ASAFETIDA 537 



mucous membranes of the bronchial tubes and genito-urinary 

 tract. The oil also stimulates the circulation reflexly. Toxic 

 doses of the oil paralyze the brain and cord and depress the 

 circulation ; while lethal quantities of ammonium valerate 

 are said to first excite the spinal motor tract and cause con- 

 vulsions, and to finally occasion spinal depression and 

 paralysis. Valerian and the valerates are called antispas- 

 modics in stimulating and strengthening an enfeebled 

 nervous system and thus combating disorders which are 

 created by an increased susceptibility to impulses originat- 

 ing within the brain, or outside of the body. Valerian is 

 both recommended and used in the treatment of polyuria 

 and diabetes insipidus of the horse ; in chorea of dogs 

 resulting from distemper, and occasionally in hysteria, 

 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 com- 

 bine the tonic and antispasmodic action of the two constitu- 

 ents 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 3 ss.-i.; and to dogs in quan- 

 tities of TTLiL-v. 



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



Synonym. — Asafetida, B. P.; Gummi-resina asafcetida, 

 ase fetide, asafcetida, Fr.; stinkasant, teufelsdreck, G. 



A gum-resin obtained from the root of Ferula fcetida 

 (Bunge) Kegel (nat. ord. Umbelliferse). 



Habitat. — Persia, Afghanistan and Turkestan. 



Properties. — In roundish tears, from 2 to 6 Mm. or more 

 in diameter; externally pale yellowish-brown, internally 

 milk-white ; brittle when cold, and breaking with a flat, 

 conchoidal, and waxy fracture ; or the tears are superficially 

 united into irregular masses without any intervening dark- 



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