MOSCHUS 445 



than that which has been dried and prepared for the market, although 

 the commercial product is estimated to contain about 10 per cent, 

 of moisture. The dried musk is contained in the original sac, one- 

 half of which is smooth and the other covered with hairs arranged 

 concentrically around two orifices. The quantity of musk in each 

 sac amounts to about 160 grains. Not more than one-tenth of this 

 musk is dissolved by strong alcohol, with which it forms a light 

 yellowish-brown tincture, while as much as one-half of it can be 

 dissolved in water, forming with it a dark brown solution having a 

 very strong odor. Should not contain more than 15 per cent, of 

 moisture nor 8 per cent, of ash. 



VARIETIES. Besides the Chinese or Thibetan musk, which is of the most 

 excellent quality, there is also a Siberian musk, the quality of which 

 is inferior. There is also an artificial musk which comes more prop- 

 erly under the head of adulterations. The Siberian or Russian 

 variety is generally quite easily distin- 

 guished, the containing sac being more 

 elongated than 'that of the Chinese 

 variety, and the hair thinner and lighter. 



ADULTERATIONS. An artificial musk is manu- 

 factured by the Chinese and is made up 

 chiefly of a mixture of blood and ammonia 

 to which a small quantity of real musk 

 is added, the whole being inclosed in a 

 piece of the skin of the musk ox. Resin, 

 lead, and other substances are also re- 

 sorted to in preparing adulterations. 



CONSTITUENTS. Free ammonia, fat, albu- FlG - 261. -Tonquin Musk. Pod: (i 



natural size.) (Photograph.) 



men, an acid, wax, and gelatinous prin- 

 ciples can be easily separated, but it has been impossible to 

 separate the odoriferous principle. The gray ash left after burning 

 the pure musk constitutes about 8 per cent, of the drug. The odor 

 of musk is destroyed or greatly modified by the action of several sub- 

 stances, such as camphor, ergot, hydrocyanic acid, etc. 



ACTION AND USES. Antispasmodic and diffusible stimulant, together with 

 more or less aphrodisiac action. Its powerful and lasting odor makes 

 it valuable as a perfume, either alone or in combination with other 

 substances. Dose: i to 10 gr. (0.065 to 0.6 Gm.), administered in 

 the form of powder, pills, or enema, the powder being generally taken 

 with milk. 



OFFICIAL PREPARATION. 



Tinctura Moschi (5 per cent.), Dose: 2 fl. dr. (8 mils). 



