ASAFETIDA 389 



epilepsy, convalescence from acute diseases, and nervous restlessness. 

 Although the drug is of secondary importance, it finds a much larger field 

 of usefulness in human medicine. 



Zinc valerate is more commonly employed in canine practice for 

 chorea. Ferric valerate is supposed to combine the tonic and antispas- 

 modic action of the two constituents in one preparation. The oil of 

 valerian is a useful remedy (in emulsion) as a carminative in flatulence. 

 It may be given to horses in doses of 3ss-i; and to dogs in quantities of 

 lUii-v. 



AsAFCETiDA. Asafetida. (U. S. P.) 



Synonym. — Asafetida, B. P.; ase fetide, asa foetida, Fr. ; stinkasant, teufels- 

 dreck, G. 



A gum-resin obtained by incising the rhizomes and roots of Asafoetida 

 LinnS and Ferula foetida Regal (Fam. Umbelliferae) and some other species of 

 Ferula indigenous to Persia and adjacent countries. 



Habitat. — Persia, Afghanistan and Turkestan. 



Properties. — In a soft mass, sometimes almost semi-liquid, or in irregular, 

 more or less pliable masses composed of agglutinated tears of variable size im- 

 bedded in a yellowish-brown or dark brown matrix, or in loose ovoid tears, from 

 1 to 4 cm. in diameter. On moistening witji water the tears become milky white; 

 odor persistent, alliaceous; taste bitter, alliaceous and acrid. When triturated 

 with 8 parts of water it readily yields a milk-white emulsion. 



Constituents. — 1, a volatile oil (5 per cent.), containing as its.most important 

 ingredient, allyl sulphide, which gives asafetida its disagreeable odor; 2, gum, 

 about 25 per cent.; 3, bassorin resin, 65 per cent., containing ferulaic acid 

 (C,oH,„Oi). 



Dose.— H. & C, 5ss-i, (15-30) ; Sh. & Sw., 5i-il, (4-8) ; D., gr.iii-xii, (.18-.8). 



Administration. — Asafetida is given in ball to the larger animals or in an 

 extemporaneous emulsion which is readily made — owing to tlie gum in the drug — 

 by trituration with water. Asafetida is administered to dogs In pill. The drug 

 may also be injected in aqueous mixture per rectum. 



Preparations. — Pilulae asafoetidae (gr.iii each) ; dose — D., 1-4. Tinctura asa- 

 foetidae (1-5); dose— H., gii-iv, (60-120); D., 3ss-i, (2-4). Emulsum (mistura) 

 asafoetidae, milk of asafetida (1-25); dose— D., gss-i, (15-30). 



Action and Uses. — Asafetida is of value by reason of its volatile oil, 

 and therefore possesses much the same action as other agents of this class. 

 In experiments on man asafetida caused "stomachache," activity of the 

 bowels, increased pulse rate and respiratory movements, headache, dizzi- 

 ness, and sexual desire. 



Asafetida is chiefly used as a carminative, stimulating expectorant, 

 and nerve stimulant or antispasmodic. Liquid preparations may cause 

 nausea and vomiting in dogs owing to the nauseous taste. Being used 

 as a condiment in the East it is described by old writers as "cibus deorum, 

 stercus diaboli" (food of the gods, stink of the devil). The drug is of 

 most service in flatulent colic of horses, when it is combined with am- 

 monium carbonate in ball, or is given in this form simultaneously with 

 linseed oil and oil of turpentine. 

 Flatulent colic in horses. 



Pulveris asafoetidae .^I. 



Pulveris capsici 31. 



Ammonii carbonatis 3ii. 



Pulveris nucis vomicae 31. 



M. et fiat bolus No. 1. 

 S. Give at once. 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



