AMMONIAC. 



93 



parts of squill and senega, together with tartar emetic ; much used 

 in croup, catarrh and hooping-cough; dose for a child, 10 drops to 

 f 3j, according to the age. 



Black Snake Root. — (Cimicifuga, U. S.) 



Root of the Cimicifuga racemosa, sometimes called cohosh and 

 richweed, an indigenous perennial plant, several feet high, having 

 ternate leaves, and long racemes of white flowers. The root con- 

 sists of a tuberculated caudex, several inches long, from which nu- 

 merous slender brittle radicles proceed. Colour, blackish ; odour, 

 feeble ; taste, bitter and astringent. Virtues to boiling water ; 

 strongest when fresh. 



Effects. — A general tonic and stimulant to the secretions, espe- 

 cially of the lungs, skin, and kidneys. In very large doses, it seems 

 to affect the brain. Used in rheumatism, hysteria, and pulmonary 

 disorders ; also an excellent remedy in chorea. Dose of decoction, 

 (3j to Oj water,) a teacupful, several times a day. 



Gaklic. — (Allium, U. S.) 



Bulb of the common garlic. Allium sativum. It is about an inch 

 in diameter, flattened, is covered by a membrane, and consists of 

 several small conical bulbs, arranged round a common stem, called 

 cloves. Odour, strong ; taste, acrid and bitter, depending on a vo- 

 latile oil, which is of a yellow colour, extremely acrid and irritating. 

 The expressed juice is the best for internal use ; to be given mixed 

 with sugar. Dose, f 3ss. to f 3j. 



Used in chronic catarrhs, asthma, &;c. Sometimes employed ex- 

 ternally as a poultice to the feet of children. 



Assafcetida. 



As an expectorant, a good deal resembles garlic. A valuable 

 remedy in coughs of a nervous character, as hooping-cough, spas- 

 modic asthma, infantile coughs, and coughs of old people. Dose, 5 

 to 15 grains, given in pill or emulsion. 



Ammoniac. — (Ammoniacum, U. S.) 



Inspissated juice of the Dorema a'mmoniacum, an umbelliferous 

 plant of Persia. Found in tears and in masses ; the former is the 

 purest ; occurs in pieces of various size, spheroidal ; of a reddish- 

 yellow colour externally ; brittle when cold ; of a resinous fracture. 

 The masses are of a darker colour, and contain many impurities. 

 Odour, peculiar, increased by heating it ; heat softens, but does not 

 melt it; taste, bitter, nauseous, and acrid; chemically, a gum-resin 

 and volatile oil, partially soluble in water and in alcohol ; forming, 

 with the former, a milky emulsion, and with the latter, a clear 

 tincture. 



