94 



32. SUCCINUM. AMBER. A fossil resin from extinct coniferous trees, found in 

 greater or less quantities in every quarter of the globe; the largest deposits 

 occur in the region surrounding the Baltic Sea, where it has been washed 

 upon the shore. In small, irregular pieces, usually light or deep yellowish- 

 brown, sometimes reddish-brown, generally translucent; tasteless and odor- 

 less, but emits an agreeable, aromatic odor when heated. It is almost in- 

 soluble in water, alcohol, ether, or oils, slightly soluble in chloroform. Used 

 for fumigation, for the preparation of succinic acid and oil of amber, and in the 

 arts. 



32 a. OLEUM SUCCINI. OIL OF AMBER. A light yellowish-brown or amber- 

 colored liquid (colorless when pure), having a balsamic, empyreumatic odor, 

 and a warm, acrid taste. On exposure to light and air it thickens and be- 

 comes darker, ultimately solidifying into a black mass. With fuming nitric 

 acid it acquires a red color, changing after a time into a brown, resinous mass 

 having a peculiar musk-like odor. It is often adulterated with oil of turpen- 

 tine, which may be detected by its throwing down a solid camphor when hydro- 

 chloric acid gas is passed through the mixture. Stimulant, antispasmodic, 

 and irritant. Dose: 5 to 15 TTJJ (0.3 to I mil). Externally in liniments. 



33. DAMMARA. DAMMAR. GUM DAMMAR. A spontaneous, resinous exuda- 

 tion collected in the East Indies from A'gathis dam'mara Richard. Trans- 

 parent, straw-colored, rounded masses, almost free from odor and taste, and 

 breaking with a glossy, conchoidal fracture. Used mostly for varnishes. 



34. KAURI RESIN. KAURI GUM. A resin dug in large quantities from the soil 

 in New Zealand, where it has exuded from Dam'mara orienta'lis. It is in 

 large cream-colored or amber-colored masses. Used as a vulnerary in skin 

 diseases; also used as a substitute for collodion, leaving an adherent, impervi- 

 ous, resinous varnish over the wound. 



35. SANDARACCA. SANDARAC. A resin exuding spontaneously from the bark 

 of a North African evergreen tree, Calli'tris quadrival'vis Ventenat. Small 

 rounded masses about the size of a pea, of a yellowish color; it resembles 

 mastic somewhat, and is often substituted for it on account of its lower price, 

 but a simple means of distinction is afforded in its becoming pulverulent (not 

 adhesive) when chewed. It was formerly used as a mild stimulant in oint- 

 ments and plasters, but is now mostly used for varnishes. Its powder is 

 used as a pounce to prevent ink from spreading on paper or cloth. 



GNETACEJE 



36. EPHEDRA. The herb Ephe'dra antisyphilit'ica C. A. Meyer. This plant 

 is a native of Arizona, where it is used in venereal diseases. Dose of fl'ext.: 

 I to 2 fl. dr. (4 to 8 mils). 



GRAMINE^;. Grass Family 



A large order yielding the cereals (wheat, rye, etc.) and sugar cane, the source 

 of most of the sugar of the market. The characteristics of the order are the hollow 

 stems (culms), flowers in spikelets, and the fruit, a caryopsis. 



Synopsis of Drugs from Graminea 



A. Rhizome. P. Starches. G. Fruit. 



TRITICUM, 37. AMYLUM, 42. Hordei Fructus, 43. 



B. Root. a. Avenae Farina. H. Decorticated Fruit. 



Vetiveria, 38. b. Sago. Hordeum, 43 a. 



C. Sugar. c. Tapioca. I. Germinated Seeds. 



SACCHARUM, 39. d. Taro. Maltum, 43 b. 



D. Styles and Stigmas. e. Triticum Vulgare. 



*ZEA, 40. f. Oryza. 



E. Fixed Oil. g. Solanum Tuberosum. 



Oleum Maydis, 41. h. Canna. 



i. Maranta. 



j. Curcuma Leucorrhiza. 

 N.F. 



