BUBON GALBANUM. 
205 
of the gum is precipitated. Both wine and vinegar dissolve nearly 
the same quantity as water. Rectified spirit takes up about one- 
fifth of its weight, and the tincture is of a golden yellow colour. 
A mixture of two parts of alcohol and one of water dissolves nearly 
all but the impurities. In distillation with water Galbanum yields 
a considerable quantity of volatile oil;* which is of a blue colour 
at first, but changes by exposure to the atmosphere to a greenish 
yellow. Sulphuric ether takes up a large proportion of Galbanum : 
the tincture is of a bright golden colour, which, when evaporated, 
leaves a tenaceous, yellow coloured resin, that retains the sensible; 
qualities of the gum. By the addition of oxymuriatic acid to the 
solution of Galbanum, an insoluble matter is thrown down, which is 
probably oxidized extractive. 
Medical Properties and Uses. Galbanum is considered 
expectorant, deobstruent, and antispasmodic, and may be said to 
hold a middle rank (with regard to its virtues,) between assafoetida 
and ammoniacum. It is said to promote uterine evacuations, hence 
it has been found particularly useful in hysteria, when dependent 
upon obstructed menstruation ; it is also useful in correcting various 
secretions, but as an expectorant it is not equal to assafoetida. 
Externally Galbanum has been applied as a wann stimulating 
plaster, and also to expedite the suppuration of indolent tumours. 
It is exhibited in the form of pills or emulsion, in doses of from 
ten grains to sixty. 
Off. Galbanum Gum-resin. 
Off. Pp. Emplastrum Galbani, D. 
• — Compositum, L. 
Pilulae Galbani Compositum, L. 
Tinctura Galbani, D. 
Galbanum also forms one of the ingredients in several other com- 
pound preparations of the British colleges. 
* Half its weight, (Thomson's Chemistry, 4th edit. v. i. p. 42.) but according to Neu- 
mann, one lb. of galbanum yields about six drachms of oil, besides what remained 
dissolved in the water. We presume the quantity of oil must, in a great measure, 
depend upon the quality of the gum. — Ed. 
VOL. II. 2 F 
