114 VETERINARY MATERIA MEDICA. 



sure to pink, and finally to brown. It has a persis- 

 tent, alliaceous odor, and bitter, alliaceous, acrid 

 taste; when triturated with water, it yields a milk- 

 white emulsion. It is partly soluble in ether, and at 

 least sixty per cent, of it should dissolve in alcohol. 

 Dose: H., 3 ij.-iv. ; D., gr. x.-xx. 



Tinctura AsafoetidcE, tincture of asatoetida (twen- 

 ty per cent.). Dose: H., fl. 3 i.-iij. ; D., fl. 3 ss.-ij. 



Eniulsum Asafoetidce, emulsion of asafoetida (four 

 per cent, in water). Dose: H., fl. 3 viij.-xx. ; D., 

 fl. 3 ss.-ij. 



Physiological Action. — Asafoetida is a power- 

 ful antispasmodic, a carminative, a stimulating expec- 

 torant, a nerve and cerebral stimulant. It is also 

 mildly tonic, laxative, diuretic, diaphoretic, emmena- 

 gogue, aphrodisiac, and anthelmintic. It raises ar- 

 terial tension, stimulates the circulation, secretions, 

 and excretions, the general nervous system, the men- 

 strual flow, and sexual appetite. Its continued use at 

 times causes impaired digestion, flatulency, difficult 

 urination, diarrhoea, tenesmus, and phenomena of 

 general nervousness. It is rapidly absorbed and elim- 

 inated by the respiratory mucous membrane, the 

 kidneys, and the skin, gently stimulating their secre- 

 tions. 



Therapeutics. — It has long been successfully giv- 

 en in flatulent colic of the lower animals; in con- 

 stipation — with aloes and nux vomica; in chronic 

 bronchial affections, chronic catarrh — combined with 

 ammonia muriate. Also as a vermifuge, but for this 

 purpose its action is somewhat uncertain. 



