HERACLEUM GUMMIFERUM. ORD. Umbellatz. gee by 
fracture, is adhesive in the warm hand, softens by heat, but does not melt. 
At a candle, it takes fire, softens, some of it drops, and throws out sparkles ; 
the flame is bright and smoky. In a ladle, it boils, takes fire from a flame 
brought near it, and leaves a hollow, black, shining, dry charcoal. It is 
partly soluble in water, the solution is milky, and deposits on standing, a 
resin. Alcohol dissolves about 50 per cent.; the tincture is very limpid, and 
smells but weakly of the ammoniac; on adding water it becomes milky, 
and the odour of the gum becomes more sensible, but very little is precipi- _- 
tated. Ether dissolves about 60 per cent. leaving a gum which possesses 
the taste of the ammoniac; the solution on evaporation, yields a yellowish- 
white, insipid resin. Distilled with water or alcohol, nothing comes over 
but the pureliquors. According to the analysis of Braconnot, 100,0 of gum am- 
moniac, contain 70,0 parts of resin, 18,4 gum, 4,4 glutinous matter, and 6,0 
water, 1,2 parts being lost in the process.* Nitric acid converts the resin 
into a yellow matter, which imparts a permanent yellow dye to silk. 
Medical Properties and Uses. Gum-ammoniac is deobstruent, antispasmo- 
dic, diuretic, and stimulating. In large doses, it is purgative, excites per- 
spiration, and increases the flow of urine. As a deobstruent it is efficacious 
in visceral obstructions, hysteria, and chlorosis ; in long and obstinate cho- 
lies, proceeding from viscid matter lodged in the intestines, this gum has 
been administered with decided benefit, after other aperients and carmina- 
tives have been used without success. It is prescribed with advantage to pro- 
mote expectoration in some pulmonary diseases, especially asthmaand chronic 
catarrh; but, on account of its stimulating quality, it must be exhibited 
with caution, where any inflammatory action may be present. 
As a topical remedy, it is applied to promote the suppuration of hard tu- 
mours, and as a discutient in white swellings of the joints. In the form of 
plaister, or a solution of it in vinegar, it has been recommended for resolv- 
ing schirrous swellings. Internally it may be. exhibited in doses of from 
ten to thirty grains, in substance, or diffused in water in the form of emul- 
[t may also be given in combination, with ipecacuanha, tartar emetic, 
squills, &c. to promote its expectorant powers, as circumstances mag require ; 
or joined with bitters, iron, fetid gums, or myrrh, to increase its deobstru- 
ent and antispasmodic effects. | 
Of. The Gum resin. Ammoniac. 
* Thomson’s Chemistry. 
sion. 
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