276 



BURSERACE.E 



DESCRIPTION OP DRUG. Irregular masses of agglutinated tears, varying 

 from small grains up to pieces about the size of an egg, or sometimes 

 much larger; of a reddish-yellow to a reddish-brown color, dusty, 

 opaque, waxy, and unctuous. Freshly broken, the shining surface 

 often shows characteristic white marks or streaks. Odor pleasant, 

 balsamic; taste bitter, aromatic. This description applies to 



the best Turkey-official myrrh. 

 The India variety comes in 

 darker pieces, more opaque, less 

 odorous, and abounding in im- 

 purities. Bdellium and other 

 gummy or resinous substances 

 are often mixed with it. 

 False myrrh is the name some- 

 times given to these other 

 gummy and resinous substances. 

 As it is difficult to detect 

 adulteration when it is in the 

 powdered form, it is best pur- 

 chased in mass. The best 

 variety yields a brownish-yel- 

 low tincture, which acquires 

 a purple tint upon the addition 

 of nitric acid. A tincture which 

 does not show this color reaction 

 betrays an impure article, which 

 should be rejected. 



Powder. Microscopical elements of: 

 See Part iv, Chap. I, B. 



CONSTITUENTS. A volatile oil, 

 myrrhol (3 to 4 per cent); a 

 bitter principle; a resin, 35 per 

 cent., and gum, 60 per cent., 



forming with water a yellowish or brownish emulsion, which de- 

 posits a sediment upon standing. Recent investigations of Tschirch 

 and others, have cleared up many obscure points regarding the 

 chemistry of the resins in such drugs as myrrh. An excellent 

 classification of the resins is found in a volume entitled 

 "Pharmacopedia," by White and Humphrey, London (pp. 400, 403) 

 and in Allen's "Commercial Organic Analysis," (pp. 1-103, vol. 

 iv, 4th edition). Myrrh of good quality should contain not more 

 than 70 per cent, of matter insoluble in alcohol. Ash, not more 

 than 8.5 per cent. 



FIG. 156. Commiphora myrrha Branch. 



