480 GUM-RESINS 



Alcohol dissolves the volatile oil and resin. The volatile oil is 

 yellowish and viscous and resinifies with great rapidity. Both the 

 volatile oil and the resin give the characteristic violet reaction. 



The resin is not entirely soluble in ether. The insoluble (smaller) 

 portion is separable into three free resin-acids ( a -, ft- and y-commi- 

 phoric acids), a combined resin-acid (commiphorinic acid), and two 

 phenolic resins (a- and /2-heerabo-myrrholol) . The portion soluble 

 in ether contains a- and /3-myrrhololic acids. These constituents 

 are remarkable for exhibiting little analogy with the substances 

 that have been isolated from other resins. 



The gum is apparently allied to acacia gum ; it yields by hydro- 

 lysis arabinose and contains an oxydase enzyme the activity of which 

 is destroyed by a temperature (in solution) of 100, but not of 90. 



The bitter principle has not yet been isolated. 



Good myrrh should yield not more than 70 per cent, of substances 

 insoluble in alcohol and not more than 5 per cent, of ash ; com- 

 mercial powdered myrrh often yields much more ash. 



Uses. Myrrh has stimulant and antiseptic properties ; it is used 

 as a mouth wash and as a uterine stimulant and emmenagogue. 



Varieties. In addition to Somali myrrh (the official drug), as 

 above described, the following varieties may be briefly alluded to : 



Fadhli or Arabian myrrh, which occurs in smaller pieces made 

 up of agglutinated tears, presenting a less dusty surface, and free 

 from white markings. The odour is less fragrant and taste less 

 bitter than that of genuine myrrh. It is said to be collected on the 

 mountains to the east of Aden. 



Yemen myrrh, which occurs in large pieces of dark reddish brown 

 colour and dusty surface. It exhibits no whitish streaks and exudes 

 no oil. The taste is bitter, the odour resembles that of myrrh but is 

 less aromatic. It is exported from Makullah to Bombay and Aden. 



Substitutes and Admixtures. Perfumed bdellium or bissabol 

 which closely resembles myrrh. It breaks with a waxy fracture and 

 yields to the nail, giving an oily exudation like soft myrrh. It has a 

 yellowish colour and exhibits white markings which, however, are 

 traversed by angular interstices filled with a brown resin. It has a 

 taste and odour quite distinct from those of myrrh and it does not 

 yield the violet reaction. It is frequently seen in the London market, 

 where it is offered for sale under various names (scented bdellium). 

 It is probably derived from C. erythrceum, var. glabrescens, Engler. 



Opaque bdellium, a very hard, yellow ochre-coloured, opaque gum- 

 resin with but a slight odour and a bitter taste. Portions of a papery 

 bark are frequently found associated with it. The tincture (1 in 6) 

 assumes an intense greenish black colour with solution of ferric chloride. 



African bdellium, in hard pieces, translucent in thin layers, and red 

 when viewed by transmitted light. The fracture is dull and slaty, 



