most depending 
part of the slope, they fix a shell, or some such utensil or 
zeceptcies into which the juice flows spontaneously. It 
is left there about 12 hours, which suffices for draining off 
‘the whole juice : this is in small quantity, each root afford- 
ing buta be, drachms. The juice from the several Toots 
is added together, often in an old shoe, or leg of a boot, 
for want of something better, where, in a little time, it 
grows hard, is the genuine Scammony. 
This concrete is a gummy resin, of a light, shining grey 
colour, and friable texture. It is brought from Aleppo and 
Smyrna—that from the latter place is less valued than the 
Aleppo kind; is generally said to be heavier, and of a 
darker colour. This is owing to the craft and cupidity of 
the Jews, who make it their business to go where the 
Scammony is prepared, and buy it, while yet soft, of the 
peasantry; mix with it, wheat flour, sand, ashes, soot, and 
various other articles, with which Dr. Russel found it adul- 
terated: they have not the same opportunities at Aleppo. 
That from Smyrna is commonly mixed with the expressed 
juice of Cynanchum monspelianum—oftener sophisticated 
ith flour, sand, or ashes. Good scammony should be fri- 
become milky; and the pow 
beslétic odie; which 
ewe-milk cheese. __ 
soluble. The pei = “4 f 
oodness or purity—the fine pure appearance of the 
salsa alone, is the proper test. The smell of Scam- 
mony is unpleasant, and the taste bitterish and slightly 
acrid. Proof-spirit is its best menstruum. 
The Arabian physicians used it, both externally and in- 
ternally—the first, as a remedy for tumours, scabies, tinea, 
deep-seated pains, &c.; internally, as a purgative. It was 
then, and is now, seldom used alone, but compounded > 
with other drugs, in medicines of great repute. Hoffman 
cteemed it dangerous, and says he rarely ventured to use 
it. Boerhaave restored its use, as a safe and stimulating 
cathartic, and says he frequently used it uncombined, 
without producing tormina or hyper-catharsis, 
—CON oe 
aa 
t, either ~ 
+ 
