08 • NAT. ORDER. CO.NVOLVULACEjE. 



and rapid growth, reminded us that, if not a native of this 

 country, our climate and soil was equally well adapted for its 

 culture, as tliat of the older countries. 



The root is the part directed for use, and was formerly kept 

 by the druggists, both in England and France. In the beginning 

 of June, the earth is removed from the upper part of the roots, 

 and an oblique incision is made into each, at the distance of about 

 two inches from where the stalk springs up ; a milky juice then 

 flows, which is collected in convenient vessels, placed at the most 

 depending part. The quantity of juice thus obtained from each 

 root, is but a few drachms, which trickles away in about twelve 

 hours ; the whole that is collected from the different roots, is then 

 transferred to one common receptacle, where, by exposure to the 

 air and sun, it hardens. It should be of a bright green color, 

 light, friable, with a fracture having a shining, irregular appear- 

 ance ; it has an acid taste, and its smell is very peculiar, and rather 

 unjjleasant. We often meet with this in medicine stores, of various 

 colors, varying from a light brown, to nearly a jet black. In its 

 recent and soft state, before it is imported, it is often adulterated 

 with starch, ashes, juices of other plants, &c., which of course 

 renders the article less active. We can best ascertain its value 

 by mixing it with water, when the pure scammony will be dis- 

 solved or suspended, and the impurities will subside, and may be 

 examined. The very best kind of scammony comes from Aleppo, 

 which is light and friable ; an inferior sort is imported from Ger- 

 many, which is heavy, compact, of a dark color, with scarcely any 

 smell, and is found to contain more impurities than the former. 

 It contains rather more than fifty per cent of resin, the rest being 

 extractive matter and gum. Proof spirit would be its best men- 

 struum ; but it is only given in the form of powder. 



Medical Properties and Uses. It is rather surprising that some 

 authors should have doubted the purgative quality of this article, 

 which must be obvious to every one who gives it but a few trials 



