418 MATERIA MEDICA 



ammoniac^ and is useful in dispersing indolent tumours, if mixed 

 with an equal quantity of sweet oil, and oil of turpentine, in 

 which camphor has been dissolved. Liquor of pure ammonia is 

 too strong for internal use ; but when ammonia is, by a chemical 

 process, combined with carbonic acid, or fixed air, it assumes a 

 solid form, and is rendered sufficiently mild for that purpose. In 

 this state it is named carbonate of ammonia, or prepared ammonia, 

 volatile sal-ammoniac, or smelling salts, being much used for 

 smelliug-bottles, as its quick pungent odour is well calculated to 

 remove faintness. Ammonia is invariably produced during the 

 natural or artificial decomposition of organised bodies. 



Carbonate of Ammonia. — Ammoina Carbonas, now called 

 Sesquicarbonate of Ammonia. This is stimulant, antacid, and 

 cordial, and is given in doses from half a drachm to two drachms. 



When carbonate of ammonia is dissolved in water to saturation, 

 it forms water or solution of mild ammonia, or coynmon spirit of 

 sal-ammoniac ; when distilled with spirit and some aromatic oils, 

 spirit of sal-volatile, or compoimd spirit of ammonia: and if assa- 

 foetida be added the foetid spirit of ammonia is produced, which 

 is sometimes given as an antispasmodic. The aromatic spirit of 

 ammonia is recommended by JNIr. Morton for lioven in cattle, 

 and for flatulent colic in the horse, in doses of four drachms to 

 an ounce. See Assafgetida. 



The Salt and Spirits of Hartshorn are nearly the same 

 as the carbonate, and the solution or loater of ammonia ; but being 

 distilled from bones, or stag-horns, which are of the same nature, 

 they are slightly impregnated with animal oil, which gives them 

 a peculiar smell, and is supposed to increase their antispasmodic 

 power. See Antispasmodics. 



AMMONIAC UM. Ammoniac. This is divided into two 

 sorts. The first is of a yellowish colour, interspersed with small 

 pieces of wood, and other extraneous matter ; the other, in small 

 pieces or dro])s, of a whiter colour than the former, and much 

 more pure ; this is commonly called d7'op ammojiiacum. The 

 former, however, may be employed for veterinary purposes, 

 making a little allowance in the dose for the extraneous matter 

 it contains; but this may be in a great measure separated by 

 pounding and sifting. 



Gum Ammoniac is an expectorant (see Expectorants), in 

 doses from two or three to four drachms. It is advantageously 

 joined Avith powdered squills, and in some cases with camphor, 

 opium, and balsam of sulphur. 



Horses that are of a very full habit should be bled ; and take a 

 laxative ball previously to the exhibition of expectorants, which 

 render them more efficacious. It may be proper to observe that 

 ammoniacum is never to be employed in recent coughs, arising 

 from catarrh, or cold, but only in the chronic kind, that are not 

 dependent on inflammation. 



