ACTIONS AND USES 587 



into irregular masses, which are red-brown externally, and 

 within are opaque and milk-white, but gradually change 

 to a dull yellow-brown. Asafcetida has a strong, persistent, 

 alliaceous odour, and a bitter, acrid taste. It is pulverised 

 with difficulty, forms an emulsion with water, is dissolved 

 in rectified spirit, and also in potash and ammonia. Its 

 active constituents are resin, gum, and about 5 per cent, 

 of an acrid volatile oil containing allyl sulphide (C 3 H 5 ) 2 S. 

 A good sample of asafcetida should contain about 65 per 

 cent, of matter soluble in rectified spirit. 



ACTIONS AND USES. Asafoetida is a mild stimulant, ex- 

 pectorant, carminative, antispasmodic, and vermifuge. It 

 is speedily absorbed, its disagreeable odour indicating its 

 general distribution ; it is eliminated from the pulmonary 

 mucous surface, the skin, and kidneys, gently stimulating 

 their secretions. Robertson used asafoetida, with aloes 

 and nux vomica, in constipation and torpidity of the bowels 

 in horses, and in flatulent colic prescribed the tincture 

 along with oil of linseed and of turpentine. The spiritus 

 ammonias fcetidus, made with 1J ounce asafoatida, 2 ounces 

 strong solution of ammonia, and sufficient alcohol (90 per 

 cent.) to make one pint of the spirit ; and the tincture of 

 asafcetida, are sometimes prescribed in colic and chronic 

 cough. Like other substances containing odorous volatile 

 oils, asafcetida is a vermifuge, but its action is uncertain. 

 It is allied in some of its actions to valerian, and to sumbul, 

 and closely resembles the two gum-resins, ammoniacum 

 and galbanum, which are scarcely so active, and are chiefly 

 used for making charges and plasters. 



DOSES, etc. Horses take ^ij. to ^iv. ; cattle, j. ; 

 sheep, 3i- \ an( i dogs, grs. x. to grs. xx. It is given several 

 times a day ; may be made into bolus with camphor and 

 ammonium carbonate ; is frequently prescribed in draught 

 with watery or alcoholic solution of ammonia ; and, to 

 prevent their misappropriation, it may be added to alcoholic 

 and ethereal preparations intended for veterinary patients. 

 In colic, asafoetida (3J V may be added to a quart of linseed 

 tea and administered per rectum. 



