SCA MMONI UM. 295 



Characters. Tap-shaped roots, sometimes three inches in 

 diameter at the top, brown without, white within, slightly 

 odorous, hut tasteless. Ether agitated with the powder and 

 evaporated, leaves a residue having the properties of scammony 

 resin. 



Substances resembling Scammony Root : Belladonna, which 

 is smaller. 



Scammonium SCAMMONY. A gum-resin, ob- 

 tained by incision from the living root of Convolvulus 

 scammonia, chiefly in Asia Minor. 



Characters and tests. Ash-grey, and rough externally ; 

 fresh fracture resinous, splintery, shining, black when dry ; 

 odour and flavour cheesy; causes, when chewed, a slight 

 prickly sensation in the back of the throat ; easily triturated 

 into a dirty-grey powder, and converted with water into a 

 smooth emulsion. 



Impurities. Chalk, detected by effervescence with acids ; 

 starch, by iodine test. 



Composition. Scammony consists of 77 to 83 per cent, of 

 resin, soluble gum 6 to 8, and a little moisture. The root, the 

 gum -resin, and the resin contain an active principle, jalapin, 

 probably identical with the convolvulin of jalap. 



Dose, 5 to 10 gr. 



ScammonisE Resina EESIN OF SCAMMONY. 



Source. Made from Scammony, or Scammony Eoot, by pre- 

 paring a tincture, and precipitating this in water. 



Characters. Brown, translucent pieces, brittle, fragrant; 

 entirely soluble in ether. 



Impurity. Guaiacum resin, detected by giving blue with 

 potato. 



Dose.Z to 8 gr. 



Preparations. 



A. Of Scammonium : 



1. Confectio Scammonii. 1 in 3, with Ginger, Oil of Caraway, 



Oil of Cloves, Syrup, and Honey. .Dose, 10 to 30 gr. 



2. Pulvis Scammonii Compositus. Scammony, 4 ; Jalap, 3 ; 



Ginger, 1. Dose, 10 to 20 gr. 



Scammonium is also an important ingredient of Pilula Colo- 

 cynthidis Composita (1 in 3), and of Pilula Colocynthidis et 

 Hyoscyami (1 in 4^). 



