258 MATERIA MEDICA AND THERAPEUTICS. 



Substances resembling Dill : Conium, Anise, Fennel, Cara- 

 way. Dill is winged. 



Composition. Dill contains the officinal volatile oil, which is 

 pale yellow, with a pungent odour, and an acrid sweetish taste. 



Preparations. 



1. Aqua Anethi. 1 in 10. Dose, 1 to 2 fl.oz. 



2. Oleum Anethi. Obtained by distillation. Dose, 2 to 5 min. 



ACTION AND USES. 



The same as of other substances containing aromatic vola- 

 tile oils. It is often given as a carminative to infants. 



Siiiiilmi Radix SUMBUL ROOT. The dried 

 transverse sections of the root of a plant the botanical 

 history of which is unknown. Imported from Russia, 

 and also from India. 



Characters. The pieces are nearly round, from 2^ inches to 5 

 inches in diameter, and from to 1| inches in thickness. They 

 are covered on the outer edge with a dusky brown rough bark, 

 frequently beset -with short bristly fibres. The interior is 

 porous, and consists of irregular, easily separated fibres. It 

 has a strong odour, resembling that of musk. The taste is at 

 first sweetish, becoming after a time bitterish and balsamic. 

 That brought from India differs from the Eussian, being closer 

 in texture, more dense and firm, and of a reddish tint. 



Composition. Sumbul contains a small quantity of volatile 

 oil, 9 per cent, of a soft resin with its characteristic odour, and 

 a crystalline substance, sumbulic acid. 



Preparation. 

 Tinctura Sumbul. 1 in 8. Dose, 15 to 30 min. 



ACTION AND USES. 



Sumbul is a stimulant, like the aromatic oils in general, 

 and specially resembles valerian and musk. It is used in the 

 same class of cases as these drugs, to the account of which the 

 reader is referred. 



CAPRIFOLIACE^B. 



Samtouci Flores ELDER FLOWERS. The fresh 

 flowers of Sambuciis nigra. From indigenous plants. 



